She defeated Miranda Alize in the finals of the tournament to crown the first-ever ROH Women’s Champion. The finish of the match had Alize go for a crossface, but Rok-C reversed it into one of her own. Rok-C when struck Alize with a kick then connected with a code red for the win. Maria Kanellis then presented Rok-C with the championship as she celebrated with her family in the ring.
ROH previously had another women’s championship, the Women of Honor World Championship. That title was retired in early 2020 after Kelly Klein was stripped of the championship after ROH declined to renew her contract. It was announced in March that a tournament would begin in the summer that would crown the first ever ROH Women’s Champion.
Rok-C defeated Sumie Sakai, Quinn McKay, and Angelina Love to make it to the finals. Alize defeated Alex Gracia, Nicole Savoy, and Trish Adora.
Both participants in the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament finals have signed contracts with the company.
Ahead of the Women’s title tournament finals taking place at Sunday’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view, it was announced today that Rok-C and Miranda Alize have signed contracts with ROH. Death Before Dishonor is being held at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Rok-C and Alize each made their ROH debuts earlier this year.
During the Women’s title tournament, Rok-C defeated Sumie Sakai in the first round, Quinn McKay in the quarterfinals, and Angelina Love in the semifinals. Alize defeated Alex Gracia, Nicole Savoy, and Trish Adora.
ROH’s full announcement is available below:
Ring of Honor is pleased to announce that ‘The Prodigy’ Rok-C and ‘The Lucha Baddie’ Miranda Alize have signed with the company.
Rok-C and Alize will meet in the ROH Women’s World Title Tournament final on the Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view this Sunday in Philadelphia.
They’ll each enter the historic match with an ROH contract in hand, but only one of them will leave the 2300 Arena with the championship belt around their waist.
Both women have been extremely impressive through three rounds of the tournament. Rok-C scored bracket-busting wins over former world champions Angelina Love and Sumie Sakai, while Alize knocked off former Shimmer Champion Nicole Savoy.
Rok-C, 19, began her pro wrestling training when she was just 13. She furthered her training under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Booker T and went on to become the Diamonds Division Champion in Booker’s Reality of Wrestling promotion.
Alize, an eight-year pro, has wrestled extensively in Mexico, Japan and the UK in addition to working for a number of U.S. promotions. Like Rok-C, Alize also trained under Booker T and competed in ROW.
– Quinn McKay returned to the broadcast center and welcomed us to the show. McKay announced that the two semifinal matchups in the ROH Women’s Championship tournament would take place on tonight’s episode, as well as an eight-man tag match between Shane Taylor Promotions and La Faccion Ingobernable.
ROH Women’s title tournament semifinal match: Miranda Alize defeated Trish Adora (12:16)
Chelsea Green joined commentary for this bout.
Trish Adora’s overwhelming size advantage had Alize reeling on the outside very early on. Adora attempted a Cattle Mutilation, but Alize locked her fingers, not allowing the submission to be completed. Alize got ahead of herself quickly, which led to a few mistimed moves into a commercial break.
Alize focused on her striking abilities to try and wear down Adora, but Adora was able to match anything Alize had for her. Both women made their way to ringside and started an intense brawl heading into another commercial break.
As we returned from break, Adora was nailing Alize with some very stiff strikes. Adora still had a massive size advantage, allowing her to just pull Alize out of thin air into a rear naked choke. Alize was close to submitting, but she eventually escaped the hold.
Alize gained some momentum with a few strong running kicks. That eventually opened the door for her Drive By knee strike, followed by her Miranda Rights crossface hold. Adora hesitated to tap for about 20 seconds before she eventually submitted.
Alize is headed to the finals of the ROH Women’s Championship tournament this Sunday, September 12 at Death Before Dishonor.
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ROH Women’s title tournament semifinal match: Rok-C defeated Angelina Love (6:44)
Rok-C tried to shake Angelina Love’s hand before the match, but Love refused.
Rok-C didn’t hesitate to go after the injured shoulder of Love, to which Love had a major issue with. Love didn’t taunt much and just focused on multiple body parts of Rok-C heading into a commercial break.
Love attempted her signature pump kick as we returned from the break, but Rok-C ducked. Love would try to follow up with a flurry of moves, but Rok-C had a counter for almost everything.
The final moments of the match saw Love and Rok-C exchange a few pinning combinations before Rok-C locked in an armbar, making Love submit quickly.
Rok-C will face Alize in the tournament finals.
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La Faccion Ingobernable (Rush, Dragon Lee, Kenny King & Bestia del Ring) defeated Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses, Kaun & O’Shay Edwards) (7:28)
STP met LFI at the ramp and began brawling. Commentary called for a quick commercial break as order was restored.
Back from the break, Moses and Kenny King were the legal men. Chaos ensued almost immediately and the match broke down, but Dragon Lee and O’Shay Edwards were legal after order was restored.
Every time that LFI tried to pull one of their underhand tactics, STP had a rebuttal and showed that they weren’t going to fall for the tricks of the villainous stable.
The match was building up to an eventual clash between Shane Taylor and Rush. Taylor clocked Rush with a few strikes, but Rush returned them easily and got the upper hand. These two have great chemistry and should wrestle more matches against each other.
The finish saw Taylor in the ring with former friend Kenny King. When the referees were distracted with Bestia del Ring, King low blowed Taylor and pinned him for a three count.
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Final Thoughts —
Headed into this weekend’s Death Before Dishonor PPV, ROH put on an average episode of television. Although I enjoyed Alize vs. Adora, the other two matches were rather short and never really developed a rhythm or a consistent pace.
In recent weeks I’ve introduced a scale in order to let you know if the current week of ROH TV is worth your while. The scale is as follows:
Must-Watch TV
Go Out Of Your Way
Recommended Viewing
Watch YouTube Clips
Avoid At All Costs
This week’s episode of ROH TV is: Watch YouTube Clips
The finals of ROH’s Women’s World Championship tournament are now set.
Rok-C and Miranda Alize will face off in the finals of the Women’s World Championship tournament at ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view on Sunday (September 12). The PPV is taking place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Rok-C and Alize both won semifinal matches on the latest episode of ROH TV. Rok-C defeated Angelina Love, while Alize defeated Trish Adora.
To get to the finals, Rok-C defeated Sumie Sakai, Quinn McKay, and Love during the tournament. Alize defeated Alex Gracia, Nicole Savoy, and Adora.
Rok-C and Alize both made their ROH debuts this year.
The winner of Rok-C vs. Alize will become the first-ever ROH Women’s World Champion. The title is replacing the former Women of Honor World Championship.
Here’s the updated card for Death Before Dishonor:
ROH World Champion Bandido defends against Brody King, EC3, and Demonic Flamita in a four-way elimination match
ROH Women’s World Championship tournament finals: Rok-C vs. Miranda Alize
ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham defends against Josh Woods
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses & Kaun) defend against La Faccion Ingobernable (Dragon Lee, Kenny King & Bestia del Ring)
Two “top free agents” who were recently released from another promotion will face off against each other
Violence Unlimited (Homicide, Chris Dickinson & Tony Deppen) vs. John Walters, LSG & Lee Moriarty
The Briscoes vs. The OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)
The ROH Women’s World Championship tournament kicked off with three competitive and diverse matches.
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Quinn McKay welcomed us to the broadcast and seemed more ecstatic than usual, which was due to the fact that this week’s episode of TV marks the start of the Women’s World Championship tournament.
McKay then previewed the three first round matches that we’ll see tonight. They are: Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia, Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy, and Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C.
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Miranda Alize defeated Alex Gracia (8:43)
Chelsea Green joined commentary for this bout.
Alize and Gracia exchanged a few different holds and attempts at moves but eventually came to a stalemate. The lucha-based styles of both women led to a few fun air-based maneuvers, but the two couldn’t seem to connect chemistry wise.
After a short commercial break, Alize and Gracia exchanged some stiff strikes and even a few headbutts. Gracia laid in a few really good chops in this match. Alize started growing frustrated with Gracia’s constant comebacks and eventually hit her signature Drive By knee strike for the win.
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Nicole Savoy defeated Mazzerati (8:45)
Mazzerati tried to talk big, but Savoy straight up outwrestled her in the first portion of the match. Savoy used her usual wrestling tactics that are submission based, leading to commentary comparing her to Jonathan Gresham.
These two seemed to have much better chemistry than Alize/Gracia. Savoy would attempt her signature half nelson suplex multiple times, but Mazzerati had a counter for it every time.
That didn’t stop the “Queen Of Suplexes” from hitting some, well, suplexes. Savoy hit a beautiful butterfly suplex, which led Mazzerati to counter with a Northern Lights suplex.
Mazzerati got some more great offense in during the home stretch, nailing Savoy with a stiff superkick. Savoy was able to recover and duck a few kicks from Mazzerati before eventually trapping her in a half-nelson suplex for the win.
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Rok-C defeated Sumie Sakai (9:36)
Sakai overwhelmed Rok-C with a flurry of offense early on, but Rok-C regained her confidence rather quickly and was able to reverse the momentum back in her favor.
Rok-C’s offense is so smooth and rhythmic that it reminds me of Sasha Banks. Her offensive style is very similar to Banks as well. She continued her momentum and nailed Sakai with a pair of double knees in the corner into a commercial break.
When the broadcast returned, Sakai was in full control. She targeted the lower back of the self proclaimed “Prodigy” and even showboated a little bit. Sakai went to the top rope to try and capitalize on her momentum, but Rok-C nailed her with two kicks to the head. Rok-C would follow it up with a top rope flip into a close near fall on Sakai.
Lots of near falls ensued in the following minutes, including a couple of phenomenal roll-up near falls. Rok-C would eventually get the better of Sakai and successfully complete a roll-up for a three count.
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Final Thoughts —
I thought this was a fun and exciting three-match lineup to kick off the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament. Rok-C and Sumie Sakai delivered a home run, while the other two bouts delivered an RBI. I’m very happy that ROH is focusing on younger stars like Rok-C and giving them big and meaningful wins over veterans like Sakai.
In recent weeks I’ve introduced a scale in order to let you know if the current week of ROH TV is worth your while. The scale is as follows:
Must-Watch TV
Go Out Of Your Way
Recommended Viewing
Watch YouTube Clips
Avoid At All Costs
This week’s episode of ROH TV is: Go Out Of Your Way
ROH’s Women’s World Championship tournament will be kicking off with three matches airing on ROH television later this month.
ROH announced today that Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia, Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy, and Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C will air on the ROH TV episode that premieres the weekend of Saturday, July 31.
The tournament features 15 participants, with Angelina Love getting a first-round bye. One of the spots in the tournament is still open.
Quinn McKay has been involved in an angle where Angelina Love and Mandy Leon have twice prevented her from qualifying for the tournament. If McKay defeated Leon on this past weekend’s ROH TV episode, McKay would have gotten the final spot. But McKay lost when Love gave Leon brass knuckles to use behind the referee’s back.
After the way that McKay vs. Leon ended, Maria Kanellis-Bennett will be making two announcements regarding the tournament early next week.
The ROH Women’s World Championship is a new title that’s replacing the former Women of Honor World Championship. The finals will take place at ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view this September.
Two women were awarded with a Ticket to Gold, while Rok-C and Laynie Luck continued their respective rises in the wrestling world.
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Lenny Leonard checked in and announced that Maria Kanellis-Bennett would be giving out not one, but two Tickets to Gold on this episode. Leonard also revealed that tonight’s featured match would see Rok-C pitted against Laynie Luck.
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Ticket to Gold: Mandy Leon
Kanellis-Bennett said it was important to include all different types of women in the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament, and she then introduced Mandy Leon. Leon was snarky and claimed that she already knew she was going to be in the tournament.
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Rok-C defeated Laynie Luck (9:46)
The first portion of this match saw Rok-C show off a more aggressive side, while also displaying a showboat attitude as well. Every time Luck would do a dance move, Rok-C mounted a little more frustration.
Luck eventually realized it was go time and flipped her switch, delivering some stiff slams. It’s important to note that commentary played up the fact that Rok-C could be the youngest Women’s Champion in ROH history — potentially could be foreshadowing.
Luck has really educated feet and throws a great dropkick. She also throws a superb knee strike.
Rok-C eventually shifted to another gear after hitting a great top rope Thesz press. She followed that up with a few stiff strikes before hitting an outstanding Code Red for the win.
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Ticket to Gold: Nicole Savoy
Kanellis-Bennett returned and called Nicole Savoy. Bennett revealed that fans on ROH’s The Experience Facebook page overwhelmingly voted to see Savoy in the tournament. Savoy was grateful for the opportunity and discussed her previous experience in ROH.
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Final Thoughts —
Rok-C is really, really good. She’s been the standout of the newly introduced women and it seems as if ROH is high on her as well. I hope she goes far in the tournament — if she doesn’t win the whole thing.
No discredit to Laynie Luck though, she’s really impressive as well.
The tournament did need recognizable faces, and Mandy Leon is just that. I don’t want Leon or Angelina Love to win the tournament, but they were needed to draw eyes to the tournament.
I’m a big fan of Nicole Savoy’s work. She rightfully deserved a spot in the tournament as well.
Vita VonStarr wrestled her first match in ROH, losing to veteran Sumie Sakai. Maria Kanellis-Bennett also revealed her first Ticket to Gold recipient, granting them a spot in ROH’s Women’s World Championship tournament.
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Sumie Sakai defeated Vita VonStarr (8:35)
As referee Joe Mandak was patting Sakai down, VonStarr rushed her in the corner. Sakai recovered and began working on the arm of VonStarr. Sakai had an armbar applied when VonStarr bit her leg, breaking the submission. This didn’t seem to bother Sakai that much, despite her bleeding.
VonStarr applied a vise stretch that kept Sakai grounded for a good bit. Whenever Sakai made her way out of the hold, VonStarr bit her in the head. VonStarr connected with a beautiful Northern Lights suplex.
Sakai got hot at this point in the match, hitting a few takedowns and following with a great swinging neckbreaker. Sakai then went to the second rope and blasted VonStarr with a shotgun dropkick. Sakai returned to the top rope but couldn’t hold her balance and slipped. I don’t know why that wasn’t edited out.
Sakai played it off like nothing happened and nailed VonStarr with a cradle brainbuster, but it only warranted a two count. Sakai tried to keep her offense going, but VonStarr cinched in a Muta Lock instead. The hold was broken by referee Joe Mandak after VonStarr turned it into a choke.
In the final moments of the match, VonStarr was laying in some great punches on the ground. VonStarr lifted up Sakai for a powerbomb, but Sakai fell down and turned it into a cradle pin, scoring the three count and the win.
After the match, VonStarr put Sakai in a octopus stretch between the ropes until VonStarr’s stablemates Bateman and Dutch came down to the ring to summon her back.
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Ticket to Gold reveal
ROH announced last week that In order to be granted entry into the Women’s Championship tournament, you must receive a golden ticket from Board of Directors member Maria Kanellis-Bennett.
Kanellis-Bennett got straight to the point and said she was downright impressed with Rok-C’s performance last week. She offered a spot in the tournament to Rok-C who obviously accepted.
Kanellis-Bennett discussed the 19-year-old Rok-C’s career with her. Rok-C has been training since she was 13, including being trained by Booker T and Daga.
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Final Thoughts —
Another good installment of WDW in the books for ROH. I’ve never seen Vita VonStarr wrestle before, and I was quite impressed. She’s pretty good. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Sumie Sakai, but I respect her work and what she’s done for the business too.
Rok-C getting the golden ticket was 100 percent the correct move. Sometimes ROH let’s good talent slip through their hands, and I hope they sign Rok-C quickly before she gets more traction.
Ring of Honor has confirmed one of the entrants that will be taking part in their Women’s World Championship tournament.
At the end of this week’s ROH Women’s Division Wednesday episode, it was announced that Rok-C will be an entrant in the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament. She received the first “Ticket to Gold” from Maria Kanellis-Bennett, granting her a spot in the tournament.
Rok-C made her ROH debut on last week’s premiere edition of Women’s Division Wednesday. Rok-C teamed with Max the Impaler against Hyan & Laynie Luck. The match ended in a 15-minute draw.
The 19-year-old Rok-C goes by the nickname “The Prodigy.” She started training in pro wrestling at 13 years old and later trained at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling school. Rok-C is a former Diamonds Division Champion in Reality of Wrestling.
Angelina Love is also set to take part in the Women’s World Championship tournament. On the ROH TV episode that premieres this coming weekend, Love will face ROH broadcaster Quinn McKay. The match is McKay’s ROH in-ring debut. If McKay wins, McKay receives a spot in the tournament. If Love wins, Love receives a first-round bye.
The ROH Women’s World Championship tournament will take place this summer. It was originally supposed to be held last year but was delayed following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ROH Women’s World Championship is a new title that’s replacing the old Women of Honor World Championship.
It was announced earlier this week that former ROH commentator Lenny Leonard is returning to the promotion to call the Women’s World Championship tournament.
