An AEW title will be on the line with little warning on the upcoming episode of AEW Collision, as a champion has thrown the door open to any challenger.
The announcement came during the April 1 episode of Dynamite, setting up a situation where the opponent remains unknown heading into the show.
Willow Nightingale confirmed in a backstage promo that she will defend the AEW TBS Championship on the April 2 edition of Collision.
Rather than naming a specific opponent, she issued an open challenge. Willow made it clear she wants to face “the very best” — a move that keeps both the roster and the audience guessing.
Willow Nightingale’s open challenge set for AEW Collision TBS title match
Nightingale framed the challenge as an opportunity to prove herself, stating that while she’s known as the face of TBS, she could just as easily become the face of TNT for the night. It’s a simple setup, but one that often delivers surprises — because in wrestling, an open challenge can turn into anything from a statement win to a sudden shock.
Nevertheless, it looks like her challenge found an answer in the form of a returning Hikaru Shida. The three-time AEW Women’s World Champion returned to the fold after spending some time out on the sidelines due to dealing with some visa complications. With her return, she will look to emulate her 372-day reign by taking the title off Willow Nightingale.
That could prove to be a difficult affair, though, considering Nightingale’s recent momentum. The timing follows Willow Nightingale’s recent success at AEW Revolution, where she retained the TBS Championship against Lena Kross. That victory reinforced her standing in the division and positioned her as a fighting champion willing to defend her title without hesitation.
Her current run also comes after a shift in focus. Nightingale recently parted ways with Harley Cameron following the end of their tag team partnership, choosing to concentrate on singles competition. Since then, she has continued to build momentum, holding the TBS Championship for a second time and remaining a central figure in the division.
By issuing an open challenge, Nightingale adds unpredictability to Collision — a card that now carries a built-in question mark.
With Collision set for April 2, the only certainty is that the champion will be ready. The challenger, however, is still waiting in the wings.
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