Less than a day after capturing the interim ROH Women’s Television Championship, Mina Shirakawa competed in a women’s casino gauntlet match at AEW’s Texas event while still nursing broken hands. AEW commentator Tony Schiavone mentioned during an episode of AEW Dynamite that Shirakawa was injured near the end of the match after taking a move from Athena. However, a new report from the Wrestling Observer clarifies that Shirakawa actually broke her hand executing a spinning back fist on former AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa. Details about how long Shirakawa will be sidelined remain unknown, as do AEW/ROH’s plans for her reign as interim ROH Women’s Television Champion.
Meanwhile, ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet also suffered an injury while wrestling in Mexico last month. AEW President Tony Khan stated that Velvet’s injury was considered manageable, but due to her inability to defend the title at the ROH Supercard of Honor on July 11, a four-way match was held to crown an interim champion. Kiyokawa emerged victorious against Sakazaki Yukini, Yamashitamiya, and Persephone. On July 12, Athena defeated Shirakawa to earn future title shots at the AEW Women’s Championship. Her upcoming challenger will be “CEO” Mercedes Martinez, who continues to hold her own championship.
Fan Take: Shirakawa’s injury and the rise of interim champions highlight the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling and the depth of AEW’s women’s division. For AEW fans, this could set the stage for thrilling rivalries and intense competition as athletes fight to prove themselves amidst these setbacks.
