Hikaru Shida wasn’t expecting to hold the AEW Women’s Championship again.
AEW’s 200th episode of Dynamite was capped off with a title match between AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm and challenger, Hikaru Shida. In their previous singles encounter, Storm emerged victorious. This time, though, Shida secured the win to become the new AEW Women’s Champion.
With this win, Shida marked the beginning of her second reign with the title. Shida’s first reign, of course, started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. Shida held onto the AEW Women’s Championship for over a year until she was dethroned by Britt Baker at AEW Double or Nothing in May 2021.
Speaking with Denise Salcedo, Shida admitted that she was surprised upon learning she’d be winning the championship again. While Shida didn’t expect to hold the title again, she’s especially excited to reprise her role as champion in front of the AEW fans, something she was devoid of during her first reign.
“Of course, I always wanted [to be champion again],” Shida said. “The first time I was champion, it was only six months since I moved here [to the United States]. There’s a lot of things I couldn’t do. For example, the interview, I [wasn’t] comfortable with interviews because I worry about my English. I know I still need to do work, but now I’m feeling much, much better. I can relax and I can talk what I want to. So, I’ve always felt there were a lot of things I couldn’t do as a champion. So I always wanted, but I really didn’t expect it [to happen], especially right before our biggest show, Wembley. I was so surprised, but I did it.”
Following her victory over Toni Storm, Shida initially felt she was living a “dream.” Upon waking up the next morning, the reality settled in. Now, Shida pivots her attention to AEW All In, where she will defend the AEW Women’s Championship against Saraya, Toni Storm, and either Britt Baker or The Bunny.
READ MORE: Saraya Earns Spot In AEW Women’s Title Match At AEW All In
