In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida spoke about her run with the title.
Shida held the women’s title for 372 days making her the longest-reigning champion in AEW history thus far.
Despite holding the title for a record-breaking time, during the interview Shida revealed she could’ve done better as champion.
“After losing the title, I was very frustrated. I thought I could have done more and been better as champion.”
Shida defeated Nyla Rose to capture the title at last year’s Double or Nothing. Throughout her reign, she defended the championship eight times before dropping it to current champion Britt Baker earlier this year.
She now has an opportunity to make more AEW history by becoming the first-ever TBS Champion.
“So this tournament for the TBS title means a lot to me. It is a great opportunity to get back to the top.”
On Dynamite, Shida took one step closer to the new title, when she defeated Serena Deeb in a first-round matchup. The win saw Shida become the first women to reach 50 wins in the promotion.
Shida then spoke about her approach to being TV and how she aims to improve going forward.
“I have been learning so much from Kenny Omega and Dustin Rhodes, and they teach about what it takes to be on a TV show.
Being on TV is something an actress does, so I took acting classes. And my English has got so much better from watching Sherlock Holmes on BBC.”
Shida faces her former adversary Nyla Rose in the next round of the TBS Title Eliminator Tournament.
What do you make of Hikaru Shida’s comments? Let us know in the comments below.
