Huge Update On Hikaru Shida’s AEW Status Amid 14-Month Absence

A new update has been given on the AEW status of Hikaru Shida as she continues to be absent from the company.

The last time Hikaru Shida was seen in AEW was when she lost to Kris Statlander on the November 20th 2024, edition of Dynamite. During her absence, she has competed in a handful of matches in Japan, where she went up against another missing AEW star in Kota Ibushi in mixed tag team bouts.

Speaking on her YouTube channel back in June 2025, Hikaru Shida noted that she hoped to return to AEW soon, but her visa application is taking longer to process than ever before:

I really hope to. Visa, especially nowadays, it’s getting hard. AEW has so many wrestlers and the lawyer has to do so many things. I know it takes time. I hope I can go back to AEW soon.

For now, I am enjoying my stay in Japan and getting more energy to wrestle in the US again. I’m looking forward to my comeback. Please wait and I’m so glad if you support me.

Still No TV Return For Hikaru Shida In AEW

Shida has still not made her return to TV since then, but it seems that, unlike some other absent stars, Shida is still very much part of the AEW family.

Fightful Select reported that Hikaru Shida was backstage at AEW Dynamite in Orlando, Florida. Shida is said to live in the area and was simply visiting the roster. It remains to be seen when she will be able to get back in an AEW ring.