Update on Kairi Sane’s WWE departure | Exclusive
An update is available regarding Kairi Sane’s departure from WWE.
Sane was one of several names revealed as part of WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts earlier this month.
Dave Meltzer noted on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that Sane may have indicated to the company that she wanted to move back to Japan. These comments were then incorrectly aggregated on some news sites as her having asked for her release. Sane put out a statement earlier this week stating this was not the case.
In today’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer clarified that WWE’s belief that Sane would like to move back to Japan at some point factored into their decision to release her.
Meltzer wrote:
“The biggest surprise on the list was Kairi Sane (Kaori Housako, 37). She was in the middle of a program where they were teasing her eventually standing up for herself against the bullying of Asuka and getting back together as a team with Iyo Sky. But the angle was dropped cold.
While most were surprised, we were told part of it was the belief she wanted to move back to Japan at some point and with that knowledge it was part of the decision making.”
Meltzer added, “Talent is rarely told the actual reason they are let go past budgeting purposes.”
The full edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available here for subscribers.
Ian Carey is the editing manager at F4WOnline and a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His work has appeared in award-winning publications including NOW Magazine and The Huffington Post. He joined the F4WOnline team in 2019 and moved into the editing manager role in the summer of 2026. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Ian has covered professional wrestling for more than 15 years.