Felix Upton on May 10, 2026
Asuka’s emotional WWE Backlash moment may have created even more questions about her future — because now there’s uncertainty backstage inside WWE as well following the highly emotional post-match scene with IYO SKY.
During the post-Backlash show, Sapp revealed he immediately reached out to WWE contacts after watching the emotional post-match scene involving Asuka and IYO SKY. According to Sapp, there was genuine uncertainty internally about whether fans may have just witnessed the end of Asuka’s WWE career. Sapp then explained the confusion wasn’t limited to just one or two people backstage.
“I hit up multiple WWE contacts. I had a lot of people asking me internally if that was it. There's uncertainty.”
He even revealed that one WWE talent who works closely with Asuka personally admitted they currently have no idea what the situation is either.
“I’ve had one talent that works with her pretty often that’s like, ‘I don’t know, trying to figure it out myself.’”
The backstage reaction comes after fans already started heavily speculating about Asuka’s future following the emotional ending to her match against IYO SKY at Backlash. After the student-versus-teacher match wrapped up, SKY and Asuka embraced in the ring while the Tampa crowd loudly rallied behind “The Empress of Tomorrow.”
The emotional tone of the moment immediately caught attention, especially because Asuka visibly appeared more emotional than usual. That led Big E to openly question during the Backlash post-show whether fans may have just seen a farewell moment.
“I am wondering if this was a goodbye. We’ve never really seen Asuka this emotional.”
Big E later praised Asuka’s overall wrestling legacy while admitting he personally didn’t know what the scene ultimately meant.
“If this is goodbye, I know she will be dearly missed. She has been a pioneer and has done truly incredible things in the ring before she even got to WWE, but has further staked her claim as an all time great here in WWE. I don’t know what this means.”
Bottom line — the emotional reaction to Asuka’s WWE Backlash loss clearly wasn’t limited to fans watching at home. Even people inside WWE are currently unsure whether the match marked the end of an era for one of the company’s most respected stars.
Do you think WWE Backlash was actually Asuka’s final major WWE moment, or do you believe she still has another chapter left in her career? Drop your thoughts below and let us know.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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