Japanese Star Returning To AEW Full-Time?

AEW roster to be bolstered by full-time acquisition?

by Andy H Murray
Yuka Sakazaki
AEW

Yuka Sakazaki could be in line for an AEW return after wrapping her commitments with Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling this week.

Sakazaki will wrestle her final match for TJPW this Wednesday (6 December), facing Miyu Yamashita and Shoko Nakajima in a special three-way 'Graduation' bout at the '10th Anniversary Performance ~ Yuka Sakazaki Graduation Special' event. After this, the former Princess of Princess Champion is moving to the United States.

As Yuka has been featured by AEW consistently throughout the promotion's four-year lifespan, landing in Tony Khan's company full-time has been speculated.

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That Sakazaki would be departing Japan for the United States was announced back in May. TJPW and Yuka herself confirmed that she would be overseas-based in 2024, doing so ahead of an official press conference.

Yuka has worked 23 bouts for AEW thus far, having debuted at the promotion's first ever event, Double or Nothing, in a six-person tag. There, she teamed with Emi Sakura and Aja Kong in a defeat to Hikaru Shida, Riho, and Ryo Mizunami. The 'Magical Girl' last wrestled for AEW at a Dark: Elevation taping this February, besting Vertvizen.

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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.