Iyo Sky is a national treasure that’s who's really soared in 2025.
The former WWE Women’s World Champion has been a huge part of the division this past year and Sky has managed to produce some of the best moments in WWE all year. But Sky has been an amazing asset to the business for over 15 years.
Her love for professional wrestling shines through ever time she performs, but there was a point where the 35-year-old almost quit the business for good. Iyo Sky spoke to Chris Van Vliet and the RAW star revealed that she almost called it quits after her very first match.
“I feel like I was just so embarrassed because my debut match was so bad, and maybe the audience was only 30 people, but I felt so embarrassed. So I thought I want to quit, but actually I was so frustrated as well. So maybe I have to become stronger. I have to get better to change their mind, because 30 people think Io Shirai is a bad wrestler. I want to change something like that, to become Io Shirai is not a bad wrestler. So that’s why I want to quit but I should keep until they are thinking, Io Shirai is no bad wrestler, and they just keep going, keep going, keep going. Then three years later, I become full enough to wrestle.”
Sky managed to work on her craft and that tremendous work led to her getting signed by WWE in 2017. Fast forward to WrestleMania 41 where she had the biggest match of her career against Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. She called it one of her favorite matches, but Sky also explained the importance of that bout as well.
“It meant so much to me, of course, also so much to Japanese people as well. Because for a long time Japanese wrestlers didn’t win at WrestleMania, even for women’s wrestling, Japanese wrestler, first time ever in WWE to win at WrestleMania. So I’m so honored, and even kind of unexpected. I walk in as a champion, walk out as a champion.”
Sky also talked about a couple of dream matches and listed two former WWE Women’s Champions as hopeful opponent someday.
“Alexa Bliss, never had a singles match. Becky Lynch, I think [we haven’t had a singles match].”
Check out the full interview where Iyo talks about getting better in English, winning Money in the Bank with handcuffs, and so much more!