On Tuesday (28 April, 2026) morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that Kairi Sane “had kinda indicated she wanted to move back” to Japan, adding (Dave adding) that that could have been a factor in WWE choosing to release her.
I have also heard that Kairi’s WWE contract was expiring. I’m guessing that maybe WWE didn’t want to go all in (no pun intended) on someone who seemed to be on their way out – which, I guess, explains why the Mania match between IYO and Asuka didn’t happen, because that was going to be a match where Kairi turned on Asuka, and WWE didn’t want one of the most talked about moments of WrestleMania 42 (Kairi turning on Asuka) being about a wrestler who would soon be gone for good, because that would be like very heavily investing in an asset you know will be soon leaving your possession.
Regarding the release, I think there is also the possibility that WWE may have released Kairi to help her, as opposed to it being a business decision. But, and the end of the day, this is all guessing and stuff.