All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Women's World Champion Willow Nightingale attributes her persistent joy and resilience, even amidst challenges, to her upbringing and her mother's experiences as an immigrant. Nightingale is currently preparing for a high-profile title defense against Mercedes Moné at AEW's upcoming event, All In, scheduled for August 30 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Nightingale, known for her energetic ring entrances and smiling demeanor, acknowledged in an interview with OutKick that maintaining a positive outlook isn't always easy. However, she explained that her mother's journey, who moved to the United States at age 24 with two children and no other family, instilled in her a sense of strength and the importance of mutual support.
"I think the difference is I was really fortunate in growing up in a household that had a lot of love and support," Nightingale stated. "I saw my parents struggle with a lot. My mom moved to this country when she was 24 years old with no other family. She had two kids already. She was pretty alone when she came here, but she did it for better opportunity."
She recalled her mother's philosophy: "And so, for me, that is how I always think about it." Even during difficult financial times, her mother emphasized that family unity was paramount and that there was always something to look forward to.
Nightingale also finds inspiration in small, joyful moments. She shared an anecdote about being on the "Guardians of the Galaxy" ride at Disney World and hearing her favorite song, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." This experience, she said, left her in awe and served as a reminder to cherish positive feelings, especially when facing adversity.
"Hold on to this feeling because in a week's time, you're probably going to be kicking your own butt and you're going to be feeling terrible. But you have to remember that there's little moments like this," she said. "Something as silly as being on a roller coaster to one of your favorite songs. It's going to be so beautiful and you will experience something like this again. Hold on to this. Enjoy it now."
This mindset extends to her professional wrestling career. Nightingale aims to hold onto the joy of performing and connecting with fans, recognizing the impact they have on her as well. "And that is the thing that brings the smile of ‘nothing matters, smile anyway’ smile of Willow Nightingale," she added.
Nightingale became the AEW Women's World Champion after defeating Thekla at Redemption. Her upcoming match against Moné at All In marks one of the key bouts at the company's major annual show. She is also scheduled to defend her title against Maya World on "Collision" prior to the All In event.