[ Tokyo Sports Interview ]
New WWE Women's Champion Iyo.
Five years of struggle to the American Dream: 'I didn't lose heart'
Japan is proud to announce the birth of the 'world's number one female pro wrestler'!
Money in the Bank (MITB) champion Iyo Sky (Io Shirai) was crowned the new WWE Women's Champion at WWE SummerSlam in Detroit, Michigan, on 5 June. She moved to WWE in June 2018 after leaving Stardom, following three consecutive years of winning the 'Women's Wrestling Award'. The "extraordinary woman", who despite suffering, achieved the American dream in five years, was interviewed and spoke about her feelings - and how she feels about it.
-I cashed in (exercised my right to challenge as MITB champion) at this time.
Iyo: It's always a good time to challenge when the champion is at her weakest, and in the 3-way, when it was uncertain who would win - Asuka, Charlotte or Bianca - Bianca, who had injured her leg, turned the tables and became champion. As far as I could see, she was pretty battered, so I thought it was now or never, and thanks to the three of them being pretty strong and crushing each other, I felt like I had the chance of a lifetime.
-They entered the ring to a huge cheer.
Iyo: First of all, it's just like "The USA" to gather nearly 60,000 people at the venue. And to perform a song called "Born to Be Wild" in Detroit, a song that is very American. I was watching the show thinking, "This is the American dream". The cheers and excitement when I ran as fast as I could with my briefcase was incredible. I had such a blast that I was my own motorbike. Bailey couldn't keep up with me (laughs).
-Cash-in to belt win.
Iyo: Getting the Money in the Bank briefcase was an unbelievably big opportunity in itself, so I'm really happy that I was able to take advantage of both the timing and the result. To be honest, it was really too much of a dream... It's such a great feeling that I still can't really feel that I'm a champion.
