Willow Nightingale is set to make her first defense of the AEW Women’s World Championship at the company’s monumental All In event, facing off against Mercedes Moné. The championship bout marks a significant moment for Nightingale, who captured the title in July from Thekla at the Redemption event. Meanwhile, Moné earned her shot by winning the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament.
For Nightingale, the reality of being a world champion didn’t fully sink in until the “Dynamite” show that followed her victory. She described the immediate aftermath of winning the title as a whirlwind, a sentiment familiar to many athletes after a major achievement.
The Champion’s Journey and Realization
“I think initially when it happened, I didn’t entirely process it,” Nightingale shared in a recent interview. “Especially, like I always feel hung over the day after I wrestle just because it’s so, like, one, I’m getting a little bit older, but two, like you really are just putting everything out there. You’re giving your all and sometimes on show day I do my best to stay hydrated, but sometimes it just takes it all out of you. It dehydrates you a little bit.”
She elaborated on the physical toll of her championship match against Thekla, acknowledging her opponent’s toughness despite her size. “Thekla, she’s tiny, but she’s tough. She gave me hell. She made it really hard for me to get this championship.” The immediate post-match duties, including a press conference with Tony Khan, added to the surreal experience, leaving little room for personal reflection.
However, the atmosphere at the subsequent “Dynamite” show in Detroit provided the moment of clarity. “The Detroit crowd just showed me so much love and that’s really when it hit me. I was like, ‘Holy crap, I’m the world champion.’ So, it has hit me.”
All In: A Defining Test Against Mercedes Moné
Looking ahead to All In, Nightingale views a successful title defense, particularly against a prominent figure like Mercedes Moné, as the ultimate validation. “But I think, going into All In, if I get like a successful title defense under my belt, especially against like Mercedes, I’ll feel kickass, unstoppable. That will be like the test.”
The highly anticipated event is scheduled for August 30th at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London. Nightingale, a fan-favorite and member of The Conglomeration faction, has a decorated history in AEW, including two reigns as TBS Champion, with her most recent reign being cut short by injury after 140 days.
Nightingale anticipates a divided crowd at Wembley, recognizing the significant impact Mercedes Moné has had on the professional wrestling landscape. “So, I’m definitely expecting a split crowd. I’ll be completely honest,” she admitted. “One of my biggest strengths is I know the people are there for me, I know the people are cheering for me, but I would be a fool to not recognize the popularity of Mercedes, even though people see her ways. They see that she’s not truly like a good person at heart. There’s something about her that some people are drawn to. So, I am kind of anticipating that.”
Despite the potential for a mixed reaction, Nightingale remains confident in her ability to connect with the audience and draw strength from their support. “My biggest strength maybe being a little torn, a little split, but as I mentioned, anytime you’re kind of at this caliber, we’re All Elite Wrestling. We’re All Elite, and I’m in world championship tier, right? I am the world champ. The people who are going to be facing me for this are going to be elite. They’re going to be bringing their best. They’re going to be giving their all. So, I have to go in already knowing it’s going to be a hard fight. Already knowing I’m going to have to push through when my body wants to give out.”
Mental Fortitude and the Path to Victory
The key to overcoming Moné, Nightingale believes, lies in mental resilience. “A lot of it really comes down to like the mental toughness,” she explained. “Like, can you tell yourself, when you feel like there’s nothing left, you can push a little more? You can give a little more?” The immense pressure of performing in front of a massive stadium crowd adds another layer to this challenge.
“And then in a crazy stadium like that, with that many people, when they’re all looking down at you, you’re like, ‘Nope, I can’t embarrass myself. I can’t feel shame. I got to keep pushing.’ Which is a thing I’ve felt time and time again where it’s like, listen, you might feel tired. You might feel like you just want to get to the end, but don’t give up. So, I’m preparing myself for that moment.”
A Dream Realized in AEW
Nightingale, 32, who joined AEW in 2021, sees her current position as a significant career highlight. Her journey began on shows like “AEW Dark: Elevation” and included appearances in Ring of Honor. Notably, her previous TBS Championship reign ended when she lost the title to Moné, who then held it for an impressive 584 days.
The New York native expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the highest level within AEW’s women’s division. “Well, I’ve always been a team player. Before I even got to AEW, like when it first started, when the company kind of first got off the ground and was starting to do weekly television, it was very intriguing to me,” she recalled.
Nightingale, who previously worked in a tattoo shop, described feeling like she often followed her own path. “I always felt a little bit like — not completely subculture because I know there’s all these different niches and people be like ‘you’re a poser, you’re not this’ — but I definitely felt like I followed the beat of my own drum and whenever everyone was zigging, I wanted to zag. And so, it was very exciting to have this alternative and to see something fresh and new, and I was like, ‘I want to be a part of that.’”
Her progression through AEW, from “Dark” appearances to being featured more prominently, has been a deliberate climb. “I always just wanted to do whatever was best by the company. And now to be put in this position where it’s like the company is trusting me to put on the best show, to be one of the marquee headliners, to be the world champ, to put me in the position to fight for this and now defend it, I don’t take it lightly.”
Nightingale concluded by emphasizing her commitment to representing AEW at its highest level. “I love AEW. I love the people who have that same mindset where we’re always pushing to be the best. You know, they say we’re the best wrestling, and for me to be at the top of that, is an honor that I just can’t blow. I can’t shrug it away. I got to bring the best.”
