Willow Nightingale becomes the inaugural NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion. WWE adds two more title matches to Night of Champions. AEW gear up for Double or Nothing. Judi Rae speaks with WrestleZone, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up.
Willow Nightingale Wins The NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship
History was made Sunday night.
On May 21, New Japan Pro-Wrestling made their way over to Long Beach, California to host their Resurgence event. This night also served as a coronation for the first ever NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion. NJPW stringed together a four-woman tournament to determine the inaugural titleholder. The field features representatives from AAA, Stardom, AEW, and NJPW.
The opening round saw Mercedes Moné beat Stephanie Vaquer, while Willow Nightingale defeated Momo Kohgo to advance to the finals. Moné and Nightingale later met in the main event of Resurgence.
Moné and Nightingale battled back and forth throughout the match, but in the end, it was Nightingale who emerged victorious after landing a second Doctor Bomb to her opponent. As such, Willow Nightingale was crowned as the first ever NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion. After the match, though, fans noticed that Moné appeared to suffer an injury to her right leg as officials carried her backstage.
Here is a recap of the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship Tournament Finals between Mercedes Moné and Willow Nightingale, courtesy of our live coverage page.
Willow and Mercedes square off and feel each other out. They go back and forth, and Moné dodges a splash. Willow trucks over Moné with a pounce and takes control. Mercedes hits a chop block, but Willow maintains the advantage. Willow drops Mercedes with a cartwheel kick. Nightingale continues to overpower Moné and slams her to the mat. Willow locks in a Boston crab, but Mercedes reaches the ropes. Willow plants Mercdes with a superplex. Moné rallies, but Willow fires back and hits the Doctor Bomb for a near fall. Willow hits a second Doctor Bomb for the win.
Winner and new NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion: Willow Nightingale
READ MORE: NJPW Resurgence Results (5/21): Jon Moxley, Mercedes Moné, More
Bianca Belair & Rhea Ripley Scheduled To Defend Their Titles At WWE Night of Champions
The wrestling world is preparing for a huge pay-per-view weekend coming up. For WWE fans, they will receive a double dose of action as the company presents Night of Champions and NXT Battleground on back-to-back nights. As WWE heads over to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions on Saturday, they have added two new title matches to the card.
After Asuka made her surprise return on SmackDown, WWE has announced that she will soon challenge Bianca Belair for the RAW Women’s Championship. Asuka, of course, made her intentions very clear, as she delivered blue mist to the eye of Belair during her homecoming celebration in Knoxville on the May 12 edition of SmackDown. In response, the two battle in a WrestleMania 39 rematch.
Elsewhere on the card, Rhea Ripley will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against veteran Natalya. “The Queen of Harts” made her return to the red brand after Ripley swiftly defeated Dana Brooke on the May 8 episode of RAW. Natalya and Ripley then engaged in a staredown until Ripley retreated with her ally, Dominik Mysterio. Last night on RAW, Ripley vowed to end Natalya’s legendary career as she defends her title at Night of Champions.
Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch will also be in action at the May 27 premium live event. On Monday, the two signed the contract for their match after exchanging some fiery words. “Welcome to the big time, b*tch! Woof, woof,” Lynch taunted, before Stratus flipped the table to end the segment.
After the conclusion of Night of Champions, WWE shifts gears to NXT Battleground in Lowell, Massachusetts. That event will crown a brand-new NXT Women’s Champion.
RELATED: WWE Raw Results (5/22/23)
AEW Double Or Nothing: Hayter vs Storm, Cargill vs Valkyrie
In the wake of Jamie Hayter’s absence last week, her allies Britt Baker and Hikaru Shida stepped up to face Toni Storm and Ruby Soho on AEW Dynamite. After Storm pinned Baker, she pivoted her attention to the AEW Women’s World Champion. As such, AEW announced that Storm will challenge Jamie Hayter for the AEW Women’s Championship at Double or Nothing on May 28.
Hayter’s reign, of course, first began when she defeated Storm at Full Gear back in November. Can Storm regain the title?
After the AEW Women’s Championship match was confirmed, the company revealed that the TBS Championship would also be on the line at Double or Nothing. After reaching two quick victories on Rampage, Jade Cargill seemed poised to face a third opponent. Before a bell could ring, though, Taya Valkyrie emerged to attack the reigning the TBS Champion. The two last met in late-April.
Cargill went on to defeat Valkyrie in their previous encounter. Out of frustration, Valkyrie attacked AEW referee Aubrey Edwards, causing the company to issue her a suspension. With her suspension now lifted, Valkyrie challenged Cargill to a rematch at Double Or Nothing.
AEW Double or Nothing will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on Sunday, May 28.
RELATED: TBS Title Match, Trios Bout Added To AEW Double Or Nothing
INTERVIEWS
“The Appalachian Queen” Judi Rae spoke with WrestleZone‘s Ella Jay about the upcoming Revolution Rising II event, women who’ve helped her along in her wrestling journey, lessons she’s learned from her acting coach, her recent character change, and more.
WWE NXT Superstar Tiffany Stratton appeared on Notsam Wrestling to discuss staying in NXT after the draft, her ranking in WWE 2K23, getting advice from Natalya, watching Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair, and more.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley appeared on Wrestling with Rosenberg to talk about her match with Zelina Vega in Puerto Rico, finding herself with the Judgement Day, working with Dominik Mysterio, moving back to Australia, and more.
“The Python Powerhouse” Steph De Lander spoke with Pario about aligning with Matt Cardona, her journey in wrestling so far, her goals for the future, and more.
“The Queenslayer” Anna Jay joined Under The Ring to discuss wrestling in crazy brawls, being in Dark Order and JAS, her new unique shirt, and more.
RESULTS
Capital Championship Wrestling: Flatline
- Harleen Lopez defeated Avery Jax
- The Vanity Twins (Jaida Vanity & Jordyn Vanity) defeat Layla Luciano & Taira James
- BCP ICONS Title: Cosmic (c) defeated Nikii Duke
- Paris Van Dale defeated Kaia McKenna
- Ladies Night Out Title: Janai Kai (c) defeated Renee Michelle
- CCW Title #1 Contendership: KiLynn King defeats Vita VonStarr (w/ Brittany Blake)
- CCW Network Title #1 Contendership Gauntlet: Notorious Mimi defeated Brittany Blake and Jordan Blade and Laynie Luck and Myla Grace and Ultra Violette
- CCW Global Fighting Title: Rebecca Scott defeated Billie Starkz (c) – TITLE CHANGE
