Add as a preferred source on Google IYO SKY picked up one of the most important wins of her current WWE run. At Backlash, held this Saturday, May 9, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, the Japanese star defeated Asuka in the co-main event of the premium live event.
The rivalry between the two had been building for months. Asuka and SKY had been on a collision course ever since the Empress of Tomorrow turned on her former ally back in September, in a storyline that also involved Kairi Sane and Rhea Ripley.
The match was closely contested from the opening minutes, with the Tampa crowd breaking into chants for Kairi early in the bout.
.@Iyo_SkyWWE BLOCKED THE MIST! 😱
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzD pic.twitter.com/o2qDrIbZ1E
The most creative spot came outside the ring, when Asuka tried to use the green mist on SKY on top of the announce table. However, IYO managed to shield herself using a notebook, preventing the illegal move from completely changing the course of the match.
In the end, SKY managed to survive the pressure from the former champion and found the decisive opening. Back inside the ring, she hit a Moonsault on Asuka, followed by a pinfall, securing the victory.
After the match, the two embraced in the center of the ring, signaling the end of their rivalry. It’s worth noting that this was the first singles match between IYO SKY and Asuka since September 2023.