Masami Odate, also known by her ring name Iyo Sky (Iyo Sukai) was born on May 8, 1990, and is an accomplished Japanese professional wrestler. Currently performing under the SmackDown brand in WWE, she holds the esteemed title of the current WWE Women’s Champion, marking her first reign.
A crucial member of Damage CTRL, Odate has an impressive wrestling career that boasts several achievements. Alongside her fellow stablemate Dakota Kai, she’s a former two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Her accolades also include being a former holder of the Women’s Money in the Bank contract.
Prior to her success on the main roster, Odate wrestled in WWE’s developmental territory, NXT, under the ring name Io Shirai. During her time in NXT, she earned the titles of former NXT Women’s Champion and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, further cementing her status as one of the industry’s top talents.
Besides her WWE tenure, Odate has had a remarkable career with Stardom, winning various titles, including the Wonder, Artist, World, SWA World, Goddess, and High Speed Championships. Crowned as Stardom’s “ace,” she clinched the Tokyo Sports Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize for three consecutive years (2015-2017).
Masami Odate debuted in professional wrestling in 2007, alongside her sister Mio. They competed in Japan and Mexico, winning the TLW World Young Women’s Tag Team Championship and later formed Triple Tails stable with Kana. Odate transitioned to a singles career in Stardom in 2011, capturing the World of Stardom Championship in 2013, before moving to WWE in 2018.
Dive deep into the career and life of Iyo Sky, an accomplished WWE professional wrestler from Japan. Discover her biography, career milestones, relationships, net worth, signature theme song, and more. Uncover the answers to popular queries and immerse yourself in the exciting journey of this gifted athlete.
Iyo Sky Bio/Wiki Table
| Name | Masami Odate |
| Ring Name | Iyo Sky |
| Birth Date | May 8, 1990 |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler |
| Current Promotion | WWE |
| Brand | Smackdown |
| Height | 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) |
| Weight | 54 kg (119 lbs) |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Relationship Status | Engaged (to NJPW star Evil) |
| Former Relationship | Kazushige Nosawa |
Iyo Sky Early Life
Masami Odate is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working under WWE. There she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Iyo Sky. She was born on May 8, 1990, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.
Masami started her wrestling career when she was only 16 years old. At the time of her debut, she was working as a part-time wrestler while attending high school. She made her wrestling debut on May 4 2007 alongside her older sister. They adopted the ring names Io and Mio Shirai. However, after graduating from high school, she started working full-time as a professional wrestler. During their first year, the Shirai sisters represented Team Makehen, a stable made up of wrestlers trained by Tomohiko Hashimoto. It was in several independent promotions including Ibuki, Pro Wrestling Wave, JWP Joshi Puroresu, and Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling.
Professional Wrestling Career
Independent Circuit
Team Makehen (2007–2010)
Io Shirai, along with her older sister Mio Shirai, began their wrestling careers in March 2007. They worked as freelancers in various promotions, including All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Zero1. In April 2009, they won the TLW World Young Women’s Tag Team Championship. Io also had singles title opportunities and participated in tournaments like Catch the Wave.
Triple Tails (2010–2011)
On June 19, 2010, the Shirai sisters joined forces with Kana to form the Triple Tails stable. They had matches in various promotions and challenged for titles. Triple Tails had both victories and losses, participating in tag team and six-person matches. In September 2011, Io announced her departure from Triple Tails to pursue a singles career. They had their final appearances together as a group in different promotions.
Mexico (2010–2012, 2014, 2015)
In 2010, Io Shirai traveled to Mexico for training and debuted in International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG) as Biba Kasai. She later joined AAA, adopting the ring name Oyuki, alongside her sister Mio, who became Kaguya. They aligned with La Legión Extranjera stable and briefly held titles. However, their storyline was dropped abruptly. Shirai returned to Mexico multiple times for events and matches, including winning the Americas World Mixed Tag Team Championship. She faced challenges such as legal issues but continued to make appearances in Mexico.
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2011–2018)
After leaving Triple Tails, Io Shirai joined World Wonder Ring Stardom and established it as her new home promotion. She formed the Planet stable and aligned herself with Stardom. Shirai won the World of Stardom Championship and had successful title defenses. She participated in various tournaments and formed alliances with different wrestlers. Shirai set records and became a multiple champion, winning titles such as the Wonder of Stardom Championship and the SWA World Championship. She had rivalries, formed new stables like Queen’s Quest, and received accolades for her performances. Shirai faced injuries but continued to compete and excel in Stardom. She concluded her tenure with Stardom in June 2018 after a series of farewell matches.
WWE Career
Signing and Mae Young Classic (2017–2018)
In October 2016, it was reported that Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo had been offered WWE contracts starting in 2017. Shirai participated in a WWE tryout in March 2017 and confirmed that she had been offered a contract. However, her WWE debut was delayed due to a neck injury that was discovered during a medical examination.
In August, it was reported that WWE had rescinded their contract offer due to concerns about her neck injury and a heart issue found during the examination. In May 2018, it was reported that Shirai was in discussions with WWE, and on May 29, she announced her departure from Stardom.
She made her first appearance for WWE on June 30, 2018, signing with the company and joining their developmental brand, NXT. Shirai competed in the second Mae Young Classic tournament, advancing to the finals where she was defeated by Toni Storm at WWE Evolution on October 28.
NXT (2018–2022)
Io Shirai debuted in NXT on November 17, 2018, at TakeOver: WarGames, aligning with Dakota Kai to defend Kairi Sane from Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. On December 19, Shirai and Kai bested Duke and Shafir in a tag team match. Shirai also participated in a four-way bout, vying for the NXT Women’s Championship contender spot, which she did not win.
After Sane’s main roster transition, Shirai persistently challenged Shayna Baszler, Duke, and Shafir. Although she had a title match against Baszler at TakeOver: XXV, she didn’t succeed. Subsequently, she morphed into a heel character and instigated a rivalry with Candice LeRae, triumphing in their clash at TakeOver: Toronto.
Shirai was a team member in the inaugural women’s WarGames match and Survivor Series as part of Team NXT. She secured the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: In Your House, triumphing over Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat encounter, successfully defending against Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai.
Shirai continued her rivalry with LeRae, successfully defending her title twice, at TakeOver 31 and Halloween Havoc. She lost the championship to Raquel González at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver but quickly rebounded, pairing with Zoey Stark to claim the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship at The Great American Bash.
However, the duo lost the titles to Toxic Attraction at Halloween Havoc. Subsequently, Shirai, partnering with Cora Jade, Kay Lee Ray, and Raquel González, triumphed in a WarGames match at WarGames 2022.
In a collaboration with Kay Lee Ray, Shirai also secured the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic title but failed in challenging Mandy Rose for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Damage CTRL and the Women’s Champion (2022–present)
On July 30, 2022, Shirai returned from injury at SummerSlam alongside Bayley and Dakota Kai, confronting Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. She debuted under the new ring name Iyo Sky and joined the Raw brand as a heel.
Initial Feuds and Formation of Damage CTRL
On subsequent episodes of Raw, Sky and her allies targeted and attacked stars like Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka. They challenged for a six-woman tag team match at Clash at the Castle and participated in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament. At Clash at the Castle, the stable was named Damage CTRL, and Sky and Kai claimed the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Title Reigns and Losses
Sky and Kai successfully defended the titles but lost them on October 31. They reclaimed the titles at Crown Jewel but lost them again on February 27, 2023, ending their second reign at 114 days. Their feud culminated at WrestleMania 39 with a defeat to Lynch, Lita, and Trish Stratus.
Sky’s Rise and Money in the Bank Victory
In 2023, Sky’s performance in the women’s Royal Rumble and a number one contender’s triple threat match increased her momentum. As part of the WWE Draft, she moved to SmackDown and won the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, leading to an unforgettable moment at SummerSlam.
Sky’s First WWE Women’s Championship
At SummerSlam 2023, Sky cashed in her briefcase after a triple threat match against Asuka and Charlotte Flair, defeating Bianca Belair to win her first WWE Women’s Championship. This victory made Sky the first female WWE wrestler to have held the NXT Women’s, NXT Women’s Tag Team, WWE Women’s Tag Team, and WWE Women’s championships.
Sky successfully defended her title in a high-stakes triple threat match against Asuka and Flair at Fastlane. Her remarkable victory solidified her status as a formidable champion in the wrestling world. The momentum continued at Crown Jewel, where Sky, with the strategic assistance of a returning Kairi Sane, retained her title in a gripping match against Belair. However, at Survivor Series WarGames, Sky and her team, Damage CTRL, faced a setback.
Iyo Sky’s Climactic Victory at Money in the Bank 2023
Iyo Sky, a celebrated WWE superstar, achieved an impressive victory in the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match in London. This thrilling event featured six of WWE’s most formidable female superstars, battling for a contract that grants them the opportunity to challenge for a title at their leisure.
The competition was rife with unexpected twists and turns. Iyo Sky, also known as “The Genius of the Sky,” had a near-victory experience until her Damage CTRL teammate, Bayley, intervened. However, Sky turned the tables by handcuffing Bayley and Becky Lynch, also known as “The Man,” through the ladder openings. This strategic move cleared the path for Sky to claim the win, highlighting her agility and cunning in the ring.
The journey to the ladder match was marked by a series of qualifying matches on Raw and SmackDown, where competitors proved their worth. Notably, Sky defeated Shotzi to secure her spot in the ladder match. The event was also marked by intriguing storylines, including a heated rivalry between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus that added an extra layer of suspense to the competition.
Iyo Sky’s win at the Money in the Bank event represents a pivotal moment in her WWE career. As a former NXT women’s champion, Sky has been gaining popularity among fans, and her recent win indicates that WWE recognizes her potential. Now, with the Money in the Bank victory under her belt, Sky is just one step away from adding main roster singles gold to her trophy case, marking a promising future in her wrestling career.
Iyo Sky & SummerSlam 2023
WWE SummerSlam 2023 was a spectacle that left fans on the edge of their seats, especially with the unexpected turn of events involving Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair.
During the SummerSlam event, Iyo Sky cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase on a hobbled Bianca Belair, just after Belair regained the WWE Women’s World Heavyweight Championship. This shocking move has set the stage for a potential feud between Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair.
The event was marked by a Triple Threat match where Belair sold an injury to her left knee but heroically returned to the ring. Her victory was short-lived as Iyo Sky’s cash-in led to yet another injustice, planting the seeds for a possible Bianca Belair heel turn. The storyline has drawn parallels to Bret Hart’s unique heel turn during the Attitude Era, though a heel turn for Belair seems unlikely.
The SummerSlam 2023 event has also hinted at a feud between Charlotte and Belair, but with Iyo Sky’s intervention, a Belair vs. Iyo Sky feud seems imminent. Coupled with her husband Montez Ford’s recent heel turn, a transition to the dark side for Belair appears nearly inevitable.
The event has left fans speculating about the future direction of these characters and the potential rivalries that may unfold in the coming weeks. The intrigue and drama surrounding Iyo Sky’s cash-in and the subsequent developments have added a new layer of excitement to WWE’s storytelling, promising thrilling matches and captivating storylines in the near future.
Iyo Sky Age
Iyo Sky, also known as Masami Odate, is a Japanese professional wrestler who is currently signed with WWE. Known for her impressive career on the Japanese circuit and her time in WWE as Io Shirai, she has made a name for herself in the wrestling industry. Odate is a former NXT Women’s Champion and Women’s Tag Team Champion, achieving great success in her career.
Under the ring name Iyo Sky, she is currently a member of the faction Damage Control, alongside Dakota Kai and Bayley. Born on May 8, 1990, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, Iyo Sky is currently 33 years old as of 2023.
Iyo Sky Height & Weight
Iyo Sky, known for her youthful appearance, intelligence, and charming personality, possesses an impressive physique. Standing at a height of approximately 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm), Iyo Sky is considered one of the shorter wrestlers in the women’s division. With a body weight of around 54 kg (119 lbs), she maintains a strong and attractive figure.
IYO SKY Name Change
WWE Superstar Iyo Sky recently made a name change in WWE, transitioning from Io Shirai to Iyo Sky. In an interview with Tokyo Sports, she explained her decision, stating, “I believe that the name ‘Shirai’ carries a certain image in kanji for Japanese people, but it doesn’t hold the same meaning in the United States. By adding ‘Sky’ to my name, it creates a new image. The previous spelling of ‘Io’ with a capital ‘I’ and a lowercase ‘o’ in the alphabet sometimes led to confusion, as it resembled a lowercase ‘L’ and ‘O’ (lo), or even a number. By using ‘IYO’ in all capital letters, I believe it becomes easier to understand and avoids any potential misinterpretation.”
Theme Song
Masami Odate, known as Iyo Sky in WWE, has an official theme song titled “Tokyo Shock” by def rebel. This high-energy track perfectly complements her entrance and sets the tone for her matches. With over 74k views on YouTube, it has gained popularity among fans who enjoy its dynamic sound and connection to IYO SKY’s persona.
Iyo Sky Net Worth
Masami Odate, also known as Iyo Sky, is a Japanese professional wrestler who has achieved considerable success in her career. While her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, it is estimated to be around $30 million. As a full-time wrestler signed with WWE, her primary source of income is her wrestling career. She earns a substantial salary of approximately $500,000 per year from WWE NXT and various wrestling pay-per-view events. Additionally, Iyo Sky boosts her earnings through endorsements and public appearances, further contributing to her overall net worth.
IYO SKY Husband
Masami Odate, also known as Iyo Sky, has had relationships with fellow professional wrestlers in the past. She was previously in a relationship with Kazushige Nosawa, and the two lived together in Koto, Tokyo. However, their relationship ended after a few months.
Following her split from Nosawa, Iyo Sky began a relationship with NJPW star Evil. They are currently engaged. Evil is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
It’s worth noting that prior to her relationship with Kazushige Nosawa, Iyo Sky was in a relationship with another professional wrestler, Nosawa Rongai. However, the wrestler is not in married to anyone.
Iyo Sky Social Media
Iyo Sky, the Japanese professional wrestler, has a significant presence on social media platforms.
She has amassed a considerable following, with over 537k followers on Instagram and more than 280k followers on Twitter.
Her Instagram handle is @iyo_sky, where fans can find updates, photos, and other content related to her wrestling career.
On Twitter, she can be found at @Iyo_SkyWWE, where she engages with her followers and shares her thoughts and experiences.
However, there is no available record of an official Facebook account for Iyo Sky at this time.
F.A.Qs
Who is IYO SKY?
Iyo sky is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed under WWE. She is a former NXT Women’s and Women’s Tag Team Champion. However, Masami currently performs under the ring name IYO SKY. She is also a member of the faction Damage Control alongside Dakota Kai and Bayley.
How old is IYO SKY WWE?
Masami Odate a.k.a IYO SKY is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is working under WWE. However, the wrestler is most popular for her work on the Japanese Circuit and as Io Shirai in WWE. Masami was born on May 8, 1990, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Therefore, as of 2023, she is 33 years old.
How tall is Io Shirai?
Shirai is about 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) in height making her one of the shortest wrestlers in the women’s division and her body weight is around 54 Kg (119lbs).
How long has Shirai been wrestling?
Shirai made her professional wrestling debut on March 4, 2007. It was alongside her younger sister. The two adopted the ring names Mio and Io Shirai, respectively. Therefore, she is in a wrestling career for about 15 years now.
