Editorial: Athena beats Samoa Joe’s record to become the longest reigning Ring of Honor Champion at 646 days… and counting

Athena is now the longest reigning Ring of Honor champion at 646 days. (A record previously held by Samoa Joe at 645 days)

She has single handedly made Ring of Honor prestigious by simply holding the title, showing up week after week, and serving c*nt wherever she goes. She is that bitch. She is that wrestler. She is the moment, and it has been an HONOR to watch every single title defense. 

Am I a little bias because I review Ring of Honor each week, sure… but there is no denying her championship status as she has now surpassed Samoa Joe’s record for the longest reigning Ring of Honor Champion.

Athena made her debut for All Elite Wrestling, who owns Ring of Honor, at the Double or Nothing PPV on May 29, 2022. She came to the aid of Kris Statlander and Anna Jay against Jade Cargill. Many wrestling fans were very hopeful of Athena in AEW as her time with WWE seemed cut short due to injury. However, after a losing title a defense to Jade at AEW All Out for the AEW TBS Championship and again losing in a four-way match for the AEW Women’s World Championship at AEW Grand Slam just a few weeks later, Athena’s spotlight quickly faded in a sea of newly signed talent in the growing AEW.

We knew it had to happen… the facade had to fall. Athena had to turn heel to reignite her drive. 

On the November 18th, 2022 episode of AEW Rampage, Athena attacked referee Aubrey Edwards after pinning Madison Rayne. The Ring of Honor Women’s World Champion Mercedes Martinez came in for the save but it quickly set up a match for the title at ROH Final Battle. Tension only loomed between the two so this match was exactly what we needed to reignite the ROH Women’s division. In that match, we saw Athena bend the rules by removing the turnbuckle pad for the advantage against Mercedes Martinez. Once she hit the newly named O Face finisher, your new ROH Women’s World Champion began her reign of supremacy. (This PPV was fantastic and you should go rewatch it right now on Honor Club)

Since AEW Final Battle 2022, we’ve seen Athena defend her title 23 times against wrestlers like former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida and Nyla Rose, Former TBS Champion Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, Billie Starks, and Queen Aminata.

Athena deserves her flowers. She really is the wrestler we need during this time of Ring Of Honor, a promotion that seems directionless.  

Cheers to your new record, Minion Overlord. We are not worthy.

Remember, you can see Athena and other fabulous talent each week on Ring of Honor over on Honor Club for only $10 a month. 

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If you’re looking for some great Athena matches to watch, here are some of my favorites:

Athena vs. Nyla Rose for the ROH Women’s World Championship – Two out of Three falls match: Honor Club ep. #52 

Athena vs. Queen Aminata for the ROH Women’s World Championship – ROH Death Before Dishonor 2024

Athena vs. Hikaru Shida for the ROH Women’s World Championship – ROH Supercard of Honor 2024

Athena vs. Willow Nighingale for the ROH Women’s World Championship – Honor Club ep. #2 or ROH Death Before Dishonor 2023 (I like the Honor Club episode better)

Athena vs. Mercedes Martinez for the ROH Women’s World Championship – ROH Final Battle 2022

Athena vs. Skye Blue for the ROH Women’s World Championship – Honor Club ep. #11

Athena vs. Billie Starks for the ROH Women’s World Championship – ROH Final Battle 2023