Damage CTRL became more dangerous than ever on the November 10th edition of SmackDown.
After months of speculation, Kairi Sane returned to WWE at Crown Jewel. The star came to the aid of IYO SKY as she defended the Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair.
Just as Belair seemed to be getting the upper hand, Sane emerged through the crowd and attacked the star with a Spinning Backfist outside the ring. The move almost led to a countout, but Belair was able to break the 10-count, only for SKY to put her away with a Moonsault.
There was confusion following the move as Sane’s last appearance back in July 2020 saw Damage CTRL leader Bayley viciously assaulting her to close out her run in WWE. On SmackDown, that history was put to rest as Sane forgave Bayley for her past actions, and all four members of the group hugged in the ring.
Asuka makes shock decision to join Damage CTRL
The main event of the show saw Sane, SKY, and Bayley teaming up to take on Asuka, Belair, and Charlotte Flair in tag team action. However, Asuka had no intentions of helping her erstwhile teammates, and when Belair went for a tag she received a faceful of mist instead. The Empress of Tomorrow then beckoned Sane to hug in the middle of the ring along with the rest of Damage CTRL.
Dakota Kai also came to the ring and the now five-strong group then destroyed Flair and Belair. Shotzi tried to make the save but met the same fate.
Here is the stronger #DamageCTRL .@WWEAsuka@itsBayleyWWE@Iyo_SkyWWE@ImKingKota@KAIRI_official#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/dRDuEljnc1
— IYO SKY (@Iyo_SkyWWE) November 11, 2023
Asuka has history with several members of the group, as she and Sane were the Women’s Tag Team Champions as the Kabuki Warriors, while she teamed with SKY – and her sister Mio Shirai – as part of Triple Tails back in 2010 during her time in Japan.