Masami Odate, known worldwide as Iyo Sky, is one of the most respected wrestlers of her generation and one of the finest performers to come out of Japan’s women’s wrestling scene. Competing in WWE under the ring name IYO SKY, she built her reputation through athletic brilliance, fearless aerial attacks, technical skill, and a level of consistency that few wrestlers can match. Before becoming a major WWE star, Iyo dominated the Japanese wrestling world under the name Io Shirai. Long before mainstream American audiences discovered her, wrestling fans already viewed her as one of the best women’s wrestlers on the planet. Her performances in Stardom helped redefine modern joshi wrestling and earned her respect across the global wrestling industry.
What separates Iyo from many wrestlers is her ability to combine elegance with danger inside the ring. She can fly from the top rope with precision one moment and switch into aggressive strikes and submissions the next. Fans often describe her matches as unpredictable because she wrestles with speed, creativity, and confidence. Wrestling communities frequently rank her among the best in-ring performers in the world regardless of gender.
Her WWE career elevated her profile internationally. Since joining the company, she captured the NXT Women’s Championship, WWE Women’s Championship, Women’s World Championship, Women’s Tag Team Championships, and the Money in the Bank contract. She also became the first wrestler to achieve Grand Slam status in both Japan and the United States. Iyo’s rise in WWE was not built around long scripted promos or exaggerated theatrics. Instead, she gained fan support through pure performance. Audiences connected with her intensity, body language, confidence, and ability to deliver unforgettable matches under pressure. By the mid-2020s, many wrestling fans and analysts openly described Iyo Sky as one of WWE’s most valuable performers. Online wrestling communities consistently praised her match quality, athleticism, and professionalism.
##Early life
Masami Odate was born on May 8, 1990, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Growing up in Japan, she did not initially dream about becoming a professional wrestler. In interviews, Iyo explained that wrestling entered her life through her older sister, who introduced her to the sport when she was still very young. Unlike many wrestlers who spent years watching wrestling as children, Iyo admitted she barely understood wrestling when she first began training. She started learning the basics as a teenager and made her debut after only a short period of preparation. Her early matches were rough, and she later joked that she barely understood wrestling rules at the time. Even during those early years, coaches and fellow wrestlers recognized her athletic potential immediately. Iyo possessed natural balance, body control, and explosive movement that translated perfectly into wrestling. She also developed an unusually high pain tolerance and willingness to take risks during matches.
Japanese wrestling training is known for being physically demanding, especially within women’s wrestling. Iyo adapted quickly because of her discipline and competitive mindset. While many young wrestlers struggle with confidence early in their careers, she pushed herself aggressively to improve. Outside wrestling, Iyo developed interests in fashion, music, and travel. Fans later noticed that her presentation always carried a stylish and creative edge, whether through ring gear, hairstyles, or entrances. Her visual presentation became an important part of her identity as a performer. One major challenge in her career involved moving to the United States and adapting to WWE. English was not her first language, and she openly admitted that promos initially made her nervous. Instead of hiding from the challenge, she continued studying and improving while allowing her in-ring work to speak for itself.
Iyo’s journey from teenage trainee in Japan to international wrestling star became one of the most respected success stories in women’s wrestling. Fans appreciate that her success came through years of hard work rather than instant celebrity attention.
##Japanese wrestling career and Stardom (2007–2018)
Iyo Sky began her wrestling career in Japan in 2007 under the name Io Shirai. Early in her career, she wrestled alongside her sister Mio Shirai, and together they developed a reputation as talented young performers with strong chemistry.
As Io gained experience, her athleticism quickly made her stand out. She became famous for moonsaults, dives, hurricanranas, and high-speed offense that looked smoother and more dangerous than most wrestlers in the industry. Fans and critics started referring to her as one of the best high-flyers in women’s wrestling.
Her biggest breakthrough came in World Wonder Ring Stardom, commonly known as Stardom. During her time there, Io became one of the company’s defining stars. She won major championships including the World of Stardom Championship, Wonder of Stardom Championship, and multiple tag team titles. Iyo also founded the Queen’s Quest faction, which became one of Stardom’s most important groups. The stable helped elevate younger wrestlers and strengthened her leadership reputation inside Japanese wrestling. Fans still view Queen’s Quest as one of the most influential factions in Stardom history.
During this era, many wrestling analysts considered Io Shirai the best women’s wrestler in the world. Her matches consistently received praise because of their speed, creativity, and emotional storytelling. Independent wrestling fans in North America and Europe actively followed her career even before she signed with WWE. Her reputation became so strong that WWE eventually targeted her as a major international signing. In 2018, she officially joined WWE and moved to the United States to begin the next stage of her career.
##WWE NXT (2018–2022)
Iyo Sky debuted in WWE’s NXT brand in 2018 under the name Io Shirai. Fans immediately recognized her as one of the biggest international signings in WWE’s women’s division. Her early NXT matches showcased the same speed and aerial brilliance that made her famous in Japan. Initially presented as a fan favorite, Iyo competed against wrestlers such as Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, and Rhea Ripley. Her rivalry with Shayna Baszler especially helped establish her credibility in WWE.
One of the most important turning points in her WWE career came in 2019 when she turned heel. Changing her appearance, attitude, and aggression completely transformed her character. The darker persona allowed her to showcase more intensity and confidence. Many fans consider this version of Iyo one of the best character evolutions in WWE’s women’s division. In 2020, she defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley to capture the NXT Women’s Championship. Her title reign received widespread praise because of the quality of her matches and consistency as champion.
Iyo later teamed with Zoey Stark to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship and also captured the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. By the time she left NXT, she had already built one of the strongest resumes in the brand’s history. Many fans believed her NXT run proved she could succeed at the highest level in WWE. Her performances consistently delivered in major matches and premium events.
##Damage CTRL and WWE main roster success (2022–present)
Iyo officially joined WWE’s main roster at SummerSlam 2022 alongside Bayley and Dakota Kai as part of the Damage CTRL faction. The group immediately became one of the centerpieces of WWE’s women’s division.
As part of Damage CTRL, Iyo won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship multiple times with Dakota Kai. Her performances continued drawing praise because of her ability to steal the spotlight during tag matches and multi-person bouts.
In 2023, Iyo reached another career milestone by winning the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Later that year, she cashed in successfully at SummerSlam and captured the WWE Women’s Championship. Her rivalry with Bayley eventually became one of WWE’s strongest women’s storylines heading into WrestleMania XL. At WrestleMania, Bayley defeated Iyo for the championship in a highly emotional match centered around betrayal and leadership within Damage CTRL.
Iyo responded by continuing to elevate her performances. In 2025, she defeated Rhea Ripley to win the Women’s World Championship, becoming both a WWE Grand Slam ##Champion and Triple Crown Champion.
That same year, her triple-threat WrestleMania match involving Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair received a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer, making it the first women’s match in WWE history to earn that distinction. Fans and critics continued praising Iyo’s consistency during this era. Online wrestling discussions regularly referred to her as one of the best wrestlers in the world based on pure in-ring performance.
##Wrestling style and persona
Iyo Sky’s wrestling style combines aerial offense, striking, technical wrestling, and creativity. Her signature move, the Over the Moonsault, became one of the most visually impressive finishers in WWE. Unlike many wrestlers who focus heavily on promos, Iyo often communicates through movement, facial expressions, pacing, and body language. Fans frequently say she tells stories inside the ring better than almost anyone in wrestling today.
Her matches are known for speed and unpredictability. She frequently uses springboards, suicide dives, top-rope attacks, and sudden counters that force opponents to adapt quickly. Iyo’s confidence also became a major part of her presentation. Whether performing as a villain or fan favorite, she carries herself with calm intensity rather than exaggerated theatrics. Wrestling communities consistently praise her professionalism and reliability. Many fans consider her one of WWE’s safest and most consistent performers despite her high-risk offense.
##Personal life
Outside wrestling, Masami Odate tends to keep much of her private life away from public attention. She focuses primarily on wrestling, training, travel, and personal hobbies. Iyo has spoken openly about the challenge of learning English after moving to the United States. She explained that adapting to WWE’s promo-heavy environment took time and effort, especially because speaking publicly in a second language made her nervous initially.
Fellow wrestlers frequently praise her work ethic and humility backstage. Many younger wrestlers view her as a role model because of her experience, consistency, and willingness to help others improve. Fans also appreciate her sense of style and personality outside the ring. Through social media and interviews, Iyo often shows a more relaxed and playful side compared to her intense wrestling persona. Her career success made her one of the most accomplished Japanese wrestlers ever to compete in the United States. Wrestling fans in both Japan and America regularly celebrate her as one of the defining female wrestlers of her era.
##Championships and accomplishments
Women’s World Championship (1 time)
WWE Women’s Championship (1 time)
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (2 times)
NXT Women’s Championship (1 time)
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Women’s Money in the Bank winner (2023)
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winner
Women’s Grand Slam Champion
Women’s Triple Crown Champion
First wrestler to become a Grand Slam Champion in both Japan and the United States
Two-time World of Stardom Champion
Two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion
Six-time Artist of Stardom Champion
Goddess of Stardom Champion
High Speed Champion
First Stardom Grand Slam Champion
Ranked among the best female wrestlers in the world by wrestling media and fans for multiple years