Report: Io Shirai Out With An Injury

Io Shirai hasn't appeared on WWE NXT since she unsuccessfully challenged for the NXT Women's Championship in a Fatal 4-Way at Stand & Deliver that also featured champion Mandy Rose, Cora Jade, and Kay Lee Ray (since renamed Alba Fyre). 

That show took place two months ago, though, and an image of Shirai wearing a leg brace and a walking boot emerged shortly after the event. 

In an update, Fightful Select reported Shirai is indeed out of action with an injury, although there is no word on what the injury is, nor how severe it is. WWE are hopeful The Genius Of The Sky will be back this summer but that is not guaranteed.

The injury has meant Shirai is not included in any creative plans on WWE's development brand for the time being. Shirai was also said to be well-liked in WWE and the NXT locker room.

Shirai has been a part of WWE since 2018, spending her entire run on NXT so far. She is a former NXT Women's Champion and NXT Women's Tag Team Champion.