Why Former World Champion Is Unable To Return To AEW TV

By AG

Posted on July 20, 2025

• Why Former World Champion Is Unable To Return To AEW TV

Hikaru Shida, a 3-time AEW Women’s World Champion and one of the promotion’s original signees, has been notably absent from All Elite Wrestling television since November 2024. According to a report from Fightful Select, Shida’s lengthy time away from AEW stems from ongoing visa complications. She has been based in Japan for most of 2025, unable to return to the United States while awaiting approval of her paperwork. These delays are not uncommon for international wrestlers, especially as immigration processes have become more difficult in recent years, impacting travel and work permissions.

While unable to compete for AEW, Shida has remained active in the Japanese wrestling scene, performing for various local promotions to stay ring-ready. During her absence, fellow AEW star Kenny Omega has helped by looking after her cat in the United States, a gesture that has been mentioned in several fan discussions and streams.

Many fans and AEW colleagues were surprised by her absence from marquee events, given her previous prominence in the women’s division. Despite these frustrations, Shida has expressed optimism and remains eager to return to AEW once her visa situation is resolved, a sentiment she’s shared on her YouTube channel and social media updates.

For now, there’s no confirmed timetable for her return, but she continues to assure supporters that she is looking forward to resuming her AEW career as soon as possible.

• Daniel Cormier Reveals Why UFC Title Fight With Brock Lesnar Didn’t Happen

Daniel Cormier was scheduled to defend the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Brock Lesnar in 2018 after their confrontation, but according to Cormier himself, that super fight was always destined to remain just fantasy. During an interview on MightyCast with Demetrious Johnson, Cormier shed light on the behind-the-scenes business realities that kept the battle of heavyweight titans from ever getting booked.

Cormier revealed that the main reason the fight never came together was the money – specifically, WWE’s willingness to pay Lesnar more than the UFC could realistically offer.

When “The Beast Incarnate” had the option between putting his body on the line against an elite, active champion like Cormier, or pocketing huge paydays for sticking with WWE entertainment, the decision, financially, was a no-brainer. WWE not only provided Lesnar with a safer and steadier gig but also offered more security and long-term income than a one-off UFC payday.

Cormier, still a fan of Brock’s star power, even joked in the interview that Lesnar will always have an “open door” wherever he goes, simply because his name brings eyes and big business. But, in this case, WWE’s financial offer outshined UFC’s pitch, showing just how much value the wrestling powerhouse saw in keeping Brock on their roster and away from the risks of MMA.

WWE simply made Lesnar an offer he couldn’t refuse – one that protected his brand, his health, and his bank account. For fans, it remains one of the great “what ifs” in combat sports history, a reminder that in the fight game, sometimes the money really does have the final say.

• WWE Star Lost Return Match Last Night Before SmackDown

Kiana James is officially back in action. On this week’s SmackDown, eagle-eyed viewers spotted Kiana in the background of a segment with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, deep in conversation with none other than Women’s United States Champion Giulia. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but for Kiana James fans, it was the perfect tease.

WHY’S KIANA WITH GIULIA?? WAIT#Smackdown pic.twitter.com/OjNTRqjKAd
— 𝓙𝓸𝓱𝓷 (@TwistedJohnX) July 19, 2025

But that’s not all: earlier in the night before SmackDown began, Kiana laced up her boots for her first WWE match in over a year, taking on Michin in a bout taped for WWE Main Event, which she lost. If you’ve followed her journey, you know Kiana has been out since last summer due to a nasty leg injury, even being pulled from WWE’s internal roster for a time.

Oooh @kianajames_wwe is back! #WWEMainEvent #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/oDXrDwFuZq
— Ralph Manalo (@RJPManaloART) July 18, 2025

For those new to the Kiana James hype train – she made a name for herself in NXT, capturing the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship. Drafted to RAW last year, her main roster momentum was sadly derailed by that leg injury, leading to a long road of rehab and rumors about her future.

Now, with her first match back in the books and a little backstage cameo alongside SmackDown’s heavyhitters, it looks like Kiana James is finally ready to shake up the main roster scene.