Charlotte Flair has picked IYO SKY versus Asuka as the match she is most looking forward to at WWE Backlash 2026 — and she made a compelling case for why the bout has match of the night potential at Saturday’s show in Tampa. Speaking on ESPN SportsCenter, the 14-time Women’s Champion offered a detailed breakdown of why the two performers bring something unique to their collision.
“This isn’t because I’m biased about the women, but definitely IYO SKY versus Asuka. I have a lot of history with Asuka. I ended her undefeated streak. I’ve had the opportunity to face IYO multiple times. They’re both international superstars. Given the time and the story that they have, they could potentially steal the show, and I have no doubt that they will — and that’s just not me saying it as a woman just praising a female match, they’re that talented. They have a special style, you can see with their entrances, and also the story — IYO and Asuka were in Damage CTRL for the last two years led by Bayley. I think they’re gonna do a hell of a job,” Flair said.
Charlotte Flair Points to IYO SKY and Asuka’s Damage CTRL History as Key to Their Backlash Storyline
The rivalry between IYO SKY and Asuka has been building for the better part of three quarters of a year, initially also featuring Kairi Sane before her WWE release last month. Flair’s endorsement of the match adds another high-profile voice to the growing consensus that IYO SKY vs. Asuka is the sleeper hit of the Backlash card. The match takes place Saturday, May 9 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, streaming live on the ESPN app and Netflix.
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