Dave Meltzer has clarified the circumstances surrounding Kairi Sane’s WWE release, revealing that the company’s belief that she wanted to return to Japan eventually played a role in the decision, while also addressing inaccurate reports suggesting she had asked for her release.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer explained that his original comments on Wrestling Observer Radio about Sane potentially wanting to move back to Japan were mischaracterized by some outlets as her having requested her freedom, which Sane herself disputed in a statement.
Meltzer wrote: “The biggest surprise on the list was Kairi Sane. 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 also noted a further point that applies to most WWE releases, adding: “Talent is rarely told the actual reason they are let go past budgeting purposes.”
Fightful Select had previously reported there was a ton of shock within WWE at the decision, given that she was actively involved in the Asuka and IYO SKY program at the time of her release.
