Willow Nightingale started 2026 holding two championships, but on the January 24th episode of “AEW Collision,” Julia Hart had her first shot at the AEW TBS Championship and the chance to strip Nightingale of one of her titles. This marked their final AEW TBS Championship clash after a 21-month span, with Nightingale ultimately emerging victorious, securing her first title defense since winning it from Mercedes Mone on New Year’s Eve.
Nightingale dominated early despite Hart’s efforts to regain control. A brief distraction by Sky Blue helped Hart stay in the match before Harley Cameron intervened to balance the odds, sparking a backstage brawl. After the break, Hart took control, grounding Nightingale with a sleeper hold and a standing moonsault, and nearly executed a guillotine before shifting to a suplex as the commercial ended.
Post-break, Hart used the ring effectively, pounding Nightingale into corners and using her body aggressively, but Nightingale hit back with a powerful lariat for a double knockdown. As they rose, Hart capitalized on Nightingale’s climb attempt, knocking her out of the ring. Nightingale stayed composed, countering a barricade walk with a suplex outside the ring, then returning to score a near fall with a corner cannonball.
Hart momentarily stunned Tarantula in the ropes and followed with a tornado DDT for a two-count, leveling the playing field. Hart’s flying octopus hold was countered by Nightingale’s corner attack. Hart attempted a top-rope moonsault, only to be blocked by Nightingale’s boot, who then tried a Doctor Bomb. After Hart countered with a hurricanrana, Nightingale rallied to land the Doctor Bomb and secure the pinfall win.
Fan Take: This victory solidifies Willow Nightingale as a fighting champion and sets an exciting tone for the AEW TBS Championship in 2026. Fans can expect fierce competition ahead, as Nightingale’s resilience raises the bar and adds depth to AEW’s women’s division.
