Planned WrestleMania 42 Match Now ‘Up In The Air’

Asuka vs. IYO SKY was once expected to happen at WrestleMania 42, but now the match may not make the card at all.

According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the bout was originally listed internally by WWE but was missing when the full WrestleMania lineup was officially revealed on ESPN earlier this week. Night two currently has six matches announced, and the final decision about adding the match has not been made yet. Meltzer explained that the match had been quietly built behind the scenes before suddenly disappearing from the announced lineup.

“Last week that match was listed on the internal lineup but not yet announced. Asuka did a taped interview on Raw on 4/6 to build the match. Sky put a photo of Allegiant Stadium on her social media teasing it. On 4/7, when they announced both nights lineups on ESPN, the match was not there and the Sunday show only had six matches left. At press time, we were told it is up in the air and I guess this basically depends on how long they want the show to go and how much time is allotted for the six matches. There is a plan, and it may not even be the backup plan but the plan, to save the match for Backlash on 5/9. But we were told this decision is still up in the air.”

Another issue that could affect the situation involves Nikki Bella. If she isn’t medically cleared to compete in the Women’s Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match, the Kabuki Warriors could be added to replace her and Brie Bella. That scenario would remove Asuka from any possible singles match with SKY entirely.

Despite the uncertainty, both women had already started building momentum toward the match. Asuka delivered a taped promo on the April 6 episode of Raw, while SKY posted a photo of Allegiant Stadium on social media, teasing what looked like a WrestleMania appearance.

WrestleMania 42 is set for April 18 and 19 in Las Vegas, while Backlash is scheduled for May 9 in Tampa. If WWE decides not to include the match at WrestleMania, there is still a chance the company saves the bout for Backlash instead.

Do you think Asuka vs. IYO SKY should happen at WrestleMania 42, or would saving it for Backlash be the better move? Drop your thoughts and feedback below.