Asuka vs. IYO SKY may not be happening at WrestleMania 42 after all, with WWE now considering moving the match to Backlash.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the decision remains up in the air, but the report states the match "may not even be the backup plan, but the plan, to save the match for Backlash on 5/9." The match was listed on WWE's internal lineup last week but was not included when the company announced both nights' cards on ESPN on April 7.
The uncertainty comes down to time. Night Two of WrestleMania 42 currently has six announced matches, and WWE is weighing how long they want the show to run and how much time to allocate to each bout. With a loaded card already in place, adding a seventh match to Sunday night may simply not be practical.
Both women have been actively building toward the matchup in recent days. Asuka filmed a taped interview on Raw this week to advance the feud, and IYO SKY posted a photo of Allegiant Stadium on social media teasing her WrestleMania appearance. A previous Wrestling Observer report had described the match as "probable" as the 14th and final match across both nights, characterizing it as "not like 100%" confirmed.
If the move to Backlash is made, it would give WWE additional runway to develop the feud between the former Damage CTRL partners. The angle has been slowly building since the group broke up, with Asuka, SKY, and Kairi Sane all involved at various points.
WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Backlash 2026 is scheduled for May 9.
