Former AEW Women's World Champion returns after 171 days; gets attacked

A former AEW Women's Champion made her in-ring return on the promotion for the first time in over five months. She ended up taking the win as well. This would be Hikaru Shida.

The Japanese star has not been seen on the promotion since January 10, when she wrestled Queen Aminata in singles action on AEW Rampage. She took a break from wrestling following this before having a brief run in ROH from March to April. The 36-year-old ended up unsuccessfully challenging Athena for the ROH Women's World Title. This would be the last time she was seen in the ring before tonight.

Hikaru Shida faced Deonna Purrazzo in the Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament Quarter Final. Almost two months from now, the winner of the entire competition will receive a world title match for AEW All In.

The Virtuosa took control of the match on multiple occasions, even putting Shida through a Fujiwara Armbar. In the end, the former women's champion was able to outmaneuver her opponent and even successfully hit her Katana finisher for the victory.

After the match, Purrazzo was not happy with her loss and even attacked Shida, but as she threatened to strike her with her katana weapon, Thunder Rosa came out for the save.

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