Hikaru Shida is the new AEW Women’s Champion.
The 200th episode of AEW Dynamite promised to be a special one following the news that The Elite had re-signed with the company, and so it proved by the time the show went off the air.
The first match for All In was confirmed, and Rob Van Dam made a surprise debut, all before Shida and Toni Storm took to the ring in the main event. Storm has been at the top of her game in recent months having defeated Jamie Hayter to win the Women’s Title back at Double or Nothing. Flanked by The Outcasts Storm has looked unstoppable, but that luck ran out on Dynamite.
Saraya and Ruby Soho looked to get involved in the match from ringside, but their efforts backfired after the British star threw a kendo stick into the ring. As Storm begged Shida to hit her to get disqualified, the challenger turned and hit Soho instead. Storm tried to use the distraction to her advantage, blinding Shida with spray paint and hitting the Storm Zero, but her rival kicked out to a loud ovation.
Storm went to hit the move again, but Shida reversed into a backdrop and a quick pin to earn the victory. The loss ended Storm’s Women’s Title reign at 66 days.
When Was Hikaru Shida Women’s Champion Before?
Hikaru Shida won the AEW Women’s Title back at Double or Nothing in 2020, although she missed out on celebrating in front of fans during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, much of her reign played out in front of no or very limited crowds.
Shida held the gold until being defeated by Britt Baker at Double or Nothing 2021. Her reign spanned 372 days, which is an AEW record.