– Joshi legend Kyoko Inoue has tested positive for COVID-19 according to a new report. The Joshi Sun-Times (per PWInsider) reports that Inoue, who is the founder of World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana and its current champion, is currently at home recovering after testing positive for the virus. Diana’s August events have all been cancelled as a result.
– The site also notes that several other joshi promotions have postponed more shows due to the recent rise in COVID-19 infections. Marvelous has cancelled their August 8th show, while Sendai Girls has postponed an August 14th show in Miyagi.
– Finally, Ryo Mizunami noted on Twitter that she has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home now from her COVID-19 diagnosis.
Tonight s NXT will feature Io Shirai s first appearance since losing the NXT Women s Championship.
In an email sent out promoting the show this afternoon, WWE announced that a special sit-down interview with Shirai will take place on NXT tonight. Shirai lost the NXT Women s Championship to Raquel Gonzalez in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one earlier this month.
A few more announcements were also made for tonight s NXT. Kyle O Reilly will kick off the episode, making his first appearance since defeating Adam Cole in their unsanctioned match in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two. Zoey Stark will be Sarray s opponent as Sarray makes her NXT debut tonight, and Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Breezango) vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) has been added to the card for the show.
As usual, here are our five questions about NXT tonight:
1) Is the Warrior of the Sun entering as the Genius of the Sky leaves?
Raquel González couldn’t even get through her first promo as NXT Women’s champion before the line formed for a title shot. We saw the debuting Franky Monet, Mercedes Martinez and Zoey Stark all tout their credentials. Those last two look headed to a feud themselves, while Le Wera Loca dogs González’s heels (see what I did there?).
One person who didn’t show up was former champ Io Shirai. Raquel shouted her out, which might be a sign the face turn Big Mami Cool flashed during her & Dakota Kai’s WWE Women’s Tag title match will stick this time. But combined with WWE promoting the “thank you” chant for Shirai after the Women’s title bout at