All Elite Wrestling Women's World Champion Willow Nightingale is preparing for her first title defense against Mercedes Moné at the upcoming All In event at London's Wembley Stadium. Nightingale earned the championship at Redemption, while Moné secured her shot by winning the Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament.
For Nightingale, the reality of being champion didn't fully set in until the "Dynamite" show following her victory. She described the immediate aftermath as a whirlwind of recovery and press obligations, with the crowds' reception on "Dynamite" making the title feel real. "Holy crap, I'm the world champion," she recalled thinking.
Nightingale anticipates a divided crowd at Wembley, acknowledging Moné's significant impact on professional wrestling. "I'm definitely expecting a split crowd. I'll be completely honest," she stated. "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."
She believes facing an opponent of Moné's caliber is a true test of her championship status. "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."
Nightingale, a fan favorite and member of The Conglomeration, previously held the TBS Championship twice. Her journey to the top of AEW began with appearances on "AEW Dark: Elevation" and Ring of Honor before being featured more prominently. She highlighted her mindset of always wanting to do what's best for the company.
Her preparation for Moné involves significant mental fortitude. "A lot of it really comes down to like the mental toughness," Nightingale 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 32-year-old New York native joined AEW in 2021 and has worked her way up, emphasizing that she does not take her current position lightly. "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."
All In is scheduled for August 30 at Wembley Stadium. Nightingale previously lost the TBS Championship to Moné during Moné's lengthy reign with the belt. The upcoming match marks a significant moment for Nightingale, as she aims to solidify her reign as world champion on a massive stage.