Corporate cuts and locker room reality
The post-WrestleMania roster purge is the coldest tradition in professional wrestling. On Friday, April 24, WWE executives handed out pink slips with ruthless efficiency, sending a massive shockwave through the locker room.
Rhea Ripley publicly called it a very sad day, and she wasn't alone in that sentiment. The mood behind the curtain is grim right now.
The most shocking casualty of the cuts was Kairi Sane. Nobody expected her name to be on that list. Her departure didn't just explode on social media—it caused severe frustration and disbelief behind the scenes among the talent.
If you were holding out hope that this was an elaborate work or a contract negotiating tactic, you can stop. Kairi is already back in Japan. Any lingering rumors about her returning to finish up a storyline were firmly shut down over the weekend.
It is a completely baffling booking decision. TKO management seems to view the roster purely as a spreadsheet of expenses, ignoring the actual fan connection these performers bring to the product.
The wasted potential of the Pirate Princess
To fully understand why the locker room is reeling, you have to look at Kairi Sane's second stint with the company. When she returned in late 2023, the reaction was massive. Fans genuinely love her in-ring style and natural charisma.
Instead of capitalizing on that momentum, WWE creatively boxed her in. They slotted her into a crowded Damage CTRL faction and rarely gave her the microphone to establish her own voice.
Her recent performances were consistently strong, but she was treated as background scenery for bigger stars. Releasing someone because creative failed to write a compelling storyline for them is the definition of managerial incompetence.
The internal reaction confirms this wasn't a performance issue. You don't get shock and anger backstage when a lazy worker gets cut. You get that reaction when a beloved, hard-working veteran is discarded without warning.
Reports indicating she has already flown back to Japan make the situation feel incredibly final. There will be no last-minute save, no surprise Royal Rumble return next year. The chapter is closed, and WWE left an enormous amount of money on the table.
The Raw rebellion and Asuka's fury
Monday night gave us the immediate, messy fallout of those corporate decisions. The crowd refused to play along with the scripted programming, breaking into loud, sustained "We Want Kairi" chants during the broadcast.
WWE usually tries to turn the volume down or ignore these hijacked moments. Instead, they leaned into the chaos with Asuka and Iyo Sky.
Asuka, clearly agitated by the situation, viciously attacked Iyo Sky on Raw. It wasn't a standard wrestling beatdown. It felt stiff, aggressive, and deeply personal.
She dragged Iyo out to the ramp and rained down forearms, completely dismantling what was left of their alliance. The crowd, already hostile from the releases, ate it up.
This is exactly the kind of unhinged, violent Asuka we have been begging to see for months. No mist, no dancing, just pure aggression fueled by the very real frustration of losing her tag team partner.
With WWE Backlash 2026 looming just eleven days away on May 9, the card desperately needed a grudge match that felt authentic. They just accidentally stumbled into one.
Creative failures and cold business
The collateral damage from Friday's cuts goes way beyond the women's division. The release of the entire Wyatt Sicks faction, specifically Bo Dallas, is a glaring indictment of WWE's creative process.
Bully Ray hit the nail on the head during his recent radio appearance, stating he would have never gotten rid of Bo Dallas. The Hall of Famer pointed out that keeping Bo around was simply the right thing to do, moving far beyond standard business logic.
"This goes way beyond business, keeping Bo Dallas would have been the right thing to do."
It is incredibly tough to disagree with him. WWE squeezed every ounce of merchandise money and television ratings out of the Bray Wyatt tribute angle. Then, the moment creative lost interest in writing for the faction, they threw the whole group in the trash.
It leaves a horrible taste in your mouth. You don't exploit a real-life tragedy for television ratings and then unceremoniously fire the deceased star's brother a year later.
Other cuts highlight the sheer volume of wasted potential on the main roster. Zoey Stark is out of a job despite being one of the most physically gifted athletes in the women's division. Bully Ray is already pitching for Tony Khan to sign her to AEW, noting that an instant babyface run is sitting right there on a silver platter.
Then there is Luca Crusifino. The former NXT standout didn't just get released; he immediately announced his retirement from professional wrestling entirely.
When a young prospect decides to walk away from the business completely after one release, it tells you everything you need to know about how grinding and demoralizing the WWE developmental system can be.
Stylistic clash and what to watch for
When the bell rings on May 9, we are guaranteed a stylistic masterclass. Iyo Sky and Asuka know each other intimately, having worked together extensively both in Japan and on the American independent scene.
Asuka's game plan is built entirely around ground control and sudden, violent striking. She will look to cut the ring in half and target Iyo's legs to neutralize her vertical leap.
Watch for Asuka to utilize the hip attack not just as a signature spot, but as a disruptive counter. If Iyo tries to build speed off the ropes, Asuka will happily throw her body into the lane to force a collision.
Iyo has to survive the opening five minutes. Asuka is notorious for blitzing opponents early, trying to secure a quick tap out before her opponent can catch their breath.
If Iyo can weather that initial storm, her agility becomes the deciding factor. She possesses the best springboard offense in the entire industry today. Her ability to transition from a defensive posture into a devastating dropkick in the blink of an eye is unmatched.
Iyo needs to keep the match in the center of the ring. If she gets trapped in the corner, Asuka will dissect her with rapid-fire kicks to the chest.
Backlash prediction: A violent resolution
Despite the depressing reality of the roster cuts, the in-ring product has to move forward. Asuka and Iyo Sky are going to step into the ring at Backlash with an unbelievable amount of real-life emotional baggage attached to their characters.
This match is going to rule. We are looking at two of the absolute best strikers in the company taking out their collective frustrations on each other.
Iyo Sky has struggled to find her footing since losing the WWE Women's Championship. She needs a defining singles victory to remind everyone that she is a main event killer, not just a faction lackey.
Asuka, on the other hand, is currently operating on pure rage. Her attack on Raw established her as the aggressor, and she will undoubtedly push the pace early at Backlash.
Expect a heavy dose of stiff kicks, nasty submissions, and probably some color. They aren't going to hold back. I expect Asuka to lock in the Asuka Lock multiple times, forcing Iyo to dig deep to escape.
The turning point will likely come when Asuka misses a high-risk strike, opening the door for Iyo's aerial offense.
I'm officially predicting Iyo Sky hits a picture-perfect Over the Moonsault right around the 16-minute mark to secure the pinfall.
Asuka doesn't need the win; she is teflon at this point in her career. Iyo desperately needs this victory to get back into the title picture before the summer stadium shows kick into gear.
The corporate side of WWE might be a chaotic mess right now, but inside the ropes, these two women are going to deliver a classic. They owe it to themselves, and they owe it to Kairi.
