Exclusive: Willow Nightingale on differences between AEW shows and Ring of Honor
Willow Nightingale is preparing to face Athena for the Ring of Honor Women's Championship at Death Before Dishonor.
The former Strong Women's Champion has been a regular fixture on Ring of Honor TV in recent months, as well as appearing on AEW shows Dynamite, Rampage and Collision.
Speaking to Digital Spy ahead of Death Before Dishonor, Willow explained the differences between AEW Dynamite and Collision as well as Ring of Honor.
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"Dynamite, that is like quintessential AEW for me," Willow said. "That was the first show that ever existed, that was our first time going out there and being like, 'This is what All Elite Wrestling is about,' and I think, at its core that is very much still what it is.
"Collision being something that is newer is, of course, still finding its feet and really kind of carving out what its role in professional wrestling is. For me right now what it's bringing is just good professional wrestling and I think it's really been hitting on that front."
When it comes to Ring of Honor, Willow looked to the company's history and the legendary names that have come through the promotion.
Related: Your complete AEW and ROH pay-per-view schedule
"It really honours the journey of what it is to be a professional wrestler at all different stages," Willow said. "Someone who's kind of new figuring out who they are, somebody who's really reaching their stride and hitting their prime, and the people who have given their whole life to this.
"Honor being in its name is so apropo because that's exactly what it does, it honours professional wrestling.
"That's really how I see the three different companies, I think they all serve an amazing purpose. They all pump out amazing professional wrestling but, to me, that is the differentiation between all three," she added.
If Willow successfully defeats Athena at Death Before Dishonor it will be the second championship she has held this year, after becoming the inaugural Strong Women's Champion in May, as well as winning the Owen Hart Cup last week.
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With all of her accomplishments already in 2023, Willow says the best thing about her year so far is being able to silence any doubts she had about her abilities.
"I'd have moments of self-doubt because I'm a human being and as much work as I put in to try and trust myself going into these big scenarios there is a little voice in the back of my head that says, 'But can you do it?'" Willow explained.
"I think the most rewarding thing is, walking away from every situation I've silenced that self-doubt and I've been able to say, 'You did it, you did it successfully and you will be able to do it again.' So really those personal victories have been the most important thing to me."
Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor takes place on Saturday, July 22 at 1am on
Fite. Catch AEW Dynamite live every Thursday at 1am in the UK and Rampage every Saturday at 3am on FITE with an AEW Plus subscription. US customers can also watch Dynamite on TBS and Rampage on TNT, and in the UK, Dynamite repeats air on ITV4.
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