Asuka WWE return plans: When will we next see ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ inside a wrestling ring?

WWE

It has now been four months since we last saw Asuka in WWE, with the four-time former world champion saying a tearful goodbye to IYO SKY and the fans on the May 11, 2026 episode of Raw.

After her last appearance, Asuka confirmed that her appearances in WWE would be “rare” going forward, but she was also not done for good inside the ring.

With hopes of potentially seeing ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ show back up on WWE Raw soon, here are three potential plans for Asuka when she makes her return.

2027 Royal Rumble surprise entrant

The 2027 women’s Royal Rumble match has perhaps more opportunity for major returns than any other in recent history.

Naomi and Bianca Belair are the two that immediately spring to mind, as both have been out of the ring for over a year due to their respective pregnancies.

Fans will be hoping for both to be back in time for the road to WrestleMania 43, but another major name who could also come during the match is Asuka.

With so little news on Asuka’s return, her showing up as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble would make for one of the best surprises in the history of the women’s Rumble. With almost nine years passing since Asuka won the inaugural match back in 2018, perhaps she can also end the drought for her second triumph.

Retirement match at WrestleMania 43

While Asuka’s farewell back in May seemed like a fairly definitive goodbye, WWE never billed her Backlash meeting with IYO SKY as a retirement match, and neither the company or Asuka herself have stated that she’s retired.

Like other legends who have stepped away from the ring over the past year, Asuka deserves a proper farewell in WWE when the time does come for her to hand up her boots.

While fans will be hoping that time doesn’t come too soon, if it is to happen in 2027, then a proper retirement match at WrestleMania 43 would be a perfect way to say goodbye.

Whether it be a familiar foe like IYO SKY or Charlotte Flair, or a rising superstar like Sol Ruca – Asuka bowing out with a match at ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All’ would make for a memorable moment.

Final tag team run with IYO SKY

Asuka is one of the most accomplished tag team wrestlers in the women’s division; sharing the record of most reigns as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Raquel Rodriguez with five total.

However, despite their storied history together, Asuka has never held tag team gold with IYO SKY.

With SKY struggling for direction in WWE since SummerSlam, perhaps a final tag team run with Asuka could be just what’s needed to get her back on track heading into 2027.

One way WWE could set this up is by having Fatal Influence crash Asuka’s big return segment, leading to IYO SKY making the save and setting up a feud with Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.

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