Gail Kim Criticizes Riho’s AEW Presentation – TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim has sparked online discussion after posting comments about her discomfort with the way AEW star Riho has been presented. In a series of posts, the seven-time TNA Knockouts World Champion explained why she felt uneasy watching Riho’s matches in the past, pointing to issues with camera work, attire, and the believability of her competing against larger opponents. Her remarks quickly drew strong reactions from fans and may have prompted a cryptic response from AEW Executive Vice President Kenny Omega.
While replying to a clip of Jim Cornette discussing Riho, Kim shared her own thoughts. “I will say, and I haven’t watched AEW in a very long time, but when I did watch Riho and nothing against her at all bc I am the biggest supporter of all women who wanna make it in this business, but I did feel uncomfortable watching her because the camera shots would go up her skirt and she was always dressed like a very little girl and it felt improper,” Kim wrote.
She continued, “I am also into very believable Wrestling. Not everyone is especially nowadays. And it was very hard for me to believe a little girl that was being portrayed of that size was fighting the women they had in that division. To put it into context, I find Io, Mia, Asuka, Kairi and Lei Ying to be more believable and I don’t feel uncomfortable watching.”
When a fan compared Riho’s size to former WWE star AJ Lee, Kim clarified that her concern was not about Riho’s talent or stature alone. “OK, I’m not taking anything away from her talent. I’m talking about what I saw years ago and what made me feel uncomfortable. She looked like a very young girl in a frilly skirt and the camera man was up her ass. It just felt inappropriate to me,” she added, later stating she would not comment further on the topic.
Shortly after Kim’s remarks gained attention, Omega posted a message many fans interpreted as a response: “Another day and another ‘legend’ doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket…”
Kim remains one of the most influential female wrestlers of her era, having captured championships in both WWE and TNA. After retiring from in-ring competition, she moved into a backstage talent relations role with TNA but was released in March 2025 during a corporate shakeup that led to several executive departures.
Gail Kim Criticizes Riho’s AEW Presentation
