Willow Nightingale Slaps Stokely Hathaway During AEW Dynamite Chaos

AEW Dynamite on September 24 took an unexpected turn after Adam Copeland’s emotional segment left fans questioning his future. The night didn’t cool down from there—it only got more heated when Willow Nightingale stepped up and left Stokely Hathaway stunned in the middle of the ring.

Following Copeland’s backstage moment where he admitted he doesn’t know if he’ll ever return to AEW, Tony Schiavone introduced FTR and Stokely Hathaway to the crowd. Dax Harwood immediately exchanged some choice words with fans before Cash Wheeler tried to take control, offering what he claimed was a genuine explanation for their controversial actions at All Out. Wheeler called out Copeland for needing his wife and friends to win the match and tried to shift blame.

Stokely Hathaway then grabbed the mic to sarcastically forgive Beth Phoenix for spearing him during the tag match at All Out. He claimed he was running up the ramp only to introduce himself, even saying he let Beth carry him backstage. Stokely doubled down by saying that Copeland and Christian needed Beth to win, before tossing in one final jab—that Beth doesn’t even work in AEW.

That’s when Willow Nightingale’s music hit, and the energy in the arena changed fast. Willow stormed to the ring and demanded a better apology. When none came, she warned FTR to either apologize properly or get out of the ring. Stokely, never one to back down, stepped right up to her—and that’s when Willow slapped him across the face. The crowd erupted. Jetspeed then rushed the ring to back Willow up as the segment ended with AEW fans on their feet.

This was a turning point in more ways than one. While Copeland’s future remains uncertain, Willow Nightingale just made it very clear she’s not here to be disrespected.

Do you think Willow’s slap was just the beginning of something bigger? Let us know your take in the comments.