Women of Wrestling

Last updated
Women of Wrestling
Women of Wrestling.png
Genre Professional wrestling
Women's professional wrestling
Created by David McLane
Developed by Jeanie Buss
StarringWOW Superheroes roster
Narrated by David McLane
Stephen Dickey
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons10
No. of episodes207
Production
Production locations Los Angeles, California
Camera setup Multicamera setup
Running time60 minutes
Original release
Network Broadcast syndication (2000–2001; 2022–present)
AXS TV (2019–2020)
ReleaseSeptember 1, 2000 (2000-09-01) 
present

Women of Wrestling (WOW) is an American women's professional wrestling promotion founded in 2000 by David McLane (who also founded Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW)). WOW is based in Los Angeles, California, and is owned by McLane and Los Angeles Lakers owner/president Jeanie Buss. [1]

Contents

Initially broadcasting in syndication in the 2000–01 television season, [2] WOW is a sports entertainment–styled product where its talent portrays heavily dramatized characters. [3]

History

Early years and relaunch

Selina Majors entrance at a WOW! event WOWSelina.jpg
Selina Majors entrance at a WOW! event

WOW has been recognized as one of the few nationally broadcast wrestling promotions featuring an all-female roster. [4] Only 24 television episodes and a pay-per-view event were produced during its initial run. [5] In 2002, McLane sought a partnership with Kiss frontman Gene Simmons to revive the promotion. [6] In July 2011, WOW TV reruns began airing on the ABC affiliate KTNV in Las Vegas. [7]

On May 29, 2012, McLane and Buss announced their intention to revive WOW and produce new episodes. [8] [9] Later that year, WOW reruns began airing on The CW Las Vegas station KVCW starting on December 9. [10]

In December 2014, WOW announced that it would be producing content for digital media in 2015. Marketed as "WOW Superheroes", its roster of characters are portrayed as empowered women from all different backgrounds and professions. [11] A second season premiered on March 1, 2016, on YouTube. [12] Its fourth season premiered February 28, 2017. [13]

On April 20, 2017, MGM Television announced that Mark Burnett, MGM's President, Television Group & Digital, and Jeanie Buss formed a partnership to develop new WOW content across a range of unscripted programming and digital formats. [14] In June 2018, it was announced that tapings for a new weekly program on AXS TV titled WOW: Women of Wrestling would begin on October 10, 2018, at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, [15] with episodes airing in early 2019. [16] WOW debuted that January 18 as part of AXS TV's "Friday Night Fights" lineup of shows. [15] [17] The AXS TV premiere marked WOW's first television broadcast of new content in almost eighteen years. [18] WOW: Women of Wrestling ran for two seasons on AXS TV. In June 2020, it was reported that AXS had cancelled the series. [19]

Return to syndication

On October 6, 2021, it was announced that CBS Media Ventures, the syndication arm of Paramount Global, had entered into a multi-year distribution agreement for WOW that will see new episodes produced for weekend syndication starting in Fall 2022. [20] [21] On October 7, WOW announced that April Mendez (formerly AJ Lee in WWE) joined the company as an executive producer and color commentator. [22]

On January 21, 2022, WOW announced in a press release that "never-before-seen" episodes from "season 7" would debut on Pluto TV and The CW app starting January 22. [23] On August 1, 2022, it was announced that new episodes of the series will begin airing on September 17, 2022, internationally from Paramount Global Content Distribution, the international arm of its United States syndicator CBS Media Ventures. It has also been licensed for broadcast in Canada, Australia (where it airs on Paramount-owned 10 Play) and Indonesia. [24] In December 2022, The New York Times reported that WOW was the highest rated wrestling television show produced outside of WWE and All Elite Wrestling, ahead of those produced by TNA Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling. [25] This was attributed to the show being available in every cable home in the United States, as well as airings in Canada and Australia. [26]

Seasons

WOW Unleashed 2001

WOW Unleashed
Promotion Women of Wrestling
DateFebruary 4, 2001
City Inglewood, California
Venue Great Western Forum
Attendance~9,500
Pay-per-view chronology
 Previous
N/A
Next 
N/A

WOW Unleashed was a professional wrestling pay-per-view from Women of Wrestling. It took place on February 4, 2001, from the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The PPV suffered from technical difficulties and a low buyrate. [27] A second PPV, Spring Vengeance, was announced for April 8, 2001, during Unleashed, but never came to fruition. The announcers were Lee Marshall and former manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Regular announcer David McLane, also the promotion's President, served as Master of Ceremonies. [28] [29]

Event results
Match
No.
Episode 18 (taped on February 2, 2001, aired on February 4, 2001)StipulationsTimes
1Randi Rah Rah defeated Jacklyn Hyde Singles match 2:15
2The Beach Patrol (Sandy and Summer) vs. Farah the Persian Princess and Paradise ended in a draw Tag team match 2:30
3Tanja the Warrior Woman defeated Jane BlondSingles match2:47
4Nicky Law (with Kristy Order) defeated Hammerin' Heather SteeleSingles match2:02
5Boom Boom the Volcano and Caliente defeated The Asian Invasion (Jade and Lotus)Tag team match4:43
6Bronco Billie defeated The DisciplinarianSingles match3:55
7Roxy Powers vs. Slam Dunk ended in a double disqualification Singles match6:16
8Riot defeated Wendi Wheels Hardcore match 9:40
9Jungle Grrrl defeated Beckie the Farmers Daughter Splash match 9:45
10Caged Heat (Delta Lotta Pain and Loca) defeated Harley's Angels (Charlie Davidson and EZ Rider) (with Thug)Tag team tournament final match for the inaugural WOW World Tag Team Championship 5:42
11Terri Gold defeated Danger (c)Singles rematch for the WOW World Championship 4:20
12Lana Star and Patti Pizzazz vs. Ice Cold and Poison no contest
Lana Star defeated Ice Cold and Poison
Handicap hair vs. hair match
(Since Ice Cold was pinned, she had her head shaved)
5:16
13 Thug (with Charlie Davidson and EZ Rider) defeated Selina Majors Steel cage match 15:01

Personnel

Alumnae

Former Superheroes

Ring nameReal nameNotes
Adrenaline Priscilla ZunigaFormer WOW World Tag Team Champion
Amber O'Neal Kimberly Dawn DavisFormerly known as The Beverly Hills Babe
Former WOW World Tag Team Champion
Amber RodriguezAmber RodriguezFormerly known as Sahara Spars
AzúcarVanessa Herrera
The Beast [30] Twana Barnett-Ferguson [31] Former WOW World Champion
Beckie the Farmers DaughterRenee IntlekoferWOW Original
Boom Boom the VolcanoPatty Bunya-AnantaWOW Original
Bronco BillieLisa Danielle RachubaWOW Original
Buggy Nova Natalie Laura Osman
CalienteRachel IversonWOW Original
Cali RayKirsten Young
Candice LeRae Candice Dawson
Casey DakotaSarah Stallman
Charlie DavidsonCharlie DavidsonWOW Original
Christina Von EerieChristina Von EerieAlso wrestled as Razor
The DaggerMichelle Blanchard
DangerElle AlexanderWOW Original
Former WOW World Champion
Delta Lotta Pain Jwaundace Candece WOW Original
Former WOW World Tag Team Champion
Desdemeana the Soldier of DarknessAndrea VanEpps
The DisciplinarianKristen Davidson
Robyn Reid [32]
WOW Original, also wrestled as Misery
Eye Candy Danielle Paultre
EZ RiderEleanor KerriganWOW Original
Faith The Lioness Faith Jefferies
Farah The Persian PrincessTelma RoshanravanWOW Original
Fire Kiera Hogan
Taylor Lewis
Former WOW World Tag Team Champion
FrenchieMarie Gibeault
Frost the Olympian Janeshia Adams-Ginyard
GI JaneQuanice Jackson
Glitch the GamerAlicia Bellamy
Hammerin' Heather SteeleChristina Tomaziesski ColbyWOW Original
Hazard Elizabeth Crist
Ice ColdInga WaggonerWOW Original
Ivy Quinnunknown
Jacklyn HydeVasilika Vanya MarinkovicWOW Original
JadeJennifer Lee ChanWOW Original
Jane BlondElla CarterWOW Original
Jennifer FlorezJazmin Allure
Jessicka Havok Jessica Cricks
Jolene DixieAirial Le
Jolynn DixieCathy Le
Jungle Grrrl Erica PorterWOW Original
Former WOW World Champion
Kaoz [33] Steffanie Manukainiu
Kitty Holly Michelle MeowyFormer manager of Lana Star
Kona [34] Ashley Manukainiu
Kharmaunknown
Khloe HurtzKatie Forbes
Kiara DillonKiara Dillon
Krissy Vaine Kristin Eubanks
Kristy OrderunknownWOW Original
La NiñaMelissa Santos
Lady LondonGeorgina Rawlings
Leia MakoaReka Tehaka
LocaCher FerreyraWOW Original
Former WOW World Tag Team Champion
LotusJeannie KimWOW Original
Malia Hosaka Malia Hosaka
MezmeriahArelys Rodriguez Silva
MiseryKristen DavidsonWOW Original
Also wrestled as The Disciplinarian
MysteryNicole OchoaWOW Original
Also wrestled as Vendetta
Nicky LawunknownWOW Original
Nikki KrampusRagnhild Bjoerge
ParadiseMaria NunezWOW Original
Patti PizzazzunknownWOW Original
Formerly known as Patti Pep
The PhantomLynnette ThredgoldWOW Original
PoisonKina Van VleetWOW Original
Randi Rah Rahunknown
Kelsey Hornack
WOW Original
Former WOW World Tag Team Champion
Ray LynRachel Kelvington
RazorChristina Von Eerie
Sarah Wolfe
Rebel Haze [35] Mandy O'Shaughness
Reyna Reyes Gisele Shaw Formerly known as Azteca
RiotApril Kathryn LittlejohnWOW Original
Robbie RocketJohnnie Robbie
Roxy PowersNatalie T. YeoWOW Original
Sandy Tamie Sheffield WOW Original
Sassy MassyAlisha Edwards
Selina Majors Selina MajorsWOW Original
Serpentine Melissa CervantesFormerly known as Kobra Moon
Slam DunkFamisha Jones-MillmanWOW Original
SpikeHudson Envy
Summer Bobbi Billard WOW Original
SunshineJamila Griffith
Tanja the Warrior WomanTanja RichterWOW Original
Tatevik the GamerTatevik Hunanyan
The Temptress Katarina Waters
Terri GoldHeather Lee-MillardWOW Original
Former WOW World Champion
Tessa Blanchard Tessa BlanchardFormer WOW World Champion
Thug Peggy Lee Leather WOW Original
VendettaNicole OchoaWOW Original
Also wrestled as Mystery
Vickie Lynn McCoy [36] Kelsey De Journett
Vivian RiveraEverly Rivera
Wrecking Ball [37] Heidi Howitzer
Wendi WheelsRebecca GravellWOW Original
Formerly known as Sunny


Championships

As of February20, 2025.

ChampionshipCurrent champion(s)ReignDate wonDays
held
LocationNotesRef.
WOW World Championship The Classmaster1August 3, 2024201+ Los Angeles, CA Won a 12-woman battle royal to win the vacant championship. This episode aired on tape delay on January 11, 2024, at WOW Season 10: Episode 18
WOW World Tag Team Championship Big Rig Betty and Jessie Jones 1August 3, 2024201+ Los Angeles, CA Won the titles from Miami's Sweet Heat (Laurie Carlson and Lindsey Carlson). This episode aired on tape delay on November 30, 2024, at WOW Season 10: Episode 12
WOW Trios Tag Team Championship Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush)1December 12, 2023436+ Los Angeles, CA Defeated Team Exile (Exodus, Genesis and Ice Cold) to become the inaugural trios champions. This episode aired on tape delay on March 16, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 27

WOW Trios Tag Team Title History

The WOW Trios Tag Team Championship is a women's professional wrestling tag team championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion Women of Wrestling (WOW). Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush) are the current champions in their first reign.

WOW Trios Tag Team Championship
Details
Promotion Women of Wrestling (WOW)
Date established2023
Current champion(s)Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush)
Date wonMarch 16, 2024
Statistics
First champion(s)Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush)

Tournaments

Inaugural WOW trios tag team Championship tournament (season 9) 2023–2024

Quarterfinals

(December 13 and 14, 2023)

Semifinals

(December 14, 2023)

Finals

(December 14, 2023) WOW Season 9: Episode 27

         
Team IQ Superior
(The Classmaster, The Disciplinarian and GI Jane) (with Samantha Smart)
5:25
Team Spirit
(Ariel Sky, Coach Campanelli and Pep Riley)
Pin
Team Spirit
(Ariel Sky, Pep Riley and Sasha Sparks) (with Coach Campanelli) (ended in a no contest)
Team Spirit
(Coach Campanelli, Pep Riley and Sasha Sparks) (with Ariel Sky)
4:46
Pin
The Brat Pack
(ended in a no contest)
The Brat Pack
4:46
5:01
The Brat Pack
(BK Rhythm, Gigi Gianni and Lil J-Boogie)
Pin
Spring Break 24/7
(Crystal Waters and Sandy Shore) and Chantilly Chella)
4:47
Team Spirit
(Ariel Sky, Pep Riley and Sasha Sparks) (with Coach Campanelli) (no contest)
Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush
(with Ariel Sky, Pep Riley and Sasha Sparks)
NC
Pin
Team Exile (no contest)
Team Exile
NC
6:32
Team Exile
(Exodus, Genesis and Ice Cold)
Pin
The Mighty Mights
(Spice and Sugar) and Stephy Slays
5:25
Team ExilePin
El Clan Latino 4:06
El Clan Latino
(Sylvia Sanchez, Tormenta and Vivian Rivera) (with the Atty. Sophia Lopez)
Pin
The Mighty Mights
(Spice and Sugar) and Keta Rush
4:39

Reigns

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
Women of Wrestling (WOW)
1Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush)December 13, 2023WOW Season 9: Episode 27 Los Angeles, CA 1435+Coach Campanelli replaced the other existing members of Team Spirit (Ariel Sky, Pep Riley and Sasha Sparks) with Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush to defeat Team Exile (Exodus, Genesis and Ice Cold) to become the inaugural trios champions. The winning team took the name Top Tier. This episode aired on tape delay on March 16, 2024 at WOW Season 9: Episode 27

Combined reigns

As of February20, 2025.

By team

Indicates the current champion
RankWrestlerNo. of
reigns
Combined days
1Top Tier
(Coach Campanelli, Gloria Gliiter and Kandi Krush)
1434+

By wrestler

RankWrestlerNo. of
reigns
Combined
days
1Coach Campanelli1435+
Gloria Glitter1
Kandi Krush1

References

  1. "Why the Lakers' Jeanie Buss loves Jungle Grrrl and is putting her money into a female wrestling show". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 2016.
  2. "Partners pin hopes on women wrestlers | Indianapolis Business Journal | Professional Journal archives from". AllBusiness.com. 2000-08-28. Retrieved 2012-01-24.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. Vanes. "Women of Wrestling". Shootangle.com. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  4. TV.com. "Women of Wrestling". TV.com. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  5. Meltzer, Dave (July 2003). "WOW did 24 episodes of television that aired from October 2000 through March 2001...". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Campbell, California. p. 8. WOW did 24 episodes of television that aired from October 2000 through March 2001 on major stations in about 100 markets, buying tin [sic?] most markets. The money was supposed to be recouped by holding a PPV show. They did one from the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, that ended up doing 12,000 buys, and the venture lost several million dollars in the process. In fact, they lost more money in their last three months than ECW did in its last year, and ECW had many wrestlers under six-figure contracts. WOW has been largely dormant ever since
  6. "INTERACTIVE WRESTLING RADIO INTERVIEW - Terri Gold" . Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. "Women of Wrestling - WOWE - New Website Coming Soon". WOWE. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  8. "Jeanie Buss executive producer for women's wrestling reality show". Los Angeles Times. May 29, 2012.
  9. "Women of Wrestling -- Don't Call It a Comeback!". TMZ.
  10. "Women Of Wrestling". Women Of Wrestling.
  11. "The1stMovement Pins WOW -Women of Wrestling - Yahoo Finance". Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  12. "Women of Wrestling Season 2 announcement". Facebook . Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  13. "WOW Superheroes". YouTube.
  14. Calvario, Liz (April 20, 2017). "MGM Television Partners With 'Women Of Wrestling' To Create Content For TV And Digital Platforms".
  15. 1 2 Powell, Jason (2019-01-19). "1/18 WOW on AXS review: Tessa Blanchard appears, Santana Garrett vs. Jungle Grrrl for the WOW Championship, The Beast vs. Stephy Slays, Abilene Maverick vs. Fire, Khloe Hurtz vs. Eye Candy" . Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  16. "'WOW — Women Of Wrestling' Series Sells to AXS TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 June 2018.
  17. Pritchard, Bill (2019-01-19). "AXS TV Announces New Friday Night Fights Lineup Featuring Women Of Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling" . Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  18. Sapp, Sean Ross (2019-01-08). "Exclusive: How WOW And AXS' TV Deal Came Together With Two NBA Owners" . Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  19. "Report: AXS TV And Women Of Wrestling Part Ways". fightful.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  20. ViacomCBS Signs Distribution Deal With WOW — Women of Wrestling – The Hollywood Reporter
  21. ViacomCBS Syndicating ‘WOW – Women Of Wrestling’ In 160 U.S. Markets – Deadline
  22. @wowsuperheroes (October 7, 2021). "BREAKING NEWS AJ Mendez is WOW Wrestling! Welcome to the team!" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-10-07 via Twitter.
  23. "WOW Wrestling never-before-seen episodes to premiere on Pluto TV and The CW App - Wrestling News". Wrestling News. January 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  24. "'WOW – Women Of Wrestling' Launching This September In Syndication". Wrestling News. August 1, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  25. Needelman, Joshua (2022-12-15). "In the World of Wrestling, a Heavy Hitter Steps Into the Ring". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  26. "TV Ratings For Women Of Wrestling's First Two Episodes Revealed". Wrestling Inc. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  27. Steve Bryant (October 28, 2018). "Before There Was Evolution There Was Unleashed". SoCal Uncensored. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  28. Scott Keith (July 28, 2002). "The smark retro repost women of wrestling february 4 2001". 411Mania. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  29. Scott Keith (October 30, 2018). "The SmarK Rant for Women of Wrestling (WOW) Unleashed–02.01.01". Blog of Doom. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  30. "The Beast". Women of Wrestling.
  31. Thomas, Jeremy (5 October 2021). "Second Name Reportedly Set For WOW Women of Wrestling Relaunch". 411Mania.com. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  32. "The Disciplinarian". Women of Wrestling.
  33. "Kaoz". Women of Wrestling.
  34. "Kona". Women of Wrestling.
  35. "Reina Del Rey". Women of Wrestling.
  36. "Vickie Lynn McCoy". Women of Wrestling.
  37. "Wrecking Ball". Women of Wrestling.