Add as a preferred source on Google Asuka left WWE Backlash surrounded by plenty of questions about her future, after losing to IYO SKY in one of the most emotional matches of the event.
After the match, the two embraced in the center of the ring while Asuka thanked the fans in attendance in Tampa, which quickly sparked rumors of a possible retirement.
On the Backlash post-show, Big E went as far as questioning whether that could have been a goodbye, saying he had never seen Asuka so emotional in a situation like that.
However, according to Fightful Select, the feeling backstage in WWE is not that Asuka has had her last match. The word is that most people they spoke to don’t believe the Japanese star is definitively retired.
Still, there is internal confusion about what exactly the Backlash moment meant. Dave Meltzer, on Wrestling Observer Radio, even reported that Asuka was described as “semi-retired,” though there wasn’t clarity on what that means in practice.
Another important point is that Asuka signed a long-term contract with WWE in the summer of 2024, which reinforces the idea that a full departure from the company isn’t expected at this time.
It’s worth remembering that Asuka has been with WWE since 2015 and has put together a historic resume, with four women’s titles on the main roster, a Royal Rumble win, Money in the Bank, and the longest title reign in NXT Women’s Championship history.
As of now, WWE has not made any official announcement regarding a retirement.