While Triple H has brought back many stars since he became the Chief Content Officer of WWE, there’s one former champion who is yet to make their way back to the company.
KAIRI left WWE in December 2021 after her contract expired. During her time in the company, the star teamed with Asuka to capture the Women’s Tag Team Championships as well as having a 71 day reign as the NXT Women’s Champion.
However, in July 2020, the Pirate Princess opted to return home to Japan to be with her husband. While still under contract with the company, the star acted as an ambassador as well as joining the Japanese commentary team for that year’s Hell in a Cell event.
KAIRI is always welcome to return to WWE
In February 2022, she signed with World Wonder Ring STARDOM in Japan as well as going on to become the New Japan Pro Wrestling’s first-ever IWGP Women’s Champion that November.
Despite this success in her native country, the star is still open to a return to WWE. In a recent interview with WrestlingNews.co (via a translator), she said she still wants to take part in a Royal Rumble match.
“It’s her favorite PPV of the whole year so she definitely wants to wrestle one day in the Royal Rumble.”
She went on to say that Vince McMahon himself told her that the door was always open for her to go back, and she could well do that.
“Vince said the door is always open, you’re always welcome to come back. If she comes back one day, she will team up with Asuka again, team up with IYO SKY or maybe against IYO SKY, who knows?”
KAIRI was rumoured to appear at the 2023 Royal Rumble, however, it never came to be. The star had a busy January nonetheless, retaining her championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 only to be attacked by a debuting Sasha Banks, now going by Mercedes Mone. Weeks later, Mone defeated KAIRI for the title at NJPW Battle in the Valley.
H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the above transcription