Iyo Sky takes flight: How the ‘Genius of the Sky’ turned risk into art and fear into fun

Japanese wrestler Iyo Sky doesn’t just leap from the top rope — she soars, turning every death-defying stunt into proof of why fans call her the “Genius of the Sky.”

Next week, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star returns home from the United States for “Supershow Japan” on Oct. 15 and 16 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan. She’ll join some of wrestling’s biggest names, including Asuka, Kairi, Rhea Ripley and Jey Uso.

“I usually only get to meet fans through the screen, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the faces of everyone in the Japanese universe and competing in matches,” says the 35-year-old wrestler, who is also known as the “Genius of the Sky.” “Let's sing, scream and have fun until our voices are hoarse.”

Earlier this year, veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer described Sky as “the best wrestler in the (WWE) right now,” but it has been a long journey to reach this point in her career.

Born in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Masami Odate began her wrestling career alongside her older sister under the monikers Io and Mio Shirai, respectively. The two wrestled across Japan’s independent scene for promotions such as Ibuki, JWP Joshi Puroresu and Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling before rising to prominence with All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Zero1 in 2008-09.

“When I was just starting out, one or two years after my debut, there were a lot of things that didn't go well,” Sky recalls. “Back then, I sometimes fought in venues with only a few dozen people in attendance. I shed tears of frustration many times.

“But now I've been able to compete in many big matches in stadiums with tens of thousands of people. It's very moving. Also, when I was 20 years old, I formed a team with (pro wrestler) Asuka and we fought all over the country. I never imagined back then that so much time would pass and I would be playing out another different drama with Asuka on the world's biggest stage, WWE.”

Wrestler Iyo Sky says that after moving from the Japanese to the American wrestling circuit, she needed to learn how to play to the TV camera in a different way. | WWE

Sky joined WWE NXT, the organization’s developmental league, in 2018 under the ring name Io Shirai, spending years refining her craft and building the fearless performer that defines her today.

“I've been able to get to where I am today by gradually building up my time, from NXT to my time as a heel to my time in Damage CTRL,” says Sky, using the term “heel,” which is wrestler-speak for “villain,” and referring to the wrestling faction made up of herself and fellow wrestlers Asuka, Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai and Bayley. “It's all thanks to the people who supported me throughout that time.”

Even after finding success in the United States, Sky still keeps a close eye on the Japanese wrestling scene. She says she’s thrilled to see women’s wrestling gaining new fans, with divisions in both countries becoming “incredibly active” after years of stagnation.

“Japan in particular had a long period of decline, but the number of wrestlers, popularity and recognition have all really grown,” she says. “When I was in Japan, it was difficult to get women's professional wrestling out to other media and the public, and the genre itself was in the midst of a boom. So I'm excited about the current excitement surrounding women's professional wrestling.”

In recent years, Iyo Sky has become one of the central figures in WWE’s women’s division. | WWE

Moving to the U.S. was a huge risk — Sky uprooted her life in pursuit of greatness. It was also a technical challenge: to succeed in the WWE, she had to master the in-ring performance but also the language of television production.

“Japanese professional wrestling is more like a ‘sports broadcast,’ so wrestlers only need to concentrate on the match,” she explains. “But WWE is a TV program, so the match and drama need to be conveyed to viewers through the camera. To do this, while fighting opponents during a match, wrestlers do countless other things simultaneously — all in English. It's no exaggeration to say that it's completely different from a match in Japan.”

In recent years, Sky has become one of the central figures in WWE’s women’s division, which many fans and critics now say is the strongest it has ever been.

She first won the WWE Women’s Championship in August 2023, cashing in her Money in the Bank contract — a prize that allows the holder to challenge for a title match anytime, anywhere within a year — to defeat Bianca Belair. Sky then held the Raw Women’s Title for 245 days.

In March, Sky defeated Rhea Ripley to claim the Women’s World Championship, then made history at WrestleMania 41 by successfully defending her title against Ripley and Belair in a triple threat match.

“I'm apparently the first Japanese woman to win at WrestleMania,” Sky says. “And since it was also a defence of WWE's most prestigious title, it was definitely the greatest moment of my life. Not just the result but also being with the best wrestlers in Bianca and Rhea. I was able to take on the best stage, the best performers, the best match, and make the most of history.”

Japanese wrestler Iyo Sky is known specifically for her high-flying antics in the ring, moves that have earned her the nickname “Genius of the Sky.” | WWE

Sky stole the show again at WWE’s Wrestlepalooza in September, where she faced Chilean wrestler Stephanie Vaquer. Though Sky was defeated and Vaquer captured the Women’s World Championship, the Japanese star further cemented her legacy with another electrifying performance.

“Stephanie is an incredible wrestler, not only skilled in South American style but also with ample experience wrestling in Japan,” Sky says. “We matched well, so it was fun to wrestle her. In the WWE Women's Division, there are several wrestlers, like Bianca and Rhea, who I feel can help us improve each time we wrestle — and she is definitely one of them. I think we could do some interesting things if we teamed up someday.”

As the “Genius of the Sky,” she has a seemingly endless repertoire of stunts — among her most memorable are leaping off a steel cage with a trash can over her head into a crowd of wrestlers and tombstone piledriving an opponent through a ladder.

“Everyone calls me crazy, and I’m happy about it,” Sky says. “More than being scared or anything like that, what motivates me is having fun and enjoying myself. I will continue to fly for the joy on everyone's faces. But please, everyone, please don't try to copy me.”