Even though her character was a heel, Io Shirai was still getting fan support from the NXT Universe; the Genius of the Sky was embracing the support and leaned slowly to a face turn, but more of a tweener. Her theme played and the fans instantly cheered and chanted her name.

Io had a match against Taynara Conti as the Genius of the Sky continues to climb the ever competitive NXT ladder to earn her way to an NXT Women's title match against the longest reigning champion, the Queen of Spades Shayna Baszler. Io loved her leather attire which brought the best parts of her body.

As the bell rang, Io immediately went on the offense against Taynara.

(Backstage)

While Io's match was going, NXT general manager William Regal stood outside and saw a limo pulled up. The door opened and out came one of NJPW's names Vasil Rivera. Vasil was a former 3 time IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

William: Vasil, welcome

Vasil: so this is NXT?

William: yes, I was expecting you; follow me and we'll finalize your contract

Vasil: lead the way sir

Vasil followed William to the office and saw Triple H.

Triple H: Vasil Rivera

Vasil: nice to meet you, sir

Triple H: you're one of the biggest names in Japan, I've seen your work

Vasil: thank you sir

Triple H: well let's finalize your contract; just sign on the dotted line

Vasil read through the contract and he put pen on paper. Triple H and William then signed and the contract was finalized.

Triple H: congratulations, welcome to the NXT family

Vasil: thank you sir

William: as for your debut, do you want to be in action tonight?

Vasil: yes, I want to show the NXT Universe what I have

William: okay, you'll be facing against Shane Thorne, good luck

Vasil: thank you sir

Vasil exited the office and went down to his locker room, but then he saw a familiar face. The familiar face was his best friend Adam Cole.

Vasil: Adam Cole...

Adam: BAY-BAY!

The two hugged each other.

Adam: what are you doing here, man?

Vasil: well let's just say, I signed!

Adam: no way

Vasil: it's true, I'm now part of NXT

Adam: oh that's sweet man, we're back together

Vasil: first Japan and now here

Adam: anyways, do you have a match?

Vasil: yes later tonight

Adam: I can't wait to watch you in action

Vasil: you know where the locker room is?

Adam: yes, I'll bring you there

Vasil: thanks man

Adam led Vasil to the men's locker room. The NXT Champion stopped at the door with Vasil's name on it.

Adam: here you are

Vasil: thanks man

Adam: I'll catch you later

Vasil: sweet and we'll recall our time in Japan

Adam: alright

The two fist bumped and Vasil went inside. He saw he had a TV, so he turned it on to see a match was underway between Io and Taynara. Vasil set his bag down and watched the match between the two women. However, his vision and attention were focused on the Genius of the Sky.

In the ring, Io nailed Taynara with the double knees in the corner; she then dragged Taynara to the drop zone. Io got on the top turnbuckle and flattened Taynara with her signature moonsault for the win.

Vasil was impressed; he nodded and applauded for Io's match.

Vasil: she's impressive

Then he saw that Shane Thorne has an open challenge next. Vasil got ready and wore his attire which was a pair of trunks with wing designs on one side and the flags of the Philippines and North Macedonia combined on the other side. In addition, his entrance attire is a black cape with a mask covering the mouth.

He got ready and left his locker room.

Meanwhile, Io went backstage and sat with her friends Candice LeRae and Mia Yim. Backstage and off character, Io was her cute, adorable and bubbly self.

Mia: great match out there, Io

Io: thanks, and hopefully I'll get Shayna's attention

Candice: that woman has to be defeated

Io: I know

Mia: well, it seems we have a debut of a new Superstar next

Candice: whoever he is, I can't wait to see what he has

Io: me too

(In the ring)

Shane Thorne was ready for his open challenge. Then a theme played.

The crowd got out of their seats as one NJPW's big names has made his NXT in-ring debut, the Vulture of Kumanovo Vasil Rivera.

Vasil looked around and bask in the cheering crowd. He walked down the ramp and got in the ring.

He removed his mask and cape and set his crosshairs on his opponent.

The bell rang and Vasil and Shane locked up. Vasil got Shane with a shoulder block before going to the ropes. Shane got up and attempted for an offense shot, but he was caught with a monstrous lariat from Vasil.

Backstage, Mia, Candice and Io were watching Vasil's match.

Candice: what a lariat

Mia: that's gotta hurt

However, Io was focusing on the Filipino-Macedonian man in the ring.

Io's mind: my god he's handsome and dangerous

Candice turned to see Io lightly blushing.

Candice: Io!

Io: ahh! Candice, don't do that!

Candice: it seems you're paying close attention to Vasil

Io: I'm not

Her cheeks were flushing red.

Mia: your cheeks say you're lying, Io

Io: quit it girls

She tried to be serious, but couldn't help but giggle and smile.

(In the ring)

Vasil dominated the match; he caught with a sitout powerbomb, one of his signature moves he calls Crushing Devotion. He didn't went for the pin, and instead ran to the ropes as he saw Thorne to getting up.

As Thorne got back up, he was met with a springboard European uppercut which Vasil calls it Burden of the Sky.

He then picked up Thorne and landed one of his finishers, the Black Thunder (Pete Dunne's Bitter End). Then he ended match by locking in the Sinner's End (Sharpshooter).

To put more pressure in the Sinner's End, Vasil applied more pressure on the hold, which Shane immediately tapped out.

After the bell rang, Vasil was still holding on until the referee broke the hold. The ref raised his arm as Vasil smirked.

(Backstage)

The girls were clapping for Vasil's debut.

Candice: what a debut

Mia: that submission hold hurts, especially when he applied pressure

Io: and he is handsome too

Candice: what was that Io?

Io: nothing nothing!

She blushed heavily.

Mia: ooh, someone has her eyes set on the Vulture

Io put her hands over her face to hide her blush.

Candice: are you having a crush on Vasil?

Io tried to be serious, but couldn't as a cute blushing smile was on her face.

Mia: ah ah, look at that cute smile

Candice: Io...

Candice Wrestling teased her.

Then they saw Vasil walking backstage going to his locker room.

Candice: Io, go and introduce yourself to him

Io: o-okay

Mia: and I guarantee he'll melt from your cuteness and beauty, and the cherry on top, you're wearing your attire

Io smiled and gathered up her confidence.

Io: okay, I'm gonna do it

The Genius of the Sky got out of the catering area and chased after the Vulture.