Opinion

Does One Match Forecast The Future Of The Women of Honor?

Published

7 years ago

February 20, 2018

It’s tough not to be a little skeptical when you hear that Ring of Honor is placing an emphasis on women’s wrestling. We’ve heard this song & dance before. ROH has talked about giving women more opportunity on their shows only to drop the whole idea a number of times throughout their almost sixteen years of existence. Out of all the current North American wrestling companies that we spend a lot of time talking about online, ROH has done the least with female performers.

To be honest, I’d say most of ROH’s problems using women over the years come down to simple business principles.

Supply

There weren’t as many women to book in 2002. With only so many options, fresh matches die off pretty quickly. I was a big fan of Lacey & Rain. I’m not sure I would have been had I seen them wrestle each other on every show for a year. The same goes for Krissy Vaine & Amber O’Neal. They were good, but they were two of very few women wrestling in the Southeast. Even if you brought those four together, you would run out of matches real quick.

Typically, the women ROH used over the years were convenient to book. Some were related to men ROH used on a regular basis. Others were involved with men ROH used on a regular basis. I don’t wish to throw these women under the bus, but I’ll go ahead & put CM Punk & Delirious under there since they were/are usually involved. There were a couple of occasions Punk was involved with a woman that suddenly stopped appearing in ROH once the relationship ended. Funny how that worked.

This practice hasn’t gone away, and it never will as long as wrestlers find it easier to date each other than finding normal people. I get it. The only problem is that women that aren’t dating people in these companies have a tougher time getting opportunities.

Demand

To be fair to ROH, a large part of why the Women of Honor concept has been on the back burner for years has to do with the fanbase. They never showed a great deal of interest in women’s wrestling. Sure, there have been flashes of opportunity for women. Daizee Haze & Allison Danger were around for years with various acts. Sara Del Rey had matches here & there. Lacey was the most effective female character in the company’s history due to her storyline with Jimmy Jacobs.

They were always side characters. Danger was at her most visible with the Prophecy & Christopher Daniels. Haze was seen alongside Matt Sydal, the Embassy & Delirious. Del Rey was window dressing for Sweet & Sour Inc. & the Kings of Wrestling. Lacey of course was with Jimmy. They rarely had their own issues to deal with.

This didn’t change after Gabe Sapolsky left. Adam Pearce didn’t seem inclined to book many more women than Gabe, & Jim Cornette has never been a proponent of women doing much in wrestling or anywhere else. In their defense, there was never much of a demand from ROH fans for more. Their complaints during Pearce’s & Cornette’s runs with the book had more to do with workrate than anything else.

Opportunity

Sinclair Broadcasting’s purchase slightly changed the game. More Women of Honor matches were featured online. They were rarely featured on television. Once every few months the Women of Honor would get their own episode of ROH television. It was one of those things where it was kind of special, but also kind of a sign that ROH was between storylines.

The women persisted, and ROH finally has an official division. There’s a belt that has roses & reminds me a little too much of the Divas Championship in color. There’s also a tournament!

Official @Women_of_Honor Championship Tournament Brackets… who will become the first ever #WOH Champion? pic.twitter.com/hjAQLYzQKa

— Women of Honor (@Women_of_Honor) February 14, 2018

We know so far that Mandy Leon & Brandi Rhodes advanced to the second round. I haven’t been keeping up with the spoilers, but it seems that Kelly Klein & Tenille Dashwood would be the favorites to move on & face Mandy & Brandi in their respective second round matches.

A match between Leon & Klein should be a really good indication of where ROH is going with the Women of Honor division. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of both ladies. It’s just that making either of them the first Women of Honor Champion would send very different messages.

Kelly Klein has not been pinned since entering Ring of Honor. She hasn’t submitted either, as her one singles loss was via a questionable countout decision. She’s been presented as a dominant force that all the other Women of Honor have a tough time dealing with. Klein has been in pro wrestling for over a decade & it shows in her performance. She would be a great choice for the first champion, and the woman to knock her off the throne would attain a good amount of credibility in the process.

Mandy Leon is a product of ROH’s Dojo. She gained familiarity with ROH fans through her work as host of Inside ROH on the weekly television show. I don’t usually approve of self-given nicknames, but it was tough to argue with the “Exotic Goddess” moniker. Once ROH started booking more women’s matches she became a focal point, most notably a feud with Taeler Hendrix that got a good reaction from fans. Unfortunately it was relegated to Internet coverage & not really featured on television.

While Klein has been the most pushed athlete in the Women of Honor division, Leon has been the most popular. Arguments can be made for either going over in their match & eventually on to the championship, but I think the choice is obvious.

Mandy is popular. She’s a hard worker. I believe she’ll make a fine champion someday. I don’t think that day will come by the time this tournament is over. She’s on her way, but still needs more polishing. I’d compare her to 1998 Sable. Better in the ring, but it’s about the same drop-off from 2018’s best women to Mandy as it was from 1998’s best women to Sable.

Kelly is ready right now. Her as champion would bring a legitimacy that the WOH division will need immediately in order to be taken seriously. The first champion needs to be somebody that can be seen on the same level as North America’s other women’s wrestling champions. She doesn’t have to be better than Charlotte Flair, but she at least has to be on the same level as Alexa Bliss or Laurel Van Ness. Kelly has been pushed as strong as these women, and the fans bought it.

Mandy would be best served working her way up through the ranks to eventually attain the championship. Winning the tournament and being given the honor of being the first champion before she’s ready would send a message that ROH management needs to steer clear of.

It all depends on if ROH wants the Women of Honor to be a 2010s style women’s division based on performance, or a 20th century style women’s division based on popularity. The result of Leon vs Klein will tell us all we need to know.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1