Tag: Asuka

Michael Cole Comments On Asuka’s Uncertain WWE Future Following Emotional Raw Farewell

Questions continue to surround Asuka’s WWE status after an emotional segment aired on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw.

The former Women’s Champion was already the subject of heavy speculation coming out of WWE Backlash, where she shared a heartfelt moment with IYO SKY after losing to “The Genius of the Sky.” The two embraced following the match, and social media activity from several WWE talents only added to rumors that Asuka may be stepping away from the company.

Reports that surfaced afterward painted an unclear picture regarding her future. One claimed the veteran star was “semi-retired,” while another noted that even people within WWE creative and the locker room reportedly aren’t certain about her current status.

Raw added more intrigue with a pre-taped backstage segment featuring SKY and Asuka. In the emotional exchange, Asuka told SKY she had been searching for someone worthy of carrying things forward and said she was happy it ended up being her longtime ally and rival.

She also told SKY how proud she was of her accomplishments. SKY responded by saying they would always be family no matter how many times they battle each other in the ring. She then said goodbye to “Asuka-san,” prompting Asuka to reply with “see you later” before the two hugged.

The segment ended with Asuka walking away with luggage in hand while SKY watched her leave.

During SKY’s later match against Sol Ruca, Michael Cole acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation on commentary, stating that Asuka’s “future is up in the air” and noting that she appeared to have said goodbye.

Asuka has been one of WWE’s most decorated women’s stars since signing with the company in 2016. Over the years, she captured multiple championships across NXT and the main roster while building a reputation as one of the most influential international stars in WWE history.

Despite reports that she signed a new WWE contract in 2024, there is still no official word on whether this is a temporary hiatus, a reduced schedule, or something more permanent. Speculation has also continued regarding whether the recent departure of longtime tag team partner Kairi Sane could be connected to the situation.

For now, WWE has not released an official statement regarding Asuka’s future.

Backstage Update Emerges On Asuka’s WWE Future After Emotional Backlash Moment

WWE Backlash left fans talking about more than just IYO SKY’s victory over Asuka. The post-match interaction between the two stars quickly sparked speculation that “The Empress of Tomorrow” may have been saying goodbye to WWE altogether.

Following the event, several WWE talents shared emotional messages directed toward Asuka on social media, fueling rumors that her in-ring career could be winding down. A report from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer indicated that Asuka was considered “semi-retired,” adding even more uncertainty to the situation.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, there is still no clear answer internally regarding Asuka’s status. Many within the WWE locker room reportedly do not know whether Backlash marked the end of her full-time run or if she is simply stepping away for a break. The confusion reportedly extends to WWE creative as well, with staff said to be unsure about the company’s long-term plans for her.

Despite the speculation, one point appears to be consistent backstage: the match against IYO SKY was not viewed as Asuka’s retirement bout. The belief is that she will wrestle again at some point in the future.

The report also notes that Asuka signed a new long-term WWE deal in 2024, although the exact length of the contract has not been disclosed publicly. It remains unknown whether recent WWE budget-related changes — including reported requests for some talents to take pay reductions — had any impact on her situation.

Another topic reportedly discussed backstage is the recent release of Kairi Sane. Sane’s departure came as a surprise to many, especially given her close on-screen and real-life connection with Asuka as part of the Kabuki Warriors. While there is no confirmation that Sane’s release directly affected Asuka’s outlook, the report states that several people within WWE were unhappy with how the duo had been utilized over the past year.

There was reportedly frustration over the limited television focus placed on Asuka and Sane throughout late 2024 and early 2025, particularly because many believed the storyline involving the Kabuki Warriors and IYO SKY had strong potential if given more consistent development.

For now, Asuka’s WWE future remains uncertain, but it does not appear that fans have seen the last of her inside the ring.

Update On IYO SKY-Asuka Match Not Being Scheduled For WWE WrestleMania 42

For weeks, it looked like WWE was steering directly toward a high-profile singles clash between IYO SKY and Asuka at WrestleMania 42. The tension has been there, the interactions have been building, and even a public challenge was thrown into the mix—but as of now, the match still hasn’t been made official, and the latest backstage update suggests things may not be as locked in as fans expected.

The situation took an interesting turn following last week’s episode of Raw, where Asuka called out SKY, only for “The Genius of the Sky” to respond with a WrestleMania challenge on social media. That alone felt like a clear signal the match was imminent. Typically, WWE doesn’t push talent to make those kinds of public challenges unless there’s a plan in place.

However, that momentum stalled. On this week’s Raw, SKY faced Kairi Sane, Asuka’s Damage CTRL ally, and while Asuka got involved to cost SKY the match, WWE still stopped short of confirming the WrestleMania bout. That raised eyebrows—and now we may know why.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the match is currently in a state of uncertainty. While it hasn’t been outright canceled, it also hasn’t been finalized. Meltzer noted that SKY even removed her WrestleMania challenge from social media, which only adds to the confusion surrounding the situation.

Behind the scenes, there’s reportedly been talk that the match could be shifted to Backlash instead. While that’s not a definite decision, it’s being considered, especially given WrestleMania Sunday’s already packed lineup. At one point, SKY vs. Asuka was expected to land on night two of the event, but timing constraints may have forced WWE to rethink their plans.

At this stage, the door isn’t completely closed on the match happening at WrestleMania—but it’s far from guaranteed. Whether it gets squeezed onto the card last-minute or saved for a future premium live event, the company is clearly still weighing its options.

For now, fans hoping to see SKY and Asuka collide on the biggest stage of the year may have to wait a little longer—or at least keep a close eye on any last-minute changes leading into WrestleMania weekend.

Backstage Update: Naomi’s Absence Forces WWE to Fast-Track Asuka Heel Turn on Raw

WWE had to pull a last-minute audible on this week’s Monday Night Raw after Women’s World Champion Naomi was unexpectedly ruled out of her scheduled title defense against IYO SKY. The company announced just hours before the show that Naomi wasn’t medically cleared to compete, though no reason has been publicly revealed for her absence.

The change didn’t just affect that night’s lineup — it also reshaped a major storyline. According to PWInsider Elite, WWE had been building toward a slow-burn heel turn for Asuka against her Damage CTRL partner SKY. That confrontation was originally planned to happen further down the road, but with Naomi out, WWE decided to move up the split. Fans saw the seeds planted after SKY’s loss to Roxanne Perez, when Asuka walked out on her partner in frustration.

Interestingly, the Perez vs. SKY match itself wasn’t the original plan either. WWE reportedly considered booking Perez and Raquel Rodriguez against SKY and Rhea Ripley in tag action. It’s unclear why the singles match was chosen instead, or whether Asuka’s heel turn would’ve still happened in a tag scenario.

The accelerated breakup angle could hint that Naomi will be out of action for at least a short while longer. She is, however, scheduled to appear alongside her husband, Jimmy Uso, on Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story? podcast this Thursday. That appearance might provide some answers about her status — and the fate of the Women’s World Championship picture.

Asuka Returning from Injury for WWE Queen of the Ring 2025 Tournament

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.

Asuka Issues Firm Warning to Fans, WWE & TKO Taking Action To Protect Her

WWE Superstar Asuka is making it clear—she wants no romantic advances from fans.

Earlier this week, the former Women’s Champion took to Twitter (X) with a direct message, urging fans to stop developing romantic feelings for her, calling it “100% pointless.”

She also revealed that she has been feeling unsafe lately and has already consulted the police regarding the matter. Asuka expressed concern that, if this continues, she may feel threatened even when approached by fans in public settings like airports or city streets, making her hesitant to interact.

Her statement was unambiguous:

“I absolutely reject any romantic or personal approaches toward me. There is absolutely no possibility for others to interfere in my private life.”

WWE and TKO Step In

Following her initial post, Asuka provided an update on Friday, informing fans that WWE and TKO Group Holdings are taking action to protect her. While she didn’t specify the exact measures being implemented, it’s clear that the company is treating the situation seriously.

Fan Behavior Crosses the Line

Unfortunately, Asuka is not the first WWE Superstar to deal with overzealous or inappropriate fan behavior. Alexa Bliss, Sonya Deville, and Rhea Ripley have all had publicized incidents involving stalkers or obsessive fans in recent years. While most fans are respectful, cases like this highlight the darker side of fan interactions, reinforcing the importance of boundaries and personal safety for performers.

A Reminder to Respect Boundaries

Asuka’s message serves as a reminder that wrestlers are entertainers—not romantic interests for their fans. While social media and meet-and-greets allow for more interaction than ever, there’s a fine line between admiration and invasion of privacy.

WWE has yet to comment publicly on the situation, but with TKO stepping in, it’s clear they are taking Asuka’s concerns seriously. Hopefully, these measures will ensure her safety and peace of mind moving forward.

Asuka Reportedly Injured During Latest SmackDown

It hasn’t always been the smoothest road to WrestleMania 40, with plans involving The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns changing a few times, while an injury to CM Punk also led to an audible regarding the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match. Now, another injury has emerged to potentially throw a monkey wrench into WWE’s plans for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

PWInsider reports that Asuka, one-half of the Women’s Tag Champions with Kairi Sane, suffered an injury to her knee on “SmackDown” this past Friday night. The news will not come as a huge shock to viewers, as Asuka could be seen limping during the closing angle of “SmackDown,” where she, Kairi, Dakota Kai, and WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY attacked Bayley following the latter’s match against Kai.

Asuka was subsequently pulled off the road this weekend, as a precaution, and is expected to undergo medical tests to determine the severity of the injury. At this time, it remains to be seen whether Asuka will be able to wrestle through the injury, or if she will be forced to take significant time off. It would be Asuka’s second notable injury in three years, after she was forced to miss 9 months of action from July 2021 to April 2022 due to an arm injury.

While no match had been announced for Asuka and Kairi at WrestleMania, it was expected that the duo would put their titles on the line on either Night One or Night Two of the event. Should Asuka be forced to miss significant time, she would become the second WWE women’s star forced off of Mania this year due to injury, joining Charlotte Flair, who suffered an injury wrestling Asuka back in December and is expected to be out till later this year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman And Asuka Set For Next Week’s NXT

No fewer than four huge names on the WWE main roster will be headed to “WWE NXT” next Tuesday as the show goes head-to-head against “AEW Dynamite.” In addition to Asuka, who will be wrestling Roxanne Perez on the show, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Paul Heyman will all be appearing in what has to be considered the most star-studded “NXT” event of all time.

Cena will be in former “NXT” Champion Carmelo Hayes’ corner when he faces Bron Breakker, who, as it turnes out, will have Heyman in his corner. Cena is currently involved in a feud with the Bloodline and will face Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso in tag team action alongside LA Knight at the Fastlane premium live event on Saturday. As for Rhodes, he’s set to make “a major announcement,” but what exactly Cody wants to talk about has not been revealed.

“NXT” will go up against “Dynamite” on AEW President Tony Khan’s birthday, on what Khan is calling “Title Tuesday.” Only one match has been announced for the show so far, but it’s a big one: Adam Copeland, formerly known as Edge in WWE, will be making his in-ring AEW debut on the Tuesday edition of “Dynamite” against Luchasaurus. WWE’s recent strategy of infusing “NXT” broadcasts with main roster talent like Dominik Mysterio and Becky Lynch has paid off in ratings numbers that rival the ones “Dynamite” gets on Wednesdays; as a result, these announcements can safely be read as an attempt by WWE not only to counter-program “Title Tuesday” (and Copeland’s debut) but to beat “Dynamite” in the ratings for the first time since the heyday of the “Wednesday Night War.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Asuka Receives New WWE Women’s Championship On SmackDown, Charlotte Flair Returns And Challenges Asuka

On Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown,” general manager Adam Pearce presented Asuka with a brand new WWE Women’s Championship belt, replacing the “Raw” Women’s Championship she won from Bianca Belair at Night of Champions

Before Pearce could even buckle the belt around Asuka’s waist, she was confronted by a returning Charlotte Flair, who informed Pearce that she had no intention of waiting in line for a title shot and challenged Asuka to a championship match, which was immediately accepted. The appearance marked Flair’s return to WWE programming after a two-month hiatus; she was last seen losing the “SmackDown” Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39.

Asuka’s acceptance of Flair’s challenge potentially sets up the fourth televised championship singles match between the two women, with Flair currently holding a 2-1 advantage (there have been 11 total singles match between them, six won by Flair, five by Asuka). It also puts Pearce in a bind, as earlier in the broadcast, he had promised Belair a rematch for the title. While Pearce mentioned in a backstage segment that Asuka vs. Charlotte could occur the night on the June 30 “SmackDown,” the night before Money in the Bank, it’s also possible WWE is ultimately setting up a triple threat involving Belair.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Asuka Reportedly Dealing With A Concussion

RAW Women’s Champion Asuka is still out of action because she’s reportedly dealing with a concussion.

Asuka lost a tooth in taking the stiff kick to the mouth from WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Shayna Baszler during the February 22 RAW show, but she also suffered a concussion during that spot, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

There’s no word on when Asuka might be medically cleared to compete, and there’s still enough time that she might be able to work WrestleMania 37, but that is not a given.

WWE has plans for Charlotte Flair to challenge for the RAW Women’s Title at WrestleMania, but that will depend on Asuka’s health. This is the second time that Flair’s WrestleMania 37 match has been put in jeopardy as they originally had her scheduled to feud with Lacey Evans, but Evans is now pregnant.

Source: Wrestling Inc.