Unfortunate update on Asuka’s WWE return - Reports
Asuka's WWE future had been up in the air until it was confirmed that she underwent surgery recently for her injury. There has been very little information on the multi-time champion being on hiatus, but now backstage sources have revealed an update on when she might return to the ring.
The Empress of Tomorrow has not wrestled since Backlash: France on May 4, where she and Kairi Sane dropped the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship to Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair. Asuka was scheduled to face Lyra Valkyria two days later on WWE RAW in a first round match in the Queen of the Ring tournament. It was announced then that the Damage CTRL member would be replaced by stablemate Dakota Kai, but no injury details were provided.
Asuka has since revealed that she underwent knee surgery. The injury appears to be a lingering issue as she was seen limping a few months back. A new report from Fightful Select noted that the 20-year veteran is not expected back in the ring by the end of this year, according to people in WWE.
Further details on the actual injury were not disclosed. While the 42-year-old is likely looking at a 2025 return, anything is possible when it comes to getting medically cleared, and everything would depend on how her rehabilitation and recovery is going.
The multi-time WWE champion is using social media to keep fans updated on her progress. Asuka's YouTube channel, known as KanaChanTV, just revealed a new video showing how she is training for her return.
Damage CTRL has one more shot at WWE Money In the Bank
Damage CTRL had a significant chance to increase their odds in the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match, but they are not done trying just yet.
While Asuka is currently out of action, IYO SKY was the first to earn her spot earlier this month by defeating Kiana James and Zelina Vega in a Triple Threat qualifier on WWE RAW. Kairi Sane tried this past Monday, but she came up short against Lyra Valkyria, in a Triple Threat bout that also featured Shayna Baszler.
Dakota Kai still has a shot at qualifying for Money In the Bank. She will face Ivy Nile and Zoey Stark on Monday's RAW to earn the final spot in the women's MITB ladder match. The winner of Monday's match will join five other competitors fighting to bring home the MITB briefcase. The confirmed participants as of this writing are SKY, Valkyria, Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, and Naomi.
The men's MITB ladder match currently features Jey Uso, Andrade, LA Knight, Chad Gable, and Carmelo Hayes. The final spot on Monday's RAW will go to the winner of another Triple-Threat match between Ilja Dragunov, Sheamus, or Drew McIntyre.