IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair and Shinsuke Nakamura Pay Tribute to Asuka After WWE Backlash

At WWE Backlash, IYO SKY defeated Asuka, after which the two shared a respectful post-match embrace and Asuka bowed to her former mentee, appearing to bring their program to a close. IYO SKY posted an emotional message in Japanese thanking “ASUKA-san” for the time they spent together and calling those moments “irreplaceable treasures,” while Charlotte Flair and Shinsuke Nakamura also shared images of Asuka on social media; Flair later quipped she was “just a fan!!!” when asked about her post.

On the post‑show edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported he’s been told Asuka is considered semi‑retired, though it’s unclear exactly what that designation means or what comes next for the 44‑year‑old. The flurry of tributes from peers and Asuka’s own posts gave Backlash a notably emotional finish that could signal a major turning point in her WWE tenure.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/iyo-sky-charlotte-flair-more-post-messages-for-asuka-after-wwe-backlash/.