Last night was the first Raw since WWE released over 20 Superstars from WWE and NXT. Among the list were many prominent names, including the recently paired-up Zelina Vega and Aleister Black, the entire Wyatt Sicks group, and Zoey Stark, who was close to being cleared from an injury. However, the most decisive firing was Kairi Sane’s release. After all, The Pirate Princess was heavily embroiled in the Asuka and Iyo Sky storyline. On Raw from Laredo, Texas, Asuka tied up the loose ends, addressing Kairi Sane’s release. Here’s the latest on Kairi Sane’s future, now that the former NXT Women’s Champion is gone from WWE.
Wrestling World Reacts to Kairi Sane’s Release
WWE fans were left reeling at the releases of some of the most popular Superstars, including The Motor City Machine Guns, Nikki Cross, and Santos Escobar. While many of these firings were shocking, perhaps none left the WWE Universe more devastated than Kairi Sane’s release.
#WeWantKairi has been one of the top trends all week. From there, the Laredo crowd showered the Becky Lynch vs. Iyo Sky Intercontinental Title Match with “We Want Kairi” chants. Some fans are under the impression that they can sway the WWE brass.
After all, the “We want Truth” riots led to WWE hiring back Ron Killings within one week of firing the legend. Unfortunately for Kairi Sane’s fans, the “We want Kairi” chants are falling to the wayside. WWE is sticking with their decision to release Kairi Sane, and it was confirmed by her Tag Team partner, Asuka, on last night’s Raw.
Asuka Costs Iyo Sky the Women’s IC Championship
On Raw, Becky Lynch issues an Open Challenge for her Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Former Damage CTRL member, Iyo Sky, answered the call.
These top female Superstars gave it their all in a back-and-forth Title defense. Things hit a fever pitch when Iyo Sky wiped Becky Lynch out with an Asai Moonsault to the outside. The RhIYO member rolled The Man back into the ring and seemed poised to take the ropes and finish off her opponent.
However, Asuka appeared, thwarting off Sky’s offense. The Empress of Tomorrow grabbed Iyo’s leg, causing her to hit the apron hard. A writhing Iyo rolled into the ring, where Becky Lynch finished her off with a Manhandle Slam.
Afterward, Asuka finished the job on her favorite Damage CTRL teammate. The Kabuki Warrior wrapped Iyo Sky up in an Asuka. Meanwhile, the WWE Universe in Laredo yelled “We want Kairi!” to end the segment.
Asuka vs. Iyo Sky Officially Added to Backlash After WrestleMania Snub
After Asuka’s brutal attack on Iyo Sky, WWE made it official. At Backlash Tampa, Iyo Sky will wrestle Asuka. This match was rumored to be on the WrestleMania 42 card. Unfortunately for these former World Champions, the match was in limbo due to unpredictable injuries to the women’s roster.
At one point, Kairi Sane and Asuka were on deck to replace The Bella Twins in the Fatal Four-Way Women’s Tag Team Title Match. However, WWE decided to hire Paige and have her team with Brie Bella to capture the gold on WrestleMania 42 Saturday.
Even though Asuka was free to compete, WWE decided not to rush the match announcement. Instead, they’re prolonging the storyline three more weeks. However, a key part of the storyline is no longer present. Iyo Sky and Asuka were butting heads over the latter’s treatment of Kairi Sane.
Now that WWE has released Kairi Sane, there is a big hole in the plot. On last night’s Raw, Asuka tried to close that gap by addressing Kairi Sane’s release.
Asuka Confirms Kairi Sane’s Departure
WWE announced the Iyo Sky vs. Asuka match with a video package from The Empress of Tomorrow. The manipulative Asuka blamed Iyo Sky for betraying her family in Asuka and Kairi Sane. Asuka went as far as to call Iyo her biggest failure.
That’s when Asuka addressed the elephant in the room. She implied that she got rid of Kairi Sane, thanks to Iyo’s betrayal.
According to WWE’s subtitles, Asuka said:
“You failed your family.
And no, we’re both alone, because I didn’t want another Iyo.”
The “didn’t want another” is a nod to Kairi Sane’s absence. Asuka is using Kairi Sane’s release to add heat to the storyline.
While the chants and Asuka’s reference to Kairi gave Sane fans hope, they shouldn’t get too excited. Reports indicate that Kairi Sane has returned to Japan.
Kairi Sane’s WWE History and Return to Japan
As one half of the Kabuki Warriors, this was Kairi Sane’s second run with WWE. She burst onto the scene in 2017, defeating Shayna Baszler during the Mae Young Classic. The Japanese sensation made a huge splash in NXT, becoming Women’s Champion, as well as forming The Sky Pirates with Io Shirai (Iyo Sky).
Upon being called up to the main roster, Kairi Sane formed a formidable Tag Team with Asuka as The Kabuki Warriors. The pair would win the Tag Team Titles at Hell in a Cell in 2019 before dropping them at WrestleMania 36. After her Tag Title loss, Kairi Sane’s WWE contract was coming to an end.
Kairi Sane got married earlier that year, and the pandemic was in full effect. The former Kabuki Warrior decided to return to Japan. Upon her arrival, the ex-Kairi Hojo returned to Stardom. She even became the first-ever IWGP Women’s Champion.
During this time, The Pirate Princess signed on to become a WWE Ambassador. Eventually, she would return at Crown Jewel 2023, siding with Damage CTRL.
Since her return, Kairi Sane and Asuka have won the Tag Titles two more times. Their last reign ended at the Netflix 1-year anniversary in a loss to Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. It seemed like Kairi Sane was going to be an integral part of the Backlash showdown. However, The Pirate Princess has set sail back to the Land of the Rising Sun.