On the August 18 episode of WWE RAW, tensions flared between several top female wrestlers as IYO SKY fought Raquel Rodriguez in a hard-fought match. Despite interference from Roxanne Perez toward SKY behind the referee’s back, both competitors showed strong performances throughout the bout at WWE RAW. Rodriguez appeared to seize control near the end, but SKY reversed one of her moves and secured victory with an Over the Moonsault.
Immediately after the match ended, members of Judgment Day launched a fierce assault on SKY, who had recently lost her Women’s World Championship title. Rhea Ripley rushed out to defend her friend, but the intervention sparked conflict backstage between Ripley, SKY, Asuka, and Kairi Sane. While SKY expressed gratitude toward Ripley, Asuka reacted angrily and issued a sharp warning to Ripley, “Stay out of our business,” escalating the discord within their group.
Backstage Conflict Emerges Between Asuka and Rhea Ripley
The scene backstage was fraught with hostility, as Asuka and Ripley exchanged heated words. IYO SKY, caught in the middle of the confrontation, abruptly left the area, refusing to be part of the growing dispute. The conflict revealed lingering friction over alliances and loyalty within the women’s division.
Asuka: “Rhea can help you but we can’t.” —Asuka, WWE RAW
Rhea Ripley: “I only helped because you were nowhere to be seen, Asuka.” —Rhea Ripley, WWE RAW
Asuka: “Iyo told us to back off, we did. Stay out of our business.” —Asuka, WWE RAW
Strained Relations Between IYO SKY and Kabuki Warriors
The tension extends beyond Ripley and Asuka, as IYO SKY’s relationship with the Kabuki Warriors is also unraveling. Last week, SKY was scheduled for a Women’s World Championship match against Naomi but wasn’t cleared to compete, resulting in a last-minute replacement bout against Roxanne Perez. SKY had explicitly requested that the Kabuki Warriors remain backstage to avoid interference, but they intervened anyway, contributing to SKY’s loss.
Following the match, SKY and Asuka engaged in a heated exchange, reflecting the extent of the friction caused by the earlier interference. This week, SKY again asked her Kabuki Warriors teammates not to interfere during her fight with Rodriguez. Despite their agreement, the match quickly turned against SKY as the Judgment Day outnumbered her, forcing Rhea Ripley to step in once more to prevent further damage. This rescue upset Asuka, who was displeased with Ripley’s interference after SKY had specifically denied her team the chance to get involved.
Asuka apologizes for costing IYO SKY the match last week, and for pushing her backstage. —Asuka, WWE RAW
Future Uncertainty Surrounds IYO SKY and Her Allies
This ongoing conflict highlights a growing rift within WWE RAW’s women’s roster, particularly between SKY, the Kabuki Warriors, Asuka, and Rhea Ripley. The disagreement over interference and loyalty raises questions about future alliances and whether these tensions will culminate in further confrontations. Fans will be watching closely to see if SKY reconciles with her friends or if new rivalries intensify the conflict within this competitive division.
