Iyo Sky vs Asuka stole the show at WWE Backlash 2026 with a match for the ages – making one wonder why it never happened at WrestleMania 42. Post-match, there was a highly emotional moment as a character underwent a change.
There was a lot of tension that came to a boil when Asuka and Iyo Sky went head-to-head. The two women have a history together, having crossed paths early in their rise in Japan. It was the late 2000s/early 2010s when Asuka and Iyo Sky (then known as KANA and Io Shirai) were making a name for themselves in wrestling. That aspect of their story was hardly addressed in the build-up to the match, and, for obvious reasons, much of the attention at the end was focused on Kairi Sane (from the fans’ perspective) following her sudden release. The shock behind her release stemmed more from the fact that she was in the midst of a major storyline when it happened. In fact, there were even loud “we want Kairi” chants early into the match.
Thanks for the submission!
Iyo Sky defeated Asuka as expected. Post-match, Asuka clearly turned face, visibly emotional, giving Iyo a big hug and endorsing her. They were told to have had a “student-mentor” relationship of sorts, and if that was the case, then the mentor proudly put over the student. It’s unclear whether this was a goodbye for The Empress, but it was an emotional moment regardless.
If it does mark the end of an era for the Empress of Tomorrow, then what a career she had. It should be made clear that there is nothing whatsoever to confirm that she is calling it quits. However, if she did, Asuka would go in as a first-ballot WWE Hall of Famer.
She has truly done it all and won it all, and one has to wonder what is next for her.
Edited by Rohit Nath
