Report: Kairi Sane Likely To Appear At WWE Backlash 2026

Kairi Sane may make another WWE appearance despite being released by the company.

Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer has reported the feeling within WWE is there is a better than 50 per cent chance that Kairi Sane will appear at Backlash to finish up her involvement in the feud between IYO SKY and Asuka.

"Within WWE, it's felt there is a better than 50% chance that Kairi shows up at Backlash to at least finish off that storyline," Alvarez tweeted.

Kairi Sane was one of 25 wrestlers released by WWE in the aftermath of WrestleMania 42. This fuelled major frustration within the company, as her release meant there would likely be no real payoff to her part in IYO SKY vs. Asuka.

Asuka vs. IYO SKY is officially on the card for Backlash on Saturday, May 9 after the match originally planned for WrestleMania 42 was delayed.

Fans chanted "We want Kairi" at the April 27 episode of Monday Night Raw and '#WeWantKairi' was posted on social media by WWE fans in the hopes of WWE bringing back Sane, similar to R-Truth at Money in the Bank 2025.

Sane is still subject to a 90-day non-compete clause following her WWE release. She was in her second run with the company, having returned in 2023.