First NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion crowned in Long Beach

The first NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion was crowned on May 21 at Resurgence in Long Beach as Willow Nightingale outlasted the competition to lift the STRONG gold. 

Order the Resurgence replay now!

The first of two semi finals pit former IWGP Women’s Champion Moné against CMLL’s Stephanie Vaquer. A thunderous reception greeted The CEO as she set to work on Vaquer and landed La Mistica into the Bank Statement. Vaquer used her size and strength advantage on a big lariat and a vicious armbar over the ropes before a cross body for two though, and the CMLL representative had control, pushing the advantage with a leg drop at the five minute mark. 

A Dragon Screw did more damage to Moné, but a Meteora from the apron and a tornado DDT on the floor created an opening and got the crowd on side. Both women traded submission holds, before Vaquer denied the Moné maker with a DDT, but neither that nor a harsh neckbreaker could get three. Using the ropes to her advantage, Moné negotiated a lungblower and then hit the Moné Maker for three. 

The other semi final saw Momo Kohgo face Willow Nightingale. Kohgo had to get quick to try and overcome the size advantage Willow held, but after catching a head scissors, a crushing sidewalk slam saw Nightingale with a comfortable advantage. The tenacious Kohgo took Willow to the mat with a high cross, a headscissors and 619 before a missile dropkick saw her continue in combination, getting two from the referee. 

A Fisherman’s suplex from Kohgo surprised Nightingale and the crowd but only got two from the referee. A powerslam would turn the tide for the ROH representative, who delivered a snap suplex and cannonball in the corner for a near fall, but was met with a swinging DDT for a close call from Momo in return. Momonpa connected for Kohgo, but the momentum from the move carried Willow into the ropes; moments later, the Babe With The Powerbomb landed to put Nightingale into the finals. 

That brought an electric reaction to the main event between Moné and Nightingale. After drinking in the deafening cheers from Walter Pyramid, it was Moné grabbing the first hold of the match, but Nightingale quickly tried to use her power. Moné had thoughts of the Moné Maker early, but got pounced all the way out of the ring as Willow took advantage. 

As the crowd chanted for the CEO, Moné answered with a chop block, but was knocked down by the powerful Nightingale. With as much speed a spower, an enzuigiri rocked Moné, and a lariat for Willow turned her foe inside out. A Boston Crab had Moné barely making the ropes, and Nightingale seemed to be cruising to victory, a massive stalling superplex granting a very near two as Moné rolled a shoulder. 

Moné rallied desperately in the corner with a barrage of elbows, and dropped Nightingale face first over the top corner for two. Pulling Willow hair first backward, Moné found the Bank Statement, but a Doctor Bomb counter and Babe With the Powerbomb both scored, Nightingale pinning Moné in a stunning upset to win the STRONG Women’s Championship.