The rumor mill never stops churning them out.
Today’s top rumor: Asuka’s status
At the end of her match against Iyo Sky at Backlash, one she lost, while tearing the house down, of course, Asuka was emotional. So was Sky. They embraced, and it appeared the two were sharing something like a goodbye. There were hints leading into the show that it could be Asuka’s last, and the response in the aftermath from many within the industry certainly seemed to support that. Dave Meltzer, speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, tried to clarify
with a bit of what he was told.
“So, the story I heard is that she is semi-retired,” he said. He did go on to say he doesn’t know exactly what that means and he wasn’t told beyond that.
Fightful Select, meanwhile, has chimed in to say folks backstage were confused about the situation but that most people do not believe this was her last match.
Bodyslam has also claimed that this was not a retirement, or even a semi-retirement but rather she is “out indefinitely for personal reasons.” They also said they would not be revealing what those reasons are.
It was definitely a goodbye of sorts, and a massive show of respect for one of the most respected women in the company, but it’s unclear just how long that goodbye will be for.
Other rumors floating around
- The Observer says the John Cena Classic is a “work in progress” and they wanted to make the announcement but still haven’t decided how exactly it will look.
- For what it’s worth, AJ Styles seemed to indicate on his Phenomenally Retro podcast that he is open to a long term role as a producer for NXT after doing some work there during a recent visit.
- Backlash’s Danhausen mini was played by AAA’s Mascarita Sagrada, per PWInsider.
- Cory Hays says Blake Monroe will “pop up in the mid-card title scene” upon her arrival to SmackDown, suggesting a program with United States Champion Tiffany Stratton.
- Per the Observer, Kazuchika Okada legitimately had a family situation that led to his being pulled from the title match against Darby Allin.
Get in on this, Cagesiders. Heard anything?
