Add as a preferred source on Google Asuka’s future in WWE is up in the air after a week marked by a strong farewell atmosphere at Backlash and Monday Night RAW.
This past Saturday, the Japanese star was defeated by IYO SKY in Tampa, ending a rivalry that had been built for months. WWE itself treated the aftermath as a goodbye, noting on RAW that Asuka left the arena after telling SKY she was proud of her.
According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, people in WWE have started describing Asuka’s situation as a “semi-retirement.” However, Meltzer made it clear that there is still no exact definition of what that means, including whether she may still wrestle occasionally.
“When we contacted those in WWE, they described Asuka as semi-retiring. She is going back to Japan for now to take care of family related business.
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 15, 2026
Nothing else is clear as far as if she should come back or if she does, will her role be different.”
– Dave Meltzer
(@WONF4W) pic.twitter.com/0J2L7vIj3J
An update from Fightful brought another important detail: Asuka was not released, was not asked to take a pay cut, and remains under a multi-year contract signed in 2024. Her absence is said to be related to family matters in Japan, with a prolonged absence from TV expected.
PWInsider also indicated that Asuka remains tied to WWE, although the story about her returning to Japan due to a family matter has not yet been officially confirmed. Bodyslam, meanwhile, described the situation as an indefinite leave of absence, not a retirement.
So far, WWE has not announced a return date for Asuka. It remains to be seen whether the “Empress of Tomorrow” will return to the ring in the future or move into a different role within the company.