Women's World Title Creation
The top women's championship of NJPW's American subsidiary Strong Live.
The Strong Women's Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship owned by New Japan Pro-W-Wrestling (NJPW).
- Announcement Date
- December 2018
- Inaugural Crowned Event
- Full Gear 2019
- Tournament Start
- January 2019
- Belt Significance
- Top Championship
- Promotion
- All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
Lore & Background
The creation of the championship was announced by NJPW on April 27, 2023. The title is exclusively featured on NJPW's Strong brand and is usually defended at NJPW Strong branded shows in America. The inaugural champion was Willow Nightingale. Alex Windsor is the reigning champion in her first reign. She won the title by defeating Syuri at Wrestle Queendom XIII in London, England on March 8, 2026.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights dimmed as Tony Khan stepped into the ring, the air thick with anticipation. He didn't just announce a tournament; he unveiled an era. In his hand lay the gleaming gold, catching the spotlight before it was raised high above the crowd's roar. That moment wasn't just about a belt; it was a promise that in this new corner of wrestling, women would headline, lead, and conquer.
Reader's Guide
The inaugural champion was determined by a four-woman single-elimination tournament held at Resurgence on May 21, 2023, in Long Beach, California. The tournament featured representatives from NJPW's partners All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), and Stardom. The participants were Mercedes Moné (NJPW), Momo Kohgo (Stardom), Stephanie Vaquer (CMLL), and Willow Nightingale (AEW). Nightingale became the inaugural champion by defeating Moné in the finals. The first defense of the title was Nightingale's successful defense against Emi Sakura on the June 2, 2023 episode of AEW Rampage.
Did You Know?
- As of September 4, 2026, there have been eight reigns between eight different champions.
- Willow Nightingale was the inaugural champion.
- Syuri is the oldest champion at 36 years old, while AZM is the youngest at 22 years old.
- Mercedes Moné's reign is the longest at 313 days, while Nightingale's reign is the shortest at 45 days.
- Alex Windsor is the current champion in her first reign.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the AEW Women's World Championship announced?
Owner Tony Khan officially revealed plans for the championship in December 2018, before All Elite Wrestling even held its first event. This early announcement demonstrated the promotion's immediate commitment to establishing a top-tier women's division from the start.
Who won the inaugural AEW Women's World Championship?
The first champion was crowned at Full Gear 2019 after a tournament that began in January 2019. This victory marked the moment the gold belt officially entered active competition as the division's premier prize.
How does this title differ from other women's belts in AEW?
Unlike secondary championships introduced later, the Women's World Championship was designed specifically to be the singular top-tier title for female competitors. It stands as the main goal for all women's wrestlers within the promotion.
Why is the creation of this title considered a cornerstone moment?
Its existence signaled that AEW would prioritize women's wrestling equally with its men's division right from day one. This decision helped define the company's identity and set a new standard for the industry during its foundational era.
What was the timeline between the announcement and the first champion being crowned?
The title was announced in late 2018, followed by a tournament starting in January 2019 that concluded at Full Gear later that same year. This roughly one-year span covered the promotion's entire buildup before officially crowning its first female world champion.
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