AEW: Willow Nightingale on AEW’s Storytelling Having Much More Depth Than Before, Shawn Spears on His Past Time in AEW Being Wonderful, More News

Sep 27, 2024

Willow Nightingale Comments on “AEW’s Storytelling Has Much More Depth Than Before”

AMNY held a recent interview with Willow Nightingale. One of the topics discussed included Nightingale’s thoughts about the recent comments from Adam Copeland about how AEW has been putting more emphasis on storytelling of late due to dream matches could only happen so often.

“The in-ring has always been solid, that’s always been kind of the core of it, but to see how the stories have had much more depth — it’s been cool. That has also been awesome, but that also happens over time. Time goes by, a little bit of conflict. That’s when personalities start to, you know, butt heads, yeah. So now we’re getting good stories out there.”

Nightingale also gave her thoughts about her belief that AEW has done a good job at utilizing stipulation matches at the right time in certain storylines with her recent Chicago Street Fight match against Kris Statlander at All Out 2024 as an example.

“I do think that part of what makes it so special when we do have matches like that is that they’re happening for a reason. Statlander and I have been friends for years and years, and she betrayed me, and she broke my heart. And so where do you go? Take it to the weapons to really lay it all out there. But if I just did that with a random person in the locker room, it’s not going to have that same heart.”

Shawn Spears Comments on His Time in AEW was Wonderful and Will Never Say Anything Bad About Tony Khan

A recent episode of the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast featured former AEW talent Shawn Spears as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Spears thoughts about his reasons for his decision to leave AEW in December of 2023 and how he had a wonderful time in the company despite his departure decision.

“I think it just came down to a personal want, in terms of wanting to contribute a little bit more — both in front of the camera and behind the camera. I had a wonderful time in AEW. I have — and have had — a great relationship with Tony Khan. You’re never going to hear me say anything bad about that guy. Same thing with a lot of the EVPs, talent, everything. I had a wonderful time. I got to learn a lot about myself as a businessman, and a lot more of what not to do, and a little bit more so of — it’s ok to kind of put your foot down. It’s ok to kind of have faith in what you’re worth and faith in your ability and things like that. So it was a really good learning process in terms of being an individual man in different company. But man, my time there was special, getting to work with all the top guys based on a lot of storylines that I was in with [MJF] and FTR and things like that. So a lot of things that I would have never gotten to do, I think in my career, I was very fortunate enough to do there.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

AEW News & Notes

Former WCW wrestler Scotty Riggs and former NWA talent Luke Hawx reportedly were in attendance backstage at this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam 2024 show at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, according to PWInsider.

In a recent issue of the Mone Mag fan newsletter, Mercedes Mone gave her thoughts about her belief that Athena is one of the best wrestlers in the world and looking forward to a potential match with her in the future. Mone stated “I’m so proud of Athena!. She is one of the best in the world she’s definitely a champion I look forward to facing one day.“

In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Mercedes Mone gave her thoughts about the potential of a Megan Thee Stallion collaboration still being possible of happening in AEW. Mone stated “Not right now (I will not be able to collaborate with Megan Thee Stallion). Unfortunately, no. (It was supposed to be) Something fun. Either a tag team match, a wrestling match. Either wrestle with me or wrestle against me but there was talks of doing something fun with her. But now she’s doing the opening theme song for SmackDown which is awesome. Just brand-wise, she did a song with WWE and I’m with AEW so I just think we can’t do anything together. She’s not my best friend or anything but if she wants to be my homegirl, absolutely (we can be that). We only met a couple times, but she’s really awesome. I did (have my CEO hat on when I was trying to set something up). I was trying to get her on the board. That’s exactly right.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)

In a recent interview with Undisputed, the Young Bucks’ Nicholas Jackson gave his thoughts about how he misses AEW’s head-to-head Wednesday night battles with WWE’s NXT and how competition breeds excellence. Jackson stated “Competition breeds excellence. One thing I actually kind of miss is when we’d battle it out weekly on Wednesday nights. It was exciting, seeing who would have the better night. It makes you feel more alive.” Jackson also gave his thoughts about his belief of how AEW has been a net positive for the wrestling industry. Jackson stated “Dynamite and the existence of AEW has created a much healthier economy for all of the people in the wrestling business. So many of us have been blessed with the ability to provide for ourselves and our families for years to come. I don’t think that can be considered a bad thing to anyone, no matter who you’re a fan of. Dynamite has given fans of a specific taste their weekly hit of dopamine. Dynamite has given wrestlers a large platform to express themselves creatively.“

As noted before, this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam 2024 show featured former WWE talent MVP making his official debut in AEW. MVP recently reflected on Instagram about how much he is excited for his new and potential final chapter of his wrestling career in AEW. MVP stated “Cat’s out of the bag. By now I’m sure many of you know – and if you don’t, you’re about to find out – that I’ve embarked on an exciting new chapter for my professional wrestling career. And I’m excited because this new chapter is quite possibly the final chapter. And I’ve got some really cool things in store. So if you’ve been a fan of mine for this long, come hang out for just a little bit longer. Same MVP, just conducting business in a new location. MVP is AEW. See you next week.“

This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show also featured HOOK officially retiring the FTW Championship and handing the belt back to his father Taz. Taz recently reflected on Twitter thanking everyone who has held the FTW title in the past and anyone who was a fan of the championship. Taz stated “I would like to thank all of the men whom have held the FTW Championship….[Sabu], [Brian Cage], [Ricky Starks], [Jack Perry], [Chris Jericho] & [Hook]. And also any fan that has supported/enjoyed this championship during the ECW years or in modern day wrestling during the current AEW years…thank you.“

In a recent interview with the Casual Conversations with The Classic podcast, Deonna Purrazzo gave her thoughts about her ultimate goal for her career in AEW. Purrazzo stated “Well yeah, of course I want to become a world champion there. You know, I was kind of screwed out of the AEW Women’s World Championship earlier this year, so Mariah May, I’m coming for you. But, we’ve seen so many strides in our women’s division and I think ultimately at the end of the day, championship or not, to continue to grow a division, to be main event caliber, to show that women deserve more opportunities, women are worthy of main event situations, that’s the ultimate goal for me. AEW is only five years old, so there’s so much more growing that we’re going to do in the next year, but think in the next five years. To continue to create situations where women can thrive and tell stories that show women deserve higher positions on the card, that’s my ultimate goal in any company that I’m in.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

AEW recently announced the card for Friday’s AEW Rampage show: