Backstage Update On Riho's AEW Status

Former AEW Women's World Champion Riho could soon be back on TNT.

by Andy H Murray
Riho AEW
AEW

Former AEW Women's World Champion Riho may soon be on her way back to the company.

Per Dave Meltzer in this week's edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, AEW is currently working on Japanese star's return - and it could happen as soon as February.

Riho recently finished up with Stardom in Japan. Meltzer has previously reported that the leading joshi group wanted her to sign an exclusive contract, though this was made impossible by her existing AEW deal. As a result, Riho was primarily booked on the undercard, but she departed after her last appearance on 26 December.

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Per the writeup, Riho moving to the United States permanently may be a sticking point. Travelling to and from Japan wouldn't be impossible, as PAC is currently doing it from the United Kingdom, though the United States's new travel restrictions would make that difficult.

Perhaps Riho could fill one of the spots on the teased Japanese side of the upcoming AEW Women's Title Eliminator Tournament? Either way, the original AEW Women's World Champion hasn't appeared since the 18 March episode of Dynamite, with the onset of the global health crisis preventing her from getting to tapings.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.