A former champion made a surprise return to AEW programming after a lengthy absence, stepping back into the spotlight for the first time in well over a year.
Hikaru Shida returned on AEW Collision, answering an open challenge from Willow Nightingale for the TBS Championship. Despite the comeback moment, Shida was defeated via backslide, and briefly teased a post-match attack with a cane before backing off.
The appearance marked Shida’s first AEW match since November 2024, when she lost to Kris Statlander, bringing an end to a nearly 500-day absence from the company’s in-ring action.
Why Has Hikaru Shida Been Absent From AEW TV?
Hikaru Shida’s time away was partly due to visa-related delays, as previously referenced by Kenny Omega in 2025. Although Shida had indicated she was returning to the United States last October, it remained unclear when she would reappear on AEW television until now.
During her absence, Shida stayed active in Japan, competing in multiple matches across several promotions. An AEW original since 2019, Shida is a three-time AEW Women’s World Champion, with her most recent reign coming in 2023, and her return adds further depth to the promotion’s women’s division moving forward.
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