Willow Nightingale making history. AEW is, too, with its 200th Dynamite in its Tampa debut

Video interview with Owen Hart Cup winner Willow Nightingale as AEW gears for “AEW Dynamite 200” (its 200th episode) live on TBS on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from the Yuengling Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Go Bulls.

AEW, which makes its Tampa debut, will also tape “AEW Rampage” for TNT.

Nightingale is riding the wave, recently winning the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament for the Owen Hart Cup in AEW and prior beating Mercedes Mone for the inaugural Women’s Strong Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

She beat Mone for that title on May 21, 2023 in the main event of NJPW’s “Resurgence” in Long Beach, California. She defeated Momo Kohgo, before facing Mone.

For the Owen Hart Cup, she defeated Nyla Rose and Athena to reach the finals. Then she beat Ruby Soho for the cup and title on July 15, 2023 during “AEW Collision” on TNT from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Owen’s hometown.

With a victory over Athena in the tournament, the two then main evented Ring of Honor’s “Death Before Dishonor” PPV, where Athena successfully defended her ROH title. It marked the first time women main evented a ROH PPV.

That historic match occurred at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey. That’s not far from Nightingale’s hometown, Long Island, New York. Family and friends were in attendance for that big match-up, making this fan favorite even more popular.

Nightingale, 29, who designs her own ring gear, brings a positive vibe to the ring, with her attire, entrance music and good-nature appeal -- waving, running and smiling. She is especially happy when showing off her favorite color purple. She connects with fans, even those who may not like purple.

Born in North Valley Stream, New York, Nightingale played tennis growing up. She loved pro wrestling, playing WWE video games. Now AEW has its own video game, and she can not wait to be part of it.

Nightingale made her pro wrestling debut in February 2015 at a New York Wrestling Connection show. The group also has a pro wrestling school in Deer Park, New York, where she trained, learning from WWE NXT alum Bull James (Bull Dempsey) and WWE alum Mike Mondo (Mikey/The Spirit Squad). Bust a move.

Hopefully Nightingale wrestles Aug. 2 in Tampa for AEW Dynamite 200 and/or AEW Rampage and records a win. She is 0-2 in Tampa, losing to Jennacide in September 2021 at a GCW show and to Funny Bone, Nurse Ratchet & The Super Beast in a six-person tag match in August 2021 at an IWTV show.

Of note, Nightingale was ranked No.40 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women’s 150 in 2022. She is a former Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas (with Solo Darling) and Queens of Combat Tag Team Champion (with Faye Jackson). She has also wrestled for Shimmer, a respected all women’s wrestling promotion.

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