The long-awaited match between Asuka and IYO SKY is finally happening. After weeks of tension and missing out on WrestleMania 42, WWE has confirmed they will face each other at WWE Backlash 2026 on May 9 in Tampa.
The announcement came during the April 27 episode of WWE RAW, where their rivalry resulted in another heated moment.
Asuka vs IYO SKY made official for Backlash after WrestleMania 42 plans changed
The episode first focused on Becky Lynch, who was celebrating her Women’s Intercontinental Championship win against AJ Lee at WrestleMania 42. Feeling confident, Lynch gave an open challenge to anyone in the locker room.
IYO SKY stepped up to accept it. At first, Lynch tried to escape the situation, but General Manager Adam Pearce made the match official.
The match was quite fast-moving. Lynch controlled things with her experience, but SKY quickly fought back with her high-flying moves like a missile dropkick and her “bullet train” attack. Both came close to winning, and the crowd stayed hooked with all the near falls.
But things changed because of outside interference. Just when SKY was gaining momentum, Asuka showed up at the ringside. She tripped SKY on the apron and threw her back into the ring. That gave Lynch the perfect chance to hit the Manhandle Slam and keep her title.
After the match, Asuka didn’t stop. She attacked SKY again and locked in the Asuka Lock. Later in the show, WWE made it official. Asuka vs. IYO SKY will happen at Backlash.
In a backstage promo, Asuka got very personal. She called SKY her “greatest failure” and talked about their past. Asuka said that she once wanted to team up again but felt betrayed. She made it clear that at Backlash, she wants to prove SKY is not on her level.
Real-life changes also affected the story. With Kairi Sane no longer part of the roster, WWE shifted the focus fully onto Asuka and SKY.
Earlier, IYO SKY challenged Asuka on social media for a match at WrestleMania 42 after Asuka called her out on RAW. But later, she dropped the post as the match wasn’t official. Also, during an episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that the match could be moved to Backlash.
Read More: Roman Reigns Accepts Jacob Fatu’s Backlash Challenge After Heated WWE RAW Segment
