AEW Women’s World Champion Willow Nightingale has reportedly suffered a legitimate hand injury just days before her title defence against Mercedes Moné at AEW All In.
Willow Nightingale appeared on the August 26 episode of AEW Dynamite in Glasgow, where she was attacked backstage by Mercedes Moné ahead of their Women’s World Championship match at Wembley Stadium. During the segment, Nightingale was seen favouring her hand after the attack, with Moné specifically targeting it as part of the angle.
While the injury initially appeared to be part of the storyline, Bryan Alvarez later reported that Nightingale is legitimately hurt.
“Willow’s hand injury is said to be legitimate, but she is expected to be able to work the show this weekend,” Alvarez reported.
Despite the injury, Nightingale is currently still expected to compete at All In, meaning there has been no reported change to her scheduled championship defence against Moné.
Willow Nightingale Expected To Compete At AEW All In Despite Injury
The timing of the injury comes just days before one of the biggest matches of Willow Nightingale’s career. She captured the AEW Women’s World Championship from Thekla at Redemption in July and has now held the title for just over a month.
Moné earned the opportunity to challenge for the championship by winning the 2026 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. The match also continues a lengthy history between Nightingale and Moné, who have previously faced each other in both AEW and NJPW.
Their latest encounter will take place at All In on August 30 at Wembley Stadium in London, where Nightingale is scheduled to put the AEW Women’s World Championship on the line. While Nightingale’s hand injury is reportedly legitimate, the current expectation is that it will not prevent her from competing at the event.
