IYO SKY faced a challenging week as she balanced her storylines on Monday Night RAW and made a surprising appearance on SmackDown, where she won a dark match against 23-year-old prodigy Roxanne Perez. This unexpected victory added a new highlight to her already eventful WWE schedule, showcasing her resilience and skill in the ring.
Conflicted Alliances and Tensions on Monday Night RAW
On RAW, SKY encountered tension involving Rhea Ripley and Asuka. Ripley warned SKY to be cautious about trusting Asuka, but SKY dismissed the warning, expressing gratitude toward Asuka for her WWE career. However, when Asuka later attacked Ripley with a mist, SKY intervened, pleading for mercy before being struck down herself. Kairi Sane’s powerful elbow helped solidify the Kabuki Warriors’ shift to a villainous role, increasing the drama among the women’s division.
Behind the Scenes: IYO SKY’s Challenges and Praise
Fans in Orlando witnessed SKY’s impressive performance, contributing to her growing popularity. Michael Cole praised her as possibly the best female in-ring talent worldwide, a point some fans expanded by claiming she ranks among the greatest performers regardless of gender. Her recent match against Stephanie Vaquer at Wrestlepalooza 2025 highlighted her tenacity, especially considering Vaquer was sick beforehand and was cleared for the match only at the last minute. This quick turnaround prevented the match’s cancellation, which many expected due to Vaquer’s illness.
The Impact of IYO SKY’s Performance on WWE’s Women’s Division
Despite losing to Stephanie Vaquer, SKY’s efforts helped salvage a Pay-Per-View event that some, including ESPN, regarded as lackluster overall. Her dual appearances on RAW and SmackDown underline her commitment and versatility, making her an essential figure in WWE’s modern storytelling. Her recent SmackDown victory over Roxanne Perez also signals rising competition and shifts within the women’s roster, promising more intense matches and rivalries ahead.
“She may have fallen short, but what many don’t know is that Vaquer was ill for weeks prior to the match and only got cleared at the nick of time, as WWE was ready to announce that her match against IYO SKY was going to be canceled/postponed.” – Michael Cole, Commentator
IYO SKY defeats Roxanne Perez in a dark match after Smackdown! #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/0oQ7iE4Y3n
— Jaime 🪽 (@IyosEra) September 27, 2025
