Io Shirai has been linked with a move away from WWE in the past and questions of her leaving the company arose after NXT Stand and Deliver

Io Shirai vs Raquel Gonzalez was the main event of WWE NXT Stand and Deliver Night 1. Shirai came into this clash as the champion but had her work cut out in the form of the bigger Gonzalez.

This was Gonzalez’s first championship singles battle on NXT and experience could have played a huge role in the outcome.

However, it was Gonzalez who defeated the Japanese star and started a new era on NXT. Gonzalez has had a rocket attached to her back in regards to a rise and well, she has also defeated Rhea Ripley in recent weeks.

Sean Ross Sapp was tweeting the live conference call with Triple H and Shawn Michaels after the show.

Taking the belt off Shirai was a big move by NXT and Gary Cassidy asked why this was done. Hunter claimed that Shirai was the right person for the fight but also turned down any talk of Shirai leaving WWE.

Triple H says if Io Shirai wants to take time off or wants to go right back at Raquel, she's earned the right.

HHH says NXT talent is dominant, then there's a bump in the road and people assume they're leaving, and that doesn't happen anywhere else.

Well…obviously

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) April 8, 2021

Shawn Michaels also chimed in and said that NXT has the deepest women’s division and didn’t believe anyone wanted to leave the company.

Rumours laid to rest of Io Shirai wanting to leave WWE

Shirai is one of the biggest names on NXT and has won several awards during her short stint in WWE.

However, there were rumours of her being unhappy with WWE in 2020. Reports suggested that she wanted to return to Japan to be with her partner.

Shirai wasn’t the only Japanese star having such problems with Kairi Sane also keen on returning.

Sane was eventually released by WWE but she is still with the company in a bit of an ambassadorial role.

Shirai, for her part, was great in Stardom and has been untouchable in WWE. It would be crazy to see her leave but homesickness is a real thing.

For now, she is part of WWE and could battle Gonzalez too. Further, she could end up on Raw or SmackDown and that would be a big bump for her.

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