Athena retained the ROH Women’s World Championship against Willow Nightingale in the first ROH women’s pay-per-view main event at Friday night’s ‘Death Before Dishonor’ 2023 pay-per-view event.
Following the match, Athena raised Nightingale’s hand in a show of respect.
Athena’s title reign currently stands at 224 days, having won the belt at ROH Final Battle from Mercedes Martinez.
You can check out some highlights from the match below:
OBLITERATION!
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WatchROH ▶️ https://t.co/N8Cs0glVNY
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▶️ https://t.co/pOWn23KxOe@athenapalmer_fg | @willowwrestles pic.twitter.com/CPvlsHQgCC— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) July 22, 2023
The crowd is ON THEIR FEET as Willow kicks out!
Order #ROHDBD NOW!
WatchROH ▶️ https://t.co/N8Cs0glVNY
Bleacher Report 🔗 https://t.co/qF1Jcpxe8K
▶️ https://t.co/pOWn23KxOe@athenapalmer_fg | @willowwrestles pic.twitter.com/GUtnA4Y2sf— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) July 22, 2023
ANOTHER ONE! O-Face from @AthenaPalmer_FG!! #DeathBeforeDishonor #ROHDBD
➡️ https://t.co/CkfxC2VBqd
➡️ https://t.co/uyBqmqjjxA pic.twitter.com/68i52wOxTE— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) July 22, 2023
It was never about disrespect, it was always about finding an adversary she could truly respect. And @AthenaPalmer_FG finally found that opponent in @willowwrestles.
Respect… and Honor is Real. #DeathBeforeDishonor #ROHDBD
➡️ https://t.co/CkfxC2VBqd
➡️ https://t.co/uyBqmqjjxA pic.twitter.com/Y4XlI4UAnx— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) July 22, 2023
During the post-show media scrum, Athena discussed what headlining ROH ‘Death Before Dishonor’ meant to her, her upcoming goals, and more.
The former Ember Moon also believes that an AEW & ROH all-women’s PPV will happen in “just a matter of time.”
You can check out some highlights from the media scrum below:
On what’s next for her: “I don’t know, I’m just very thrilled right now, and it’s very hard for me to articulate things. I’m trying not to cry, I’m trying not to be a sad sap. But this meant the world to me. I’ve never gotten a main event in my entire career on a PPV. And when Tony approached me a couple weeks ago about, ‘Hey, we’re giving you the ball,’ it meant so much to be given that opportunity because it felt like me and Willow earned something.
“Despite the fact that she gave me probably my best match of my career thus far,I still came out on top. And as far as what’s next, you know, the sky’s the limit. I’m looking for more women to step up in Ring of Honor. I’m looking for women in AEW to issue that challenge to the forever ROH Champion. I’m open to all challengers. It’s not a matter of what I do next; it’s a matter of who steps up next.”
On what the match means in terms of representation: “I’ve said it before, representation is key, right? When I was starting out on the independent scene, I remember being the only African-American woman on every show I was on. And they were like, ‘No, you’re that person, you’re our African-American woman on this show.’ And it was just a niche thing. And to see how much it’s blossomed, it’s not about race. It’s about your ability and your talent in the ring. It’s awesome, and to be given that platform not only as an African-American woman. As a woman, as a performer, in being able to deliver. That’s what matters. And everyone that’s looking at home, whether you’re Black, white, Hispanic, you know? Asian, Middle Eastern. I want everyone to take this opportunity and look and say, ‘I can do it, and I can do anything I set my mind to.”
On the possibility of an AEW & ROH all-women’s PPV: “Absolutely. That’s the cool thing with Tony Khan; anything is a possibility. You never know what’s going on in his crazy head. I know that every time any woman from the AEW locker room, the ROH locker room, we’re going out there to prove a point that we deserve the position we’re put in. The fans are loving it, it’s our heart put on a platter. Of course, that would be the ultimate goal, to do an all-women’s pay-per-view with Ring of Honor and AEW. That is the ultimate goal down the road. I know every locker room across the board; Collision, Dynamite, Rampage, Ring of Honor, that’s something we all want, it’s just a matter of time.”
On the idea of unifying the titles: “Let’s be honest, if I’m in the mix, whether it be Toni Storm, Kris Statlander, whoever is AEW Champion or TBS Champion, I’m down for that fight and I will take all the belts. I’ll be a belt collector. I’ve never done that. Let me write that on my bucket list. Triple champ.”
