Kairi Sane is back in WWE and has already allied herself with a top SmackDown champion!
Sane made her surprise return to the company during Bianca Belair and IYO SKY‘s match at WWE Crown Jewel. As the match’s momentum looked to be swinging in Belair’s favour, Kairi emerged from the crowd and delivered a spinning backfist to the challenger.
The strike almost allowed SKY to retain her title by count-out alone but Belair managed to make her way back into the ring at the referee’s count of nine. However, SKY immediately hit her with her signature moonsault and got the pinfall victory to retain.
Afterward, SKY and Sane celebrated in the ring with a hug as the champion’s Damage CTRL ally Bayley looked on in shock – seemingly unaware that Sane was set to be involved. Michael Cole also noted on commentary that Bayley was responsible for taking Sane off of WWE programming over three years ago.
Reports of KAIRI returning to WWE first emerged back in August with a report from Dave Meltzer later indicating that her return would likely take place this month to allow her to finish up her commitments with STARDOM and other promotions in Japan.
KAIRI SANE IS BACK!!!#WWECrownJewelpic.twitter.com/YAQtJE9W31
— WWE (@WWE) November 4, 2023
What Has Kairi Sane Done During Her Time Away From WWE?
Kairi Sane was taken off WWE programming in July 2020 but remained with the company in a backstage capacity until the expiry of her contract in December 2021.
Following her WWE departure, Sane returned to her home promotion STARDOM where she became the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion. Sane held the title for 90 days before being dethroned by Mercedes Mone, the former Sasha Banks, and went on to compete in other Japanese promotions like GLEAT, Sendai Girls, and All Japan Pro Wrestling.