Hikaru Shida credits Kenny Omega and Dustin Rhodes as helpful locker room leaders in AEW.
When AEW first began, there was great emphasis put on the use of Japanese Joshi wrestlers as Kenny Omega took control of the direction of the AEW women's division.
Hikaru Shida has been one of the top performers in the division since its inception and is once again the AEW Women's World Champion after defeating Toni Storm on AEW Dynamite 200.
Speaking with Digital Spy's Stephanie Chase, Shida praised Kenny Omega for his work with the women's division in the early days of the promotion and said he has helped show the world how good Joshi wrestling is.
"I think he worked especially for Joshi because he wrestled in Japan, and he knows how Joshi is good," she said. "I always say that Japanese Joshi wrestling is the best in the world, and he helped so much to show that to the world. Also, he can speak Japanese. So he helped so much [with] language, too."
She also praised Dustin Rhodes as someone who is always kind behind the scenes and there to help and cheer her up.
"Dustin, he's always nice and cheers me up. Of course, he trained female wrestlers and still helps so much," she said.
Fans can read what Shida has to say about her recent AEW Women's World Championship victory here.
Next for Hikaru Shida is a 4-Way title defense against Saraya, Britt Baker, and Toni Storm at AEW All In. Fans can check out the full card here.
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