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IYO SKY Beats Asuka at Backlash in Emotional ‘Final Chapter’

The finish and post‑match hug prompted reports that Asuka may be semi‑retired, yet WWE has not announced her status.

Overview

  • IYO SKY, who won Saturday at WWE Backlash in Tampa, pinned Asuka with the Over the Moonsault after a 25‑minute showcase.
  • After the bell, Asuka and SKY embraced and Asuka waved to the crowd in a moment many in the arena and on the post‑show read as a possible goodbye.
  • Backstage reporting differs on what comes next for Asuka, with Wrestling Observer calling her “semi‑retired” and other outlets saying she is out indefinitely for personal reasons, and there is no official retirement announcement.
  • SKY posted that the match was the “final chapter” of their story and thanked Asuka, as peers such as Big E, Bayley, Natalya and Charlotte Flair praised the bout and Asuka’s legacy.
  • Kairi Sane’s late‑April release removed a central player from the feud and drew “We want Kairi” chants during the match, while the result positions SKY as a likely contender for a return to the Raw women’s title picture.