The tension between Asuka and IYO SKY on the August 11 episode of WWE RAW came from a last-minute creative change.
PWInsider reports that Asuka’s shift toward a heel role was originally planned to build over several weeks. Those plans changed when Naomi was pulled from the show and couldn’t compete in her scheduled title match.
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With Naomi out, IYO SKY had a showdown against Roxanne Perez instead.
During the match, interference from Asuka and a moment of hesitation by Kairi Sane at ringside backfired, directly leading to SKY’s loss.
Backstage, the defeat led to a heated exchange among The Kabuki Warriors. Asuka shouted at and shoved SKY before leaving, marking the first clear step in her accelerated heel turn. This shift creates immediate tension in the group and reshapes the women’s division ahead of Clash in Paris on August 31.
Translation of IYO SKY, Kairi Sane and ASUKA's Japanese conversation:
— meraWRESTLING (@meraWRESTLING) August 12, 2025
IYO SKY: "What was that?"
ASUKA: "What the hell? I wanted to help so I did it!"
IYO SKY: "Wait a minute! You didn't help me, I LOST!"
ASUKA: "I said I'm sorry! Sorry!"
IYO SKY: "But I had told you… pic.twitter.com/sjfzzUGnNL
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