5 former NXT Champions released by WWE - Where are they now?

#3 Former NXT Women's Champion Kairi Sane headed back to Japan following her WWE release

I was able to accomplish so much in the last three years, but it wasn’t because of my ability or my strength. It was because of all of the constant, warm support from the fans. I am so thankful I could meet you all.Thank you from the bottom of my heart,Kairi Sane☺️⚓️ pic.twitter.com/BaH2UBi9wn

— KAIRI SANE⚓️カイリ・セイン (@KairiSaneWWE) July 28, 2020

Kairi Sane enjoyed a successful career in World Wonder Ring Stardom before she made the move to WWE in 2017. She initially competed in the Mae Young Classic, following which she became a top performer on NXT.

Sane spent a couple of years competing in NXT and had some memorable rivalries. Her rivalry against Shayna Baszler put her on the map, and she defeated Baszler to become the NXT Women’s Champion at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV.

Sane had a short NXT Women’s Championship reign and moved to the main roster in April 2019. The Pirate Princess teamed up with Asuka on the main roster to form The Kabuki Warriors. The duo soon won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

Sane decided to ask for her release from WWE so that she could heal some injuries and move back to Japan to spend more time with her husband. She departed the company in July 2020.

A truly unique young woman with the ability to capture hearts, minds (and pirate ships!!!) Proud of @KairiSaneWWE’s growth as a performer and her time spent with #WWENXT and @WWE. pic.twitter.com/mkUukw4SGw

— Triple H (@TripleH) July 29, 2020

The Pirate Princess has since moved back to Japan and tried to work closely with WWE. She is the company’s ambassador in the country. Sane has also reportedly tried to get permission from the company to appear for a Stardom show, but failed to get approval.

【ご報告】改めましてWWEのカイリ・セインです。今後の活動についてご報告させていただきます。選手として引き続き所属することに加え、新たに日本のWWEプロモーションサポーターという役割をいただき、日本を拠点に活動を再開することになりました。これからも何卒よろしくお願いいたします。

— KAIRI SANE⚓️カイリ・セイン (@KairiSaneWWE) October 2, 2020

She has taken to social media regularly to remind fans that she is still very much in touch with WWE, and continues to retweet content from the company’s shows.