50 Best Wrestlers Of The 2020s (So Far)
48. Hikaru Shida
In a part of the half-decade defined by stunted growth and constant uncertainties in women’s wrestling, Hikaru Shida was a constant force.
As the longest-reigning AEW Women’s World Champion in the promotion’s early years, Shida didn’t just carry the division – she was it. Her title reign during the pandemic era brought consistency, legitimacy, and standout matches at a time when AEW’s women’s scene was still finding its footing. Shida’s reign from 2020 to 2021 included gritty battles against Nyla Rose, Thunder Rosa and Ryo Mizunami. Despite often wrestling without a live crowd, Shida delivered emotionally resonant performances that kept fans invested from home.
Her 2023 resurgence only added to her legacy. Shida became a three-time AEW Women’s World Champion with a memorable victory over Toni Storm on the 200th episode of Dynamite. That match proved she was not just a placeholder, but still one of the best pure wrestlers in the company. Her style blends precision strikes, fluid movement, and believable babyface fire, and has been adapted through eras. From empty-arena matches to sold-out pay-per-views, she remained a benchmark for quality and work ethic. Her Dynamite clash with Jamie Hayter in late-2022 was a modern classic, showcasing the best of her strong-style influence and advertising AEW’s evolving women's division.
From the darkest until the dawn, she wasn't just one of the company's best but also quietly their most crucial.