Former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida has issued a classy response to now-former AEW Spanish language commentator Willie Urbina, who performed a racially insensitive impression of AEW’s dominant women’s star on AEW Dynamite.
On the most recent episode of Dynamite, a ceremony was held to celebrate AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida where Tony Schiavone presented the then-champion with a new gold-plated, diamond encrusted championship belt to commemorate one year as champion. However, before the segment began, unbeknownst to those in the ring, Willie Urbina was caught mocking the accent of the Japanese star. One day later, Urbina was released.
Shida classily responded, explaining the delay for doing so, with the initial statement issued in English with a follow-up in Japanese.
“I didn’t wanna talk about this before my big day, so let me tell you now. I don’t give a s** what other people say about my race because I love it and I proud of it, and because I know which is fool. I don’t even feel anger. So don’t need to worry about me. Thank you.”
I didn’t wanna talk about this before my big day, so let me tell you now.
I don’t give a shit what other people say about my race because I love it and I proud of it, and because I know which is fool. I don’t even feel anger.
So don’t need to worry about me 😊 Thank you.— HIKARU SHIDA 志田 光 (@shidahikaru) June 1, 2021
Shida captured the AEW Women’s Championship at the 2020 Double or Nothing PPV Event, defeating ‘The Native Beast’ Nyla Rose in a No Disqualification match. Shida held the title until Double Or Nothing 2021, where the torch was passed to Britt Baker.