Former AEW Champion Set For Television Return Soon

AEW had to make things work during the pandemic to continue original weekly programming. During that time, some stars shot to the top of the roster, but Riho was left out since she was stuck in Japan at the time. Now, she is finally preparing for another AEW return.

Riho made her return to AEW television after spending a lot of time in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually related to the United States in the past. She has been away for a while and now it seems Riho will be returning soon.

While still being contracted to AEW, Riho has also worked for Stardom. Tony Khan permitted her to do this, but it didn’t come without some controversy as she got heat on her.

Riho was last seen in action for AEW during a Dark: Elevation taping in November 2022. The match took place on November 14th, with Riho teaming up with Willow Nightingale to face Emi Sakura and Mei Suruga. The match was subsequently broadcast on the November 14th episode of the show.

After her appearance on AEW’s Dark: Elevation in November 2022, Riho went on to have two matches for SPW later that same month. However, she has not been seen in the ring since then. According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the first-ever AEW Women’s World Champion is expected to make her return as early as next week, or ‘soon thereafter.’

Riho made history by becoming the first female champion of AEW, securing the title by defeating Nyla Rose on the inaugural episode of AEW Dynamite on October 2nd, 2019. Her reign as champion lasted for an impressive 133 days before eventually losing the championship to Rose in February 2020. We’ll have to wait and see what AEW will have planned for Riho once she is back.

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