Asuka’s WWE future remains uncertain following an emotional goodbye segment on WWE Raw, though she is reported to still be under contract with the company.
After losing to Iyo Sky at Backlash, Asuka appeared backstage on Monday’s Raw in Knoxville, hugging Sky and telling her “see you later” before leaving the arena with her luggage. Michael Cole said on commentary that her future was “up in the air.” Asuka told Sky she had been looking for someone to take her place, and that Sky was the one to do it. Sky told her they would always be family.
The word within WWE is that Asuka plans to return to Japan for an extended period to deal with an undisclosed family matter. She remains under contract, and internally there is unanimous belief she has not had her final match. WWE has described her as “always reliable no matter what was thrown her way” and noted her long-term deal signed in 2024 remains in place.
Big E addressed the moment at the Backlash post-show.
“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.”
Asuka has been with WWE since 2015. Her tag partner Kairi Sane was among the April 2026 roster cuts.
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