Women of Honor

Female talent in Ring of Honor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Women of Honor

Women of Honor is a term used by Ring of Honor (ROH) to refer to its women's division and to the promotion's female talent. The term is applied universally to wrestlers, backstage interviewers, and managers/valets.[1][2][3][4]

Quick Facts Acronym, Founded ...
Women of Honor
AcronymWOH
Founded2002; re-launched in 2015 as a unique brand
StyleWomen's professional wrestling
ParentRing of Honor (ROH)
Merged withROH Women's Division
(2021–present)
Websitewww.rohwrestling.com
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History of women in Ring of Honor

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Early years and partnership with Shimmer (2002–2011)

ROH had its first women's match on June 22, 2002, at its Road to the Title show; it saw Sumie Sakai defeat Simply Luscious.[5] Women's wrestling was sporadically featured in ROH since the match. During the 2000s, ROH featured female wrestlers like Sara Del Rey, Daizee Haze, Serena Deeb, MsChif, Amazing Kong, Ashley Lane, Nevaeh, Allison Danger, Lacey, Taeler Hendrix, Mercedes Martinez and others on shows, later releasing a DVD featuring the best of its women's division.[2] Some of women's matches were also featured on ROH's television program on HDNet but ROH did not consistently feature women's matches until 2015.[6]

ROH also had a partnership with women's professional wrestling promotion Shimmer Women Athletes, with the Shimmer Championship and Shimmer Tag Team Championship being defended on several ROH shows – becoming the first women's titles to be featured in ROH.[7][8]

End of partnership with Shimmer (2011–2015)

From years 2011 to 2015, ROH's female talent primarily consisted of female valets and interviewers although some female workers and wrestlers would compete in matches in the promotion.[9][10] During this time period women of ROH managed and accompanied male stars such as Michael Elgin, Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Truth Martini, R.D. Evans, Moose, Cedric Alexander, Jay Lethal & Prince Nana and managed and were a part of stables such as The Kingdom, The House of Truth, Team RnB and The Briscoe Brothers.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

For example, on February 26, 2011, at ROH 9th Anniversary Show, Sara Del Ray defeated MsChif with Shane Hagadorn in Sara's corner as a male valet / ally.[9]

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Scarlett Bordeaux accompanying Truth Martini (immediately behind) at a Ring of Honor taping in Toronto, Ontario during year 2013

During this time period there was no such thing as a Women's Championship that was properly owned by Ring of Honor such as the ROH Women's World Championship and the firstly ROH Women of Honor World Championship, during this time period ERA the women of ROH had to work with just brond & beauty with barley even a Shimmer Championship to compete for.[9][10][11][12][13][19][20][21][22][23][24]

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Former ROH female worker Maria Kanellis managing her husband Mike Bennett and his partner of The Kingdom Matt Taven (former 1-time ROH World Tag Team Champions The Kingdom)

Also during that time period other ROH Girls such as Maria Kanellis,[19] Sara Del Ray, Allysin Kay, Jenny Rose, Athena Reese, Scarlett Bordeaux, Mandy Leon, Mia Yim, Cherry Bomb, MsChif, Barbi Hayden, Taeler Hendrix, Seleziya Sparx, Veda Scott, Leah Von Dutch, Tara,[20] ODB, Kasey Ray, Jessie Brooks and probably more spent there time wrestling in rare once in a life time (especially seen on television) ROH Women of Honor matches and in mix tag team matches against each other, interviewing talent, interviewing backstage talent, ring announcing, side ring bell ringing and managing and valeting male talent of the company.[21][22][23][24][10][11][12][25]

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Former ROH female worker Veda Scott working in ROH managing R.D. Evans in January of 2014 (left and middle) and on pic in 2019 (right). Veda Scott also valeted Cedric Alexander during her time in ROH as well[13]

For example, during year 2011 Mia Yim was introduced to Ring of Honor Wrestling by Prince Nana as Princess Mia Yim afterwards from that point on she went on to valet his male stable alliance alongside him in Ring of Honor.[21] Around that time she also had a match against Sara Del Ray in Ring of Honor Wrestling but was not successful.[22]

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Mia Yim at Shimmer 63 in 2013

For another factual example during those years, during year 2013 Athena Reese was a part of a ROH stable by the name of Team RnB alongside another ROH wrestler by the name of A. C. H.[13] weeks later A.C.H. ran into another ROH wrestler by the name of TaDarius Thomas[26] and then the two made an alliance tag team stable name by the name of Adrenaline RUSH that primarily consisted of A.C.H. and TaDarius Thomas only[27] from that point on.

After that the three had a six-mix tag team match against MsChif, B. J. Whitmer, and Michael Elgin but were not successful.[11][12]

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Athena Reese at another wrestling promotions event in 2016 as Ember Moon

For an even further factual example, on August 15, 2014, at ROH Field of Honor of 2014 Jay Lethal defeated Matt Taven for the ROH World Television Championship with Seleziya aka Seleziya Sparx and Truth Martini in Jay Lethal's corner. Seleziya was Jay Lethal's female valet alongside his then male valet Truth Martini. Shortly after that Taeler Hendrix returned to ROH and became Jay Lethal's female valet replacing Seleziya Sparx but the two ladies never at the same time valeted Jay Lethal. (They were known as The House of Truth. Scarlett Bordeaux was a part of the stable before both ladies.)[28][29][17]

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Truth Martini in the shades on the left beside Roderick Strong on the right

Rebuilding the women's division (2015–2016)

The popularity of women in Ring of Honor has resulted in Ring of Honor taping a pilot for a standalone Women of Honor program. Ring of Honor has also made numerous Women of Honor branded merchandise available for purchase.[30] The pilot aired as a Women of Honor-branded television special the weekend of June 25, 2016 and its success led to a Women of Honor taping that is available on DVD.[31]

Women of Honor (2015; 2016–present)

At its founding, ROH had a partnership with the female exclusive promotion Shimmer Women Athletes (Shimmer), with their top championship - the Shimmer Championship - being defended at ROH events, essentially serving as ROH's de facto women's title in the promotion's early years.

During years 2015 to 2016 Ring of Honor regularly aired and promoted their Women of Honor matches called Women of Honor Wednesday matches[32][33] (Also known as Women Division Wednesday matches starting years 2021 to 2022[34]) on their YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms.[32][34]

These Women of Honor matches where presented by Ian Riccaboni. Which we're joined by ROH female talent such as Taeler Hendrix, Mandy Leon, Veda Scott, Deonna Purrazzo, Hania the Howling Huntress, Sumie Sakai, Havok and more ROH Women of Honor to compete in these reinstated Women of Honor matches since the division had been reinstated as a permanent Women of Honor division during years 2015 and 2016.[35][36]

In February 2017, ROH partnered with Japanese women's only wrestling promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom for a Women of Honor tryout camp.[37] On December 5, 2017, at Final Battle, Riccaboni introduced and announced ROH's creation of its own women's title called the ROH Women of Honor Championship,[38][39] which would later be named the Women of Honor World Championship, as a tournament for the championship was set to start on January 20, 2018.[40] On April 7, 2018, at Supercard of Honor XII, Sumie Sakai defeated Kelly Klein in the tournament final to become the inaugural champion.[41][42] Along with Sumie Sakai, there have been four champions overall, shared between Angelina Love,[43] Mayu Iwatani[44] and Kelly Klein, who held the title in a record setting three-time.[45][46][47]

On January 1, 2020, ROH deactivated the Women of Honor World Champion, held at the time by Kelly Klein, due to the former champion deciding not to renew her contract with the promotion amidst disagreements between the two parties, leading into Klein filling a lawsuit against the company over a year later in early 2021. As such, a new championship was to be created for the division, the ROH Women's World Championship. The winner was originally planned to be crowned in a 16-woman Tournament at Quest For Gold, but that tournament, as well as the Women of Honor division as a whole, was put on hold due to the event being cancelled amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[48]

During the ROH 19th Anniversary Show on March 26, 2021, Maria Kanellis made her on-screen return to the promotion and announced a new tournament to crown a new ROH Women's World Champion, the first since the retirement of the Women of Honor World Championship at the beginning of 2020. The tournament will take place in summer 2021, with a number of the matches to be showcased on ROH TV.[49] The division also seemingly dropped using the 'Women of Honor' name as a month later, 'Women's Division Wednesdays' returned on ROH's official YouTube channel starting on April 28, 2021.[50]

As of January 1, 2020, ROH deactivated the ROH Women of Honor World Championship (due to contractual issues with reigning champion Kelly Klein), and announced the creation of a brand new championship for the division, the ROH Women's World Championship. The winner was originally planned to be crowned in a 16-woman Tournament at Quest For Gold, but had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After ROH resumed operations following a five-month pandemic related hiatus, a new 15-woman tournament (with one participant - Angelina Love - getting a first round bye due to Vita VonStarr being removed from the tournament via other personal issues with Maria Kanellis) was announced at Best in the World that took place beginning on July 31, 2021, and tournament final which Rok-C won to become the inaugural ROH Women's World Champion on September 12, 2021, at Death Before Dishonor XVIII.[51]

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The inaugural ROH Women's World Champion Rok-C.

During early January 2022 Ring of Honor stopped having Wednesday version's of ROH women's matches and once more had ROH women's matches alongside the men and on ROH Wrestling TV shows alongside the men as they did during years 2002 to 2011 & years 2011 to 2015.[52][53][54]

On December 16, 2023, of Ring of Honor's tapings Tony Khan unveiled a new ROH Women's title named the ROH Women's World Television Championship.[55] On April 5, 2024, at ROH pay-per-view Supercard of Honor of year 2024 Billie Starkz defeated Queen Aminata to become the inaugural ROH Women's World Television Championship holder.[56]

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.[57]

On February 17, 2025 Athena hit a new landmark as Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, passing the 800-day mark as champion.[58]

Championships and accomplishments

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Current champions

The following list shows the Women of Honor that are currently holding all active Women of Honor championships in Ring of Honor Wrestling.

More information Championship, Current champion(s) ...
Championship Current champion(s) Reign Date won Days
held
Location Notes Ref.
ROH Women's World Championship Thumb Athena 1 December 10, 2022 800 Arlington, Texas Defeated Mercedes Martinez at Final Battle. [59]
ROH Women's World Television Championship Thumb Red Velvet 1 July 26, 2024 206 Arlington, Texas Defeated Billie Starkz at Death Before Dishonor [60]
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Past and retired championships

More information Championship, Final champion(s) ...
Championship Final champion(s) Date won Date retired Days held Notes
Women of Honor World Championship Kelly Klein October 12, 2019 January 1, 2020 81 Retired after the champion Kelly Klein's contract was not renewed. The title was replaced by the new ROH Women's World Championship.
Shimmer Championship Nicole Matthews October 18, 2014 2014 (in ROH) 357 The championship ceased being defended at ROH events in 2014.
Shimmer Tag Team Championship Daizee Haze and Tomoka Nakagawa March 27, 2011 2011 (in ROH) 188 The championship ceased being defended at ROH event in 2011.
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Women of Honor's Year–End Awards

More information Year won, Award ...
Year won Award Winner
2007 Shimmer Wrestler of the Year Sara Del Rey
2017 WOH Wrestler of the Year Deonna Purrazzo[61]
2018 Sumie Sakai[62]
2020 Female Wrestler of the Year Session Moth Martina[63]
2021 Rok-C[64]
Best New Star Rok-C[65]
Breakout Star of the Year: Female Quinn McKay[66]
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Women of Honor tournaments

Inaugural Women of Honor Championship tournament

Qualifying matches

Ring of Honor Wrestling tapings – June 29 and June 30 (2300 ArenaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania)
More information No., Results ...
No.ResultsStipulations
1Jessie Brooks defeated Gabby OrtizWomen of Honor Championship Qualifying Match
2Brandi Rhodes defeated Stella GreyWomen of Honor Championship Qualifying Match
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Tournament bracket

First Round
ROH Wrestling / Women of Honor tapings
Quarterfinals
ROH Wrestling / Women of Honor tapings
Semifinals
ROH Wrestling / Women of Honor tapings
Final
Supercard of Honor XII
April 7, 2018
        
Mandy Leon Pin
Madison Rayne
Mandy Leon
Kelly Klein KO
Jessie Brooks
Kelly Klein Pin
Kelly Klein Sub
Mayu Iwatani
HZK
Mayu Iwatani Pin
Mayu Iwatani Pin
Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna Purrazzo Sub
Holidead
Kelly Klein
Sumie Sakai Pin
Jenny Rose
Kagetsu Pin
Kagetsu
Sumie Sakai Pin
Hana Kimura
Sumie Sakai Pin
Sumie Sakai Pin
Tenille Dashwood
Stacy Shadows
Tenille Dashwood Pin
Tenille Dashwood Pin
Brandi Rhodes
Karen Q
Brandi Rhodes Pin

Inaugural ROH Women's World Championship tournament

Tournament bracket

First Round1 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[67]
Sumie Sakai 9:36
Rok-C Pin[68]
Quinn McKay 10:14
Mandy Leon 7:12
Quinn McKay3 4 5 Pin[69]
Rok-C Sub[70]
Angelina Love 6:44
Holidead 9:18
Max the Impaler Pin[71]
Max the Impaler 5:53
Angelina Love DQ[72]
Angelina Love Bye[73]
6
Rok-C Pin[74]
Miranda Alize 18:13
Alex Gracia 8:43
Miranda Alize Pin[67]
Miranda Alize Pin[68]
Nicole Savoy 13:04
Mazzerati 8:45
Nicole Savoy Pin[67]
Miranda Alize Sub[70]
Trish Adora 12:16
Willow Nightingale 11:30
Allysin Kay Sub[75]
Allysin Kay 13:30
Trish Adora Pin[72]
Marti Belle 7:13
Trish Adora Sub[69]

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.

Inaugural ROH Women's World Television Championship tournament

Tournament bracket

First Round
ROH Wrestling
(February 15 and 22)
Quarterfinals
ROH Wrestling
(February 29, March 7 and 14)
Semifinals
ROH Wrestling
(March 21)
Final
Supercard of Honor
(April 5)
        
Kiera Hogan 6:31[76]
Diamanté Pin
Diamanté 11:38[77]
Billie Starkz Pin
Billie Starkz Sub
Robyn Renegade 9:47[78]
Billie Starkz Pin
Mercedes Martinez 11:33[79]
Mercedes Martinez Sub
Trish Adora 9:46[76]
Mercedes Martinez Pin
Abadon 9:46[77]
Viva Van 5:48[78]
Abadon Pin
Billie Starkz Sub
Queen Aminata 17:42[56]
Rachael Ellering 10:49[76]
Leyla Hirsch Pin
Leyla Hirsch 9:46[80]
Red Velvet Pin
Sandra Moone 9:01[78]
Red Velvet Pin
Red Velvet 9:24[79]
Queen Aminata Pin
J–Rod 6:04[76]
Queen Aminata Pin
Queen Aminata Pin
Taya Valkyrie 8:52[81]
Sussy Love 7:19[78]
Taya Valkyrie Pin

1 ^ Originally scheduled participant Lady Frost was on tour in Mexico when the tournament began, so she was removed.

Inaugural championship holders

The following list shows the first ever Ring of Honor and partnered with Ring of Honor Shimmer Women Athletes Women's Championship winners and the years that the titles were first ever won by Women of Ring of Honor in Ring of Honor history.

More information Championships, Company ...
Championships Women of Honor (ROH_WOH) Company Year(s)
Shimmer Championship Sara Del Ray Shimmer Women Athletes
(Jointed with, Used by, and Borrowed by ROH)
and
Ring of Honor Wrestling
(ROH)
Partnered
(2002–2011)
2007–2014
Shimmer Tag Team Championship Ashley Lane and Nevaeh Shimmer Women Athletes
(Jointed with, Used by, and Borrowed by ROH)
and
Ring of Honor Wrestling
(ROH)
Partnered
(2002–2011)
2008–2011
Women of Honor Championship Sumie Sakai Ring of Honor Wrestling
(ROH)
2017–2020
ROH Women's World Championship Rok-C Ring of Honor Wrestling
(ROH)
2020–present
ROH Women's World Television Championship Billie Starkz Ring of Honor Wrestling
(ROH)
2023–present
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Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI Female 50 / Women's 100 / Women's 150 / Women's 250

More information Year ...
Year 12345678910
PWI Female 50
2008[82]----MsChifSara Del Rey----
2009---MsChif-- - - - -
2010 - - - - - - - - MsChif -
2011 - - - - - - - - MsChif Sara Del Rey
2012 - - - Sara Del Rey - - - - - -
2013 - - - - - - - Tara - -
PWI Female 100 / PWI Women's 100 / PWI Women's 250
2018[83] - - - - - - - - Mayu Iwatani -
2019[84] - - - - - - - - - Nicole Savoy
2023[85] - - - - - Athena - Willow Nightingale - -
2024[86] - - - - - - - - - Athena
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PWI Year–End Awards

More information Year Won, Award ...
Year Won Award Wrestler
2012[87] Rookie of the Year Veda Scott
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ROH 5 Count: Women of Honor

The following list shows the Top 5 ROH 5 Count Women of Honor Trailblazers[88] and the Top 5 ROH 5 Count Women of Honor Competitors[89] in all of Ring of Honor Wrestling (ROH) history.

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Cherry Bomb executing a Death Valley Driver on MsChif during a Ring of Honor taping at the Ted Reeve arena in Toronto, Ontario during year 2013

TOP 5 WOH Trailblazers

More information Numbers, Name ...
Numbers Name Women of Honor (WOH) Years Notes
1[88] ROH 5 COUNT: WOMEN OF HONOR TRAILBLAZERS Sara Del Rey 2005–2012 She was one of the most dominant and the measuring stick during her run in the women's division throughout her years in ROH.
2 Daizee Haze 2004–2011 Haze formed an alliance with Delirious, who was her trainer.
3 Lacey 2004–2008 Lacey made quite an impact during her time in ROH and defeated a lot of hardcore veteran female talent that worked for ROH while there.
4 MsChif 2006–2013 Held the Shimmer Championship for 715 days while in Ring of Honor.
5 Allison Danger 2002–2009 She is younger sister of former ROH star Steve Corino.
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TOP 5 WOH Competitors

More information Numbers, Name ...
Numbers Name Women of Honor (WOH) Years Notes
1[89] ROH 5 COUNT: TOP 5 WOMEN OF HONOR COMPETITORS Kelly Klein 2015–2019 She was known as "The Gatekeeper" and "The Pretty Badass," and Became a 3-time ROH Women of Honor Champion.
2 Deonna Purrazzo 2015–2018; 2021 She is known as "The Virtuosa" and was one of the pioneers of WOH's relaunch in 2015 and she also became ROH Women's World Champion.
3 Mandy Leon 2014; 2015–2022 Known as The "Exotic Goddess" and ROH Dojo graduate who has come a long way in a short amount of time while in ROH.
4 Sumie Sakai 2002; 2015–2021 She was victorious in the very first WOH match in 2002, is a 20-year veteran, and was the first ROH Women of Honor Champion.
5 Jenny Rose 2013; 2015–2020 Competed in her first ROH Women's match against Leah Von Dutch, MsChif, and Athena after training in the ROH Dojo and wrestling in Japan after her training.
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Current Women's division

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Athena
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Red Velvet
More information Ring name, Real name ...
Ring name Real name Notes
Athena[90] Adrienne Palmer[91] Women's World Champion
Billie Starkz[92] Lillian Bridget[93]
Charlette Renegade[94] Charlette Williamson[95]
Diamante[96] Priscilla Zuniga[97]
Lady Frost[98] Brittany Steding[99]
Leyla Hirsch[100] Leyla Hirsch[101]
Marina Shafir[102] Marina Shafir[103]
Mercedes Martinez[104] Jazmin Benitez[105]
Queen Aminata[106] Aminata Sylla
Rachael Ellering[107] Rachael Ellering[108]
Red Velvet[109] Stephanie M. Cardona Women's World Television Champion
Robyn Renegade[110] Robin Williamson[111]
Trish Adora[112] Patrice McNair[113]
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References

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