WWE superstar Kairi Sane’s elimination of her Kabuki Warriors partner, Asuka, during the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, has ignited clear tension between the two. The incident took place backstage after the match, when Asuka forcibly removed Sane from the golf cart and refused to let her back in, ordering the driver to leave without her. The ongoing friction centers on Sane’s elimination of Asuka in the event, airing unresolved frustrations between the tag team members.
Unexpected Elimination Causes Rift Between Teammates
Asuka and Kairi Sane entered the Royal Rumble match at numbers 21 and 28, respectively, joining the battle late. During an intense moment near the ropes, both women were fighting Iyo Sky, a former Damage CTRL stablemate. Sky evaded Asuka’s strike before stepping away from Sane’s attack, which inadvertently led to Sane eliminating Asuka. This accidental ousting left the “Empress of Tomorrow” visibly upset, and she retaliated by yelling at Sane and pulling her hair once both were on the floor.
Sane herself was eliminated shortly after, but the visible frustration from Asuka hinted at deeper tensions, which escalated in the backstage area—though that exchange was not broadcast live.
Potential Fallout and Future of the Kabuki Warriors
The confrontation between Asuka and Sane suggests the partnership may soon reach a breaking point. Observers expect the Kabuki Warriors to split, with Kairi Sane likely gaining significant crowd support by standing up to Asuka’s domineering behavior. Wrestling fans anticipate that Sane’s defiance could generate a strong, positive reaction similar to Sami Zayn’s rise after breaking away from Roman Reigns and the Bloodline, which vaulted him into babyface status and widespread popularity.
If WWE capitalizes on this storyline, Kairi Sane could see a major boost in her career, potentially becoming one of the roster’s top fan favorites in the near future. Meanwhile, the evolving tension adds a layer of uncertainty to the Kabuki Warriors’ dynamic, keeping fans eager to see what comes next.
“.@KAIRI_official did not deserve this, @WWEAsuka… 😭” – WWE Official Twitter
.@KAIRI_official did not deserve this, @WWEAsuka… 😭
FULL VIDEO ▶️: https://t.co/HLuE1FsAxm pic.twitter.com/PVMu7obPkm
— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2026
