Update: Mike Johnson of PWInsider has since denied the report, however, WrestleVotes has doubled down – stating that Kairi Sane is currently the eighteenth name in the miscellaneous section of the internal roster.
Back in August, multiple reports emerged that Kairi Sane had agreed to return to WWE. The Joshi sensation last competed for the promotion two and half years ago and was subsequently written off television via a backstage attack from then-SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Sane continued to work for the company behind the scenes as an ambassador, trainer, and Japanese-language commentator until the expiry of her contract in late 2021, after which she returned to her Japanese home promotion STARDOM.
Over the last two years, Sane has reestablished herself as one of STARDOM’s top competitors, becoming the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion by defeating Mayu Iwatani almost a year ago and went on to make her first defense at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 this past January.
Her reign eventually came to an end at the hands of Mercedes Mone, the former Sasha Banks, and Sane has since competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, Sendai Girls, and GLEAT. Her time in Japan seemingly came to an end once again last month when wrestled in her STARDOM farewell match, lending credence to reports of her impending WWE return.
Now, Insider X account WrestleVotes has added more fuel to the fire with a new report on Kairi. The account noted earlier today that Sane has been added to the internal WWE talent roster and as a result, her return is expected to happen imminently. This lines up with a previous report from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio where he claimed she would likely return this month.
During her first run with WWE between 2017 and 2021, Sane had a successful run in NXT during which she captured the NXT Women’s Championship from Shayna Baszler. After losing the belt back to Baszler and subsequently being banned from challenging for the title again, Sane moved to the main roster and established The Kabuki Warriors with Asuka. The two went on the win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, becoming the longest-reigning champions with the titles in the process at 180 days.