During tapings for this Fridays episode of AEW Rampage, we would get an announcement in regards to former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shidas status in the Owen Hart Memorial Cup. Tony Schiavone would announce that due to ‘injuries’ Shida would miss her first round match in the tournament – but a replacement has already been named.
Kris Statlander Steps Up For Tournament
Replacing Hikaru Shida in the first round of the Owen Hart Memorial Cup is none other than Kris Statlander. Recently undergoing a gimmick change, Statlander has been showing a more serious side of her personality on AEW Dark, and will now face Red Velvet in the Owen Hart Memorial Cup.
Given Red Velvet is now aligned with TBS Champion Jade Cargill, we could see the start of Statlander going after that championship. Statlander has been considered one of the best workers in the company for a while now, and would be a perfect person to hand Cargill her first AEW loss.
Hikaru Shida Has Been Active In Japan Since AEW Match Where She Was “Injured”
As for Hikaru Shida, she doesn’t actually seem to be injured. Shida has been active in the ring over in Japan, and seems to be staying over there for a while. AEW has used her recent street fight with Serena Deeb as a way to write her off TV. Since that match, Shida has worked four matches in Japan – for the following promotions: TJPW, Oz Academy, Wave, and Ice Ribbon.
It’s very likely that creative plans simply changed after Shida defeated Julia Hart to qualify for the tournament. AEW might also be using this to help build up Serena Deeb – who is set to challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship at Double or Nothing later this month. Deeb is going to face Thunder Rosa, someone who looked up to Deeb when she started her professional wrestling career.
Do you think Kris Statlander will go on to win this tournament? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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