For all the memories Kairi Sane made in WWE, there’s one that still hurts because it never happened. Months after her shocking release, the former NXT Women’s Champion has revealed the match she wanted more than any other—and it was supposed to happen on wrestling’s biggest stage.
Speaking to ShuPro, Kairi admitted one of her biggest regrets is never getting the chance to wrestle Asuka at WrestleMania 42. At the time, the two were right in the middle of a major storyline involving IYO SKY. From Kairi’s perspective, everything was building toward the biggest match of her WWE return.
Then it all came to a stop. Her release ended the story before it ever reached the destination she had been working toward. Asked about Asuka, Kairi didn’t hesitate.
“ASUKA-san and I still keep in touch to this day. She’s a colleague, but even more than that, she’s someone I’ve always loved and respected from the bottom of my heart. I really wanted us to have a match together at WrestleMania. That was unfortunate, but…”
For Kairi, the disappointment isn’t about unfinished business or missed opportunities. It’s about someone she has admired for years. Even now, after everything that’s happened, she says the dream hasn’t disappeared. She knows Asuka hasn’t retired, which means the possibility is still out there somewhere.
“A match between us someday… That’s a dream of mine. But I truly learned so much in WWE, and I have zero regrets about making the leap. I’m so glad I challenged myself.”
That final point may be the biggest takeaway from Kairi’s latest comments. She still wishes WrestleMania had played out differently. She still wishes the story with Asuka had reached the ring instead of ending on the cutting room floor.
But despite all of that, she isn’t looking back on her WWE run with bitterness. She’s looking at it as another chapter that helped shape whatever comes next. And if wrestling has taught fans anything over the years, it’s that dream matches have a funny way of finding life when people least expect them.
Do you still want to see Kairi Sane and Asuka finally meet one-on-one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
