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Update on Hikaru Shida AEW Status

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2026

Hikaru Shida remains absent from AEW programming even after resolving her visa issues, with a new update shedding light on her current status.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Shida is still not factored into any creative plans within AEW. The update came during a recent Fightful Select Answers Q&A session, where Sapp addressed fan questions about her whereabouts.

Hikaru Shida AEW Status

Despite being cleared to return and no longer dealing with visa complications, Shida has not been brought back to television. She is currently residing in Orlando, and there is no indication that she will be appearing on AEW programming in the immediate future.

The situation has raised questions, especially since many expected her visa resolution to be the final hurdle before her return. Sapp noted that the assumption internally and among fans was that once she could attend AEW tapings again—particularly with shows frequently held in Orlando—her reintegration into storylines would follow naturally. That has not happened.

Shida’s last appearance on AEW Dynamite came on November 20, 2024, where she was defeated by Kris Statlander. Since then, she has not appeared on AEW television. While she remained active in Japan throughout parts of 2025, she has yet to compete in a match at all in 2026.

Her absence is notable given her accomplishments within AEW. Shida is a three-time AEW Women’s World Champion, and her first reign lasted 372 days, making it one of the longest in the division’s history.

At this time, there is no clear explanation for why AEW has not reintroduced her into storylines. With no creative direction currently in place, Shida’s return timeline remains uncertain despite being available to compete.

Hikaru Shida re-signed with All Elite Wrestling in October 2025 on a new multi-year contract. Stay tuned for more.

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Backstage News on Carmelo Hayes WWE Status Following Title Loss

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2026

Rumors suggesting that Carmelo Hayes would be taking time off from WWE following his United States Championship loss have been debunked.

Speculation began after Hayes dropped the title to Sami Zayn on SmackDown, with Trick Williams playing a key role in the outcome. Williams turned on Hayes during the match, striking him and allowing Zayn to capitalize for the pinfall victory. The sudden loss and betrayal quickly led fans to believe Hayes might be written off television.

Carmelo Hayes WWE Status

Adding fuel to the rumors were viral photos circulating online that appeared to show Hayes getting married to Kelani Jordan. However, a report from BodySlam has clarified that the images were actually from an engagement photoshoot, not a wedding ceremony.

Hayes and Jordan are indeed engaged, but they have not tied the knot. As a result, the idea that Hayes is stepping away from WWE programming for a wedding or honeymoon is inaccurate.

Despite the title change, Hayes is not currently scheduled to take time off as WWE builds toward WrestleMania 42. While his immediate creative direction has not been officially confirmed, the angle with Williams presents a clear path forward. The betrayal sets the stage for a likely feud between the former allies in the coming weeks.

Hayes’ United States Championship reign lasted 98 days after he won the title from Ilja Dragunov on the December 19, 2025 episode of SmackDown.

With WrestleMania 42 scheduled for April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Hayes remains part of WWE’s plans heading into one of the biggest events of the year, even as questions remain about how his storyline will unfold following the shocking turn by Williams.

Backstage News on Carmelo Hayes WWE Status Following Title Loss

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Brody King On His Anti-ICE Stance

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2026

AEW‘s Brody King has addressed the strong fan support he has received for speaking out against immigration enforcement policies, making it clear he does not see the issue as political.

Brody King anti-ICE stance has drawn attention over the past several months, with many wrestling fans showing support during live events. His comments have also sparked discussion beyond wrestling, as his position continues to resonate with parts of the audience.

In a recent interview with Denise Salcedo, King reflected on the reaction he has received since making his views public.

“It has been great, and I feel like when I was younger, I always wanted somebody that felt like me on TV or wherever to express the way that they felt so I can have someone to champion for me,” King said. “If I can be that for other people that are being marginalized, then I want to be that for them.”

King explained that his motivation comes from a personal place rather than a political agenda. He emphasized that he views the issue in simple terms, focusing on what he believes is right and wrong.

“Everyone tries to bring up the political thing,” King said. “In my opinion, it’s just what’s right and what’s wrong, and there’s a lot of wrong happening in the world, and if I can speak out against it, then I will.”

He also pointed to Mick Foley as an example of someone in wrestling who has used their platform to speak out on social issues.

King’s comments highlight how wrestlers today are increasingly using their visibility to address topics outside the ring. In his case, the response from fans suggests that his message has connected with a portion of the audience that appreciates seeing those views represented.

While reactions have varied, King remains firm in his stance and continues to frame his position as a matter of personal responsibility rather than political alignment.

Brody King On His Anti-ICE Stance

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Nielsen Ratings Underestimate TV Viewership & Overestimate Streaming

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2026

Triple H holds his hand out, with his thumb and pinky sticking out, and speaks to an off-screen recepient.

Raymond Hall/Getty Images

The Nielsen saga continues. After recently overhauling their data-collecting methodology to account for non-television streaming numbers, Nielsen has admitted to underestimating TV viewership numbers in their reports, whilst overestimating streaming numbers.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter, using information from The Wall Street Journal, broke the story on March 27. Reportedly, Nielsen’s new methodology has undersold traditional television viewership numbers by 15%, and has overstated streaming statistics by an undisclosed margin. This vast discrepancy has caused a stir in the broadcasting and advertising industries, who largely rely on Nielsen’s ratings when planning advertisements on broadcast and streaming services.

Sources claim that Nielsen was aware of their methodological inaccuracies as recently as “a few weeks ago,” where a combination of new data and television-centric programs such as the Super Bowl and the Olympics caused television numbers to overtake their streaming counterparts. Youtube and Netflix reportedly “freaked out” following the report, and Nielsen held back on publishing their findings to provide “additional data” to other troubled clients.

Nielsen was forced to reassess their practices following The Wall Street Journal’s story. While Nielsen will not make any changes to their methodology ahead of the February Gauge, their monthly television usage analysis report, in order to phase out their old methodology and protect streaming numbers, the ratings giant will begin to integrate DASH data, or data gathered from video-capable streaming devices such as smartphones and tablets. Several figureheads in broadcasting and streaming studies have heavily criticized Nielsen’s recent behavior, and Nielsen themselves admitted fault in their plans to, once again, overhaul their system.

While Nielsen’s recent overhaul saw a temporary bump to several wrestling television programs, longer shows, especially episodes of “Dynamite,” “Collision,” and “SmackDown” with an over-90 minute run time, initially suffered. With April’s high-stakes wrestling schedule quickly approaching, however, shows from both WWE and AEW have seen upticks in viewership prior to Nielsen’s methodological revisions.

Former WWE Champion Chomping At The Bit For Oba Femi/Brock Lesnar Match

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2026

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Across his WWE career, Brock Lesnar has struck fear into and conquered most of his opponents. In looking at Oba Femi on “WWE Raw” recently, however, Big E has yet to see a twinge of concern in his eyes. And for that, Big E finds himself even more invested in the potential events that may unfold between Femi and Lesnar at WrestleMania.

“Maybe it’s something he’s dealing with internally that we don’t see,” Big E said, “but this man has handled this stage with so much aplomb, with so much grace. For me, there are a lot of matches that we’re going to be excited about on the build to WrestleMania, on this road to WrestleMania, but for me, it’s hard not to put this up there. I can’t wait to see what these two do. It’s the biggest test of Oba’s career, bar none. Obviously, he’s been in the ring with Cody Rhodes, our current world champion, face of the company, but there is no one on this planet quite like Brock Lesnar. I’m really excited to see if Oba can get it done.”

For Femi, WrestleMania 42 will mark his first showing on WWE’s biggest stage. In Lesnar’s case, it will mark his 13th, having previously bested the likes of The Undertaker, Triple H, Roman Reigns, and Goldberg on it.

WrestleMania 42 will take Lesnar and Femi to Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18 and 19. As of now, the exact night on which they will wrestle each other has yet to be confirmed.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Raw Recap” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.