ATHENA makes history as the longest-reigning Ring of Honor World Champion

Think of all the wrestling history that has occurred in Ring of Honor. It’s the promotion that helped birth several of the biggest names in professional wrestling. Men like CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, Kevin Owens, and plenty more owe their fame to ROH. A Ring of Honor Hall of Fame would feature all of today’s favorite performers. Yet, the one person who stands atop the list as the longest-reigning ROH Champion is none other than ATHENA.

On September 15, Athena reached 646 days as ROH Women’s World Champion. She has officially passed Samoa Joe’s 645-day run as ROH World Champion, which ran from March 22, 2003, to December 26, 2004.

This is a moment that deserves to be recognized across the board. Athena has consistently been one of the top performers in professional wrestling, and during this run, she’s established herself as the best women’s wrestler in the industry today. Her run started on December 10, 2022, when she defeated Mercedes Martinez. Since then, she’s defended the title 22 times and stood as the central face of Ring of Honor television.

Looking back through her catalog shines a light on excellent professional wrestling. Take her match against Miyu Yamashita on January 21, 2023, as an example. Then there’s her Chicago Street Fight against Kiera Hogan on June 17, 2023. Or the July 21 match against Willow Nightingale that same year. Athena has hits that hold their own against any of her peers, regardless of gender in any promotion. While she hasn’t defended the belt in almost two months due to injury, she’s still showing why she is a featured name in ROH.

Inexplicably, Tony Khan refuses to book her on mainline AEW television, which is an issue in its own right. But that doesn’t take away from the work that Athena is doing and the appreciation she should get as she enjoys this time on top. Hopefully, she finds herself in a featured, championship spot in the coming months, especially as AEW heads to her home state for All In 2025.

It is important to give out flowers to performers while they are present to receive them. Athena has etched her place in history as she’s become the longest-reigning Ring of Honor Champion. Take the time to appreciate her while she’s here and “Long Live The Forever Champion.”