When Willow Nightingale’s previous deal with AEW neared its end earlier this year, the former TBS Champion says she didn’t even think about going anywhere else.
Nightingale inked a new “multi-year” deal with AEW in May, keeping her in the same promotion she has mainly worked since 2022.
The move was a no-brainer for Nightingale, who said she didn’t put much thought into landing anywhere else in the industry. She recently explained to the Cleveland News-Herald that her past few years with AEW have encouraged her to keep working with the company.
“The idea of entertaining free agency didn’t even really cross my mind,” Nightingale said, when asked about her recent contract season. “I mean, obviously, the thought was there because it’s a business at the end of the day, but I am so happy where I am, and I feel like my work here is so far from done. And the things that I love about wrestling the most are afforded to me here. I do get to travel and see the world, wrestle [in] other places, wrestle other people. But, also, I get to be a part of our locker room, and it’s changed and grown since I’ve started there, let alone from the people who were there from day one.”
Nightingale has high hopes for the future, not just for herself but for the women’s roster in AEW altogether. While she has her own goals, like gaining a world title and main eventing a pay-per-view show someday, Nightingale mentioned that she’s also focused on making sure she can help the women’s roster as a whole continue to get bigger opportunities.
“I would love to see all of the women get more opportunities and tag matches — even the things that may not necessarily be like me, ‘Willow is the champion,’ or me, whatever. If I could help the girls in any way, if I could help the women’s division and also thrive, I would be very satisfied with that.”
Nightingale’s full discussion with the News-Herald can be read here.
