Willow Nightingale recently expressed her mixed feelings about being involved in a high-profile story with Kris Statlander, despite their past friendship making it a somewhat painful experience.
At AEW Double or Nothing earlier this year, Statlander turned on Nightingale in a shocking betrayal. This dramatic event occurred on the same night that Nightingale was defeated by Mercedes Mone in the battle for the AEW TBS Title.
During a recent segment of “Close Up with Renee Paquette” on AEW’s YouTube channel, Nightingale candidly discussed this ongoing feud with her former compatriot, stating,
“It really is bittersweet. You always picture the milestones in your career as shared experiences with your friends in front of the electrifying crowd in a historic, grand building. I had imagined documenting this journey with Stat, but not in such a context.
Struggling with her loyalty turned out to be unsettling, and in hindsight, she must’ve been grappling with complex emotions that were beginning to surface. It felt like I was nothing more than a pawn in her game… and it has taken a toll on me. I’m usually warm, caring, and exuberant, traits that have connected me to people. Battling through hostility and aggression is primal, yet can be an essential means of expressing oneself.”
Following this intense rivalry, Statlander and Nightingale’s most recent encounter took place on the 31st of July episode of AEW Dynamite. Statlander emerged victorious in a thrilling CMLL World Women’s Title Eliminator match.
Their conflict continues as Nightingale teams up with Tomohiro Ishii to face off against Statlander and Stokely Hathaway in a mixed tag-team match at AEW All In: London this upcoming Sunday.
Check out a portion of their gripping clash here: [embedded content].