44-Year-Old Major WWE Star Reportedly Out Indefinitely After Backlash

WWE Backlash 2026 potentially saw a wrestling veteran go on an indefinite break.

While neither the Stamford promotion nor the wrestler in question made any official statement, speculations have been rife about the talent missing a few live tapings in the near future.

The 44-year-old star, of course, is Asuka, who wrestled her mentee, IYO SKY, in a singles match on Saturday.

The bout was one for the ages, as both superstars put on great offense at every opportunity they got.

Asuka even attempted to spray her mist on SKY, only for the Genius of the Sky to shove a notebook in front of her face, preventing a result-altering damage.

The closing minutes saw The Empress of Tomorrow apply her Asuka Lock submission on the former WWE Women’s World Champion, causing her to almost pass out.

However, IYO SKY revived herself and secured a victory by hitting her Over The Moonsault finisher.

It was, though, the events after the match that got the fans speaking on the internet. Both Asuka and IYO SKY embraced and praised each other’s efforts, putting to bed their rivalry that had been going on since October last year.

Judging by her mannerisms, viewers even wondered if Asuka had called it a day on her wrestling career.

Asuka May Take A Break Indefinitely After WWE Backlash

Following Backlash 2026, the internet was abuzz, especially discussing Asuka’s WWE future.

It led to multiple conflicting reports emerging, only adding to the confusion in a situation where none of the parties involved had released an official statement.

Veteran journalist Dave Meltzer discussed Asuka’s situation on the episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, claiming that he was told that she had “semi-retired.” Meltzer admitted that he did not know what the term even meant, keeping fans engaged in all upcoming updates related to the 44-year-old WWE star.

So, the story I heard is that she is semi-retired. I haven’t really gotten an exact meaning of what semi-retired means.

I don’t know if that means she’s going to Japan and still wrestle. I don’t know if that means she’s going to still do stuff here and there, but I was told semi-retired.

Elsewhere, another report from Bodyslam.net’s Viper stated that the Japanese wrestler was out indefinitely for personal reasons while contradicting Meltzer’s “semi-retired” report.

I was told last night that Asuka is ‘out indefinitely’ for personal reasons that myself or Bodyslam will not be disclosing.

As far as retirement or ‘semi-retired’ like Dave is alluding to, as of last night, i’m told that is not the case.

Despite providing conflicting statements, neither Wrestling Observer Radio nor Bodyslam confirmed that Asuka would be retiring following her loss to IYO SKY at Backlash.

The emotions shown in the ring by Asuka and SKY were legitimate enough to spur discussions about the former’s potential retirement. In reality, however, it is a wait-and-watch situation, where fans can do nothing but anticipate an official confirmation from WWE or The Empress of Tomorrow herself.

H/T: Ringside News

Also read: IYO SKY Pens An Emotional Message To Asuka After WWE Backlash