Io Shirai Reportedly Turned Down WOH to Keep WWE Dream Alive

Last May it was reported that 27-year-old, Io Shirai, had signed with WWE. The next month, however, Shirai’s medical examination with the company revealed a neck injury and her offer was rescinded. It is also believed the medical examination revealed a minor heart ailment as well.

Shirai’s doctors in Japan are willing to clear her to perform but evidently, WWE doctors are not. Since her experience with WWE, Shirai has returned to Stardom.

According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Shirai turned down a chance to be in ROH’s Women of Honor tournament due to feeling as though it could hurt her chances of going to WWE someday. Other Stardom wrestlers, such as Mayu Iwatani and HZK will be participating.

WWE has told prospective recruits in the past that they prefer performers who have not wrestled on a national TV program, such as Ring of Honor has. They have made several exceptions to this rule in recent years, however.

Should this report prove correct, it would mean Shirai is of the belief WWE doctors could potentially clear her somewhere down the line.