Hikaru Shida Provides Update On Contract Status Amid AEW Hiatus

Some fans were left wondering if this was a situation of art imitating life, but Shida reassured folks that she's not done wrestling during a live stream on her YouTube channel on Friday.

“It’s about a wrestler. The title was ‘Retirement’ and this is the story of the wrestler (who) just announced her retirement, and that’s me. Actually, after the show many fans asked me like ‘Are you retiring or is it just a play?’ And of course it’s just a play. I’m not retiring."

Earlier this week, Shida posted online that she was preparing to head back to the United States and it appears there's a good reason for that. She has more matches in AEW ahead of her.

"I just renewed my Visa and contract, so I’m not retiring. But fans asked me so that means my acting was too good.”

There is still no word yet on the length of Shida's new contract or when she's expected back on AEW television.

Could Shida soon return to challenge for the AEW Women's World Championship?

Shida last competed for AEW on the November 20, 2024 edition of AEW Dynamite, where she lost to the now reigning AEW Women's World Champion Kris Statlander.

Stat is scheduled to defend her title later this month at WrestleDream when she takes on Timeless Toni Storm. Assuming she retains, perhaps Shida could make her comeback and attempt to position herself for a rematch against Kris at some point in the near future.

We will provide an update on Hikaru Shida's AEW status as soon as any new information becomes available.