Hikaru Shida captured the TBS Championship on the July 1 episode of AEW Dynamite after the title was vacated due to Willow Nightingale’s shoulder injury. The championship was decided in the first-ever Survival of the Fittest elimination match in AEW, featuring six competitors who qualified in recent weeks.
Shida secured the victory by defeating Kris Statlander via referee stoppage in the closing moments of the match. The bout also included Persephone, Queen Aminata, Maika, and Harley Cameron, all of whom earned their spots through qualifying matches leading into the event.
Hikaru Shida TBS Title Win
The match progressed with multiple eliminations that shaped the final stages. Persephone played a key role early by eliminating both Harley Cameron and Queen Aminata, gaining momentum with two quick pinfalls. Hikaru Shida later eliminated Maika, while Kris Statlander removed Persephone from the match to set up the final showdown.
The last two competitors, Shida and Statlander, exchanged offense in a competitive sequence that lasted several minutes. With rope breaks not allowed under the match rules, Shida applied an ankle lock following a series of pin attempts. Statlander attempted to escape by crawling toward the ropes and grabbing the ring apron.
During this moment, Persephone interfered by striking Statlander in the head with the title belt, leaving her unable to continue. Shida followed up by applying a submission hold, and the referee stopped the match, awarding her the victory and the championship.
This win marks Shida’s first title reign since her second AEW Women’s World Championship run ended in November 2023. The result also establishes her as the new face of the TBS Championship following Nightingale’s injury-related vacancy.
Order of eliminations:
Persephone eliminated Harley Cameron
Hikaru Shida eliminated Maika
Persephone eliminated Queen Aminata
Kris Statlander eliminated Persephone
Hikaru Shida eliminated Kris Statlander to win
Hikaru Shida Wins TBS Title In Survival Of The Fittest Match
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