Report: Why Kairi Sane Is Returning To WWE

It emerged earlier this month that a popular former WWE star in Kairi Sane (AKA KAIRI) had agreed to return to the company. Sane still has dates to fulfil in Japan but she is planning to go on an "indefinite hiatus" at the end of September, ahead of her WWE return that could take place in November 2023.

Sane was previously signed with WWE from 2017 until December 2021, although she exited WWE TV in the summer of 2020 and spent the final 18 months of her contract as an ambassador for the organisation in Japan. Sane then returned to World Wonder Ring Stardom in 2022 and she became the inaugural IWGP Women's Champion, later dropping the title to Mercedes Moné. 

Her deal with Stardom ultimately opened the door for Sane to go back to WWE. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Sane is still very close to Rossy Ogawa and she wanted to work more dates for Stardom. Bushiroad, the parent company of Stardom that also owns New Japan Pro-Wrestling, wanted Sane to sign an exclusive deal in return for booking her for more dates, however. This would have meant more money for KAIRI but following further issues, she began thinking about possibly going back to WWE. 

One of the motivating factors for Sane was the success of IYO SKY, who recently captured the WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam. Sane then spoke with those close to her and they were supportive of KAIRI going back to WWE as they believed she would have regrets if she never returned to the company. 

Triple H was also important in KAIRI's decision as Sane felt she would be in a better situation in WWE with the Chief Content Officer in charge of creative. Triple H is currently the head of creative while Vince McMahon is on indefinite medical leave following spinal surgery.