Masami Odate (大館昌美, Ōdate Masami; born May 8, 1990) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Iyo Sky (イヨ・スカイ, Iyo Sukai) (stylized in all caps), where she is the incumbent Queen of the Ring.
She competed as Io Shirai (紫雷 イオ, Shirai Io) () in WWE's developmental brand NXT, where she was a former NXT Women's Champion and NXT Women's Tag Team Champion with Zoey Stark, and previously in World Wonder Ring Stardom (Stardom), where she was a two-time World of Stardom Champion. In Stardom, she is also a former two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion, six-time Artist of Stardom Champion, the inaugural SWA World Champion, one-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion, and one-time High Speed Champion, making her the company's first Grand Slam Champion. She was recognized as the "ace" of Stardom, and was the recipient of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Tokyo Sports Joshi Puroresu Grand Prizes. Her run in Stardom coincided with the rise of her own stable, Queen's Quest, which carried on after Shirai's departure in 2018 until 2024.
Making her debut in March 2007, she spent several years working as a tag team wrestler, teaming with her older sister Mio, with whom she wrestled for various promotions across Japan and Mexico. In June 2010, she and her sister came together with Kana to form the Triple Tails stable, which lasted for 15 months, before Io broke out of the group and embarked on her singles career in Stardom. In April 2013, she won the promotion's top title, the World of Stardom Championship, later holding it twice, with each reign lasting for over a year. She worked for Stardom from 2011 until 2018, when she signed with WWE.
Shirai made her WWE debut at the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament, where she lost in the finals to Toni Storm. She was later assigned to the NXT brand, where she officially turned heel in 2019, and won her first championship in WWE, the NXT Women's Championship, in June the following year. She made her debut on the main roster at SummerSlam in July 2022 under the new name Iyo Sky, and joined the stable, Damage CTRL. After winning the Money in the Bank contract, she won the WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam in August 2023, before losing it to Bayley at WrestleMania XL in April 2024. In March 2025, Sky won the Women's World Championship, making her the tenth WWE Women's Triple Crown Champion and the seventh WWE Women's Grand Slam Champion. Sky has been described as one of the best women's wrestlers in the world.
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Professional wrestling career
Team Makehen (2007–2010)
Odate made her professional wrestling debut on March 4, 2007, alongside her older sister, with the two adopting the ring names Io and Mio Shirai, respectively ("Shirai" being Japanese for "Purple Thunder"). In their debut match, the Io sisters teamed with Toshie Uematsu to face the trio of Erika Ura, Nozomi Takesako and Yuri Urai. At the time of her debut, Io was only 16 years old, working part-time while attending high school. After graduating, she started working full-time as a professional wrestler. Starting their careers as freelancers, the Shirai sisters represented Team Makehen, a stable made up of wrestlers trained by Tomohiko Hashimoto, in several independent promotions during their first year in the business, including Ibuki, Pro Wrestling Wave, JWP Joshi Puroresu, and Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling.
On October 19, 2008, Shirai and Mio debuted for one of Japan's largest professional wrestling promotions, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), defeating the team of Kyoko Kimura and Mikado. From January to March 2009, the Shirais made several appearances for another large promotion not usually known for female wrestling, Pro Wrestling Zero1. On April 29, the Shirai sisters won their first championship by defeating Moeka Haruhi and Tomoka Nakagawa in a tournament final to become the first TLW (Totally Lethal Wrestling) World Young Women's Tag Team Champions. Despite its name, the championship was owned and promoted by Pro Wrestling Wave. On July 12, Io received her first singles title opportunity, when she unsuccessfully challenged Misaki Ohata for the JWP Junior and Princess of Pro-Wrestling Championships at Ibuki #30. From July to November, the Shirais spent four months working for the Ice Ribbon promotion.
On November 12, 2009, the Shirais entered Pro Wrestling Wave's Captain's Fall Six Person Tag Team Tournament, teaming with Gami, but the trio was defeated in their first round match by Ran Yu-Yu, Ryo Mizunami and Toshie Uematsu. However, the trio earned their way back into the tournament by defeating Misaki Ohata, Moeka Haruhi and Yumi Ohka in a consolation match later that same day. On November 25, the Shirais and Gami first defeated Bullfight Sora, Cherry and Kaoru in the semi-finals and then Ayumi Kurihara, Kana and Shu Shibutani in the finals to win the tournament, with Io, as the captain, scoring the deciding pinfall over Shibutani. On December 23, the Shirais lost the TLW World Young Women's Tag Team Championship to Misaki Ohata and Moeka Haruhi. On May 30, 2010, Io entered the 2010 Catch the Wave tournament. After three wins and one loss, Shirai finished tied at the top of her block, but was eliminated from the tournament on August 10, after being defeated in a tiebreaker match by Ryo Mizunami.
Triple Tails (2010–2011)
On June 19, 2010, the Shirai sisters formed the Triple Tails stable with fellow freelancer Kana, defeating Ayumi Kurihara, Hikaru Shida and Yoshiko Tamura in their first match together at a NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling event. As a result, the Shirais received a shot Kurihara's and Tamura's NEO Tag Team Championship on July 4, but failed to win the titles. On August 1, Io again failed to win the titles, this time with Kana as her partner. Triple Tails returned to its winning ways on August 29, defeating Asami Kawasaki, Shida and Nagisa Nozaki in a six-woman tag team match. On December 19, Triple Tails made its debut as a unit for Pro Wrestling Wave, defeating Cherry, Gami and Tomoka Nakagawa in a six-woman tag team main event.
On January 29, 2011, the Shirais made their debuts for Smash, when the Triple Tails stable attacked Yusuke Kodama and Makoto after their matches, with the trio being both times chased out of the ring by Tajiri. On February 13, Triple Tails produced its first own event, where the Shirai sisters wrestled male tag team Momo no Seishun Tag (Atsushi Kotoge and Daisuke Harada) in a losing effort. On February 25, the Shirais made their Smash in-ring debuts at Smash.14, where they teamed with Kana to defeat Ken Ohka, Tajiri and Yoshiaki Yago in an intergender six person tag team match. In March, Triple Tails took part in Osaka Pro Wrestling's Spring Samba Series, going undefeated in six person tag team matches for the duration of the tour. On April 30 at Smash.16, Triple Tails was defeated by Makoto, Serena and Syuri. On May 3 at Smash.17, the Shirai sisters were defeated by Hikaru Shida and Syuri. Triple Tails' second event took place on May 8 and saw Io, Mio and Kana defeat Akino, Kagetsu and Syuri.
On July 23, Triple Tails held a press conference to announce that, following the group's third self-produced event on September 18, Io was leaving the stable in order to pursue a singles career. On August 21, Triple Tails made its debut for Oz Academy, defeating the trio of Ayumi Kurihara, Hiren and Yumi Ohka. On September 14, Triple Tails defeated Cherry, Moeka Haruhi and Shuu Shibutani in the group's final Pro Wrestling Wave appearance. Four days later, Triple Tails defeated Dash Chisako, Ryo Mizunami and Sendai Sachiko at their third self-produced event in the group's final appearance together.
Mexico (2010–2012, 2014, 2015)
In 2010, Shirai traveled to Mexico, where she entered a local wrestling school to undergo further training. On October 14, 2010, Shirai, working under the ring name Viva Kasai, made her debut for International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG) at an event in Naucalpan, Mexico, where she teamed with Mini Abismo Negro, Monster Clown and Yuriko to defeat El Hijo de Cien Caras, Mari Apache, Mascarita Divina and Pasión Cristal via disqualification in an eight-person tag team match. In Mexico, both Shirais worked under cat-like masks they would only wear for their entrances in Japan. On October 31, both of the Shirai sisters were brought over to AAA, which had a working relationship with IWRG, and repackaged, with Io adopting the ring name Oyuki and Mio becoming Kaguya. In their first AAA match, Oyuki, Kaguya and Yuriko lost to Cynthia Moreno, Gato Eveready and Mari Apache in a six-person tag team match. During their stay in AAA, Oyuki and Kaguya became associates of the La Legión Extranjera (Foreign Legion) stable. On November 7, Oyuki and Kaguya defeated Faby and Mari Apache and afterwards stole Faby's AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship and Mari's AAA Reina de Reinas Championship belts. On November 15, the Apaches and Cynthia Moreno defeated Oyuki, Kaguya and Sexy Star. A week later, Oyuki, Kaguya and Jennifer Blake defeated Moreno and the Apaches. This marked Oyuki's and Kaguya's final AAA appearance, which resulted in the storyline with the Apaches being dropped without a conclusion.
Shirai, now working without her mask and under the ring name Io Shirai, returned to Mexico on May 15, 2011, at Lucha Fan Fest 4, where she teamed with Nosawa to defeat Chica Tormenta and Mike Segura for the vacant Americas World Mixed Tag Team Championship. In November 2011, Shirai returned to Mexico with Wrestling All-Star Pros (WASP) for another two-week tour. On November 1, Shirai put her hair on the line in her first Lucha de Apuestas Hair vs. Mask match, a four-way intergender elimination match, where she faced Ángel o Demonio, La Maléfica and Shitara. Eventually, the match came down to Shirai and La Maléfica, ending with Shirai submitting her opponent for the win, forcing her to unmask herself. Shirai and Nosawa defended the Americas World Mixed Tag Team Championship back in Japan on January 3, 2012, defeating Ken Ohka and Mio Shirai at a Union Pro Wrestling event. Shirai returned to Mexico on May 19 to take part in Lucha Expo in Mexico City, where she teamed with Keira to defeat Chica Tormenta and La Vaquerita.
Upon Shirai's return to Japan, she was arrested under suspicion of marijuana smuggling. This resulted in a two-year break from her regular trips to Mexico before Shirai returned to the country on January 27, 2014. Shirai returned to Mexico on May 11 to take part in Toryumon Mexico's DragonMania 9 event, where she, Dark Angel, Kairi Hojo and Mayu Iwatani defeated Ahy Lyyn, Baby Star, Diosa Atenea and Mystique. On May 23, 2015, Shirai returned to Mexico, first taking part in Toryumon Mexico's DragonMania 10 event in Arena México, where she, Diosa Atenea, Mayu Iwatani and Mima Shimoda defeated India Mazahua, India Sioux, Maligna and Xena. Later that same day, Shirai also took part in Lucha Fan Fest 8, where she, Dos Caras and Vanely defeated Atenea, Iwatani and Brazo de Plata.
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2011–2018)
After leaving Triple Tails, Shirai, though still billed as a freelancer, effectively made World Wonder Ring Stardom her new home promotion, making her debut on August 14, 2011, when she teamed with Nanae Takahashi to defeat Yoko Bito and Yuzuki Aikawa, pinning Aikawa and afterwards challenging her to a match for the Wonder of Stardom Championship. Shirai continued to team with Takahashi the following month, before unsuccessfully challenging Aikawa for the championship on September 25. On October 10, Shirai and Takahashi entered the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League. When the tournament concluded two weeks later, Shirai and Takahashi finished with a record of one win and two losses and did not advance in the tournament. In January 2012, Shirai formed the Planet stable with Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani and Natsumi Showzuki. On March 4, Shirai produced her own independent event named Carino!, which celebrated her fifth anniversary in professional wrestling and during which she officially aligned herself with Stardom. In the main event, Shirai teamed with Dark Angel, whom she had befriended during her time in Mexico, to defeat Miho Wakizawa and Nanae Takahashi. On March 25, Shirai unsuccessfully challenged Natsuki☆Taiyo for the High Speed Championship. On April 22, Shirai, Arisa Hoshiki and Natsumi Showzuki of the Planet stable made it to the finals of a six-woman tag team tournament, set to determine the number one stable in Stardom, however, they lost to Nanae Gundan (Miho Wakizawa, Nanae Takahashi and Yuuri Haruka).
Following her May 2012 drug arrest and eventual acquittal, Shirai made her in-ring return on July 22, taking part in a Stardom Rumble to determine the final four participants in the 2012 5Star Grand Prix. Shirai scored the last elimination of the match, pinning Planet stablemate Mayu Iwatani to qualify for the tournament. Shirai finished the tournament, held from August 19 to September 30, with two wins, one draw and one loss, failing to advance to the finals. On October 27, Shirai and Mayu Iwatani entered the 2012 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League under the team name "Thunder Rock", defeating previous year's finalists, Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyou Densetsu (Natsuki☆Taiyo and Yoshiko) in their opening round-robin match. However, after losing their two remaining round-robin matches, Shirai and Iwatani failed to qualify for the finals of the tournament. On January 14, 2013, Shirai, along with Planet stablemates Iwatani and Natsumi Showzuki, entered a tournament to determine the inaugural Artist of Stardom Champions. They were, however, eliminated in their first round match by Team Shimmer (Kellie Skater, Portia Perez and Tomoka Nakagawa). Six days later, Shirai and Iwatani unsuccessfully challenged Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyou Densetsu (Natsuki☆Taiyo and Yoshiko) for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.
WWE (2017–present)
In October 2016, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that both Shirai and Kairi Hojo had been contacted and offered WWE contracts, starting in 2017. Reportedly, Shirai had informed Stardom's management that she was taking the offer. In March 2017, Shirai took part in a WWE tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Her tryout was not supposed to go public, but due to a communications issue, she was featured on WWE's official website in an article that was taken down shortly afterwards. After the tryout, Shirai confirmed that she had been offered a contract.
On May 15, 2017, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Shirai had accepted the contract offer from WWE. The following month, it was reported that a WWE medical examination had discovered a neck injury that would delay Shirai's WWE debut. In August, Meltzer reported that just as doctors had cleared Shirai to return to the ring, WWE had rescinded their contract offer, noting the company had a "general rule of not wanting to bring in new talent that either has concussion issues or neck issues". It was later reported that the medical examination had also found an issue with Shirai's heart. Japanese doctors had cleared Shirai for both her heart and neck, but WWE doctors suggested passing on signing her. Six months later on May 28, 2018, Tokyo Sports reported that Shirai was in discussions with WWE. On May 29, Shirai announced she would be leaving Stardom.
Shirai made her first official appearance for the promotion on June 30, 2018, at the WWE house show in Ryōgoku Kokugikan, where it was announced she had signed with the promotion and would be competing in their developmental brand, NXT. She participated in the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament. On August 8, Shirai defeated Xia Brookside in the tournament's first round in her WWE debut match. The following day, on August 9, Shirai defeated Zeuxis in the second round, Deonna Purrazzo in the quarterfinals and Rhea Ripley in the semi–finals. In the finals, held at WWE Evolution on October 28, Shirai was defeated by Toni Storm.
In her first appearance for NXT, Shirai debuted on November 17, 2018, at TakeOver: WarGames where she and Dakota Kai saved her best friend Kairi Sane during her match with Shayna Baszler from an assault by her allies Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. She wrestled her debut match on the December 19 episode of NXT, where she and Kai defeated Duke and Shafir. The following week, Shirai competed in a fatal four-way match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Women's Championship, however, the match was won by Bianca Belair. Shortly after, with Kai sidelined with an injury, Shirai continued to team with Sane, forming a tag team known as "The Sky Pirates" while continuing to defeat various teams.
Dream Star Fighting Marigold (2024, 2025)
On June 11, 2024, it was announced by upstart Japanese promotion Dream Star Fighting Marigold that Sky would appear at the Marigold Summer Destiny event to challenge Utami Hayashishita in a dream match. At the event on July 13, Sky defeated Hayashishita. On October 26, 2025 at Marigold Grand Destiny, she faced and defeated Mayu Iwatani.
Professional wrestling style, persona, and legacy
As both Io Shirai and Iyo Sky, Odate performs a mixture of technical and high-flying styles, with her knowledge of the latter style earning her the moniker "The Genius of the Sky". She noted that her professional wrestling persona is inspired by Rey Mysterio.
In 2016, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter referred to Odate and her compatriots Kairi Sane and Mayu Iwatani as "three of the best wrestlers in the world".
Other media
In March 2017, Odate was featured in a gravure spread on the Weekly Playboy magazine. Odate as Io Shirai and Iyo Sky is a playable character in the video games WWE 2K20, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, WWE 2K24, WWE 2K25 and WWE 2K26.
Personal life
Odate is married to professional wrestler Takaaki Watanabe, who is also signed to WWE under the ring name Naraku. Odate has an older sister, fellow professional wrestler Mio Shirai. Odate is a fan of fellow professional wrestler Hiroshi Tanahashi and Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z. Odate was previously in a relationship with fellow professional wrestler Kazushige Nosawa; the two lived together in Koto, Tokyo. Odate has extreme myopia and is considered legally blind without contacts or glasses.
Legal issues
On May 23, 2012, Odate and Nosawa were arrested at the Narita International Airport in Narita, Chiba upon their return from Mexico under suspicion of trying to smuggle 75 grams of marijuana, hidden inside paintings of the two, into the country. Both Odate and Nosawa denied the charges, claiming that the paintings were gifts from fans. Odate was released from a detention center on June 12. On June 21, Odate held a press conference, publicly apologizing to her fans, employers and co-workers, while again denying the charges. Odate also revealed that she had not considered retirement, but wanted to work again and regain the trust of her peers and fans, while also revealing that she and Nosawa had ended their relationship. On June 28, Japan's public prosecutor's office decided not to prosecute Odate over the incident. On July 9, Mexico-based Japanese wrestler Takuya Sugi held a press conference and confessed to planting the drugs on Nosawa and Shirai.
Championships and accomplishments
Dream Star Fighting Marigold
Marigold Year-End Award (1 time)
Best Match Award (2025) vs. Mayu Iwatani on October 26
JWP Joshi Puroresu
5th Junior All Star Photogenic Award (2007) – with Mio Shirai
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Ranked No. 4 of the top 100 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 100 in 2018
Pro Wrestling Wave
TLW World Young Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mio Shirai
Captain's Fall Six Person Tag Team Tournament (2009) – with Gami and Mio Shirai
TLW World Young Women's Tag Team Tournament (2009) – with Mio Shirai
Sports Illustrated
Match of the Year (2025) vs Rhea Ripley vs Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 41
Ranked No. 7 of the top 10 wrestlers in 2020
Tokyo Sports
Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize (2015, 2016, and 2017)
World Wonder Ring Stardom
Artist of Stardom Championship (6 times) – with Mayu Iwatani and Takumi Iroha (1), Kairi Hojo and Mayu Iwatani (1), HZK and Momo Watanabe (1), AZM and HZK (2), and HZK and Viper (1)