It looks like this is about as official as it gets.
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According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, top wrestling free agent Io Shirai will be on her way to WWE after having a "tryout" two months ago at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando.
Shirai's "tryout" was considered less of an actual tryout at the time, and more of the company hosting Shirai to try and get her to jump ship from Japan's "Stardom" promotion. If Meltzer is correct, then it appears that WWE was successful in luring Shirai to the United States.
If Shirai does sign, she will be joined by one of her fellow top performers from the Japanese promotion "Stardom", as Kairi Hojo is also reportedly heading to WWE. Both Shirai and Hojo were rumored to be signing with WWE last year, but they decided to stay with Stardom until now.
Shirai, 26, is generally regarded as one of the best pro wrestlers in the world, regardless of gender. Shirai finished eighth in the Wrestling Observer's "Most Outstanding Wrestler" award race, which is the highest finish by a female wrestler in that award category since 2001.
Shirai be a boost to an already blossoming women's division in WWE that features Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Asuka, among others. The possibility of Shirai facing all of them is just good for wrestling in generally, as those matches should be excellent.
