Summary

AEW taped the April 2 episode of Collision at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Hikaru Shida made her return during the show. Shida answered Willow Nightingale’s open challenge for the TBS Title.

The appearance marked Shida’s first AEW match since November 2024, when she wrestled Kris Statlander. She worked in Japan during 2025 and most recently wrestled at OZ Academy Sonoko Kato Retirement ~ Final Blue Dragon in November 2025.

What Hikaru Shida’s return means for the AEW TBS Title picture

Shida stepping straight into Willow Nightingale’s open challenge immediately adds a former three-time AEW Women’s World Champion to the TBS title conversation, which raises the level of competition around Willow’s run.

It also gives AEW another established singles name back on Collision, which can quickly shape upcoming women’s division matchups depending on how this title challenge plays out on the broadcast.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.