KAIRI is keeping everyone guessing about where she’s going next, but it sounds like things are already happening behind the scenes. The former WWE star says she has an “ideal” promotion in mind for her return and revealed that “various things are already in motion.”
Speaking with Weekly Pro Wrestling, KAIRI opened up about what she wants from the next chapter of her career following her WWE exit. Instead of immediately locking herself into one direction, she’s been using the time away to think bigger about what she could do next.
“I’m trying to look at things in a more open-minded way, and I feel that this is an important time for me to expand my possibilities once again.”
KAIRI sounds pretty excited about eventually getting back in the ring as well. She’s been challenging herself outside wrestling and believes those experiences could make her eventual comeback even more exciting.
“Every day, I’m enjoying the experience of challenging myself with new things. Once I return to wrestling, I might be more excited than ever before! (laughs)”
Whatever she’s planning, KAIRI isn’t approaching the comeback halfway. She wants to return with a different mindset and see exactly how far she can push herself.
“I want to put everything I have into this and unleash my full potential as I prepare for my comeback.”
Then came the question everybody really wants answered — where exactly is KAIRI going? She wouldn’t give up the destination, but she did confirm that she already has an ideal landing spot in mind.
“I do have an ideal in mind, but I still don’t know whether I’ll be able to make it happen.”
KAIRI clearly wants to have some fun with all the mystery surrounding her future too. She’s leaning heavily into the Pirate Princess gimmick and wants fans wondering which promotion she’ll suddenly show up in. She even had the perfect way of describing all the speculation surrounding her next destination.
“As the Pirate Princess who travels around the world, I want to maintain that sense of unpredictability — almost like suddenly appearing out of nowhere. I hope people will enjoy wondering, ‘So, which port will she arrive at next?’ (laughs)”
The interviewer tried to narrow things down by asking whether KAIRI could end up wrestling overseas or back in Japan. That’s when she dropped the most interesting part of the entire update — this apparently isn’t just her sitting around thinking about possibilities.
“I can’t give you any specific details just yet, but various things are already in motion. I’d be happy if everyone could wait just a little longer.”
Naturally, that’s going to pour even more fuel on the AEW speculation. Tony Khan was asked about KAIRI following WrestleDream and didn’t announce anything, but he certainly didn’t hide his interest either.
“She’s a fantastic wrestler. I can’t speak to that at this time, but I am very aware and excited to see that she’s a free agent. And that’s very, very interesting. And I’m very intrigued by the possibility of that.”
There still hasn’t been confirmation that KAIRI has signed with AEW. Sean Ross Sapp previously addressed the speculation and made it clear that, at the time of his update, no deal had been finalized.
“She has not yet though. Just has not yet.”
KAIRI is also booked for Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea, but she already clarified that she won’t actually wrestle on the cruise. Her plans there involve merchandise sales, autograph sessions and meeting fans while she continues preparing for her eventual in-ring comeback.
None of that confirms AEW is the “ideal” destination KAIRI was talking about, and she very deliberately avoided naming any promotion. Still, when asked whether fans would be surprised if she manages to pull off whatever she’s currently planning, KAIRI sounded pretty confident about the reaction.
“Yes, I think so. I believe everyone will enjoy it, too.”
So KAIRI clearly knows more about her next move than she’s willing to tell everyone right now. With an ideal destination already in her head and “various things” moving behind the scenes, it sounds like fans might not have to keep guessing which port the Pirate Princess is sailing toward for much longer.
What do you think KAIRI means by saying “various things are already in motion,” and where do you think the Pirate Princess will eventually show up? Let us know in the comments below.
