Hikaru Shida AEW Update

Hikaru Shida hasn’t competed in AEW since all the way back at the latter end of 2024 in a losing effort to Kris Statlander on an episode of AEW Dynamite. Prior to that, she competed on the now long-cancelled AEW Rampage, showing just how far she’s been away from an AEWring! We finally have some form of an update on the status for the multi-time AEW Women’s World Champion.

It had been known that Shida’s initial absence from AEW was prompted by visa issues, leaving her stuck in Japan and being unable to return home. During the visa process, it was noted that Kenny Omega was cat-sitting for her. Well, despite not wrestling in AEW for over a year and not wrestling at all since November 2025 (as she was still competing in some Japanese promotions), Shida’s visa issues are at an end… but don’t expect a return just yet.

It was noted by Fightful Select that Shida is back at home and “chilling with her cat” (though we aren’t sure whether said cat is the source of this report). However, it is revealed that there are no current creative plans in store for Shida in AEW. She was reportedly backstage at a recent AEW Dynamite in Orlando, Florida, but hasn’t been back since.