Former Champion in AEW Writes Heartbreaking Post Describing the Hardships Japanese Superstars Are Currently Facing in the Company

The former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida was the longest-reigning Women’s Champion in the promotion. Hikaru Shida last wrestled on the January 12 episode of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite. She lost to Serena Deeb, who attacked her knee. Since then, she has taken time away from the company. 

Hikaru Shida, writing for Weekly Pro Wrestling, stated that she is “struggling to survive in the current AEW,” and detailed the problems that Japanese wrestlers face while coming to the AEW.

Hikaru Shida spoke about AEW issues in a column!

In the column, she mentioned, “My feeling is that the hurdle for Japanese women’s pro wrestlers to come to AEW has become much higher.” Hikaru also added that AEW is a continuously growing wrestling business, however, at the beginning of the AEW launch, the company would heavily rely on female Japanese wrestlers.

“AEW is an organization that is constantly changing, and the players come and go very rapidly. TV and YouTube. If you’ve been following AEW on FITE TV or YouTube, you’ll know that the women’s division, in particular, has seen an increase in the number of young and dynamic wrestlers over the past years,” mentioned the former women’s world champion.

Shida continued, “On the contrary, it has become more of a handicap in terms of language barrier, obtaining a work visa, and the Corona disaster.” 

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The 33-year-old stated that despite being a former AEW Women’s Champion, she is not getting the treatment that is deserved.

“In AEW, there is a high degree of freedom for the players, but because of that, everything is their responsibility. For example, there is basically no assistance from the organization in finding a place to live, even if you are Japanese. That’s how it was for me,” Hikaru Shida added.

Hikaru gave an example of her friend

Hikaru explained the situation by citing an example of her friend Emi Sakura. The former women’s champion mentioned that her friend Emi Sakura had to find a room in the USA by herself. She came to America with the same determination as Hikaru; however, Emi Sakura was not given a chance to participate in TV matches. 

“There is a fierce battle to get a chance to compete before you can show off your skills in a match. That is what AEW is today,” Shida added.

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Hikaru Shida, in the conclusion of her column, stated that once the pandemic is over, she is hoping that her fellow mates from the Joshi wrestling promotion would return to prominence in the division. 

Meanwhile, hopefully, All Elite Wrestling will take some action regarding these issues detailed by Hikaru as soon as possible.