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Tag: Kairi Sane

  • Kairi Sane May Return for One Final WWE Appearance

    Kairi Sane May Return for One Final WWE Appearance

    Kairi Sane may not be entirely finished with WWE just yet, with a report suggesting there is a real chance she appears at Backlash this Saturday to bring closure to the ongoing IYO SKY and Asuka storyline she was central to before her release.

    Bryan Alvarez reported to his subscribers on X that the belief within WWE is that a Sane appearance at the Tampa event is more likely than not.

    “Within WWE, it’s felt there is a better than 50% chance that Kairi shows up at Backlash to at least finish off that storyline.”

    Sane was among the talents let go in WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts, a departure that stood out as particularly surprising given her talent level and the pivotal role she held in the SKY and Asuka program.

    The storyline had been built around Asuka bullying Sane and forcing her to prove her loyalty, with Sane caught between the two former Damage CTRL stablemates heading into what was expected to be a payoff. Her release left that narrative without a resolution, and a singles match between SKY and Asuka is now set for Backlash as a match.

    Fan support for Sane following her release has been significant, with the hashtag WeWantKairi generating sustained engagement on social media. AJ Styles also noted publicly that her departure caught him off guard, reflecting broader surprise within the wrestling community about the decision.

  • AJ Styles On Kairi Sane WWE Release: ‘She’s Doing Her Best Work Right Now’

    AJ Styles On Kairi Sane WWE Release: ‘She’s Doing Her Best Work Right Now’

    WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles recently shared his thoughts on Kairi Sane’s release from WWE.

    ‘The Phenomenal One’ admitted that he doesn’t understand the decision given her strong position on television. The former WWE Champion addressed the situation on the Phenomenally Retro podcast, making it clear the timing didn’t make sense to him.

    Styles pointed out how strong Sane’s position looked alongside Asuka, particularly as part of their tag team. He praised her recent work and questioned why WWE would make the move now.

    “Kairi Sane—yeah, I think that’s where everybody’s a little confused. With Asuka and her as a tag team, and then it just kind of… we don’t know exactly what the case is. That one caught me off guard as well because it was a great tag team thing. I feel like Kairi is doing her best work right now.”

    What’s Next for Kairi Sane

    Styles openly admitted he doesn’t have answers about Sane’s future. He threw out possibilities including a return to World Wonder Ring Stardom in Japan, but made it clear nobody knows what direction she’ll take.

    “I wish I had answers—I don’t. I don’t know what this means for her. Is she done wrestling? Is she going to go back to World Wonder Ring Stardom? What’s next for Kairi Sane?” he said. “But I know she was loved, she was amazing, and I just hate that.”

    The former WWE Champion addressed speculation about Sane potentially returning to Japan, referencing her previous departure while making it clear he doesn’t believe this was her choice.

    “I will say this—the first time she left, she went home to Japan. I don’t know if that has anything to do with this. I doubt it was her choice, because I felt like she was really rolling well,” Styles explained. “But I get it—if you’re living in another country, you’re always going to want to go home at some point.”

    The Reality of WWE Cuts

    Styles zoomed out to discuss the business side of WWE releases, pointing to space, time, and money as factors rather than anything personal. He referenced other recent cuts including the Motor City Machine Guns.

    “I’m sure it comes down to space, time, and money. It’s not anything like it used to be. Even back then, guys would get cut—like the Motor City Machine Guns, I love those guys,” he said. “My biggest fear in my own career was that I wouldn’t get to finish what I started.”

    He wrapped up with a message for Sane and others in similar situations, stressing that a release doesn’t define a career.

    “That’s the tough part—you sign to do something, and you don’t get to finish it. That’s going to bother you. But don’t let it destroy who you are,” Styles said. “You made it to one of the biggest wrestling companies in the world—that says everything. We don’t know the circumstances, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for you. Just keep your head up and see where the next chapter takes you. It might be wrestling, it might not—but don’t let it break you.”

  • Update On Why Kairi Sane Was Released

    Update On Why Kairi Sane Was Released

    Kairi Sane’s release from WWE was a shocker and an update has emerged on why she was let go.

    Sane was among several names cut from the WWE roster as part of post-WrestleMania 42 releases. The 37-year-old wrestler was in the middle of a storyline teasing her standing up to Asuka’s bullying and reuniting with Iyo Sky when the angle was abruptly dropped.

    The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that it was influenced by the company’s belief that she wanted to eventually move back to Japan.

    Dave Meltzer clarified the situation after outlets misinterpreted earlier comments on Wrestling Observer Radio as Sane requesting her release.

    WWE’s Decision-Making Process

    According to Meltzer, WWE’s belief that Sane would like to move back to Japan at some point factored into their decision to release her, despite her being actively involved in programming.

    “The biggest surprise on the list was Kairi Sane (Kaori Housako, 37). She was in the middle of a program where they were teasing her eventually standing up for herself against the bullying of Asuka and getting back together as a team with Iyo Sky. But the angle was dropped cold,” Meltzer wrote.

    “While most were surprised, we were told part of it was the belief she wanted to move back to Japan at some point and with that knowledge it was part of the decision making.”

    Meltzer added that “talent is rarely told the actual reason they are let go past budgeting purposes.”

    Sane Addresses Speculation

    Sane responded to speculation about her departure on social media earlier this week, clarifying that she did not request her release.

    Meltzer responded on social media to clarify his reporting, stating he “didn’t say she walked away” but rather that “this was the reason WWE gave for the release.”

  • Kairi Sane Pushes Back On WWE Release Speculation

    Kairi Sane Pushes Back On WWE Release Speculation

    Kairi Sane is pushing back. Days after her shock release from WWE, and with reports framing her exit as a personal decision to move back to Japan, the Pirate Princess has surfaced with a follow-up message that directly addresses the speculation surrounding her departure.

    Posting from her @KAIRI_official account, Sane appeared to take aim at the narrative that she had stepped away from her work or her commitment to the company.

    “What I can say is I know there’s been a lot of speculation, but I truly love this work, my teammates, and my fans,” Sane wrote. “I’ve never walked away, and I’ve given my all in everything I do. I hope you’re all doing well.”

    A Direct Response To The “She Wanted To Leave” Reports

    The timing and tone of the post are notable. Earlier this week, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the reason for Sane’s release was that she had “kind of indicated that she wanted to move back” to Japan, with Meltzer adding that the decision was not financial. PWInsider followed up by reporting that Sane had already returned to Japan and that there were no plans to reverse the release.

    Sane’s wording stops short of calling those reports inaccurate, but the phrase “I’ve never walked away” reads as a clear pushback against any framing that paints her exit as voluntary or a step back from the business.

    Fans Continue To Make Noise

    The response from the fanbase has been one of the loudest of any release in recent memory. The hashtag #WeWantKairi trended throughout the weekend, and on Monday night, “We Want Kairi” chants broke out at the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas, when Asuka attacked IYO Sky to set up their Backlash match.

    Sane was a central figure in that ongoing storyline, with the angle building toward a long-rumored Sane turn on Asuka that will now never happen on WWE television. According to further reporting, WWE has no intention of reversing the decision, with the company reportedly looking to let the chants fade in a similar way to how it handled the Karrion Kross situation last year.

    What’s Next For The Pirate Princess

    Sane was in her second WWE run, having returned at Crown Jewel in November 2023. She is a former NXT Women’s Champion, the 2017 Mae Young Classic winner, and a multi-time Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors. Her first stint with the company ended at the close of 2021, after which she returned to Stardom in Japan.

    She was released on April 24 as part of WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts, a wave of departures that also included Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Santos Escobar, the Motor City Machine Guns, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction. With her contract now up and her statement leaning into love of the work rather than a goodbye, the door appears wide open for her next chapter, wherever that may be.

  • New Details On Kairi Sane WWE Release

    New Details On Kairi Sane WWE Release

    Kairi Sane was shockingly released from WWE, and amid several reports, new details have emerged about the decision.

    The April 25 cuts saw a handful of wrestlers let go. Apart from Sane, The Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black, Kairi Sane, and Zelina Vega have also been released.

    As per Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Sane indicated she wanted to move back to Japan, prompting the company to release her despite being featured in an active storyline.

    “The Kairi thing, the reason she was cut was I think that she had kinda indicated that she wanted to move back (to Japan),” Meltzer stated.

    “The reality is, this is not a money issue. This company makes… whatever it is. The revenue between UFC and WWE and throwing everything in, the revenue’s in the billions of dollars.”

    WWE Will Not Reverse Decision

    WrestleVotes reported that WWE has no plans to reverse the release despite fan chants of “We Want Kairi” breaking out on Raw. The source explained that the company cannot set a precedent of reversing releases every time fans voice their displeasure.

    “The big part here is — could we see a reversal much like R-Truth? No. They didn’t want to bring Truth back — they caved in, broke down, and said, ‘Come on back.’ You can’t do that again within a calendar year, because every time the critics or voices get too loud, people are going to expect that talent to get brought back,” WrestleVotes stated.

    Sane Already Returned to Japan

    Mike Johnson of PWInsider confirmed that Sane has already returned to Japan, eliminating any possibility of her appearing on Raw to conclude her storyline with IYO SKY and Asuka. Johnson also dismissed claims that the release had been rescinded.

    Kairi Sane departed the company amid an active storyline with Asuka and IYO Sky. The angle centered on Asuka manipulating Sane and isolating her from Sky, with fans expecting a payoff at WrestleMania 42 that never happened.

  • Loud “We Want Kairi” Chants Erupt During Asuka Attack On Raw

    Loud “We Want Kairi” Chants Erupt During Asuka Attack On Raw

    The Laredo crowd let WWE know exactly how it feels about Kairi Sane’s release.

    Loud “We Want Kairi” chants broke out during Monday’s episode of Raw at Sames Auto Arena, ringing out as Asuka stood over a downed IYO Sky following a Women’s Intercontinental Championship match.

    The segment came after Becky Lynch, fresh off her WrestleMania 42 win over AJ Lee, issued an open challenge for the Women’s Intercontinental Title. IYO Sky answered the call. After Lynch retained the championship, Asuka attacked Sky and locked in a submission, choking her out as the Laredo fans began chanting for the recently released Sane.

    Kairi Sane’s Release Looms Over The Storyline

    Sane was among the WWE roster cuts announced on April 24, departing in the middle of an active storyline with Asuka and IYO Sky. The angle had centered on Asuka manipulating Sane and isolating her from Sky, with fans expecting a payoff at WrestleMania 42 that never came.

    Per Fightful Select, Sane’s release was met with frustration backstage given the unresolved nature of the program. The hashtag #WeWantKairi has trended on social media since her departure, even drawing brief support from WWE broadcaster Jackie Redmond, and the Laredo crowd’s chants made the campaign audible inside the arena.

    According to PWInsider, Sane has already returned to Japan, ruling out any immediate WWE return. She is bound by a 90-day non-compete clause before she can sign elsewhere.

    Asuka Vs. IYO Sky Set for Backlash

    The Asuka vs. IYO Sky program has been announced for Backlash on May 9 in Tampa. With Sane out of the picture, WWE is reshaping the feud as a direct singles confrontation between the two former Damage CTRL members.

  • Rumor Killer on Kairi Sane’s Status After WWE Release

    Rumor Killer on Kairi Sane’s Status After WWE Release

    Kairi Sane’s WWE status has not changed despite a viral fan campaign pushing for her reinstatement, and reports suggesting otherwise are not accurate.

    Mike Johnson of PWInsider has addressed subscriber questions about the possibility of Sane returning to WWE programming, shooting down speculation that her release had been rescinded or that she could appear on Raw in Laredo, Texas, on Monday night.

    “PWInsider.com has been asked by a number of readers about claims the Kairi Sane WWE release had been rescinded or whether she could appear on tonight’s Raw,” Johnson wrote. “Neither of those claims are correct.”

    The clarification puts to rest a wave of online reports suggesting the fan campaign had caused WWE to reverse its decision. Sane was among more than two dozen talents released in WWE’s post-WrestleMania roster cuts last Friday, a group that also included Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Nikki Cross, and all of the Wyatt Sicks. The departures drew immediate and significant backlash, with Sane’s release standing out as one of the more surprising given her central role in the ongoing rivalry between IYO SKY and Asuka.

    The hashtag WeWantKairi has been consistently trending on social media since the news broke. However, Johnson also noted that any reinstatement is practically impossible in the short term, regardless of WWE’s internal deliberations, as Sane has already returned to Japan.

    There is precedent for overwhelming fan support influencing WWE’s decisions. R-Truth was informed last summer that his contract would not be renewed before being brought back just a week later on a new deal following substantial fan backlash. He is now one-half of the WWE Tag Team Championships alongside Damian Priest.

    Whether Sane’s situation follows a similar path remains unknown. For now, her release stands.

  • Jackie Redmond Withdraws Support for Kairi Sane

    Jackie Redmond Withdraws Support for Kairi Sane

    Jackie Redmond briefly joined the growing movement calling for WWE to rehire Kairi Sane, but her public support was short-lived. The WWE broadcaster posted in support of the #WeWantKairi hashtag before deleting the message.

    Sane was released by WWE in April 2026, making her one of the most notable cuts in the latest round of releases. At the time of her departure, she was actively appearing on television and involved in a storyline with Asuka and IYO SKY.

    Kairi Sane Breaks Her Silence After WWE Release

    Social Media Movement Gains Traction

    The #WeWantKairi hashtag has been trending on social media since Sane’s release, with fans expressing their desire to see the former champion return to programming. Redmond added her voice to the movement before removing her post.

    It remains unclear whether Redmond chose to delete the tweet herself or if WWE management requested its removal. The company has not commented on the situation.

    Kairi Sane’s WWE Accomplishments

    Sane is a former WWE NXT Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Her release came as a surprise to many fans given her active role on television and her involvement in an ongoing program at the time of her departure.

  • IYO SKY’s Heartfelt Tribute To Kairi Sane After WWE Exit

    IYO SKY’s Heartfelt Tribute To Kairi Sane After WWE Exit

    Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane

    IYO SKY has broken her silence on Kairi Sane’s WWE departure with one of the most personal tributes posted by any current WWE Superstar this weekend.

    Sane was among the many talents released by WWE on April 24 in the company’s annual post-WrestleMania roster trim. The cuts also included Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the Motor City Machine Guns, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction.

    Sky, who was working a heated on-screen rivalry with Sane and Asuka heading into WrestleMania 42, posted a lengthy message to X on Saturday that pulled the curtain back on their real-life friendship.

    “My Proud Best Friend”

    Writing in Japanese and translating the message herself, Sky reflected on the years she and Sane spent navigating life in America together as foreign performers.

    “I understand that everyone, as an athlete, eventually faces a turning point when thinking about their life and career, but I feel so heartbroken that it came at such an unexpected time,” Sky wrote. “Kairi was truly loved by all her colleagues, not just as a performer but as a person.”

    Sky described Sane as “a comrade-in-arms who faced countless hardships in America, shed so many tears, and grew together with me,” before landing on the detail that hit hardest with fans: “It’s so hard to accept that Kairi won’t be in the passenger seat of the rental car anymore.”

    She closed the post by expressing confidence in Sane’s next chapter, telling her best friend, “We’ll be best friends forever and always.”

    Kairi Sane Already Looking Ahead

    The tribute followed Sane’s own farewell statement earlier in the day. As SEScoops reported, Sane wrote that she would “set sail in my own time,” nodding to her Pirate Princess persona and signaling she has no plans to step away from wrestling entirely.

    Sane returned to WWE at Crown Jewel in November 2023 after a stint back in Stardom. During her two runs with the company, she won the 2017 Mae Young Classic, captured the NXT Women’s Championship, and held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship three times alongside Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors.

    Her final WWE match took place on the April 20 episode of Raw, when she and Asuka lost to Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY in a tag team bout.

  • Kairi Sane Hasn’t “Set Sail” After WWE Release

    Kairi Sane Hasn’t “Set Sail” After WWE Release

    Kairi Sane has broken her silence following her release from WWE, posting an emotional message to fans on social media.

    Sane, who was among the 18 talents released by WWE on April 24, took to X on Saturday to address her supporters directly.

    “I’m truly grateful to have people like you by my side. Thank you for always being with me,” Sane wrote. “I’ll set sail… in my own time. Until then… I love you.”

    What’s Next for the Pirate Princess

    The sailing reference is a nod to Sane’s longtime “Pirate Princess” character, suggesting she sees her wrestling journey continuing on her own terms rather than stepping away from the ring entirely.

    Sane’s release came as part of WWE’s annual post-WrestleMania roster cuts, which also included the Motor City Machine Guns, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction. The cuts prompted an outpouring of support from the WWE roster, with Rhea Ripley calling it “a very sad day” and several other stars sharing emotional tributes to their departing colleagues.

    Sane first signed with WWE in 2017, winning the Mae Young Classic that year before capturing the NXT Women’s Championship. She later won the Women’s Tag Team Championship on the main roster alongside Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors. After a brief departure in 2020, Sane returned to WWE in 2023 alongside Bayley before eventually reuniting with Asuka on SmackDown.