Willow Nightingale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow Nightingale |
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Nightingale in January 2020
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| Birth name | Danielle Paultre |
| Born | January 25, 1994 North Valley Stream, New York, U.S. |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Eye Candy Willa Monet Willow Monet Willow Nightingale |
| Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Billed weight | 83 kg (183 lb) |
| Billed from | Long Island, New York |
| Trained by | Bull James Mike Mondo |
| Debut | February 27, 2015 |
Danielle Paultre (born January 25, 1994), better known by the ring name Willow Nightingale, is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former AEW TBS Champion. 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 and Shimmer Women Athletes, challenging for championships in both promotions.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2015–present)
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. A year after her debut, Nightingale won the NYWC Starlet Championship. On November 21, 2018, at Shimmer Women Athletes' Volume 108 event, Nightingale unsuccessfully faced Dust for the Heart of Shimmer Championship. After holding the NYWC Starlet Championship since February 2016, Nightingale lost the title to Kris Statlander on February 23, 2019. Nightingale reclaimed the NYWC Starlet Championship on January 25, 2020, defeating then-champion Tina San Antonio in a steel cage match. On February 26, 2022, Nightingale defeated Johnny Radke, Dino Might, and John Silver in a four-way match to win the NYWC Fusion Championship.
All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2021–present)
Championship pursuits (2021–2023)
On May 3, 2021, Nightingale made her All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut, competing on AEW Dark: Elevation against Thunder Rosa, to whom she lost. On June 6, Nightingale made her Ring of Honor (ROH) debut on ROH's Women's Division Wednesday program, where she defeated Alex Gracia. 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. On December 3, Nightingale defeated Mandy Leon to become the number one contender for the ROH Women's World Championship. On December 11, at Final Battle, Nightingale unsuccessfully challenged Rok-C for the Women's World Championship. Following Final Battle, ROH went on hiatus. During this hiatus, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan purchased ROH.
On April 1, 2022, at Supercard of Honor, Nightingale faced Mercedes Martinez for the interim ROH Women's World Championship but was defeated. On April 8, on AEW Rampage, Nightingale participated in the Owen Hart Cup tournament, losing to Red Velvet during a qualifying round match. On June 6 episode of Ring of Honor, Nightingale successfully defended the Strong Women's Championship against Rachael Ellering. On June 17, at Road Rager, Nightingale challenged Jade Cargill in a match for the AEW TBS Championship, which Willow lost. Nightingale challenged for the championship again at Battle of the Belts IV, losing once again. On the October 21 episode of Rampage, it was announced that Nightingale had signed with AEW.
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. 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. On the July 15 episode of Collision, Nightingale defeated Ruby Soho to win the women's tournament. On July 16, it was announced that Willow will be facing Athena at Death Before Dishonor of year 2023 for the ROH Women's World Championship. This match main evented the Pay-per-view and during this match Willow was not successful as Athena retained. 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. Hart attacked Hogan until Skye Blue came out to make the save, but Blue was misted by Hart, "blinding" her.
Storyline with Kris Statlander; TBS Champion (2024–present)
In early 2024, Nightingale formed a tag team with Kris Statlander and they were managed by Stokely Hathaway. On April 21, 2024 at AEW Dynasty, Nightingale defeated Julia Hart to win the AEW TBS Championship. On the May 1 episode of Rampage, Nightingale successfully defended her TBS Championship against Skye Blue in a Manitoba Massacre. On May 26 at Double or Nothing, Nightingale lost the TBS Championship to Mercedes Moné, ending her reign at 35 days. After the match, Nightingale was attacked by Statlander, ending their tag team.
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (2022)
On October 29, 2022, Nightingale made her debut for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW) at The Mountain Top 2022, teaming with Yuka Sakazaki, to defeat Maki Itoh and Yuki Kamifuku.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023–present)
On April 27, 2023, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) 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. At Resurgence, Nightingale defeated Momo Kohgo in the semi-finals and Mercedes Moné in the finals to become the inaugural Strong Women's Champion. She had her first successful title defense on the June 2 episode of Rampage, where she retained the title by defeating Emi Sakura. On July 5, at the second night of NJPW Independence Day, Nightingale lost the title to Giulia, ending her reign at 45 days.
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2024–present)
On April 4, 2024 at Stardom American Dream 2024, Nightingale made her debut for World Wonder Ring Stardom, teaming with Saki to defeat Syuri and Konami. On May 18 at Stardom Flashing Champions 2024, Nightingale successfully defended her TBS Championship against Tam Nakano.
Championships and accomplishments
- All Elite Wrestling
- AEW TBS Championship (1 time)
- Women's Owen Hart Cup (2023)
- Chikara
- Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas (1 time, final) – with Solo Darling
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- Strong Women's Championship (1 time, inaugural)
- Strong Women's Championship Tournament (2023)
- New York Wrestling Connection
- NYWC Starlet Championship (3 times)
- NYWC Fusion Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 40 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2022
- Ranked No. 8 of the top 250 women's wrestlers in the PWI Women's 250 in 2023
- Queens of Combat
- QOC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Faye Jackson
- Women's Wrestling Revolution
- Tournament for Tomorrow (2018) – with Solo Darling
