WWE's Asuka and Kairi Sane Reveal WrestleMania 42 Match They Didn't Get

WWE presented two nights’ worth of matches for WrestleMania 42 this weekend, but none of those involved Asuka or Kairi Sane, better known as the popular Kabuki Warriors.

The popular tag team appeared on various programs and in matches over the past months, and it seemed they had an opportunity to appear on the grandest stage of them all. Sane and Asuka revealed their plans for the big event in Las Vegas, Nevada, during a Japanese interview.

One of the first few matches on WrestleMania’s Saturday night card involved a Fatal Four-Way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Lash Legend and Nia Jax were putting their championship on the line against Alexa Bliss with Charlotte Flair, Bayley with Lyra Valkyria, and The Bella Twins.

The interviewer told Asuka and Kairi that there was speculation that Nikki Bella’s ankle injury might not have fully healed in time for Mania. According to Asuka, that was true, and they were ready to participate if WWE called on them.

Read more:Roman Reigns Reacts to Harsh Anti-TKO Chants After WrestleMania

“We were told we might be able to fill in for that match,” Asuka and Kairi shared, adding, “We were on standby just in case.”

“It might still be possible, so we’re staying ready and waiting,” they said.

Kairi also indicated that they’d prepared a brand-new ring gear just for WrestleMania 42. However, fans never saw it, since the Kabuki Warriors weren’t involved.

Instead, Nikki Bella came out on the stage using a crutch with her sister, Brie Bella. Nikki revealed she didn’t receive medical clearance to compete, but said they called in an “old friend” to replace her as Brie’s tag partner in the match.

Saraya Bevis, aka WWE’s Paige, made her official return for the company, participating in her first in-ring role in over eight years. And it was quite a role as she and Brie captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship in a Fatal Four-Way after Paige hit her finisher on Alexa for the pinfall.

It appears, based on other insider reports, that the plan was for The Bella Twins to win the championship, so it would’ve been interesting if Brie had said she wouldn’t compete in the match without Nikki.

However, things worked out for WWE with Paige signing with the company and filling in for a big spot during WrestleMania 42’s first night of matches.

Read more: Paige Wins Championship, Creates Major WrestleMania Moment in WWE Return

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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 10:17 AM.