Asuka’s WWE Return Confirmed After Over a Year Away

The Empress is officially back.

WWE just confirmed that Asuka will make her return to Monday Night RAW on June 16, 2025, after more than a year off television due to injury. The announcement came during the June 9 episode of RAW as part of the buildup to the ongoing Queen of the Ring tournament, which wraps up at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.

Asuka hasn’t wrestled since May 3, 2024, when she teamed with Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai in a six-woman tag match on SmackDown. She’s been out of action recovering from a knee injury, and her absence was strongly felt, especially when WWE had originally hoped to have her back in time for WrestleMania 41.

During a recent Q&A, WrestleVotes hinted that the company was “hopeful by the end of the year” for her return. But now it’s happening sooner than expected—and WWE fans couldn’t be more ready.

The timing lines up perfectly as Asuka is set to compete in a loaded Queen of the Ring Fatal 4-Way First Round match next week on RAW. She’ll go head-to-head with Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez, and Ivy Nile in what could easily steal the show.

“Next Monday. Queen of the Ring. The Empress returns,” read the official graphic that aired during RAW, confirming her spot in the bracket.

Asuka’s return not only adds star power to the tournament but reignites the women’s division just as WWE gears up for its all-women’s Evolution 2 Premium Live Event next month.

Are you ready to see Asuka dominate the Queen of the Ring tournament? Who should she face next if she wins? Sound off in the comments and tell us what you want to see from the Empress of Tomorrow.