Reactions to Asuka at WWE Backlash, more details (Patreon)

Asuka lost to IYO SKY at WWE Backlash and had what appeared to be a send off.

Since then, there have been conflicting reports, indicating that Asuka is either semi-retired or taking time off for personal reasons. The situation appeared to be a mystery to the locker room, and to a number of people around the creative process, who weren't sure if this was actually a "goodbye."

One thing that was firm was that everyone that Fightful spoke to does not believe Asuka has had her final match. Another unanimous response was her popularity among locker room and staff, who spoke highly of working with her, and her general performance. One WWE higher up said that Asuka's performance over the last year specifically was "always reliable no matter what was thrown her way" and said WWE was very happy with her.

Regarding her contract status, Asuka signed a new, long term deal with WWE in the Summer of 2024. We aren't sure how long that deal went, but most deals were for five years at that point.

Though many in the locker room weren't sure of what the gestures following Asuka's match went, there were some farewells being said both in person and on social media.

A number of the sources we spoke to also indicated a lot of frustration around Kairi Sane's release, but didn't communicate if Asuka herself had expressed those frustrations. A specific point of frustration emanated from the television time given to Asuka and Kairi without actually paying off Kairi's part in the story.