Willow Nightingale
Nightingale in January 2020
Birth nameDanielle Paultre
Born (1994-01-25) January 25, 1994 (age 30)
North Valley Stream, New York, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Eye Candy
Willa Monet
Willow Monet
Willow Nightingale
Billed height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Billed fromLong Island, New York, U.S.
Trained byBull James
Mike Mondo
DebutFebruary 27, 2015

Danielle Paultre (born January 25, 1994), better known by the ring name Willow Nightingale, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[1] She also performs for AEW's partner New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where she was the inaugural Strong Women's Champion.

In addition to her work in AEW and NJPW, Nightingale is known for her tenures with Ring of Honor[2] and Shimmer Women Athletes, challenging for championships in both promotions.[3][4]

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2015–present)

Nightingale in 2018

Paultre was trained by Mike Mondo at the New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC) school in Deer Park, New York. On February 27, 2015, Paultre, under the ring name Willow Nightingale, made her professional wrestling debut on NYWC's We Can Do It event, losing to Sammy Pickles.[5] A year after her debut, Nightingale won the NYWC Starlet Championship.[6] On November 21, 2018, at Shimmer Women Athletes' Volume 108 event, Nightingale unsuccessfully faced Dust for the Heart of Shimmer Championship.[7] After holding the NYWC Starlet Championship since February 2016, Nightingale lost the title to Kris Statlander on February 23, 2019.[8] Nightingale reclaimed the NYWC Starlet Championship on January 25, 2020, defeating then-champion Tina San Antonio in a steel cage match.[9] On February 26, 2022, Nightingale defeated Johnny Radke, Dino Might, and John Silver in a four-way match to win the NYWC Fusion Championship.[10]

All Elite Wrestling (2021–present)

On May 3, 2021, Nightingale made her All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut, competing on AEW Dark: Elevation against Thunder Rosa, to whom she lost.[11] On April 8, 2022, on AEW Rampage, Nightingale participated in the Owen Hart Cup tournament, losing to Red Velvet during a qualifying round match.[12] On June 17, at Road Rager, Nightingale challenged Jade Cargill in a match for the AEW TBS Championship, which Willow lost.[13] Nightingale challenged for the championship again at Battle of the Belts IV, losing once again.[14] On the October 21 episode of Rampage, it was announced that Nightingale had signed with AEW.[15]

On June 2, 2023, Nightingale defended the Strong Women's Championship against Emi Sakura on All Elite Wrestling's television show AEW Rampage, marking the first time that title was defended outside of NJPW. On June 17 at the premiere episode of Collision, Nightingale teamed up with Skye Blue to defeat Ruby Soho and the AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm.[16] Nightingale competed in the 2023 Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament, winning over Nyla Rose and advancing to the finals by defeating Athena in the semifinal round.[17][18] On the July 15 episode of Collision, Nightingale defeated Ruby Soho to win the women's tournament. On September 23, 2023 episode of Collision, Nightingale was injured and pulled from the match against Hart, Kiera Hogan was Nightingale's replacement in the match against Hart until she was defeated by Hart and She attacked Hogan until Skye Blue came out to make the save, Blue was misted by Hart "blinding" her.[19]

Ring of Honor (2021–present)

On June 6, 2021, Nightingale made her Ring of Honor (ROH) debut on ROH's Women's Division Wednesday program, where she defeated Alex Gracia.[20] On August 4, Nightingale competed in the ROH Women's World Championship tournament to determine the inaugural champion, losing to Allysin Kay in the first round.[21] On December 3, Nightingale defeated Mandy Leon to become the number one contender for the ROH Women's World Championship.[22] On December 11, at Final Battle, Nightingale unsuccessfully challenged Rok-C for the Women's World Championship.[23] Following Final Battle, ROH went on hiatus.

On April 1, 2022, at Supercard of Honor, Nightingale faced Mercedes Martinez for the interim ROH Women's World Championship but was defeated.[24] On June 6 episode of Ring of Honor, Nightingale successfully defended the Strong Women's Championship against Rachael Ellering.[25]

On July 16, 2023 it was announced that Willow will be facing Athena at Death Before Dishonor of year 2023 for the ROH Women's World Championship.[citation needed] This match main evented the Pay-per-view and during this match Willow was not successful as Athena retained.[26]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023–present)

On April 27, 2023, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Nightingale would compete in a four-woman single-elimination tournament on May 21 at Resurgence to crown the inaugural Strong Women's Champion.[27] At Resurgence, Nightingale defeated Momo Kohgo in the semi-finals and Mercedes Moné in the finals to become the inaugural Strong Women's Champion.[28] She had her first successful title defense on the June 2 episode of Rampage, where she retained the title by defeating Emi Sakura.[29] On July 5, at the second night of NJPW Independence Day, Nightingale lost the title to Giulia, ending her reign at 45 days.[30]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

  1. ^ Richards, Alex (May 1, 2021). "Willow Nightingale Debuting On AEW Dark: Elevation vs Thunder Rosa". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Lindsey, Philip. "Projecting What AEW's Tony Khan Will Do as Owner of Ring of Honor". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Broggi, Fabio "Fantomius". "Willow Nightingale: Profile, Career, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won, Gimmick Evolution and Stats | Pro Wrestlers Database". The SmackDown Hotel. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  4. ^ "Willow Nightingale News, Pictures, Videos, Stats and Biography – AEW". Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  5. ^ "NYWC We Can Do It February 27 2015 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "NYWC Psycho Circus XIV Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "SHIMMER Volume 108 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "NYWC Psycho Circus 17 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "NYWC Sideshow 2020 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "NYWC Psycho Circus 19 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "AEW Dark Elevation May 3 2021 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "AEW Rampage live results: Jon Moxley Vs. Wheeler Yuta". WrestlingObserver. April 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  13. ^ "AEW Rampage June 17 2022 Results". allelitewrestling. June 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  14. ^ Staff, A. E. W. (October 8, 2022). "AEW Rampage & Battle Of The Belts IV Results for October 8, 2022". All Elite Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Staff, A. E. W. (October 22, 2022). "AEW Rampage Results for October 21, 2022". All Elite Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  16. ^ Powell, Jason (June 17, 2023). "AEW Collision results (6/17): Powell's live review of CM Punk and FTR vs. Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson, Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus for the TNT Title, Toni Storm and Ruby Soho vs. Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue, Andrade El Idolo vs. Buddy Matthews, Miro in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  17. ^ Malkasian, Mike (June 24, 2023). "AEW Collision Results 6/24/23". Wrestling Headlines. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  18. ^ Schipman, Samantha (July 16, 2023). "AEW Rampage: Willow defeats Athena to advance to Owen finals". dailyddt.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Lewis, Gino (July 15, 2023). "AEW Collision Review – July 15, 2023". TJR Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "ROH Women's Division Wednesday #6 Results". Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  21. ^ "Allysin Kay advances in the ROH Women's Title Tournament". Diva Dirt. August 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  22. ^ "ROH Wrestling December 3 2021 Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "ROH Final Battle Results: End of an Era". WrestlingObserver. December 11, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  24. ^ "ROH Supercard Of Honor 2022 Results". Cagematch. December 11, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  25. ^ Simon, Tyriece (June 8, 2023). "Ring Of Honor TV Results (6/8/23): Willow Nightingale vs. Rachel Ellering, ROH World Six Man Tag Team Proving Ground Match". Sescoops. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  26. ^ LAMBERT, JEREMY. "Athena Bests Willow Nightingale In First ROH Women's Main Event At ROH Death Before Dishonor". Fightful.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  27. ^ "AEW, CMLL, STARDOM, NJPW in one night tournament for STRONG Women's gold! 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro Wrestling. April 28, 2023. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  28. ^ "Willow Nightingale STRONGest as first women's Champ 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro Wrestling. May 22, 2023. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  29. ^ Powell, Jason (June 2, 2023). "AEW Rampage results (6/2): Powell's review of Championship Friday with El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander vs. Dralistico for the AAA Mega Championship, Willow Nightingale vs. Emi Sakura for the NJPW Strong Women's Title, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Action Andretti for the NJPW TV Title, Katsuyori Shibata vs. Lee Moriarty for the ROH Pure Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  30. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 5, 2023). "Giulia Wins NJPW Strong Women's Title At NJPW Strong Independence Day". Fightful. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  31. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 15, 2023). "Willow Nightingale Wins 2023 Women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament". Fightful. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Fritts, Chris (May 21, 2023). "NJPW Resurgence live results: Strong Women's title tournament Will Ospreay vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi is also set for the show". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  33. ^ Ross, Patrick (October 27, 2022). "Full 2022 PWI Women's 150 list revealed". aiptcomics.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  34. ^ LAMBERT, JEREMY. "Rhea Ripley Tops 2023 PWI Women's 250". Fightful.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.

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