Former WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky has been on a roll since her main roster debut. Sky was the center of attention for almost a year after she won the Money in the Bank contract in 2023. A month later at WWE Summerslam, she successfully cashed in to capture her first women’s championship by winning the MITB match in 2023.
As fans loved her match at WrestleMania XL against Bayley, everyone wondered what was next for the former Women’s champion. Triple H shocked the universe with a historic announcement that Sky would be competing in Japan for the first time since joining WWE and would be representing the Stamford-based promotion at Marigold Summer Destiny on July 13.
She is scheduled to compete against Utami Hayashishita on July 13 at Summer Destiny at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. During the pre-show press conference event, Sky revealed how it was shocking for her to wrestle in Japan again while being in the WWE. “When I signed with WWE, I didn’t think I would wrestle in a ring outside of WWE, so I am surprised to wrestle in a Japanese women’s promotion’s ring,” said Iyo.
She further added that she was grateful to Triple H for giving her this opportunity and would look to have a good match stating ” I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to Utami Hayashishita, Rossy Ogawa, and my boss Triple H.”
Iyo Sky called her upcoming match in Japan a ‘Dream Match’
Before signing with the WWE, Sky was a part of the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion for almost seven years. While the former Women’s champion had various matches during her time in the promotion, she never faced Utami during her tenure. By taking it to her X account, Sky stated the importance of the match and called it a dream match.
“This will be a “dream match” for women’s wrestling fans not only in Japan but all over the world.” wrote Iyo. The former Women’s Champion also disclosed that she was giveortunity to compete for the promotion at WrestleMania 40 by Rossy Ogawa. In one of the most important matches of her career, she lost her championship match to Bayley at the showcase of the immortals.
Iyo Sky is not the only WWE Superstar who is in Japan for a dream match
At Clash at the Castle PLE in Scotland, AJ Styles issued a second challenge to Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in another instant classic. Styles tested Cody’s limits in the “I Quit” match, but The Phenomenal One was ultimately unable to overcome Rhodes and forfeited the chance to dethrone the champion.
Many fans pointed out AJ’s lackluster in terms of quality as he nears the 50 age mark. His performances at Backlash and Clash at the Castle however say otherwise. While WWE teased a potential rivalry between Rhodes and Bloodline at the event, fans were left wondering what is next for the Phenomenal One. These doubts were cleared soon enough after a shocking announcement left the wrestling world stunned.
In a shocking collaboration, WWE announced that there will be an inter-promotional match between AJ and NOAH’s Naomichi Marufuji. This sent the wrestling world in shock as this would be the first time these two veterans would be squaring off against one another. The WWE Universe was also wondering as to what to expect from the Japanese Legend as he faces the Phenomenal One on July 13.
While talking about Triple H’s vision with these inter promotional matches, The Phenomenal One stated how The Game is ready to expand the business. “…That just goes to show what Triple H is trying to bring throughout the world and WWE. Whether it be in Noah or somewhere else, having the opportunity to wrestle there it’s big for everybody.” stated AJ.
Marufuji has faced off against several of the top wrestlers in the world throughout his career, including Eddie Kingston, Bryan Danielson, Go Shiozaki, Kazuchika Okada, Kento Miyahara, and many more well-known competitors. His wrestling style makes him one of the most innovative wrestlers of all time, something which can also be said for the Phenomenal One.
AJ faces a huge flood of experience and technicality when he faces the Japanese legend on July 13. However, The Phenomenal One is no stranger to the hard-hitting style of Japan. Styles competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling from 2014 to 2016, spending a portion of his prime career in Japan. During his stint in NJPW, he was the face of the renowned Bullet Club and a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Styles developed a commendable heel personality during his time in Japan. With the Bullet Club by his side, AJ gave some dream matches against Minoru Suzuki, Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, and many more Japanese talents. It will be thrilling to see Styles going all out once again as he faces Marufuji in another dream battle. It all goes down on July 13 as The Genius of the Ark meets the Phenomenal One for the first time.