Folks, it looks like it’s going to be a little while before we see Riho, the dynamo from AEW, back in the wrestling ring. After her match against Willow Nightingale on the “Big Business” edition of “AEW Dynamite” last month, she’s taken a detour back to Japan, but not just for some R&R. Riho’s on a mission—to renew her visa.
In a message that’s as sweet as a post-match handshake, Riho updated her fans via Instagram, saying, “I am currently in Japan to renew my visa. I don’t know when I will return to AEW. Please stay healthy and enjoy your life until then.” Now, if that’s not a gracious timeout message, I don’t know what is!
Since throwing down in the second-ever women’s match in AEW’s history back at the inaugural Double or Nothing, Riho has been a whirlwind of high-flying moves and jaw-dropping matches. But when she’s not lighting up AEW, she’s kept busy grappling in rings from Tokyo to Liverpool.
Visa woes are nothing new in the wrestling world, especially in a global outfit like AEW. From Kyle Fletcher’s hold-up in Australia to Jay White’s Canadian capers, and even the CMLL stars hitting a snag stateside, it seems the visa gremlins are on a bit of a rampage lately.
So, while Riho’s sorting out her paperwork, the rest of us will just have to stay tuned and keep cheering from afar. And who knows? Maybe this little break will give her just the zest she needs for her next big AEW showdown. Until then, let’s keep the ring warm for her.