WWE Backlash 2026 might not be WrestleMania 42, but for Asuka and Iyo Sky, it was indeed their WrestleMania.
Originally set for WWE’s flagship PLE, Asuka vs. Sky was ultimately moved to Backlash instead. That, of course, didn’t set well with WWE’s passionate fan base, especially given that WWE found enough time to put on a ridiculous amount of commercials but somehow not enough to spotlight one of its longest-running rivalry featuring two of the top stars in the women’s division.
The lengthy feud between Asuka and Sky hit yet another snag when Sane, a key figure in the storyline, was suddenly and shockingly released by WWE after WrestleMania 42. With Asuka and Sky getting shafted at WrestleMania and then losing Sane to her future endeavors, the two beloved stars got a chance at redemption at WWE Backlash 2026.
WWE Backlash 2026 Results For Iyo Sky Vs. Asuka
WWE ignited a firestorm of criticism when Sky vs. Asuka did not take place at WrestleMania, but the two former world champions more than made up for it at Backlash.
Capping off an incredible, action-packed match, Sky defeated Asuka via the Over the Moonsault to pick up the marquee victory. The finish came after a stellar back-and-forth battle that had the crowd firmly behind Sky, arguably WWE’s biggest fan favorite.
Here are the biggest moments and top highlights from Sky’s win over Asuka at WWE Backlash 2026:
- The crowd quickly started with “We want Kairi” chants, a reference to the recently released Kairi Sane, who had been at the center of this storyline before her shocking firing. After an exchange of strikes, Sky took down Asuka with a basement dropkick.
- On the outside, Sky attempted a move off the ropes, but Asuka swiped her feet out from underneath her and slammed her face-first into the steel ring post. Asuka then crushed Sky with a kick to chest to fend off a comeback attempt. Asuka pummeled Sky with more kicks, but Sky was able to hit a stomp to the chest to take down Asuka.
- Sky hit a spinning back elbow and back fist, then nailed a missile drop kick off the rop rope to a big ovation from the crowd. Sky hit the running knee attack in the corner for a close two-count. Asuka responded with a series of kicks and strikes followed by a running knee for a two-count of her own.
- Sky rolled up Asuka for another nearfall and then hit a kick for yet another two-count. Sky hit a German suplex into a bridge, but Asuka reversed into an Asuka Lock. Sky escaped and kicked Asuka, but Asuka hit a knee to the face. Sky responded with a spinning heel kick, and both women collapsed to the mat.
- As Sky charged Asuka, she reversed it and locked in the Asuka Lock briefly until Sky escaped and hit a modified stunner. Asuka caught Sky in the arm bar, but Sky reversed and locked in Asuka in a modified Asuka Lock until Asuka got the rope break.
- Asuka pulled Sky’s hair to smash her face into the top turnbuckle. Then, Sky hit a hurricanrana off the rop rope, but Asuka reversed it into a pin for a very close two-count that nearly won her the match. Asuka missed a splash and landed in the middle of the ropes. Sky kicked her to the outside and then went for a dive. Asuka caught her with a stiff forearm to the face.
- Stop the announce table, Asuka attempted to split the blue mist into Sky’s face, but she cleverly blocked it with a notebook. Then, Sky slammed Asuka and jumped off the table, taking out Asuka with a crossbody block. Sky hit a moonsault onto Asuka on the outside.
- Back in the ring, Sky missed a moonsault, and Asuka locked in the arm bar yet again. Sky nearly turned it into a pin, and then Asuka locked in the Asuka Lock once again. As it looked like Sky was going to pass out, she nearly countered with a pin. The crowd chanted “This is awesome!”
- Asuka hit another release German suplex and then missed a kick, so Sky hit a German suplex of her own. Sky hit the bullet train knees in the corner and went up top for the moonsault. Sky nailed the Over the Moonsault and pinned Asuka for the 1-2-3.
- After the match after the match, Asuka embraced and hugged Sky much to the crowd’s delight.
WWE Backlash 2026 Results: What’s Next For Iyo Sky And Asuka?
Asuka vs. Sky was perhaps WWE’s longest-running consecutive rivalry heading into WWE Backlash, and the circumstances surrounding the bout led to a raucous atmosphere in Tampa.
There has long been a sense that, even despite all the advancements in the way WWE books women’s wrestling, it’s the women’s division that is often shortchanged in terms of the way its booked. Everything surrounding Asuka vs. Sky, ranging from Sane’s sudden release to the long wait for this match to happen, showed that good storytelling is what really matters.
But is this story over? Well, after what transpired after the match, it appears it will.
With the way Raw’s roster is currently constructed, neither Sky nor Asuka figures into the women’s world title picture at the moment.What had been a highly anticipated and intriguing rivalry between the two stars seemed to take a 180-degree turn with Sane’s surprising release and Asuka’s apparent babyface turn.
During the post-WrestleMania period each year, WWE often revamps its roster (as evidenced by recent NXT call-ups) or reignites the pushes of previously forgotten stars. That’s precisely what should happen with Sky, who is still one of WWE’s most beloved stars despite her prolonged absence from the world title picture.
After Sky beat Asuka at WWE Backlash 2026, this rivalry appears to be over. Now, Sky, arguably WWE’s best wrestler, can move back into the title scene with Liv Morgan, which is exactly where she belongs.
