Riho, the inaugural All Elite Wrestling Women’s Champion, has worked her final foreseeable date with Japanese promotion Stardom.
The all women’s league is owned by Bushiroad, the parent company of New Japan Pro Wrestling, and have recently moved to feature only contracted performers on their roster.
Despite having not featured on AEW television since the March 18th episode of Dynamite, in which she competed in a four way match against Kris Statlander, Penelope Ford and victor Hikaru Shida, Riho remains under contact with All Elite and as such, was ineligible to continue working with Stardom under the new ruling.
Prior to the travel restrictions brought about by the global pandemic, Riho had largely split her time between the two promotions, as well as making occasional appearances for the likes of DDT and Gatoh Move/Choco Pro in Japan.
Her most recent run in Stardom, though well received, was largely bereft of storyline involvement, most likely due to her contractual situation.
Instead, Riho mainly competed in exhibition bouts, as well as entering the 10th annual Goddess of Stardom tag league alongside Gokigen Death (albeit, the pair were ultimately unsuccessful).
Whilst travel restrictions remain in place. it is unclear when Riho may next be permitted to attend AEW tapings in the US.
Domestically, however, it is entirely possible that the former champion might choose to resurface in DDT or sister promotion Tokyo Joshi Pro, another all women’s company.