Athena has a new title to go with the one around her waist. As of Sunday, the ROH Women’s World Champion is officially the longest-reigning champion of the modern era of professional wrestling, and she wants everyone to know she isn’t planning on giving it back.
The Record She Broke
Athena’s reign hit 1,317 days on July 19, one day longer than Roman Reigns‘ Universal Championship run, which lasted 1,316 days from August 2020 until he dropped the title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. That reign had stood as the benchmark for modern-era title runs in the United States, and Athena just quietly walked past it on a random Sunday afternoon.
She Already Has a Nickname for This
Athena, who ROH fans already call the “Forever Champion,” made sure nobody missed the moment. She posted on social media shortly after the news broke:
“I meant FOREVER!!!! Longest reigning champion of the modern era belongs to me and me only!! #ForeverROHChamp #FallenGoddess #AmericanJoshi”
A Reign Built on 37 Defenses
Athena won the title at ROH Final Battle 2022, beating Mercedes Martinez to start the clock. Since then she has defended it 37 times, most recently against Syuri at ROH Global Wars Cincinnati on June 10. Three and a half years, dozens of challengers, and she’s still walking out of every one of them with the belt.
Who’s Next
Maya World, Athena’s former trainee and the wrestler who beat her during the AEW Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, has already said she’s “pining” for a shot at the title. Given that Maya just finished her own Cinderella run through this year’s Owen Hart Cup, a match between the two would be one of the bigger stories ROH could tell right now, student against the teacher whose record she’d have to end to become champion herself.
For now, the record belongs to Athena, and after Sunday’s tweet, she’s not interested in sharing it.
