Hikaru Shida Signs New Contract with AEW, Silences Retirement Rumors

In a move that should surprise absolutely no one who’s been paying attention, former three-time AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida has re-signed with All Elite Wrestling. The announcement puts an end to a bizarre, fan-fueled retirement narrative that seemed more like wishful thinking from her opponents than actual reality. Shida, ever the professional, took to a YouTube live stream to set the record straight, confirming she’s not just back in the U.S. but also locked in with a new contract.

Let’s be honest, the idea of Shida retiring was always a bit of a stretch. We’re talking about a cornerstone of the AEW women’s division, someone who carried the championship through the bleakest days of the pandemic era. But wrestling fans, bless their hearts, have a knack for turning a dramatic stage play into a full-blown career crisis.

Shida’s “Retirement” and a Masterclass in Trolling

So, how did this whole retirement fiasco start? While in Japan—sidelined by those ever-pesky visa issues that seem to plague half the AEW international roster—Shida starred in a “combat musical theater” production with a company called MAKAI. The play’s title? “Retirement.” And the lead role of the wrestler announcing her retirement? Played by none other than Hikaru Shida herself.

Apparently, her performance was so convincing that fans started flooding her with questions, genuinely concerned she was hanging up her boots. On her live stream, Shida couldn’t help but laugh it off.

“Of course it’s just a play,” she explained. “I’m not retiring. I just renewed my Visa and contract, so I’m not retiring. But fans asked me, so that means my acting was too good.”

Too good, indeed. Or maybe, just maybe, it was a brilliant, subtle troll of a fanbase always ready to jump to conclusions. Either way, it worked. The internet buzzed, the rumors flew, and for a hot minute, the wrestling world collectively held its breath. It was a masterstroke of kayfabe in an era that has largely abandoned it, and frankly, it was more compelling than some of the actual storylines we see on TV. Well excluding the return of Andrade El Idolo.

What’s Next for the Returning Star?

With the contract signed and the visa issues apparently sorted, the big question is: what now? The AEW women’s division Shida returns to is… well, it’s a division in flux. We’ve got new championships floating around, the promise of the first-ever women’s Blood and Guts match, and a roster that’s deeper than ever but still struggling for consistent screen time and meaningful feuds.

Could Shida immediately slot back into the title picture? Her last AEW match was a loss to the current AEW Women’s World Champion, Kris Statlander, back in November. A ready-made storyline for a rematch is practically gift-wrapped for Tony Khan. Statlander has her hands full with “Timeless” Toni Storm at WrestleDream, but a returning, re-energized Shida waiting in the wings is a tantalizing prospect. A clash between two of the division’s most respected powerhouses feels like a main event waiting to happen.

Then there are the new Women’s Tag Team Championships. It seems every wrestling promotion is contractually obligated to introduce tag titles, and AEW is no different. Finding a suitable partner for Shida could be an interesting challenge. It would need to be someone who can match her intensity and in-ring prowess, immediately establishing them as a credible threat to whoever holds the new gold. Welcome back, Shida. Now, let’s see some heads get kicked.