The Kabuki Warriors Were a Back-Up Plan for WrestleMania 42

Unfortunately, not everyone can be on WrestleMania. Every year, we can name several talents that deserve to make the extravaganza that just aren’t there for whatever reason. Some folks that don’t get to wrestle at least get to make an appearance, but others are simply nowhere to be seen. One heavily rumored WrestleMania match that didn’t happen would have pitted IYO SKY against Asuka, with Kairi Sane in the corner & her loyalties in question. The split of the Kabuki Warriors may have been at hand! IYO got to run in on Rhea Ripley & Jade Cargill’s match, but Asuka & Kairi were nowhere to be found.

As it turns out, IYO & Asuka were never scheduled to compete at WrestleMania. IYO’s involvement with Rhea & Jade was necessitated by Jade acquiring some allies in the form of Michin & B-Fab, while the Kabuki Warriors were installed as a back-up plan for the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way.

Asuka & Kairi Sane did an interview during WrestleMania weekend with NeitroV where they alluded to the plan.

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Kabuki Warriors had already prepared brand-new ring gear just for WrestleMania😢 pic.twitter.com/ZRLHkS66nv

— ℕ𝕍 (@NeitroV) April 20, 2026

Kairi: Rumor has it that Nikki Bella’s ankle hasn’t fully recovered yet.
Asuka: Right, right! We were told we might be able to fill in for that match, so we were on standby just in case.
Kairi: The chances aren’t zero yet, right?
Asuka: Exactly. It might still be possible, so we’re staying ready and waiting.
Kairi: To be honest, we’ve actually prepared brand new ring gear just for WrestleMania….Should we just jump in? Make it a five-way?

One assumes that Asuka & Kairi would have been the plan if Paige wasn’t available to team with Brie Bella, which she was.