Summary

Thekla does not expect Asuka to walk away from wrestling, even with recent speculation surrounding her future after WWE Backlash and the goodbye scene that followed on Raw.

Asuka's loss to IYO SKY at Backlash led to questions about what comes next, and that uncertainty only grew after the two shared an emotional farewell on WWE Raw before Asuka left the building. A separate report later noted that Asuka was still planned for WWE Raw before time away, adding more context to the situation.

Thekla said she has never actually met Asuka, but made clear she has long admired her work and does not see retirement as likely.

Quote from Thekla

"No, she is one of the few people....I've met IYO. I meet a lot of people. I don't think I've ever met Asuka, which is a bummer. I think she's really good. Especially growing up and starting out as a wrestler, I was like, 'That chick is just fucking cool.'"

Thekla later went on to say:

"I don't think she is (retiring). Somebody like her, she's so fucking tough. She's in her mid-40s and still whooping people's asses. Somebody like that never retires."

What Asuka's absence means for WWE

Asuka remaining away from WWE programming keeps the focus on the unresolved aftermath of her loss to IYO SKY, and it leaves room for the company to revisit that relationship whenever she returns. Thekla's comments do not confirm anything about Asuka's plans, but they reflect the reputation Asuka still carries as one of the division's toughest and most respected names.

Sources

Thekla on TMZ Inside The Ring