New Details On Asuka Taking Time Away From WWE

New Details Emerge On Asuka Taking Time Away From WWE

More information has surfaced regarding Asuka stepping away from WWE following her emotional farewell-style segment on the May 11 episode of WWE RAW.

The former WWE Women’s Champion said goodbye to IYO SKY during a backstage segment that aired two days after their match at WWE Backlash. The moment followed an emotional embrace between the two stars after their bout, immediately fueling speculation about Asuka’s future.

Later during RAW, Michael Cole added even more uncertainty by stating that Asuka’s WWE future was “up in the air.”

New Details On Asuka WWE Absence

During Fightful’s RAW post-show, Sean Ross Sapp revealed additional information regarding Asuka’s planned hiatus and clarified that her situation is unrelated to WWE’s recent roster cuts or contract issues.

“I found out definitively what’s going on,” Sapp said. “The person who said there’s personal stuff going on, that’s accurate.”

Sapp noted that he did not want to publicly elaborate on the specific personal matters involved, but stated he was directly told Asuka was not part of WWE’s recent releases and was not asked to take a pay cut.

“She signed a new deal in 2024. It was a multi-year deal,” Sapp explained.

According to the report, WWE was not expecting or hoping for Asuka to take time away from television, but ultimately supported her decision because of the circumstances involved.

“Asuka had approached WWE and said, ‘Stuff I’ve got to attend to,’” Sapp stated. “It’s back in Japan, she’s going to be spending some time there.”

At this point, there is reportedly no confirmed timeline regarding how long Asuka could remain away from WWE programming.

Sapp also emphasized how highly respected Asuka remains internally within the company.

“Asuka is beloved in that company,” he said while adding that several people within WWE reached out to defend her once speculation started regarding possible cuts or contract disputes.

“We can’t speak higher of the job that she does,” Sapp quoted WWE sources as saying.

Although WWE presented Monday’s RAW segment like a possible farewell, the latest reports continue pointing toward a temporary hiatus rather than a full retirement from wrestling.

New Details On Asuka Taking Time Away From WWE

Thanks for voting!

AdvertisementAdvertisement

AEW’s Thunder Rosa Names Top Five Face Painters In Wrestling History

Wrestlers often wear flashy or intricate gear, sparkly robes, or play with makeup to stand out amongst their competitors. Some also wear masks or rip off their pants to make a statement. Face paint is another way a wrestler can express themselves while also standing out. Thunder Rosa utilizes face paint, capes, and cool gear to make a statement.

In a recent interview with Under the Mat, Rosa revealed why she started painting her face. A promoter suggested she paint her face to attract more fans since Dia De Los Muertos was getting more popular. Initially, she only wore it at that promotion. When she went to Japan, she began painting her face again because she wasn’t getting over there. She’s been wearing face paint since 2015.

Simon Miller asked her to rank her top 5 face painters in no particular order. “Of course, Darby Allin. Sting. Who else paints their face? Of course, me.” Miller told her she couldn’t pick herself and then suggested Legion of Doom. He asked if she liked Animal or Hawk’s better. Rosa chose Animal. Miller mentioned Jeff Hardy and she agreed. “He’s very artistic and I love the fact that he always paints his face very differently based on what he sees.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Under the Mat and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Dana White Pressed On Wife Slapping Incident, Not Stepping Down From UFC

White was then asked about what would happen if a UFC fighter had been caught doing the same thing. 

“It’s happened,” he replied. “What’s funny is, it’s not funny, but I used to say that you don’t recover from those. Those are the ones you don’t recover from.”

It was then pointed out that he had recovered, to which he said, “I did.” And then he maintained that being the boss didn’t protect him from consequences. “Come on, Dana,” Charlamagne “Tha God” responded.

“Definitely not,” White reaffirmed.

It was then specifically said that he had made the choice publicly not to excuse himself from the brand.

“Well listen, there’s a board of directors. There’s, you know, there’s other people that are involved that could have pushed for that,” he explained. “I think, and obviously they think too, it would have hurt the company more if I did step away.”

When asked whether he would let another fighter off in the same case, he said he thinks he is “probably the most lenient” guy when it comes to dealing with “free speech or bad things that happen.”

“I’m in a fight business. It’s not like I run Microsoft,” he said.

He continued to say that he never thought in a million years that that would happen, and he could tell by the way his kids reacted that something major had happened. The consequence of that, White said, was that his eldest son didn’t talk about him for four days.

Thekla Comments On Possibility Of Former WWE Star Kairi Sane Joining AEW

Following a release from WWE, in-ring veteran Kairi Sane is set to become a free agent, with many potential landing spots awaiting her. During an interview with “TMZ’s Inside The Ring,” AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla specifically addressed the possibility of Sane joining her home of All Elite Wrestling.

“I think she’s an outstanding talent. I could totally see her in AEW,” Thekla said. “I think that would be cool. I’m always happy to see new people who are good, who have a reputation, who have a look. She knows how to do an entrance. Of course, you always got to be careful, protect yourself. The locker room’s small. You can’t have too many people in there otherwise it gets cramped, but Kairi’s sick. She’d totally elevate the product if they gave her a chance. The receipt is still waiting over here to get paid.”

Thekla’s last remark comes in reference to her sole in-ring encounter with Sane, which occurred under the STARDOM banner in May 2023. Thekla and Sane stood on opposite sides of an Artist of STARDOM Championship match that the former ultimately won alongside Mai Sakurai and current WWE star Giulia. On the path to victory, however, Thekla endured a vicious stomp from Sane, hence her desire to return the favor.

“We did share the ring once, except for her stomping the f*** out of me,” Thekla recalled. “I still remember that. We had one match … I’ve met her. She’s cool. She’s stiff. That’s what I can tell you. Not with me, but she’s cool.”

As of this writing, Sane’s post-WWE moves remain unknown. Should she return to STARDOM, though, a crossover with AEW talent, such as Thekla, would be possible due to the promotions’ working relationship.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “TMZ’s Inside The Ring” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Lizzy Rain Identifies First Major Goal In WWE NXT

“WWE NXT” newcomer Lizzy Rain has made quite the splash, starting with her debut match against Nikkita Lyons, where she showed off her impressive finisher, Thunderstuck. On the most recent edition of the show, Rain seemed to challenge Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley, as the champion was mid-confrontation with Zaria. Rain told SOUNDSPHERE MAGAZINE that the title is indeed her goal, despite being so new to the roster.

“Why not?” Rain said. “Go big or go home. I’m loud. I’m unapologetic. I’m here to make an impact, so why not go for that belt. I’m so privileged to be in the ring with… Tatum and Zaria, and then to get that kind of a rematch, I know it’s a tag match, to be in the ring again with Nikkita, two people that I said I really wanted to face and then someone I faced just two weeks ago is very cool. The wrestling universe was really listening to me, which is very surreal that I get to do that so early in my career, getting to wrestle with the North American Champion as my tag partner.”

Rain and Paxley are set to take on the team of Lyons and Zaria on Tuesday’s edition of “NXT.” Rain also said that coming up with a new crop of European talent, including Tristan Angels and Will Rook, has been exciting. She said they’re all very supportive of one another.

“We all love wrestling so much, and to be here together, fueling this passion and driving each other to be better each and every day is so cool,” she said.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit SOUNDSPHERE MAGAZINE and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.