How AEW star Willow Nightingale keeps the joy
All Elite Wrestling star Willow Nightingale explains to OutKick how she's able to keep that joy.

Thekla becomes No 1 contender for AEW Women’s World Championship at All Out

by · Fox News

When the "Toxic Spider" lost her grip on the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Women’s World Championship, she brushed herself off, regrouped and got herself back into the title picture.

Thekla took one step further toward recapturing the world title on Saturday night at All Out. Willow Nightingale’s hand injury was clearly still bothering her as she tried to unravel herself from Thekla’s web.

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Willow Nightingale and Thekla face off at AEW All Out on Sept. 26, 2026. (Photography by Ricky Havlik)

Thekla nailed Nightingale with a kick to the knee, stomped on the injured hand and then stomped on her head. She pinned Nightingale for the win and immediately became the No. 1 contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship.

Nightingale was hoping to get her title back after losing it to Mercedes Moné at All In back in August. But smiles have turned to frowns over the last few weeks. The best thing Nightingale could do is to get healthy and continue her drive back to the top of the women’s division.

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Willow Nightingale clotheslines Thekla at AEW All Out on Sept. 26, 2026. (Photography by Ricky Havlik)

Now, Thekla and Moné will have to face off at WrestleDream. Both women have had a stranglehold on the women’s division this year.

Thekla defeated Kris Statlander in a strap match back in February to win the title. She held the belt for 165 days before Nightingale shockingly defeated her at Redemption in July. But Nightingale’s reign didn’t last too long.

Moné returned to AEW after a lengthy hiatus and won the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament. She earned the title match against Nightingale and won the championship for the first time.

 

Julia Hart and Skye Blue raise Thekla's hand at AEW All Out on Sept. 26, 2026. (Photography by Ricky Havlik)

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If Thekla wins, she could join Toni Storm and Hikaru Shida as only the third woman to have at least two title reigns. Moné is one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world and isn’t going to let Thekla stomp all over her to get that belt back.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.