At WWE Backlash 2026, Iyo Sky proved once again why she’s one of the most beloved stars in the company, defeating Asuka in a match that had the WWE Universe on its feet from start to finish.

While Backlash may not carry the same prestige as WrestleMania 42, for Asuka and Sky, this showdown felt like their own personal WrestleMania. Originally slated for WWE’s biggest stage, their highly anticipated clash was moved to Backlash—a decision that didn’t sit well with fans, especially given the abundance of commercial breaks during WrestleMania that could have made room for this long-running rivalry.

The feud between these two former world champions has been anything but smooth. After Kairi Sane—a pivotal figure in the storyline—was shockingly released by WWE following WrestleMania 42, both Asuka and Sky found themselves at a crossroads. But at Backlash, they seized their moment for redemption, delivering a match that more than made up for any previous disappointments.

From the opening bell, the crowd was electric, with chants of "We Want Kairi" echoing through the arena—a heartfelt nod to Sane’s recent departure. The action was fast and fierce: Sky and Asuka exchanged brutal strikes before Sky connected with a basement dropkick that sent Asuka reeling. But Asuka quickly turned the tables, swiping Sky’s feet from under her and slamming her face-first into the steel ring post outside the ring. A vicious kick to the chest followed, halting Sky’s comeback attempt.

The back-and-forth continued with both women showcasing their signature intensity. Asuka pummeled Sky with stiff kicks and strikes, but Sky refused to stay down. In the end, it was Sky who soared to victory, hitting the Over the Moonsault for the pinfall win—a moment that had the crowd erupting in support of WWE’s biggest fan favorite.

This victory marks another step forward for Iyo Sky as she climbs back toward the top of the card, proving that even when the road gets rocky, resilience and heart can steal the show.