ROH Women's World Championship

Last updated
ROH Women's World Championship
ROH Women's World Title.jpg
The 2020 to 2023 ROH Women's World Championship original belt design.
Details
Promotion Ring of Honor (ROH)
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
Date establishedJanuary 1, 2020
Current champion(s) Athena
Date wonDecember 10, 2022
Other name(s)
  • ROH Women's World Championship
    (2020–present)
  • Undisputed ROH Women's World Championship (2022) [1]
Statistics
First champion(s) Rok-C [2]
Most reignsAll titleholders (1)
Longest reign Athena
(811+ days)
Shortest reign Deonna Purrazzo
(115 days)
Oldest champion Mercedes Martinez
(41 years, 168 days)
Youngest champion Rok-C
(19 years, 311 days)
Heaviest champion Mercedes Martinez
(147 lb (67 kg))
Lightest champion Rok-C
(115 lb (52 kg))

The ROH Women's World Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). The current champion is Athena, who is in her first reign, which is the longest reign in the title's history.

Contents

History

Inaugural champion Rok-C Rok-C at River City Wrestling 2 cropped.jpg
Inaugural champion Rok-C

On January 1, 2020, the ROH Women of Honor World Championship was deactivated when the last champion Kelly Klein was stripped of the championship after ROH didn't renew her contract. [3] A new tournament to crown the inaugural ROH Women's World Champion was set to start on April 24 of that year at Quest for Gold, [4] however, ROH postponed all future events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] [4] (The title replaced the ROH Women of Honor World Title in the ROH Women of Honor division.)

On March 26, 2021, at ROH 19th Anniversary Show, ROH Board of Directors member Maria Kanellis-Bennett announced a tournament to crown a new ROH Women's World Champion. [6] On July 11, at Best in the World, the tournament bracket and the championship itself were revealed. [7]

On September 12, 2021 Rok-C defeated Miranda Alize via pinfall at the ROH pay-per-view Death Before Dishonor XVIII, the culmination of a 15-woman singles elimination tournament to become the inaugural ROH Women's World Championship holder. [8]

On October 27, 2021, Ring of Honor announced that it would go on a hiatus after Final Battle in December, with a return tentatively scheduled for April 2022. All personnel would also be released from their contracts as part of plans to "reimagine" the company as a "fan-focused product". [9] [10] [11] [12] After Final Battle, several ROH wrestlers began to appear on other promotions and defended the titles. Rok-C defended the title against Impact Wrestling's Deonna Purrazzo during a television taping. However, Rok-C was defeated and lost the title to Purrazzo. [13]

In early 2022, during the hiatus, then-ROH Women's World Champion Purrazzo was booked for the Multiverse of Matches at WrestleCon, which happened to be when the Supercard of Honor XV event was later scheduled for April 1, 2022. Purrazzo was unable to attend the latter event. [14] At Supercard of Honor XV, Mercedes Martinez defeated Willow Nightingale to become the Interim ROH Women's World Champion and earned the opportunity to face lineal champion Purrazzo in a unification match at a later date. [15] [16] On the May 4, 2022 episode of Dynamite , Martinez defeated Purrazzo to become the undisputed ROH Women's World Champion. [1]

On September 15, 2024 Athena became the longest reigning ROH women's champion & ROH title holder of all time as a woman surpassing Samoa Joe's reign as ROH World Champion at 645 days by holding the ROH Women's World Championship for 646 days. [17]

In January 2025 the title was defended in Japan at World Wonder Ring Stardom by Athena who retained the title while there. [18]

On February 17, 2025 Athena hit a new landmark as Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, passing the 800-day mark as champion. [19]

Inaugural championship tournament (2021)

Tournament bracket

First Round 1 2
ROH Wrestling
July 30
August 7 and 14
ROH Women's Division Wednesday
August 4		Quarterfinals
ROH Wrestling
August 21 and 28		Semifinals
ROH Wrestling
September 4		Final
Death Before Dishonor XVIII
September 12
        
Rok-C Pin [20]
Sumie Sakai 9:36
Rok-C Pin [21]
Quinn McKay 10:14
Mandy Leon 7:12
Quinn McKay 3 4 5 Pin [22]
Rok-C Sub [23]
Angelina Love 6:44
Holidead 9:18
Max the Impaler Pin [24]
Max the Impaler 5:53
Angelina Love DQ [25]
Angelina Love Bye [26]
– 6
Rok-C Pin [2]
Miranda Alize 18:13
Alex Gracia 8:43
Miranda AlizePin [20]
Miranda AlizePin [21]
Nicole Savoy 13:04
Mazzerati 8:45
Nicole Savoy Pin [20]
Miranda AlizeSub [23]
Trish Adora 12:16
Willow Nightingale 11:30
Allysin Kay Sub [27]
Allysin Kay 13:30
Trish Adora Pin [25]
Marti Belle 7:13
Trish Adora Sub [22]

1 ^ Participants in the original tournament included: Ashley Vox, Gia Scott, Heather Monroe, Jenny Rose, Katarina, Kellyanne, Lindsay Snow, Maria Manic, Session Moth Martina, and Tasha Steelz.
2 ^ Brandi Lauren and Laynie Luck were named as alternates.
3 ^ Spot was originally meant for Vita VonStarr, but her interference in matches involving The Righteous got her removed.
4 ^ Allie Recks was slated to take VonStarr's place in the tournament, but a knee injury kept her from competing.
5 ^ Chelsea Green was slated to take VonStarr's place in the tournament, but a broken wrist kept her from competing.
6 ^ Love defeated Quinn McKay on the May 8 ROH Wrestling episode to earn a bye.

Belt designs

ROH Women's World Title.jpg
The original design of the championship used from 2020 to 2023

The first ROH Women's World title design (2020–2023) is similar to the 2017 to 2022 design of the ROH World Championship separating itself from the men's version of the design with the word women's above in the middle center plate and also with the title being smaller than the 2017 to 2022 design of the ROH World Championship belt design due to it being a women's title (The original design of the ROH Women's World title is gold with silver ROH Logos indented in the center and indented on side plates). [28]

On March 31, 2023, a new design of the belt was revealed at Supercard of Honor, thus making it the second design of the championship belt. [29] The design of the belt kept the original design of the previous design but now featuring silver plates and the updated Ring of Honor logo on the main plate and side plates. [30] On the October 24, 2024 episode of ROH Wrestling , Athena was gifted a modified spinner version of the championship belt to celebrate her record setting title reign. [31] [32] During December 20, 2024 Athena also returned the 2023 version of the belt design carrying both at the same time, even down to the ring. [33]

Reigns

Current and longest reigning champion Athena Ember Moon Feb 2017.jpg
Current and longest reigning champion Athena

As of February28, 2025, there have been four reigns between four champions. Rok-C was the inaugural champion. Athena's reign is the longest at 811+ days, while Deonna Purrazzo has the shortest reign at 115 days. Martinez is the oldest champion at 41 years old, while Rok-C is the youngest champion at 19 years old.

Athena is the current champion in her first reign. She won the title by defeating Martinez at Final Battle on December 10, 2022, in Arlington, Texas.

Names

NameYears
ROH Women's World ChampionshipJanuary 1, 2020 – May 4, 2022 [1]
May 4, 2022 – present
Undisputed ROH Women's World ChampionshipMay 4, 2022
Key
No.Overall reign number
ReignReign number for the specific champion
DaysNumber of days held
+Current reign is changing daily
No.ChampionChampionship changeReign statisticsNotesRef.
DateEventLocationReignDays
Ring of Honor (ROH)
1 Rok-C September 12, 2021 Death Before Dishonor XVIII Philadelphia, PA 1119Defeated Miranda Alize in the finals of a 15-woman single-elimination tournament to become the inaugural champion. [34]
2 Deonna Purrazzo January 9, 2022 Impact! Dallas, TX 1115This was a Winner Takes All match, also for Purrazzo's AAA Reina de Reinas Championship.
This was an Impact Wrestling event that aired on tape delay on January 13, 2022.
During this reign, Tony Khan purchased Ring of Honor.		 [35] [36]
— Mercedes Martinez (Interim)April 1, 2022 Supercard of Honor XV Garland, TX —33 Deonna Purrazzo was unable to defend the title at Supercard of Honor. Martinez defeated Willow Nightingale to determine an interim champion. [37] [38]
3 Mercedes Martinez May 4, 2022 Dynamite Baltimore, MD 1220Defeated Deonna Purrazzo to become Undisputed ROH Women's World Champion.
This was an All Elite Wrestling event.		 [1]
4 Athena December 10, 2022 Final Battle Arlington, TX 1811+ [39]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Barnett, Jake (May 4, 2022). "5/4 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Rey Fenix vs. Dante Martin and Jeff Hardy vs. Bobby Fish in Owen Hart tournament qualifiers, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Mercedes Martinez to unify the ROH Women's Championship, Wardlow vs. MJF's mystery opponent, Chris Jericho vs. Santana". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Powell, Jason (September 13, 2021). "9/12 ROH Death Before Dishonor results: Powell's review of Bandido vs. Brody King vs. EC3 vs. Demonic Flamita in an elimination match for the ROH World Championship, Jonathan Gresham vs. Josh Woods for the ROH Pure Title, Miranda Alize vs. Rok-C to become the first ROH Women's World Champion". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  3. ↑ Blanchard, Matthew (February 16, 2020). "Ring Of Honor Has Deactivated The Women Of Honor Championship". The Overtimer. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  4. 1 2 TORO, CARLOS (February 12, 2020). "ROH Announces Tournament For New ROH Women's World Championship, To Replace Women Of Honor Title". Fightful.com. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  5. ↑ Currier, Joseph (March 17, 2020). "ROH cancels all shows through end of May". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  6. ↑ Middleton, Marc. "Maria Kanellis Appears at ROH PPV to Announce Women's Title Tournament". Wrestlingheadlines.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ Powell, Jason (July 11, 2021). "7/11 ROH Best in the World results: Powell's live review of Rush vs. Bandido for the ROH Title, Jonathan Gresham vs. Mike Bennett for the ROH Pure Championship, Tony Deppen vs. Dragon Lee for the ROH TV Title, Jay Lethal and Rhett Titus vs. Chris Dickinson and Homicide in a Fight Without Honor for the ROH Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ Padula, Dominic. "#ANDNew: Rok-C Wins Inaugural ROH Women's World Title". Lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ Meltzer, Dave. "ROH released everyone from contracts, more to come". Twitter.com. Retrieved October 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Rose, Bryan (October 27, 2021). "ROH not renewing talent contracts following hiatus announcement". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  11. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (October 27, 2021). "ROH Halting Live Events For First Quarter Of 2022 To 'Reimagine' The Promotion". Fightful. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  12. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (October 27, 2021). "ROH Talent Contracts Won't Be Renewed At The End Of 2021, Contracted Talent Will Still Be Paid". Fightful. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  13. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy. "Title Changes Hands, WWE Alumnus Debuts at Impact Wrestling Tapings (SPOILER)". 411Mania.com. Retrieved January 9, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (March 10, 2022). "Who Will Answer Deonna Purrazzo's Champ Champ Challenge at IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches?". Impact Wrestling . Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  15. ↑ "WILLOW, MERCEDES MARTINEZ SQUARE OFF FOR INTERIM ROH WOMEN'S WORLD TITLE AT SUPERCARD OF HONOR". Ring of Honor. 28 March 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  16. ↑ Faria, Colby (April 1, 2022). "ROH Supercard of Honor XV Results: Jonathan Gresham vs. Bandido For The Undisputed ROH World Title + More!". Fightful. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  17. ↑ Pizzazz, Manolo Has. "Athena becomes longest reigning ROH champion in history". Cagesidedseats.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy. "Athena Retains ROH Women's Title At STARDOM Show, Offers Thekla Rematch In US". 411Mania.com. Retrieved January 13, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ MURRAY, ANDY H. "Athena Reaches 800 Days As ROH Women's Champion (AEW News)". Www.Whatculture.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. 1 2 3 Powell, Jason (August 4, 2021). "ROH Wrestling TV results: Powell's review of Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C, Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia, and Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy in ROH Women's Championship tournament first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  21. 1 2 Wilkinson, Nick (August 21, 2021). "Two women advance to Semi-Finals in the ROH Women's Title Tournament; Glory by Honor results". Diva Dirt. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  22. 1 2 Powell, Jason (August 11, 2021). "ROH Wrestling TV results: Powell's review of new ROH World Champion Bandido and Rey Horus vs. Brody King and Chris Dickinson, plus Marti Belle vs. Trish Adora, and Quinn McKay vs. Mandy Leon in ROH Women's Championship tournament first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  23. 1 2 Powell, Jason (September 9, 2021). "ROH Wrestling TV results: Powell's review of Trish Adora vs. Miranda Alize, and Angelina Love vs. Rok-C in semifinal ROH Women's Championship tournament matches, and Shane Taylor, Moses, Kaun, and O'Shay Edwards vs. Rush, Dragon Lee, Kenny King, and Bestia del Ring". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  24. ↑ Powell, Jason (August 18, 2021). "ROH Wrestling TV results: Powell's review of Champions vs. All-Stars with Bandido, Dragon Lee, Jonathan Gresham, Chris Dickinson, and Homicide vs. Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, EC3, Flip Gordon, and Josh Woods, Holidead vs. Max The Impaler in an ROH Women's Championship tournament first round match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  25. 1 2 Powell, Jason (August 30, 2021). "ROH Wrestling TV results: Powell's review of Dragon Lee vs. Eli Isom for the ROH TV Title, plus Angelina Love vs. Max The Impaler, and Allysin Kay vs. Trish Adora in ROH Women's Championship tournament quarterfinal matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  26. ↑ Gagnon, Joshua (July 11, 2021). "ROH Women's Tournament Bracket Revealed". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  27. ↑ Wilkinson, Nick (August 4, 2021). "Allysin Kay advances in the ROH Women's Title Tournament". Diva Dirt. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  28. ↑ Unknown, RAA94. "Closeup look at the new ROH Women's World Championship". Reddit.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ↑ Savage, Amanda (March 31, 2023). "New ROH Women's Championship Belt Design Revealed". WrestleTalk. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  30. ↑ Unknown, __same_no_koe__. "The ROH Women's Championship A Better Image". Reddit.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  31. ↑ PWMania.com Staff (October 25, 2024). "Photo: Athena Reveals New ROH Women's World Title Spinner Belt - PWMania - Wrestling News". PWMania.com. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  32. ↑ Robinson, Sam (October 25, 2024). "ROH on HonorClub results (10/24): Robinson's review of Brian Cage vs. Komander for the ROH TV Title, Athena's celebration, Lee Johnson vs. EJ Nduka, Gates of Agony vs. The Infantry". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  33. ↑ Staff, Www.thesmackdownhotel.com. "ROH Women's World Championship". Www.thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ↑ Powell, Jason (September 13, 2021). "9/12 ROH Death Before Dishonor results: Powell's review of Bandido vs. Brody King vs. EC3 vs. Demonic Flamita in an elimination match for the ROH World Championship, Jonathan Gresham vs. Josh Woods for the ROH Pure Title, Miranda Alize vs. Rok-C to become the first ROH Women's World Champion". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  35. ↑ Title changes hands, WWE alumnus debuts at Impact tapings (spoiler) - 411 Mania.com
  36. ↑ Guzzo, Gisberto (January 13, 2022). "Ring Of Honor Women's World Championship Changes Hands On 1/13 IMPACT Wrestling". Fightful. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  37. ↑ All Elite Wrestling [@AEW] (January 3, 2022). "After #CodyRhodes became 3x TNT Champ vs @sammyguevara Christmas night, the Spanish God made a New Year's resolution to regain the Title. This Saturday LIVE @ 8 pm ET/7 pm CT on TNT at the inaugural Battle of the Belts, the rematch: TNT Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Sammy Guevara!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022– via Twitter.
  38. ↑ Powell, Jason (April 1, 2022). "4/1 ROH Supercard of Honor results: Powell's live review of Bandido vs. Jonathan Gresham for the undisputed ROH Championship, The Briscoes vs. FTR for the ROH Tag Titles, Rhett Titus vs. Minoru Suzuki for the ROH TV Title, Josh Woods vs. Wheeler Yuta for the ROH Pure Rules Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  39. ↑ Powell, Jason (December 10, 2022). "ROH Final Battle results: Powell's live review of FTR vs. The Briscoes in a Double Dog Collar match for the ROH Tag Team Titles, Chris Jericho vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH Championship, Mercedes Martinez vs. Athena for the ROH Women's Title, Daniel Garcia vs. Wheeler Yuta for the ROH Pure Rules Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
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