Thekla defended the AEW women’s world championship against Willow Nightingale on tonight’s (July 26) Redemption pay-per-view in Montreal.
There was a lot of intrigue over the outcome of this title match, given that the winner moves on to defend the belt against Mercedes Mone next month in Wembley Stadium at All In. Even though Thekla has impressed fans with her charisma and ring work during her reign on top, it would be unusual to go with a heel versus heel match at AEW’s biggest show of the year.
That logic seemed to bode well for the babyface challenger at Redemption.
Willow overwhelmed Thekla early on with a pounce and suplex on the outside. The champ got back in the fight by stomping Willow’s head into the mat. She then viciously targeted Willow’s stitched up ear for a while, basically trying to rip it off and turn Willow into another Mick Foley.
Thekla later set Willow up for her spear, but the challenger countered and put down the champ with a Death Valley Driver. Thekla then avoided Willow’s powerbomb and almost scored the pin by grabbing onto the bottom rope for leverage.
Willow was willing to try new things to win, which included going all the way to the top rope for a moonsault. That risk ended with a crash landing after Thekla moved out of the way. Thekla’s henchwoman Skye Blue soon interfered to save Thekla, but she paid the price when Willow powerbombed her on the outside with a loud thud.
Thekla tried to take advantage of the distraction with a spear, but Willow was ready and countered into a backslide for the three count. Just like that, Willow Nightingale is the new AEW women’s world champion.
The Conglomeration came out to celebrate with their new champion. She gladly put her new belt inside the backpack that Orange Cassidy handed her, and is now off to prepare to fight Mercedes Mone at All In.
Some wrestling fans fantasy booked an appearance from free agent Kairi Sane during this match, but it wasn’t meant to be. Who knows, maybe that will happen in a few days on Dynamite.
What do you think of Thekla dropping the world championship to Willow Nightingale right before AEW’s biggest show of the year? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
Catch up on all the results from Redemption in our live blog right here.
