At WWE Backlash 2026, IYO SKY defeated Asuka. Post match, the two Joshi legends hugged in an emotional show of respect.
Immediately following this match, it was revealed that rumors had circulated that Asuka was “semi-retiring.”
With ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ either done or on her way to retirement, it begs the question if WWE would give her one definitive final match, who would it be against?
Here are seven potential Asuka final WWE opponents.
7. IYO SKY
IYO SKY has been closely tied to Asuka for several years dating back to before her run in WWE.
The two women were a tag team in Japan and Asuka became the senpai to ‘The Genius of the Sky.’
Following their clash at WWE Backlash 2026, SKY and Asuka shared an emotional embrace with tears in their eyes.
If it were up to Asuka, she would likely love to step in the ring and pass the torch to IYO on her way out of WWE in what would be her official final match.
6. Bayley
Dating back to their time in WWE NXT, Asuka and Bayley had a rivalry over the NXT Women’s Championship.
Back in 2016, Asuka defeated Bayley to win the NXT Women’s Championship, which started a record 510-day reign.
Over the years, Bayley has faced off with ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ over championship gold and even aligned with her in Damage CTRL.
If Asuka is hanging it up once and for all, there might not be anyone better suited to face her than her longtime rival in Bayley.
5. Charlotte Flair
Another longtime rival of Asuka that has clashed with her time and time again is Charlotte Flair.
‘The Queen’ was the individual who ended Asuka’s record-breaking 914 day undefeated streak when Flair defeated her at WWE WrestleMania 34 in 2018.
Charlotte has beaten Asuka for championship gold and even teamed with her to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Considered by many to be her greatest rival, Charlotte would be a fitting choice to be Asuka’s final opponent in a WWE ring.
4. Rhea Ripley
Over the past several years, Rhea Ripley has been one of Asuka’s main rivals and someone she has not been able to figure out.
Back in 2021, Ripley defeated Asuka to win the WWE Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37.
Since then, Ripley has dominated their one-on-one encounters, winning seven out of their eight singles matches.
With Asuka looking to definitively close this feud, ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ could look to defeat Ripley one final time in her last match.
3. Becky Lynch
Dating back to 2018, Becky Lynch has been another consistent rival for Asuka who has battled her on several different occasions.
Becky and Asuka’s battles over the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship are the stuff of legend and help to solidify both ladies as top stars in the company.
Their in-ring chemistry together always made for showstealing bouts that are among the best of both Becky and Asuka’s entire careers.
Looking to close the book on their storied rivalry, ‘The Man’ could step up to be Asuka’s final opponent and see who the better woman is once and for all.
2. Giulia
Asuka has paved the way for a whole new generation of stars to rise from Japan to come to WWE.
Looking at the current WWE roster, Giulia has been someone who has caught the attention of the audience in a massive way.
‘The Beautiful Madness’ is someone who could give Asuka a formidable challenge in what would be her final match.
Looking to grab the torch from Asuka, Giulia could be the perfect opposition for ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ in an official retirement match.
Kairi Sane
After returning to WWE in 2025, Asuka reunited with Kairi Sane to reform The Kabuki Warriors.
Over the past year, Asuka has displayed more of a domineering attitude as the senpai to Sane, physically and mentally abusing her tag team partner.
Just when it looked like this story was going to conclude with the Kabuki Warriors finally splitting, Kairi Sane was released from her WWE contract on April 24.
WWE could bring Kairi back into the company to finish her story with Asuka in her final match in the company.
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