Willow Nightingale
Willow Nightingale | |
---|---|
Birth name | Danielle Paultre |
Born | North Valley Stream, New York, U.S. | January 25, 1994
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Eye Candy Willa Monet Willow Monet Willow Nightingale |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Billed weight | 183 lb (83 kg) |
Billed from | Long Island, New York |
Trained by | Bull James Mike Mondo |
Debut | February 27, 2015 |
Danielle Paultre (born January 25, 1994), better known by the ring name Willow Nightingale, is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a member of The Conglomeration and a former AEW TBS Champion.[1] She also performs for AEW's partner promotions New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where she was the inaugural Strong Women's Champion, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), where she is a former CMLL World Women's Champion.
In addition to her work in AEW and NJPW, Nightingale is known for her tenures with Ring of Honor[2] and Shimmer Women Athletes, challenging for championships in both promotions.[3][4]
Professional wrestling career
[edit]Independent circuit (2015–present)
[edit]Paultre was trained by Mike Mondo at the New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC) school in Deer Park, New York. On February 27, 2015, Paultre, under the ring name Willow Nightingale, made her professional wrestling debut on NYWC's We Can Do It event, losing to Sammy Pickles.[5] A year after her debut, Nightingale won the NYWC Starlet Championship.[6] On November 21, 2018, at Shimmer Women Athletes' Volume 108 event, Nightingale unsuccessfully faced Dust for the Heart of Shimmer Championship.[7] After holding the NYWC Starlet Championship since February 2016, Nightingale lost the title to Kris Statlander on February 23, 2019.[8] Nightingale reclaimed the NYWC Starlet Championship on January 25, 2020, defeating then-champion Tina San Antonio in a steel cage match.[9] On February 26, 2022, Nightingale defeated Johnny Radke, Dino Might, and John Silver in a four-way match to win the NYWC Fusion Championship.[10]
All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2021–present)
[edit]Championship pursuits (2021–2023)
[edit]On May 3, 2021, Nightingale made her All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut, competing on AEW Dark: Elevation against Thunder Rosa, to whom she lost.[11] On June 6, Nightingale made her Ring of Honor (ROH) debut on ROH's Women's Division Wednesday program, where she defeated Alex Gracia.[12] On August 4, Nightingale competed in the ROH Women's World Championship tournament to determine the inaugural champion, losing to Allysin Kay in the first round.[13] On December 3, Nightingale defeated Mandy Leon to become the number one contender for the ROH Women's World Championship.[14] On December 11, at Final Battle, Nightingale unsuccessfully challenged Rok-C for the Women's World Championship.[15] Following Final Battle, ROH went on hiatus. During this hiatus, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan purchased ROH.
On April 1, 2022, at Supercard of Honor, Nightingale faced Mercedes Martinez for the interim ROH Women's World Championship but was defeated.[16] On April 8, on AEW Rampage, Nightingale participated in the Owen Hart Cup tournament, losing to Red Velvet during a qualifying round match.[17] On June 6 episode of Ring of Honor, Nightingale successfully defended the Strong Women's Championship against Rachael Ellering.[18] On June 17, at Road Rager, Nightingale challenged Jade Cargill in a match for the AEW TBS Championship, which Willow lost.[19] Nightingale challenged for the championship again at Battle of the Belts IV, losing once again.[20] On the October 21 episode of Rampage, it was announced that Nightingale had signed with AEW.[21]
On June 2, 2023, Nightingale defended the Strong Women's Championship against Emi Sakura on All Elite Wrestling's television show AEW Rampage, marking the first time that title was defended outside of NJPW. On June 17 at the premiere episode of Collision, Nightingale teamed up with Skye Blue to defeat Ruby Soho and the AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm.[22] Nightingale competed in the 2023 Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament, winning over Nyla Rose and advancing to the finals by defeating Athena in the semifinal round.[23][24] On the July 15 episode of Collision, Nightingale defeated Ruby Soho to win the women's tournament. On July 16, it was announced that Willow will be facing Athena at Death Before Dishonor of year 2023 for the ROH Women's World Championship.[citation needed] This match main evented the Pay-per-view and during this match Willow was not successful as Athena retained.[25] On September 23, 2023, episode of Collision, Nightingale was injured and pulled from the match against Hart. Kiera Hogan was Nightingale's replacement in the match against Hart until she was defeated by Hart. Hart attacked Hogan until Skye Blue came out to make the save, but Blue was misted by Hart, "blinding" her.[26]
TBS Champion; The Conglomeration (2024–present)
[edit]In early 2024, Nightingale formed a tag team with Kris Statlander and they were managed by Stokely Hathaway. On April 21, 2024, at Dynasty, Nightingale defeated Julia Hart to win the AEW TBS Championship.[27] On the May 1 episode of Rampage, Nightingale successfully defended her TBS Championship against Skye Blue in a Manitoba Massacre. On May 26 at Double or Nothing, Nightingale lost the TBS Championship to Mercedes Moné, ending her reign at 35 days. After the match, Nightingale was attacked by Statlander, ending their tag team.[28] Sometime after splitting with Statlander, Nightingale joined The Conglomeration. On the July 3 episode of Dynamite, Nightingale defeated Statlander in to advance to the finals of the Owen Hart Cup.[29] On the July 10 episode of Dynamite, Nightingale lost the Owen Hart Cup finals to Mariah May due to interference from Statlander.[30] On August 25 at All In Zero Hour, Nightingale with fellow Conglomeration member Tomohiro Ishii to defeat Statlander and Hathaway.[31] Since Nightingale's team won, she was allowed to choose the stipulation for her and Statlander's match at All Out on September 7, which she chose to make it a Chicago Street Fight. At All Out, Nightingale was defeated by Statlander, ending their feud.[32] On October 12 at WrestleDream, Nightingale unsuccessfully challenged Mariah May for the AEW Women's World Championship.[33] After WrestleDream, it was reported that Nightingale would take time off to recover from a concussion.[34] On November 23 at Full Gear, Nightingale returned during the AEW World Championship main event between fellow Conglomeration member Orange Cassidy and champion Jon Moxley, where she prevented Moxley's Death Riders stablemate Marina Shafir from interfering.[35]
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (2022)
[edit]On October 29, 2022, Nightingale made her debut for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW) at The Mountain Top 2022, teaming with Yuka Sakazaki, to defeat Maki Itoh and Yuki Kamifuku.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023–present)
[edit]On April 27, 2023, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) announced that Nightingale would compete in a four-woman single-elimination tournament on May 21 at Resurgence to crown the inaugural Strong Women's Champion.[36] At Resurgence, Nightingale defeated Momo Kohgo in the semi-finals and Mercedes Moné in the finals to become the inaugural Strong Women's Champion.[37] She had her first successful title defense on the June 2 episode of Rampage, where she retained the title by defeating Emi Sakura.[38] On July 5, at the second night of NJPW Independence Day, Nightingale lost the title to Giulia, ending her reign at 45 days.[39]
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2024–present)
[edit]Nightingale made her debut for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) on March 29, 2024, at Homenaje a Dos Leyendas, where she teamed with La Catalina and Tessa Blanchard to defeat Lluvia, Stephanie Vaquer, and Zeuxis[40] On July 13 at Fantastica Mania 2024, Nightingale defeated Lluvia and Viva Van to win the vacant CMLL World Women's Championship.[41] On September 13 at the CMLL 91st Anniversary Show, Nightingale lost the title to Zeuxis.[42]
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2024–present)
[edit]On April 4, 2024, at Stardom American Dream 2024, Nightingale made her debut for World Wonder Ring Stardom, teaming with Saki to defeat Syuri and Konami. On May 18 at Stardom Flashing Champions 2024, Nightingale successfully defended her TBS Championship against Tam Nakano.
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]- All Elite Wrestling
- Chikara
- Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- New York Wrestling Connection
- NYWC Starlet Championship (3 times)
- NYWC Fusion Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 40 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2022[46]
- Ranked No. 8 of the top 250 women's wrestlers in the PWI Women's 250 in 2023[47] and in 2024.
- Queens of Combat
- QOC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Faye Jackson
- Women's Wrestling Revolution
- Tournament for Tomorrow (2018) – with Solo Darling
- Other Championships
- Adult Swim Booty Championship (1 time, current; inaugural) - with Orange Cassidy[48][49]
References
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- ^ Broggi, Fabio "Fantomius". "Willow Nightingale: Profile, Career, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won, Gimmick Evolution and Stats | Pro Wrestlers Database". The SmackDown Hotel. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "Willow Nightingale News, Pictures, Videos, Stats and Biography – AEW". Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "NYWC We Can Do It February 27 2015 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
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- ^ "AEW Rampage June 17 2022 Results". allelitewrestling. June 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ Staff, A. E. W. (October 8, 2022). "AEW Rampage & Battle Of The Belts IV Results for October 8, 2022". All Elite Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
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- ^ Powell, Jason (June 17, 2023). "AEW Collision results (6/17): Powell's live review of CM Punk and FTR vs. Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson, Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus for the TNT Title, Toni Storm and Ruby Soho vs. Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue, Andrade El Idolo vs. Buddy Matthews, Miro in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ Malkasian, Mike (June 24, 2023). "AEW Collision Results 6/24/23". Wrestling Headlines. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ Schipman, Samantha (July 16, 2023). "AEW Rampage: Willow defeats Athena to advance to Owen finals". dailyddt.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
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- ^ Lewis, Gino (July 15, 2023). "AEW Collision Review – July 15, 2023". TJR Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Howard, Ryan (April 21, 2024). "AEW Dynasty live results: Samoa Joe vs. Swerve Strickland, Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
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- ^ "Willow Nightingale STRONGest as first women's Champ 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro Wrestling. May 22, 2023. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
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- ^ Black, Matt (July 14, 2024). "Willow Nightingale Captures CMLL Women's World Title At FantasticaMania". Wrestlezone. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "Zeuxis defeats Willow Nightingale for Women's title at CMLL 91st Anniversary Show". F4W/WON. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 15, 2023). "Willow Nightingale Wins 2023 Women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament". Fightful. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ Luis Pulido (July 13, 2024). "NJPW x CMLL FantasticaMania USA (7/13/2024) Results: Mistico, Willow Nightingale, Zack Sabre Jr, More". Fightful. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Fritts, Chris (May 21, 2023). "NJPW Resurgence live results: Strong Women's title tournament Will Ospreay vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi is also set for the show". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
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External links
[edit]- Willow Nightingale's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database
- Willow Nightingale on Twitter
- Willow Nightingale at IMDb
- 1994 births
- American female professional wrestlers
- African-American professional wrestlers
- Living people
- Professional wrestlers from New York (state)
- 21st-century female professional wrestlers
- 21st-century American professional wrestlers
- All Elite Wrestling personnel
- Strong Women's Champions
- Owen Hart Cup winners
- AEW TBS Champions
- CMLL World Women's Champions
- 21st-century American sportswomen