Former AEW Women’s World Champion, Hikaru Shida, who has been out of the AEW scene since November 2024, is currently in Japan handling her visa renewal.
On a recent Twitch stream, fellow AEW wrestler, Kenny Omega, provided more context about Shida’s whereabouts, saying,
“Regrettably, Shida had to go back to Japan, as everyone must return to their homeland every few years to renew their visa. It’s a pity that her cats might have been left alone indefinitely, considering the uncertainty of the visa process timeline. Unfortunately, this time the process is taking longer than expected. Her cats suffer from separation anxiety, and they dislike being alone. My cat, Dobby, is typically very calm. They get along well together. It’s an enjoyable experience for me, and I regard it as a pleasure rather than a burden.”
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone recently made an appearance on the “Undisputed” podcast. During the conversation, she delved into her career and participation in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament.
Expressing her passion for wanting to wrestle overseas before departing WWE, Mone said, now she can finally chase that dream.
Here are some highlights from the podcast:
On the exhilaration she feels when in the ring: “Being in the ring makes me feel alive, and I’m certain this is where I belong.”
On her interest in experiencing the Japanese and UK women’s wrestling: “My desire to explore the world of Japanese and UK women’s wrestling is finally becoming a reality. No more am I dreaming about it, I’m pursuing it now.”
Julia Hart claimed the AEW TBS Championship from Kris Statlander at AEW Full Gear 2023, a short period after tying the knot. The close timing of these two significant events in relation to her birthday, made her feel like she had fast-tracked simultaneously several milestones in her life.
Recently, on the “AEW Unrestricted” podcast, Hart spoke about her TBS Title win and insights from the podcast include:
On becoming the TBS titleholder soon after her wedding: “It felt like I had leaped forward by five years in my life, given the flurry of major life events happening in succession.”
On the importance of being present: “The experiences were so overwhelming and filled with blessing. I tried to soak in every moment as I was aware that such occasions don’t come around often.”
An excerpt from Julia Hart’s appearance on AEW Unrestricted can be seen in this embedded video below: