People Within WWE Reportedly Frustrated Due To Kairi Sane’s Release

Kairi Sane’s release led to frustration within WWE.

On Friday, April 24, WWE made its latest round of releases, with perhaps the most surprising name among the lengthy list of departures being Kairi Sane. As one half of The Kabuki Warriors, Kairi had found herself in the middle of IYO SKY and Asuka, with the pair originally on a collision course heading into WrestleMania 42 before plans changed.

Fightful Select are now reporting that Kairi Sane’s departure led to frustration within WWE due to her active involvement in the ongoing feud between IYO SKY and Asuka.

“There was a ton of shock to Kairi Sane’s release, as she was actively involved in the Asuka and IYO Sky storyline. There was heavy frustration to her being cut before any real payoff to the story was made. She’s expected to land in literally any company that she wants to.”

-Fightful Select

Following her release, the WWE Universe took to social media in an attempt to bring Kairi Sane back to the promotion, with #WeWantKairi becoming a top five trend in the United States on April 25.

Regarding the status of plans for IYO SKY to face Asuka in singles action, Dave Meltzer revealed last Friday that the match was planned for WWE Backlash on May 9 following its removal from the WrestleMania 42 card, although it remains to be seen how Kairi Sane’s departure will impact those plans.

Kairi Sane’s initial WWE exit in December 2021 saw her return to Japan and her former home promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom while also becoming New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion

She later announced that she was once again a free agent in March 2023, leading to a handful of freelance appearances across Japan before her return to WWE at Crown Jewel in November.

While her future remains uncertain at the time of writing, fans have already begun to speculate about a potential return to Japan, with another homecoming to World Wonder Ring Stardom a possibility. A reunion with Rossy Ogawa and Mayu Iwatani in Marigold also cannot be ruled out, along with a return to free agency in Japan or remaining in the United States with All Elite Wrestling.

You can find the full list of WWE departures from April 24 here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Kairi Sane’s future as soon as we hear more.