For many years, wrestling enthusiasts recognized her as Io Shirai. However, upon her return to WWE at SummerSlam 2022, the former NXT Women’s Champion embraced a new identity in the ring as IYO SKY, a name that has since defined her presence in the promotion.
During a recent appearance on “Insight With Chris Van Vliet,” SKY shared her reactions to this name change as she transitioned to WWE’s main roster. She mentioned, “I thought when I joined WWE, I would get a new ring name, but WWE didn’t ask me. I kept using Io Shirai. That makes me happy, but I was wondering, ‘Okay, Io Shirai has worked on WWE, no problem.’ Then I got called up to the main roster. That time was SummerSlam 2022. I was injured with a broken ankle and took a big risk, almost getting cleared, when [Triple H] called me to ask, ‘Are you ready to go to Raw?’ I totally didn’t expect that.”
Triple H informed SKY that she would be teaming up with Bayley and Dakota Kai, who had just returned to WWE. “That makes me so happy, because Bayley, Dakota, and I can make a new unit. Then he says, ‘Oh, please think of something new for a ring name.’ Oh my gosh, I didn’t have any time, because that was only five days before SummerSlam,” she explained.
As she indicated, SKY, Kai, and Bayley made a significant impact on WWE programming by forming a new trio called Damage CTRL, which began with a surprising return at SummerSlam where they confronted then-WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. They maintained their alliance for over a year, although the storyline led Bayley to challenge SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 40.
Regarding her new ring name, SKY pointed out that “Shirai,” her previous surname, translates to “purple thunder” in Japanese, which inspired her desire to retain a natural theme in her new identity. On a more pragmatic note, she also felt that “SKY” would be easier for fans to remember.
This evolution in her wrestling persona not only signifies a fresh start for SKY within WWE but also highlights the dynamic storytelling that wrestling fans have come to love, creating excitement for future matches and rivalries. The ongoing development of her character, along with her collaborations with prominent figures like Bayley and Dakota Kai, marks a positive trajectory toward further success in her wrestling career.