WWE Star Asuka Reunites With Former Rival Syuri in Japan

WWE Superstar Asuka has reunited with her former wrestling rival Syuri during her ongoing absence from professional wrestling. The two Japanese Wrestling stars recently met for dinner in Japan, bringing back memories of their history together in the wrestling industry.

Syuri, who currently holds the IWGP Women’s Championship, shared a photograph with Asuka on her X account. Alongside the picture, she expressed happiness about meeting the WWE legend again after some time and thanked her for the dinner and conversation.

“I met up with Kana for dinner for the first time in a while 🍚 I was so happy we got to talk so much ♡♡ Thank you for the meal ✨✨ I’m looking forward to seeing you again 🫶 Thank you so much 🥺,” Syuri wrote.

The message was translated from Japanese by X. Syuri referred to Asuka by her former ring name, Kana, under which she became a recognised name in Japanese professional wrestling before joining WWE.

The reunion is particularly meaningful because Asuka and Syuri shared a long history inside the ring. Although they were fierce competitors during their time in Japan, Syuri has also described Asuka as a mentor and an important source of inspiration outside wrestling.

Asuka and Syuri share a long history in Japanese wrestling

Before becoming one of WWE’s most recognisable women’s division stars, Asuka established herself in Japan under the name Kana. Between 2010 and 2012, she competed against Syuri on multiple occasions, with their rivalry developing through promotions such as SMASH and Wrestling New Classic.

Their relationship was not limited to competition. While they faced each other as opponents and sometimes worked together as allies, Syuri has regarded Asuka as a mentor whose influence helped shape her wrestling journey.

Asuka’s reputation in Japan played an important role in her eventual move to WWE. Her distinctive wrestling style, strong personality and experience made her an established name before she arrived in the United States.

She officially debuted in WWE in September 2015 as part of NXT. Her first match for the promotion took place at NXT TakeOver: Respect, where she defeated Dana Brooke. Asuka quickly became one of the leading performers in the women’s division.

During her time in NXT, she captured the NXT Women’s Championship and held the title for an impressive 510 days. Her undefeated run and championship reign helped establish her as one of the most dominant competitors in the brand’s history.

Asuka remains away from WWE following her rivalry with IYO SKY

Asuka’s reunion with Syuri comes during a period away from WWE television. Before her hiatus, she was involved in a heated storyline alongside Kairi Sane against IYO SKY as the company moved towards WrestleMania 42.

Many fans expected Asuka and SKY to face each other at WrestleMania, but WWE ultimately left both competitors out of the event’s match card. Their rivalry continued after the show, with the two Japanese stars eventually meeting in a grudge match at Backlash 2026.

SKY defeated Asuka in that encounter, bringing their rivalry to an end. Following the match, Asuka reconciled with her former ally before stepping away from WWE programming.

The storyline also included an unexpected development involving Kairi Sane, who was released from her WWE contract following WrestleMania. Her departure changed the direction of the ongoing rivalry and left Asuka and SKY to settle their differences in the ring.

Although Asuka is currently absent from wrestling television, her recent reunion with Syuri shows that she continues to maintain connections with people from her earlier career in Japan.

Asuka shares personal update during WWE hiatus

Alongside the reunion with Syuri, Asuka recently shared another personal update with her followers on X. The former WWE Women’s Champion revealed that she had been appointed as a one-day police chief in Japan as part of an initiative to raise awareness about law and public responsibilities among citizens.

Asuka announced the temporary appointment in her characteristically humorous style, joking about how she would manage the officers under her authority.

“I’m doing one-day police chief 👮🫡 Get ready, you officers under my jurisdiction 😤 ‘Cause I’m the type that works people hard 🤡,” she wrote.

The message was also translated from Japanese by X. The appointment gave Asuka an opportunity to participate in a public awareness activity away from the wrestling ring while connecting with the local community.

Her announcement attracted attention because it offered fans a glimpse into what she has been doing during her WWE absence. Asuka has remained active on social media, sharing updates that give followers an idea of her activities outside professional wrestling.

Will Asuka return to WWE?

Asuka’s future in WWE remains an interesting subject for wrestling fans. The former champion has built an accomplished career across NXT and the main roster, winning major championships and competing in some of the promotion’s biggest matches.

Her experience in Japan, combined with her achievements in WWE, has made her one of the most established Japanese women’s wrestlers in the company. A potential return would give WWE another experienced performer in its women’s division, although no confirmed return date has been provided in the supplied information.

For now, her reunion with Syuri has offered fans a reminder of the friendships and professional relationships she developed before becoming a global WWE star. Their connection goes beyond their previous rivalries, with Syuri continuing to recognise Asuka’s influence on her career.

Whether Asuka returns to WWE in the near future or continues enjoying time away from the ring, her recent meeting with Syuri has brought two familiar names from Japanese wrestling history back together.