Hikaru Shida discusses winning the AEW Women's World Championship for the second time.
On the August 2 episode of AEW Dynamite, Shida became a two-time champion when she defeated Toni Storm to win the gold. She previously won the championship by defeating Nyla Rose at AEW Double or Nothing 2020 and went on to hold the title for 372 days until Britt Baker dethroned her at AEW Double or Nothing 2021.
In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Shida was asked to describe how she felt now that she had the championship again.
“The night was the, I think that was the greatest moment in my life. For me, it’s more important is [it was] in front of fans because the last time I was champion [was] no fans. Actually, I got the title at the first pay-per-view without fans, and I lose the title at the pay-per-view the first week the fans come back. So yeah. When I was champion, all the time is without fans. So I’m so happy, I could hear the cheers of the fans. The moment, that was the best. I felt it was like a dream," Shida said.
Shida then reflected on her first title win, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, she didn't get to experience a championship-winning pop until her crowning moment on the August 2 episode of AEW Dynamite. Shida recalled how it was strange to wrestle without a live crowd, and she expressed her excitement now that they're back.
“During the pandemic, fans cheer us, and I can see that [online]. But I think I always felt like of unsteady because I couldn’t actually hear them. That feeling was so strange. I felt like it was a dream, but also felt, ‘Oh my god, it’s real.’ The fans are there, and I can hear that," Shida said.
When asked to share her reaction to when she found out about her title win and whether she expected it, Shida admitted that she did not.
“To be honest, not really. Of course, I always wanted. But the first time I was champion, it was only six months since I moved here. There’s a lot of things I couldn’t do. For example, the interview, I [didn’t] feel comfortable with interviews because I worry about my English. I know I still need to do work. But now I’m feeling much, much better. I can relax and I can talk what I want to. So I’ve always felt there were a lot of things I couldn’t do as a champion. So I always wanted, but I really didn’t expect it happening, especially right before our biggest show, Wembley, so I was so surprised. But I did it," Shida said.
On the August 9 episode of AEW Dynamite, Shida defeated Anna Jay to retain the title.
Shida will defend the AEW Women's World Championship at AEW All In. More information is available here.
Check out the card for the August 11 episode of AEW Rampage here. Fightful will have coverage of the show as it airs.
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