NXT 2.0 is a promotion. It's one I don't watch. But that's okay. Io Shirai is very cool and a good wrestler, so lets focus on her.

NXT 2.0 #498 ~ 3.15.2022

Toxic Attraction are all standing in the ring, with Gigi questioning who will win tonight's Women's Dusty Classic: Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzales, or Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter. Then, NXT Women's champion Mandy Rose takes to the microphone. She wishes for a harder challenge than what she's had recently. Cora Jade? Trash. Raquel Gonzales? Trash, and ugly. So what's the solution? A Toxic Attraction invitational battle royal, featuring any NXT women that want to join for a title match at NXT #500. The rationale being that the bad in the match won't survive, giving her the best possible opponent – but lets face it, even the toughest will be easy for Ms. Mandy Rose.

NXT 2.0 #499 ~ 3.22.2022

To make a long story short, the invitational battle comes down to Kay Lee Ray and Io Shirai – both tag team partners – but it's Io Shirai who gets the win in the end. Mandy Rose looks absolutely shocked, but does her best to hide it before getting in the ring to come face to face with Io. She rubs the belt in the face of Io, who does nothing to retaliate towards her as we look to next week's title match.

NXT 2.0 #500 ~ 3.29.2022

NXT Women's Title Match: Mandy Rose vs. Io Shirai
Mandy Rose came into the match with a plan in mind, one that she would vaguely mention to the backstage interviewer. That plan was enacted in full effect by Mandy Rose in this match: a quick DQ victory to retain her title walking into Stand and Deliver. Despite robbing the fans of what could have been a great match, there would be some comeuppance from new NXT GM Wade Barrett: A no-disqualification rematch will be held at NXT Stand and Deliver! Mandy cannot believe it, and neither can the other two members of Toxic Attraction. But whether they like it or not – they don't, and complained about it to Barrett later in the night who would then threaten to strip Mandy of the title and award it to Io.

NXT Stand And Deliver ~ 4.2.2022

NXT Women's Title No DQ Match: Mandy Rose vs. Io Shirai

This match is certainly a good one, as both women – and the members of their respective corners – beat the living hell out of one another with about any weapon they can find; even one of the announcers! But finally, Mandy Rose's NXT Title Reign is ended with a huge moonsault through a table! Io celebrates following the match with KLR. The celebration doesn't last too long however, as right when the confetti clears, the music of Cora Jade hits the loudspeakers! One of the faces of NXT 2.0 and one of the only remaining faces of NXT 1.0 stand face to face from one another, woman to woman. Io later makes it clear in a WWE.com exclusive segment that she's willing to face Jade anywhere, anytime, and that she can even make the call.

NXT 2.0 #501 ~ 4.5.2022

In the fallout of Stand and Deliver, Cora Jade is about to make her big announcement on when she'll face Io Shirai. She talks to the crowd for a moment and speaks very highly of Io, but warns that she's not going to hold anything back on her when the match comes around. And when will that be? Next week! Cora Jade has taken a huge opportunity and is challenging for Io's newly won title while she's still incredibly hurt from the insane No DQ fight at Stand and Deliver! Later on backstage, Io once again accepts the challenge and states that she'll fight Cora now matter how hurt she is right now!

NXT 2.0 #502 ~ 4.12.2022

NXT Women's Title Match: Io Shirai (c) vs. Cora Jade
The match is a big shocker to many in the NXT audience, but yet another stone turning in the way of the NXT 2.0 revolution: NXT legend Io Shirai is defeated by Cora Jade in yet another hellacious battle for Io Shirai in the span of two weeks following 3 massive Pump Kicks in a row! The audience is stunned, the announce team is stunned, even Io Shirai is stunned. Nevertheless, the two shake hands with one another, and Io leaves Cora Jade to celebrate her huge title win in the ring. Two weeks later, Io Shirai would be drafted to the RAW brand alongside Asuka.

Conclusion:
So, what did we accomplish with this? We gave an original NXT legend a goo d send-off, albeit it wasn't a great title reign, it got two huge moments for social media to talk about non-stop, we still have the belt on a face superstar for the many heels of NXT 2.0 to fight her over, we've made Io look big but also lose the title before being drafted to RAW, the title reign still fresh in many's minds, and most importantly: another brick has been put into the building of the NXT 2.0 wall as Cora Jade ends this booking as NXT Champion. Thanks all, please don't mercy rule me :-).