Asuka Reportedly Said To Be ‘Semi-Retired’ Following WWE Backlash 2026

As noted before, Saturday’s WWE Backlash 2026 event in Tampa, Florida featured IYO SKY and a very emotional Asuka embracing in the ring following their match and Asuka waving to the crowd as she left. This quickly led to online speculation of this could have potentially been Asuka’s last match in WWE over the farewell-like nature of the post-match segment.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that Asuka was described to be “semi-retired” following the event. Meltzer reported that it is currently not exactly known what semi-retired means for Asuka but people were wishing her goodbye and doing similar things like that backstage.

Meltzer reported that it is currently not known if Asuka will be going to Japan and still wrestle or if she is going to still do stuff here and there in WWE.

Meltzer also speculated the possibility of Asuka having been part of the recent WWE roster cuts but this is something he has yet to confirm. Bryan Alvarez responded reporting that it could be a possibility but then brought but Kairi Sane as someone who was among the recent cuts but didn’t even get used for the end of the storyline between SKY and Asuka.