It has been revealed that Japanese wrestling star Yuka Sakazaki will be making her return to AEW this summer. Sakazaki’s home promotion, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, announced on Twitter that she would be leaving for the United States after TJPW’s show on July 1.
Yuka Sakazaki last appeared for All Elite as part of the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament. Sakazaki’s matches were filmed in Japan, and the last time she was able to perform for AEW in the US was February 2020.
Sakazaki returned to Japan in 2020 and has been unable to return to the States due to the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With these restrictions now beginning to ease, she will be able to return to the States and re-join the Women’s division.
Yuka Sakazaki returns to All Elite
It is worth noting that Sakazaki is scheduled to return to TJPW on August 14. The Japanese star will be returning home for the TJOW show in Korakuen Hall.
Although AEW have signed a number of Japanese stars, some are still free to pursue contracted appearances back in Japan. Some major AEW stars such as Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley are, or have been, contracted to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
AEW President Tony Khan is reportedly a big fan of the Joshi style of pro wrestling in Japan, and Kenny Omega has been ‘running’ the Women’s division since the inception of AEW.
Omega has many ties to promotions and talents in Japan, and is a huge proponent of Joshi himself, so the company will likely be looking to bring over even more Japanese stars in the coming months.
