Tag: Willow Nightingale

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.

Willow Nightingale Injured, Forced To Vacate AEW TBS Championship & Withdraw From Owen Hart Tournament

AEW suffered a major setback on Wednesday night as Willow Nightingale revealed she is dealing with a shoulder injury that will sideline her indefinitely.

During a backstage segment on AEW Dynamite, Nightingale announced that the injury occurred during her recent TBS Championship defense against Red Velvet on Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision. Because of the injury, she confirmed she will no longer be able to compete in the Owen Hart Tournament and has officially vacated the AEW TBS Championship.

Nightingale had originally been scheduled to face Alex Windsor at Double or Nothing this Sunday as part of the tournament.

In the emotional pre-taped promo, Nightingale remained optimistic despite the disappointing news.

“But as sure as this smile remains on my face, I will be back,” Nightingale said before leaving the TBS title behind in the locker room area. “I don’t know when, but I’ll tell you this — I’m coming right back to the top.”

Following the segment, AEW commentary confirmed that a mystery wild card entrant will replace Nightingale in the Owen Hart Tournament bracket.

AEW also announced changes to the Double or Nothing card as a result of the injury. Instead of the previously planned tournament match involving Alex Windsor, the pay-per-view will now feature Mina Shirakawa taking on ROH Women’s World Champion Athena.

At this time, AEW has not revealed how a new TBS Champion will be crowned.

Nightingale captured the TBS Championship for the second time earlier this year when she defeated Mercedes Moné at Dynamite: New Year’s Smash to close out 2025. Her latest title reign lasted 140 days before being cut short by injury.

Fans across social media quickly rallied behind Nightingale following the announcement, with many already looking forward to her eventual return to AEW television.

AEW’s Willow Nightingale To Be First Woman Inducted Into New York Indie Hall Of Fame

There’s no doubt that Willow Nightingale has had a 2024 to remember. The AEW star has held both the AEW TBS and CMLL World Women’s Championships, made it to the finals of the Owen Hart Cup for the second year in a row, was Mercedes Mone’s first opponent in AEW at Double or Nothing, and had one of the more memorable hardcore matches of the year against friend turned foe Kris Statlander at All Out, among other accolades. Now Nightingale is adding another accomplishment, one a little closer to home in Long Island, New York.

Independent wrestling promotion New York Wrestling Connection has announced that Nightingale will be inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame on October 19. The induction will take place during NYWC’s Homecoming of Madness event, taking place at the promotion’s home arena, the NYWC Sportatorium.

“Being recognized in this way by the place I learned my fundamentals, got my start, and grew into the Willow I am today is such an honor,” Nightingale said on X. “Thank you NYWC Wrestling. Can’t wait for October 19th.”

Nightingale joins a who’s who of notable names in the NYWC Hall of Fame, including AEW co-workers Jerry Lynn, Tony Nese, Trent Berreta, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver. It’s also a historic occasion, as Nightingale will become the first ever women’s wrestler to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

By the time her induction rolls around, Nightingale may have added another accolade to her career year. Following her win over Saraya, Jamie Hayter, and Nyla Rose last night on “AEW Dynamite,” Nightingale will challenge Mariah May for the AEW Women’s World Championship this Saturday at WrestleDream. A victory would make Nightingale the first women in AEW history to have reigns as both AEW TBS and AEW Women’s World Champion.

Source: Wrestling Inc.