KAIRI is heading back to WWE.
A new report from PWInsider has claimed that the Japanese star has “come to terms with WWE” about a return to the company. The report from Mike Johnson adds that the return could be imminent, and potentially as early as the coming week.
Johnson notes that the star has previously teamed with Asuka, and that “smart money” would suggest that could be the direction once again.
Since the news broke, KAIRI herself has announced that she will hold a press conference on August 7th, although she did not say if it would be regarding the WWE reports.
Since leaving WWE, KAIRI has wrestled mainly in STARDOM and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Her biggest match of the year came against Mercedes Mone at Battle in the Valley, where she lost the IWGP Women’s Title. This was Mone’s first match since leaving WWE.
In recent news, Dave Meltzer spoke about Kairi Sane’s return to WWE and believes there is “more to the story”.
When Was KAIRI Last In WWE?
KAIRI — known as Kairi Sane — signed with WWE in March 2017, initially competing in the first-ever Mae Young Classic. The Pirate Princess ended up winning the tournament following victories over the likes of Bianca Belair, Dakota Kai, Toni Storm, and Shayna Baszler.
Sane made her NXT debut that October, reigniting her feud with Baszler the following year. The highlight of her run on the black and gold brand came against her long-time rival at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV where she defeated Baszler to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Although her run with the gold lasted only 71 days as he lost out to Baszler at Evolution.
Sane moved to the SmackDown roster in 2019 where she joined Asuka to form the Kabuki Warriors tag team with Paige (Saraya) as their manager. The pair were WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions for 171 days.
The star seemingly left WWE in the summer of 2020 before working as an ambassador back in Japan. Her contract finally ran out in December 2021.