Why Riho Hasn't Wrestled Since July 2024 (AEW News)
Riho has worked just nine AEW matches since April 2023.
Riho hasn't wrestled for AEW in over six months after getting injured in her last bout for the promotion, rendering her unable to compete for a period.
This is per Fightful Select, who state that Riho was injured while wrestling Lady Frost at the 6 July 2024 Collision tapings. There is currently no word on when she might be ready to return to AEW, though the former AEW Women's World Champion was at the World's End pay-per-view in December, training before the broadcast.
Riho's AEW schedule has grown increasingly sporadic over the years. Crown AEW's first Women's Champion in October 2019, defeating Nyla Rose, she spent much of the 2020 lockdown in Japan, competing for Stardom. She returned to AEW for 23 matches in 2021, but worked only 9 bouts the following year, and has struggled with injury issues since.
Nonetheless, Riho was an important early figure whose 2019 performances in particular had a demonstrably positive impact on quarter-hour ratings, particularly in the P18-49 demographic.
The current AEW women's division has changed significantly from Riho's time as champion, with the likes of Mercedes Mone, Willow Nightingale, Jamie Hayter, Toni Storm, and Mariah May rising to prominence. This opens up a multitude of potentially fresh opponents for Riho whenever she returns to television.