Report: WWE Turned Down Kairi Sane's Request To Work Huge Stardom Show

Details on WWE saying "no" to Kairi Sane's request to work Stardom's Budokan Hall show.

Kairi Sane
WWE

WWE has denied former NXT Women's Champion Kairi Sane the opportunity to work joshi group Stardom's upcoming Budokan Hall show on 3 March.

Dave Meltzer writes in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Stardom had wanted its former star to work what will be the biggest event in the company's history, but Sane is still contracted to WWE after returning to her native Japan in 2020 and couldn't get permission.

While Stardom had suggested a big singles match for Sane, they also offered WWE a Royal Rumble-style match with legends instead. Both pitches were seemingly turned down.

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WWE retained Sane as a Japanese ambassador upon her returning to Japan shortly after her marriage in 2020. The 32-year-old was quickly linked with matches in Stardom, though it looks like this won't be possible.

Stardom, Japan's leading joshi group, is currently owned by NJPW's parent company, Bushiroad. Sane worked for the promotion as Kairi Hojo between 2011 and 2017, rising to global prominence as a standout babyface opposite the likes of Io Shirai. She was first offered a WWE contract in October 2016 but opted not to sign until the following June, debuting via video promo on a Tokyo house show.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.