After nearly a year away from in-ring action, “The Empress of Tomorrow” is finally back.
WWE has confirmed that Asuka will make her long-anticipated return as part of the 2025 Queen of the Ring tournament. The former Women’s Champion, who has been sidelined since May 2024 due to a knee injury that required surgery, is set to compete in a high-stakes fatal four-way match in the opening round of the tournament next week.
Asuka’s return was quietly revealed during WWE’s announcement of the tournament bracket, a subtle but powerful nod to her looming presence in the women’s division.
She’ll face a tough challenge right out of the gate. Her first-round matchup will include rising star Ivy Nile, current Women’s Tag Team Champion Raquel Rodriguez, and red-hot newcomer to WWE Raw—and former NXT Women’s Champion—Stephanie Vaquer. The winner will advance to the semifinals to face whoever emerges victorious from a SmackDown four-way between Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Chelsea Green, and Candice LeRae.
The tournament will culminate at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia later this month, with the Queen of the Ring winner earning a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
Asuka’s last WWE appearance came in May 2024, when she and Kairi Sane dropped the Women’s Tag Team Titles to the powerhouse duo of Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Following the loss, Asuka underwent surgery for a knee injury and has been off WWE programming ever since.
Her return now not only reignites her own career, but adds serious star power and unpredictability to this year’s Queen of the Ring bracket. If Asuka can shake off the ring rust quickly, she could easily be a top contender to claim the crown and punch her ticket to a title match at WWE’s biggest party of the summer.
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