TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim has sparked online discussion after posting comments about her discomfort with the presentation of AEW star Riho. In a series of posts, the seven-time TNA Knockouts World Champion responded to a fan by detailing why she has felt uneasy watching Riho’s matches in the past, citing issues with camera work, attire, and the believability of her competing against larger opponents. The comments drew a strong reaction from fans and may have caused a cryptic response from AEW executive Kenny Omega.
While responding to a clip of Jim Cornette speaking about Riho, Kim offered her own perspective. “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 added, “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 pushed back, comparing Riho’s size to that of former WWE star AJ Lee, Kim clarified that her issue was with the overall presentation rather than just her size. “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 responded. Kim later stated she would not be commenting on the matter further. The situation took another turn when AEW EVP Kenny Omega posted a cryptic message that many fans interpreted as a response to Kim, writing, “Another day and another ‘legend’ doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket…”.
Gail Kim is widely regarded as one of the most influential female wrestlers of her generation, having won championships in both WWE and TNA. After retiring from full-time competition, she transitioned into a backstage role with TNA, working in talent relations. However, she was released from the company in March 2025 as part of a significant corporate shakeup that saw several executives depart the promotion.
And if you’re not talking about me then I’ll apologize but with all the tribalistic crazies out yesterday misinterpreting things, I was yes, assuming so. https://t.co/n5S0T12BuX
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 24, 2025
If you’re trying to beat around the bush and misinterpret things like the rest of the yahoos, let me clarify that you are wrong. https://t.co/n5S0T123Fp
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 24, 2025
I listenedto this whole clip. Which I said I didn’t want clips, but that’s fine. The only issue that I had was that he made a comment about her teeth.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 (1/4) https://t.co/R3i2ARS60a
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
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(2/4) https://t.co/R3i2ARRyaC
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
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. (3/4) https://t.co/R3i2ARRyaC
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
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 https://t.co/nVhseDTLE4 just felt inappropriate to me. https://t.co/5iSk2KCvkQ
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
I’m not going to comment on the Riho thing again. I have stated my opinion. It was a four part tweet so you can look at that again if you don’t understand what I was saying. It was more than about her size. It was a combination of things. I was asked about it, and I answered.
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
Oh my god. READ the tweets. I said I saw one show and I felt uncomfortable with the little girl outfit where they shot up her ass and then the match didn’t look believable. My X Notifications are going crazy so I need to clarify. Damn. People here are insane. https://t.co/e3BmZYFJVk
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
Another day and another “legend” doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket… 🥱
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) September 24, 2025
