Asuka Potentially Finished Up With WWE Following Backlash 2026

At Backlash 2026, Asuka came up short in a losing effort to Iyo Sky in their long-awaited singles match (which was reportedly originally set for WrestleMania 42). Following the match, Asuka and Sky embraced, with Asuka fighting through tears in an emotional moment as she raised Sky’s hand and exited the ring, giving her opponent her flowers and spotlight. This may have been the last that fans see of Asuka. 

On the Backlash 2026 post-show, WWE teased the idea that Asuka was done for good as Big E gave a heartfelt speech on the multi-time world champion. 

“I don’t [want to speculate] either. I wonder if this is a goodbye. I haven’t really seen Asuka this emotional. If this is goodbye, I know she will be dearly missed. She has been a pioneer; she has done truly incredible things in the ring before she even got to WWE but has further staked her claim as an all-time great here in WWE. I don’t know what this means, but shout out to IYO SKY for another incredible performance. She’s someone I expect to be in that World Title picture again very, very soon.”

On social media this week, Asuka had made some cryptic implications that this was her last match, for instance sharing the lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s My Way. Several names across WWE’s roster made posts showing their love for Asuka such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Iyo Sky, and more. This potential exit comes after WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 releases including Kairi Sane, The New Day, and more. 

H/T SEScoops