On a recent edition of the “Talk is Jericho” podcast, AEW wrestler Willow Nightingale revealed why she never asked for a tryout from WWE, even though WWE Superstar Chelsea Green encouraged her to.
Nightingale said, “No. No. I had done extra work maybe two or three times. One time, I was doing extra work, and Chelsea Green encouraged me to be like, ‘Why don’t you just ask? It’s honestly that simple. The worst thing that can happen is they say no.’ I was like, ‘Alright, maybe. I’ll build myself up to that. I’ll get there.’ No, not a contract, a tryout. I hadn’t even had a tryout. Also, around that time, there were all these talks of ‘if you’re over a certain age they’re not really interested in you.’ Around that time, I was 26 or so and I was like, ‘I’m so old,’ which is crazy. There was a lot of talking myself out of it.”
Additionally, you can check out this week’s episode of “Being the Dark Order” below:
Willow Nightingale, a professional wrestler signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), recently shared on the “Talk is Jericho” podcast why she never pursued a tryout with WWE, despite being encouraged by WWE Superstar Chelsea Green. Nightingale’s reasons for not taking the opportunity were multi-faceted.
During the podcast, Nightingale revealed that she had done extra work for WWE on a few occasions. It was during one of these instances that Chelsea Green suggested she ask for a tryout. Green’s advice was simple: “Why don’t you just ask? It’s honestly that simple. The worst thing that can happen is they say no.” However, Nightingale admitted that she hesitated and didn’t take Green’s advice immediately.
One factor that contributed to Nightingale’s hesitation was the lack of a tryout opportunity. She had not even been given a chance to showcase her skills in a tryout setting. This lack of opportunity made her feel uncertain about approaching WWE and requesting a tryout. Nightingale mentioned that she wanted to build herself up and gain more experience before pursuing such an opportunity.
Another factor that played into Nightingale’s decision was the age-related rumors circulating at the time. She mentioned that there were talks within the wrestling industry suggesting that WWE was not interested in wrestlers over a certain age. At the time, Nightingale was around 26 years old, and she felt that she might be considered too old to be of interest to WWE. These rumors added to her self-doubt and made her talk herself out of pursuing a tryout.
It is worth noting that WWE has historically signed wrestlers of various ages, and age alone does not determine a wrestler’s potential. However, the perception of age-related preferences within the industry can have an impact on aspiring wrestlers like Nightingale.
Despite not pursuing a tryout with WWE, Nightingale has found success in AEW. She signed with the promotion in 2021 and has been making a name for herself in the women’s division. Nightingale’s decision to focus on her career in AEW has proven to be a positive one, as she continues to showcase her skills and entertain fans.
In conclusion, Willow Nightingale’s decision to not pursue a tryout with WWE was influenced by a combination of factors. The lack of a tryout opportunity and the age-related rumors within the industry played a role in her decision-making process. However, Nightingale has found success in AEW and continues to thrive in her wrestling career.