IYO SKY vs. Asuka at WrestleMania 42 Is Still Unclear

The IYO SKY versus Asuka match that had been teased for WrestleMania 42 appears increasingly unlikely to happen in Las Vegas. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that as of his last information, the match would probably be moved to Backlash on May 9 rather than taking place at WrestleMania 42 — though he was careful to note it is not a certainty in either direction.

“She’s not got a match for Mania. A couple of days ago she put up something on social media which is basically a challenge — ‘Asuka, I challenge you for WrestleMania.’ So at that point when she put that up it’s like, ‘Okay, they’re going to do the match and announce it on Monday because she’s put out the challenge.’ You would never do that unless you were told to do it. No one has told me it’s dead. The last I heard was that it could happen, but it would probably be moved to Backlash. But it’s not like it’s for sure going to be at Backlash,” Meltzer said.

Nikki Bella’s Medical Status Is the Key Variable Behind the IYO SKY vs. Asuka WrestleMania Decision

IYO SKY’s social media post issuing the challenge was subsequently deleted ahead of Monday’s go-home Raw, adding further weight to the suggestion that plans shifted. The match had been listed on WWE‘s internal WrestleMania card as recently as 10 days ago, but became uncertain in the days that followed. Meltzer noted the situation is directly tied to Nikki Bella’s injury status — if Bella cannot compete in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way, Asuka and Kairi Sane would step into that match, removing the possibility of an IYO vs. Asuka singles bout. Nikki Bella’s availability was considered “too close to call” as of April 13, leaving the IYO SKY situation in the same state of uncertainty heading into WrestleMania weekend.