Asuka tells fan she ‘hasn’t quit’ amid absence following May Backlash loss
Japanese wrestler Asuka told a fan on X that she “hasn’t left the group. I haven’t quit,” speaking recently amid a prolonged absence from WWE after her May loss to IYO SKY at Backlash. The exchange followed the ring embrace with Sky at Backlash and a backstage segment on the subsequent Raw, which were her last appearances on WWE programming.
At Backlash in May the two longtime friends hugged after their match, and Asuka then appeared in a backstage segment with IYO SKY on the following episode of Raw. That Raw edition on May 11 included commentary from Michael Cole saying Asuka’s future was “currently up in the air.” Her post-Backlash backstage segment remains her final televised WWE appearance to date.
The fan who messaged Asuka on X asked whether reports of her departure were true and whether she was simply taking a break. Asuka replied directly: “I haven’t left the group. I haven’t quit.” The exchange occurred amid wider speculation and fan theories about departures and returns covered in recent WWE rumor roundups.
Discussion about a possible return also surfaced on the most recent WrestleVotes Radio episode, where Joey Votes said there is genuine interest in bringing Asuka back to the program. Joey Votes stated: “I know they want her back. I know this is not a closed-door type of situation. When she’s ready, they’re ready to get her back. She’s one of those that can pop up on a moment’s notice, and with her being back in the States, she’ll let them know, ‘Hey, I’m ready to work again,’ and they’ll be happy to take her back.”
Asuka’s résumé referenced in coverage includes her status as the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble winner in 2018 and a Money in the Bank ladder match victory in 2020. Reports note she has held four different titles in WWE, joined the main roster in 2017, and has won WWE championships three times in her career so far. Those achievements have been cited in discussion of how she might be used upon return.
Several usage scenarios have been outlined publicly: WWE could present Asuka as a special-attraction return for selected major events or important storylines, place her in a non–full-time role outside regular in-ring competition, or reintegrate her into the upper portion of the women’s division. Coverage has also listed a possible reunion with IYO SKY as an option given how their on-screen interaction ended.
There is no concrete date or event announced for Asuka’s comeback, and at this stage there is no officially announced storyline or match for the former champion.