Willow Nightingale Returns to AEW, Wins Women’s Casino Gauntlet for World Title Opportunity

Willow Nightingale made an immediate impact in her return to AEW, emerging victorious in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite. The win secures Nightingale a future shot at AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla at AEW Redemption.

The high-stakes gauntlet featured a loaded field of competitors and plenty of chaos from start to finish. ROH Women’s World Champion Athena and Maya World kicked off the match, trading offense until Skye Blue entered as the third participant. Blue wasted no time making her presence felt, bringing a kendo stick to the ring and using it to gain the upper hand.

Mina Shirakawa joined the action next, followed by Stardom’s Rina, adding an international flavor to the contest. Outside the ring, Athena delivered a brutal attack on Blue by driving her back-first into the ring steps.

The match continued to escalate when Julia Hart arrived carrying a trash can lid. Hart unleashed a flurry of offense on the field before she and Blue turned their attention to AEW officials, using chairs in a wild confrontation at ringside.

Thunder Rosa entered as the seventh competitor and immediately went after Hart and Blue. Rosa also exchanged hard-hitting strikes with Rina and scored a notable combination neck breaker and back breaker. Athena briefly regained momentum, but several competitors prevented her from capitalizing.

The biggest reaction of the match came when Nightingale entered as the eighth participant. Returning from injury, the former TBS Champion stormed into the ring and quickly changed the complexion of the bout. Nightingale ran through the competition, delivering a series of power moves that included a devastating powerbomb to Athena on the ring apron and a Death Valley Driver on the arena floor.

With the field cleared, Nightingale sealed the victory by planting Julia Hart with another powerbomb, earning the decisive pinfall and securing her championship opportunity.

The celebration was short-lived. AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla left the commentary desk and attacked Nightingale after the match, sending a clear message ahead of their upcoming title clash. Elsewhere, Lena Kross and Megan Bayne brawled with Skye Blue and Julia Hart near the entrance ramp, adding even more chaos to the post-match scene.

To close the segment, 2026 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner Mercedes Moné made her way to the ring. With both Thekla and Nightingale present, Moné inserted herself into the situation by taking out both women, further complicating the AEW women’s championship picture.

With Nightingale back in action, Thekla holding the title, and Moné looming as a major threat, the road to AEW Redemption just became significantly more interesting.

AEW Dynamite Beach Break Preview 7/8/2026

AEW Dynamite Beach Break live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park in Clearwater, Florida.

  • AEW World Championship Match: MJF (c) vs. Kenny Omega – (If Omega loses, he can never challenge for the AEW World Championship again)
  • AEW International Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Women’s World Title Number 1 Contender Casino Gauntlet Match: Athena vs. Rina vs. Skye Blue vs. Maya World vs. TBA
  • Chris Jericho vs. Tommaso Ciampa
  • Paul Wight teased in-ring appearance

Paul Wight Teases In-Ring Appearance During AEW Dynamite Beach Break – ‘It’s A Big Secret’

AEW may have a surprise in store for fans during tonight’s special Dynamite: Beach Break event, and it could involve one of the company’s biggest stars stepping back into the spotlight.

Speaking with 10 Tampa News ahead of the show, AEW veteran Paul Wight teased that he will be involved during the broadcast and suggested that fans may see him inside the ring.

“I am going to be in the ring, doing something,” Wight said. “I can’t tell you what, because it’s a big secret. But if you come, you will see me maybe slap some people around.”

While Wight stopped short of revealing exactly what he has planned, his comments have sparked speculation that the former world champion could be preparing for a rare physical appearance on AEW television.

Wight has largely worked as a commentator, ambassador, and backstage mentor during his time with AEW. Injuries and health issues have limited his in-ring activity in recent years, with his last AEW match taking place in late 2023 and his most recent wrestling appearance coming in early 2024.

Despite that absence, Wight recently made it clear that retirement is not currently in his plans. During an interview earlier this year, he stated that he still hopes to compete again and even named Kenny Omega and Darby Allin among the AEW stars he would be interested in facing.

Interestingly, Omega is scheduled for one of the biggest matches of the night at Beach Break. The former AEW World Champion will challenge MJF for the AEW Men’s World Championship in a bout carrying major implications. If Omega comes up short, he will permanently lose the right to challenge for the AEW World Championship again, joining Cody Rhodes and Hangman Adam Page on that list.

Tonight’s card is also set to feature Konosuke Takeshita defending the AEW International Championship against Kyle Fletcher, Chris Jericho facing Tommaso Ciampa, and a Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match to determine the next challenger for AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla at AEW Redemption.

Whether Wight’s involvement is tied to one of those matches or something entirely different remains to be seen, but his comments have certainly added another layer of intrigue heading into one of AEW’s biggest television events of the summer.

AEW Collision Preview 7/2/2026

AEW Collision airing on a special night tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max, taped from the Viejas Arena in San Diego, California.

  • Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match #1 Spot Qualifier: Athena vs. Rina
  • Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match #2 Spot Qualifier: Maya World vs. Julia Hart
  • Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Adam Copeland & Bang Bang Gang
  • Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney vs. PAC & Claudio Castagnoli
  • Brian Cage vs. Andrade
  • Kyle Fletcher vs. ELP
  • The Rascalz vs. Mike Bailey, Mistico, and Bandido
  • The Demand vs. TBA.
  • Thunder Rosa and Mina Shirakawa vs. TBA

AEW Dynamite Preview 7/1/2026

AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Viejas Arena in San Diego, California

  • Fallout from Forbidden Door
  • AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Survival of the Fittest to crown a new TBS Champion: Maika vs. Harley Cameron vs. Hikura Shida vs. Persephone vs. Kris Statlander vs. Queen Aminata

Report: Big Bill Gives Notice To AEW, WWE Reunion With Enzo Amore Expected

A familiar tag team could soon be making its way back to WWE.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Big Bill has informed AEW that he will not be remaining with the company once his contract expires. The report notes that Bill’s deal is set to run out within the next week, effectively bringing an end to his four-year run with AEW.

The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has been rumored as a potential WWE return candidate for months, and the latest report indicates that WWE is expected to be his next destination.

Perhaps even more interesting is who may be joining him.

Fightful reports that Enzo Amore is also expected to sign with WWE, setting the stage for a reunion of one of the company’s most popular tag teams from the mid-2010s. The duo rose to prominence in NXT before becoming fan favorites on the main roster as Enzo and Cass.

Despite their popularity, the team never captured WWE Tag Team Championship gold before splitting in 2017. Their partnership came to an end when Big Cass turned on Enzo, leading to a brief singles run before injuries and other circumstances ultimately led to both men’s departures from WWE.

While Enzo has been a free agent and available to sign for some time, the report states that WWE intentionally waited for Bill’s contractual situation to be resolved before moving forward. The goal reportedly was to secure both talents at the same time rather than bringing one in without the other.

Big Bill joined AEW in 2022 after previously wrestling for Impact Wrestling and on the independent scene. During his AEW tenure, he enjoyed a successful run alongside Ricky Starks, with the pair capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship. He later aligned with Chris Jericho as part of The Learning Tree faction and remained a regular presence on AEW programming.

At this stage, it remains unclear where the reunited duo would debut. WWE could opt to bring them back through NXT, where they first became stars, or place them directly on the main roster.

Neither WWE nor AEW has officially commented on the report, but if the move becomes official, fans may soon be hearing one of the most recognizable catchphrases of the past decade back on WWE television.

AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door 2026 Results – Jay White Returns

AEW returned with another supersized edition of Forbidden Door, bringing together talent from AEW, NJPW, CMLL, and STARDOM for one of the most stacked cards of the year. The event featured championship matches, interpromotional dream encounters, Owen Hart Cup Finals action, and a major return that could have significant implications moving forward.

Before the main card began, fans were treated to several matches on The Buy In pre-show.


The Buy In Results

Drilla Moloney def. Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia targeted Drilla Moloney’s knee throughout the contest while Marina Shafir provided a constant distraction at ringside. Garcia appeared poised for victory after locking in the Dragon Tamer and later connecting with Twist and Shout.

However, Moloney overcame the odds and capitalized on a timely distraction from Shafir. He caught Garcia in mid-air and planted him with the Drilla Killa to score the win.

Maika def. Skye Blue

TBS Championship Survival of the Fittest Qualifier

In her AEW debut, STARDOM standout Maika impressed with a dominant performance against Skye Blue. Blue used every shortcut available to keep herself in the match, but Maika’s power proved too much to overcome.

After a brutal brainbuster on the apron, Maika finished things off with a Michinoku Driver to advance to the upcoming Survival of the Fittest match for the vacant TBS Championship.

Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) def. Thunder Rosa & Olympia

AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

Thunder Rosa and Olympia came close to dethroning the champions, generating several near falls during an energetic tag team encounter.

The champions eventually regained control when Lena Kross and Megan Bayne connected with From Heaven to Hell on Rosa, allowing Kross to secure the pinfall and retain the titles.


Forbidden Door 2026 Main Card Results

The Young Bucks def. Sky Team and Unbound Company

The opening match featured a chaotic trios showdown pitting The Young Bucks against Sky Team’s Mistico and Mascara Dorada and NJPW representatives Shingo Takagi and Titan.

The action never slowed down, with high-risk dives, Canadian Destroyers, and multiple near falls highlighting the contest.

In the end, The Young Bucks capitalized on a brief opening and connected with the Meltzer Driver on Titan to score the victory.


Kenny Omega def. Zack Sabre Jr.

Two of the best wrestlers in the world delivered another technical masterpiece.

Sabre focused relentlessly on Omega’s arm throughout the match, constantly looking for submissions and ways to neutralize Omega’s offense. Omega repeatedly escaped danger and responded with several V-Triggers and Snap Dragon suplexes.

After surviving a Zack Driver and multiple submission attempts, Omega finally landed the One-Winged Angel to secure a hard-fought victory.


Jon Moxley def. Bandido

AEW Continental Championship Match

Bandido brought speed and creativity while Moxley delivered his trademark brand of brutality.

The champion ripped at Bandido’s mask, busted him open, and repeatedly dragged the match into deep waters. Despite several impressive near falls and a tremendous effort from the challenger, Bandido eventually faded while trapped in the Bulldog Choke.

Moxley retained the Continental Championship via submission before helping Bandido to his feet in a rare show of respect after the match.


Shota Umino def. PAC

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match

PAC dominated much of the early action, attacking Umino before the bell and controlling large portions of the match.

Umino survived everything from a Brutalizer attempt to an Awesome Bomb through a table before mounting a comeback. Following a hard-fought exchange, Umino connected with the Northern Lights Bomb to retain the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.

Afterward, Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared to celebrate with Umino while Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir observed from ringside.


Thekla def. Starlight Kid

AEW Women’s World Championship Match

Thekla and Starlight Kid battled in one of the night’s most intense women’s matches.

Starlight Kid repeatedly targeted the champion’s leg and came within inches of capturing the title on several occasions. Thekla, however, survived every challenge and eventually halted the challenger’s momentum with a decisive spear and a pair of crushing stomps.

Thekla retained the AEW Women’s World Championship before escalating her rivalry with STARDOM President Taro Okada following the match.


Cope & Christian Cage def. The Dogs

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage reunited to face David Finlay and Clark Connors in tag team action.

The War Dogs controlled much of the contest, isolating Christian and attacking his arm. After Copeland received the hot tag, momentum shifted dramatically.

As Finlay appeared poised to steal the victory with a shillelagh, the lights suddenly went out. When they returned, Jay White had made his return, laying out Finlay with a Blade Runner.

Copeland capitalized moments later by hitting a Spear on Finlay for the victory.


Mercedes Moné def. Maya World

Owen Hart Cup Final

Maya World pushed Mercedes Moné to the limit in one of the standout matches of the night.

Despite surviving multiple Meteoras, the Money Maker, and numerous submission attempts, Maya continued to battle back and came close to pulling off a major upset.

The CEO ultimately managed to lock in the Statement Maker, forcing Maya to submit.

With the victory, Mercedes Moné won the Owen Hart Cup for the second consecutive year and earned another AEW Women’s World Championship opportunity at All In.


Team Briscoe def. Team MJF

Blood & Guts Match

Chaos defined the annual Blood & Guts match.

Weapons, tables, thumbtacks, ladders, backpacks, and even a Nintendo Entertainment System became part of the action as both teams waged war inside the cage.

The closing moments saw tensions finally boil over within Team MJF. Andrade shocked everyone by turning on MJF and revealing a shirt that read:

“F** Don, F*** MJF.”*

The betrayal opened the door for Mark Briscoe to deliver a decisive Jay Driller, earning the victory for his team.

As a result, Briscoe secured a future AEW World Championship match against MJF.


Will Ospreay def. Swerve Strickland

Owen Hart Cup Final – Main Event

The main event delivered an instant classic between Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland.

Both competitors endured a brutal battle filled with near falls, blood, and increasingly desperate attempts to put the other away. Hidden Blades, House Calls, Storm Breakers, Styles Clashes, and vertebreakers all failed to end the match.

Late in the contest, Jon Moxley and the Death Riders appeared at ringside, creating a dramatic atmosphere as Ospreay fought through exhaustion and punishment.

After surviving everything Swerve threw at him, Ospreay finally resorted to the Tiger Driver, a move he had previously vowed to avoid. The maneuver proved decisive, allowing him to score the pinfall victory.

With the win, Ospreay captured the 2026 Owen Hart Cup and earned his long-awaited world championship opportunity on one of AEW’s biggest stages later this summer.


AEW Forbidden Door 2026 Results

The Buy In

  • Drilla Moloney def. Daniel Garcia
  • Maika def. Skye Blue – TBS Championship Qualifier
  • Divine Dominion def. Thunder Rosa & Olympia – AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

Main Card

  • The Young Bucks def. Sky Team & Unbound Company
  • Kenny Omega def. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Jon Moxley def. Bandido – AEW Continental Championship
  • Shota Umino def. PAC – IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
  • Thekla def. Starlight Kid – AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Cope & Christian Cage def. The Dogs
  • Mercedes Moné def. Maya World – Owen Hart Cup Final
  • Team Briscoe def. Team MJF – Blood & Guts Match
  • Will Ospreay def. Swerve Strickland – Owen Hart Cup Final

Forbidden Door 2026 featured major interpromotional clashes, championship defenses, the return of Jay White, and two Owen Hart Cup winners. The biggest headline coming out of the event is Will Ospreay’s victory over Swerve Strickland, positioning him for a marquee championship opportunity in the months ahead.

AEW Collision Preview 6/27/2026

AEW Collision tonight on TNT and HBO Max at 8/7c.

  • Mercedes Moné & Athena vs. Maya World & Hyan
  • AEW World Trios Championship: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, & Kyle O’Reilly (c) vs. Hook, Katsuyori Shibata, & Anthony Bowens
  • TNT Championship: Kevin Knight (c) vs. Dezmond Xavier
  • CMLL Women’s World Championship: Persephone (c) vs. Billie Starkz
  • Mistico & “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Tony Nese & Ari Daivari
  • Chris Jericho vs. JD Drake
  • Jake Doyle vs. Adam Priest

AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door 6/28/2026 (Card)

AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door – Sunday June 28 –

CARD

  • Steel Cage Match: MJF, Kevin Knight & Kyle Fletcher, Jake Doyle & Andrade El Idolo vs. Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin & Konosuke Takeshita
  • Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Finals: Mercedes Mone vs. Maya World
  • Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Finals: Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Thekla (c) vs. Starlight Kid
  • AEW Continental Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Bandido
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (c) vs. The Dogs
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match: Shota Umino (c) vs. PAC
  • The Young Bucks vs. Mistico & Mascara Dorada vs. Shingo Tagaki & Titán

AEW Dynamite Preview 6/24/2026

AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Rio Rancho Events Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

  • The Young Bucks vs. TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Mikey Nicholls)
  • Trios Match: Místico & Brodido vs. The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta)
  • AEW International Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Ricochet
  • Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Harley Cameron vs. Marina Shafir
  • Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Queen Aminata vs. Red Velvet
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Jack Perry vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Will Ospreay vs. ELP
  • Team Briscoe to speak
  • Team MJF to speak