Women of Honor

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Women of Honor
AcronymWOH
Founded2002; re-launched as unique brand in 2015
StyleWomen's professional wrestling
HeadquartersBaltimore, Maryland
ParentRing of Honor
Websitewww.rohwrestling.com

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

Promotion[]

Early years and parnership with Shimmer Women Athletes (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. Women's wrestling in ROH had been sporadic since then. ROH featured female stars like Sara Del Rey, Daizee Haze, and others on shows, even releasing a DVD featuring Del Rey, Haze, Amazing Kong, Mickie James, MsChif, Lacey, and others. Some of these matches were featured on ROH's television program on HDNet and, later, on its syndicated show, but ROH did not consistently brand women's matches as Women of Honor until 2015.

ROH also had partnership with Shimmer Women Athletes, as the Shimmer Championship has been defended on several shows, being the first women's title to be featured on ROH.[5] On April 2, 2011, at the second night of Honor Takes Center Stage, the Shimmer Tag Team Championship were defended on ROH for the first time, when the then-champions Daizee Haze and Tomoka Nakagawa successfully defended the title against Ayumi Kurihara and Hiroyo Matsumoto.[6]

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.[7] Ring of Honor has also made numerous Women of Honor branded merchandise available for purchase.[8] 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.[9]

Women of Honor division (2016–present)[]

Currently, Ring of Honor regularly airs and promotes Women of Honor matches on their YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms. As of June 2018, the only two videos to receive 3 million or more views on Ring of Honor's YouTube page are Women of Honor matches, both featuring former Women of Honor World Champion, "The Gatekeeper" Kelly Klein.[10]

Matches are called and presented by Ian Riccaboni. He has been joined by Taeler Hendrix,[11] Mandy Leon,[12] Veda Scott,[13] Matt Taven and B.J. Whitmer[14] for YouTube exclusives and Nigel McGuinness for the two Women of Honor television specials.[15] Along with Sakai, there has been four champions shared between Angelina Love,[16] Mayu Iwatani[17] and Klein, who held the title in a record setting three-time.[18][19][20]

In February 2017, ROH partnered with Japanese promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom for a Women of Honor tryout camp.[21] On December 5, at Final Battle, Riccaboni introduced the new Women of Honor Championship, 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.[22] On April 7, at Supercard of Honor XII, Sumie Sakai defeated Kelly Klein in the tournament final to become the inaugural champion.[23][24] Along with Sakai, there have been four champions overall, shared between Angelina Love,[25] Mayu Iwatani[26] and Klein, who held the title in a record setting three-time.[27][28][29]

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.

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. 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.

Championships[]

Promotional poster for the ROH Women's World Championship tournament taking place in 2021

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.

On December 15, 2017, ROH announced the creation of its own women's title - the Women of Honor World Championship, with Sumie Sakai becoming the first title holder at Supercard of Honor XII on April 7, 2018, defeating Kelly Klein in the finals of the tournament to crown the inaugural champion.[30]

As of January 1, 2020, ROH deactivated the 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) was announced at Best in the World to take place beginning on July 31, 2021, and culminating on September 12 at Death Before Dishonor XVIII to crown the inaugural champion.

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[31]
Sumie Sakai 9:36
Rok-C Pin[36]
Quinn McKay 10:14
Mandy Leon 7:12
Quinn McKay3 4 5 Pin[32]
Rok-C Sub.
Angelina Love 6:44
Holidead 9:18
Max the Impaler Pin[33]
Max the Impaler 5:53
Angelina Love DQ[37]
Angelina Love Bye[34]
–6
Rok-C Pin
Miranda Alize 18:13
Alex Gracia 8:43
Miranda Alize Pin[31]
Miranda Alize Pin[36]
Nicole Savoy 13:04
Mazzerati 8:45
Nicole Savoy Pin[31]
Miranda Alize Sub.
Trish Adora 12:16
Willow Nightingale 11:30
Allysin Kay Sub[35]
Allysin Kay 13:30
Trish Adora Pin[37]
Marti Belle 7:13
Trish Adora Sub[32]

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.

Championships and accomplishments[]

Championships[]

Championship Current champion Reign Date won Days
held 		Location Notes
ROH Women's World Championship Rok-C 1 September 12, 2021 105+ Philadelphia, PA Won in a tournament final at Death Before Dishonor XVIII to become the inaugural champion

Retired championships[]

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 will be replaced by the new ROH Women's World Championship.

Year–End Awards[]

Year won Award Winner
2017 WOH Wrestler of the Year Deonna Purrazzo[38]
2018 Sumie Sakai[39]
2020 Female Wrestler of the Year Session Moth Martina[40]

References[]

  1. ^ "A View of the Future with the Women of Honor". ROH Wrestling. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  2. ^ "The Women of Honor (2 Disc Set)". ROH Wrestling. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  3. ^ "Ring Of Honor Adopting Women's Division?". WrestlingInc.com. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  4. ^ "Major update on Ring of Honor creating a women's division - Wrestling News". Wrestlingnews.co. 2015-08-06. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  5. ^ "A Title of Their Own". ROHwrestling.com. 2007-07-16. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  6. ^ "ROH Internet PPV Report 4/2: Caldwell & Radican's complete "virtual-time" coverage of live ROH PPV from Atlanta". Pro Wrestling Torch. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  7. ^ "ROH taping a Women Of Honor pilot at tonight's tapings according to MLW". Reddit. February 6, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  8. ^ "Women Of Honor apparel". ROH Wrestling. June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  9. ^ "7/8/16 Women Of Honor - Baltimore, MD (VOD)". ROH Wrestling. July 9, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  10. ^ "Popular Uploads". YouTube. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  11. ^ "Women of Honor Wed - KELLY KLEIN vs MARY DOBSON #WoHWed (5/8/16 Chicago)". YouTube. June 1, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "TAELER HENDRIX vs SUMIE SAKAI from Lowell, MA 10-1-16". YouTube. October 12, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "#WOHWed - Taeler Hendrix & Jessicka Havok vs. Mandy Leon & Deonna Purrazzo". YouTube. October 5, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  14. ^ "Women of Honor Wednesday SOLO DARLING vs KELLY KLEIN #WoHWED". YouTube. February 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  15. ^ "Women of Honor Wednesday: Faye Jackson VS ODB - Nashville, TN". YouTube. November 16, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  16. ^ Powell, Jason (September 27, 2019). "9/27 Powell's ROH Death Before Dishonor review: Matt Taven vs. Rush for the ROH World Championship, The Briscoes vs. Mark Haskins and Bandido for the ROH Tag Titles, Kelly Klein vs. Angelina Love for the WOH Title, Shane Taylor vs. Tracy Williams vs. Flip Gordon for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  17. ^ Powell, Jason (February 10, 2019). "2/10 ROH Bound By Honor results: Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham, and Rush vs. The Kingdom in a non-title match, Kelly Klein vs. Mayu Iwatani for the WOH Championship, Jeff Cobb vs. Rocky Romero for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  18. ^ Powell, Jason. "12/14 Powell's ROH Final Battle 2018 live review: Jay Lethal vs. Cody for the ROH Title, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky vs. The Briscoes vs. The Young Bucks in a Ladder War for the ROH Tag Titles, Jeff Cobb vs. Adam Page for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  19. ^ Powell, Jason (April 6, 2019). "4/6 ROH and NJPW G1 Supercard results: Powell's live review of Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Hvt. Championship, Jay Lethal vs. Matt Taven vs. Marty Scurll in a three-way ladder match for the ROH Title, Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and more". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  20. ^ Powell, Jason (October 12, 2019). "10/12 ROH Glory By Honor results: Rush defends the ROH Championship against a battle royal winner, Dalton Castle vs. PCO and Marty Scurll vs. Jay Lethal plus the finals of the tournament for an ROH Title shot at Final Battle, Angelina Love vs. Kelly Klein for the WOH Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  21. ^ "Ring of Honor Conducting the First Ever Women of Honor Tryout Camp". Ring of Honor. February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  22. ^ Powell, Jaon (2017-12-15). "12/15 Powell's ROH Final Battle 2017 live review: Cody vs. Dalton Castle for the ROH Title, The Briscoes vs. Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer in a street fight, Marty Scurll vs. Jay Lethal, four-way elimination for the ROH TV Title". prowrestling.net. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  23. ^ Rose, Bryan. "ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR XII LIVE RESULTS: KENNY OMEGA VS. CODY". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  24. ^ Rose, Bryan. "WILL OSPREAY TO CHALLENGE FOR THE ROH TITLE AT DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  25. ^ Powell, Jason (September 27, 2019). "9/27 Powell's ROH Death Before Dishonor review: Matt Taven vs. Rush for the ROH World Championship, The Briscoes vs. Mark Haskins and Bandido for the ROH Tag Titles, Kelly Klein vs. Angelina Love for the WOH Title, Shane Taylor vs. Tracy Williams vs. Flip Gordon for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  26. ^ Powell, Jason (February 10, 2019). "2/10 ROH Bound By Honor results: Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham, and Rush vs. The Kingdom in a non-title match, Kelly Klein vs. Mayu Iwatani for the WOH Championship, Jeff Cobb vs. Rocky Romero for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  27. ^ Powell, Jason. "12/14 Powell's ROH Final Battle 2018 live review: Jay Lethal vs. Cody for the ROH Title, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky vs. The Briscoes vs. The Young Bucks in a Ladder War for the ROH Tag Titles, Jeff Cobb vs. Adam Page for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  28. ^ Powell, Jason (April 6, 2019). "4/6 ROH and NJPW G1 Supercard results: Powell's live review of Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Hvt. Championship, Jay Lethal vs. Matt Taven vs. Marty Scurll in a three-way ladder match for the ROH Title, Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and more". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  29. ^ Powell, Jason (October 12, 2019). "10/12 ROH Glory By Honor results: Rush defends the ROH Championship against a battle royal winner, Dalton Castle vs. PCO and Marty Scurll vs. Jay Lethal plus the finals of the tournament for an ROH Title shot at Final Battle, Angelina Love vs. Kelly Klein for the WOH Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  30. ^ Currier, Joseph (December 15, 2017). "ROH to crown first Women of Honor Champion in 2018". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  31. ^ a b c 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". prowrestling.net. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  32. ^ a b 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". prowrestling.net. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  33. ^ 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". prowrestling.net. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  34. ^ Gagnon, Joshua (July 11, 2021). "ROH Women's Tournament Bracket Revealed". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  35. ^ Wilkinson, Nick (August 4, 2021). "Allysin Kay advances in the ROH Women's Title Tournament". Diva Dirt. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  36. ^ a b 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.
  37. ^ a b 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". prowrestling.net. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  38. ^ "WOH Wrestling of the Year: Deonna Purrazzo". Ring of Honor. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  39. ^ "WOH Wrestler of the Year: Sumie Sakai". Ring of Honor. 7 January 2019.
  40. ^ "Female Wrestler of the Year: Session Moth Martina". Ring of Honor. February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.

External links[]

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