AEW Officially Confirms 6 Competitors For Vacant TBS Championship
Willow Nightingale recently relinquished her AEW TBS Championship.
Appearing in a backstage promo on the May 20 Dynamite episode, Nightingale revealed that she sustained an injury during her title defense against Red Velvet on Collision on May 16.
She was also scheduled to defend her championship against Alex Windsor in Round 1 of the Owen Hart Cup tournament, which she said would not happen. She also spoke about her desire to advance in the tournament and ultimately challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Nightingale said that instead, she was sidelined by her injury and would relinquish her TBS Championship.
Willow also looked back on her time as the TBS Champion, calling it an honor and a privilege to hold the title. While her immediate future seemed uncertain, she promised to return at full capacity and fight for the top spot.
Meanwhile, it was announced that Alex Windsor would face a surprise opponent on Dynamite, which turned out to be the returning Mercedes Mone.
Incidentally, Willow had defeated Mone to become the AEW TBS Champion on the December 31, 2025, taping of Dynamite.
Upon her return, the CEO won her match against Windsor by making her tap to her Statement Maker submission.
Six Challengers Announced For AEW TBS Championship
With Willow Nightingale relinquishing the AEW TBS Championship, fans wondered what would happen to the title. The company then announced that a Survival of the Fittest match would be held between 6 female stars to crown the new champion.
It was also revealed that the bout would take place on the July 1 taping of Dynamite in San Diego.
On the latest Collision episode, the six contenders for the TBS Championship were announced as part of a video package.
The competitors who were confirmed for the Survival of the Fittest match are:
- Hikaru Shida
- Kris Statlander
- Mina Shirakawa
- Harley Cameron
- Queen Aminata
- Zayda Steel
While Hikaru Shida has not won the TBS Championship, she is a former 3-time AEW Women’s World Champion and brings the necessary experience that is needed to thrive in this kind of match.
In fact, out of the six competitors, only Kris Statlander has held the TBS title previously.
The match gives wrestlers like Steel, Aminata, Cameron, and Shirakawa the platform to make a huge statement, positioning themselves as reliable champion.