Asuka turns heel on WWE Raw, attacks IYO SKY, hints at new faction

On the September 22 edition of WWE Raw, veteran wrestler Asuka turned heel, attacking IYO SKY in a backstage and in-ring segment that also involved Kairi Sane and entangled Rhea Ripley, signaling a major shift in Monday Night Raw's women's division. The change in character closes weeks of on-screen tension and sets up potential new rivalries and alliances ahead of WWE's upcoming events.

The segment showed Asuka separating from SKY, physically assaulting her and appearing to compel Kairi Sane to join the attack. Ripley was drawn into the confrontation during the exchange. WWE presented the turn as the culmination of persistent teases of jealousy and control in prior backstage and televised interactions. Producers and on-screen storytelling framed Asuka as adopting a more aggressive, leadership-oriented role on the red brand.

Asuka marked her 10th anniversary with WWE this week and reflected on the milestone in a social media post. Addressing her career and goals, she wrote, "I believe that ideals and convictions, what one sets out to achieve, hold more value than what one has actually accomplished. I have obtained every record, everything there is to obtain, but these are all...