On July 5th, New Japan Pro Wrestling held the second day of NJPW STRONG Independence Day. The event took place in Korakuen Hall and witnessed multiple title matches including Willow Nightingale defending the Women’s Championship against STARDOM’s Giulia.
The match came about after the former World of STARDOM Champion called out Nightingale for the women’s title. Following the victory at STARDOM Sunshine event on June 25th, Giulia took to the microphone and lay down the challenge.
“NJPW Strong has a show. I wanted to challenge myself. I want to go overseas. So here I declare. New Japan! Bring Giulia to the STRONG show! Call Willow Nightingale there!”
The two had clashed the day prior in tag team action that saw Giulia team with her Donna del Mondo stablemate Thekla in a losing effect against Nightingale and Momo Kohgo. However, when the two met in the title match the result was very different.
STARDOM’s Giulia Defeated Willow Nightingale For The NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship
Giulia vs. Willow Nightingale more than delivered! Hope everyone enjoy experiencing Giulia today. Giulia is definitely on her way to America for some dates!pic.twitter.com/DuQq9cvaR9
— Dark Puroresu Flowsion (@PuroresuFlow) July 5, 2023
According to reports, the match was a thrilling and hard-hitting affair that saw Giulia claim the win and the title after 13 minutes of solid action.
Nightingale was crowned the inaugural champion on May 21st at NJPW Resurgence when she defeated Mercedes Mone in the main event. She successfully defended the title twice against Emi Sakura on AEW Rampage and Rachel Ellering on Ring of Honor TV.
Giulia is of the Joshi promotion’s most-popular and most-decorated stars in its history. The leader of the faction Donna Del Mondo has held trios tag team, the tag team, and the mid-card titles plus their world championship. Now, she has the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship there could be an opportunity for the STARDOM star to appear in AEW. Following Forbidden Door, AEW Women’s Champion was asked if she wanted to face the Joshi-star to which she replied:
“Giulia, yeah. [shrugs] You want to see me slap the tits off her too? Yeah, come on, bring Giulia. Yeah. It would be such a huge honor, is that what you want me to say? You want me to mark out for Giulia? I’m not going to, I don’t care. I know you all like her and you think she’s… what do I look like, a fucking mark to these people, Tony? Oh yeah, it’d be a huge honor. Sweet. I can’t wait.”
H/T Fightful