ROH issued the following:
Sumie Sakai clawed tooth and nail through the tournament to crown the first-ever Women of Honor Champion, earning the title by defeating international star Tenille Dashwood and the previously-never-pinned Kelly Klein in the same night to capture the title!
Since winning the Championship, the already accomplished Sumie has served as a role model and mentor to many of the up-and-coming Women of Honor stars and has competed as Champion all across the world, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
But as Sumie has found out, there are different pressures being Women of Honor Champion. Even her best friends and athletes she has taken under her wing want title shots. And with Women of Honor on the rise on a global scale with athletes like Mayu Iwatani, Kagetsu, Viper, Chardonnay, Kay Lee Ray, among others all throwing their names in the hat for a shot at the title, Sumie is finding out that the most challenging part of holding a championship is not becoming a champion but staying champion!
On an upcoming episode of Ring of Honor Television, four of the top contenders for the Women of Honor Championship did battle and international star Madison Rayne emerged victorious! In Atlanta, Madison gets her shot!
WOMEN OF HONOR CHAMPIONSHIP
WOMEN OF HONOR CHAMPION SUMIE SAKAI vs. MADISON RAYNE
Since winning the Women of Honor Championship in April, Sumie has successfully defended her championship three times against three athletes from three different countries, all with international backgrounds. And since winning the Championship, Sumie has compiled a 9-2 record which includes a win captaining her team in the first-ever Women of Honor Pay Per View match!
But Sumie will face her toughest championship defense yet in Atlanta when the star with 22 years of international experience must face a former five-time IMPACT Knockouts Champion in Madison Rayne! Rayne returned to Women of Honor in November after a nine-year absence with something to prove and, entering the peak of her career, Madison looks to continue expanding her list of achievements and accolades becoming just the second-ever Women of Honor Champion!
Will Sumie add yet another impressive defense to her resume or will Madison make history in Atlanta? Join us in Atlanta to find out!
The Best Wrestling on the Planet returns to Atlanta for Saturday Night At Center Stage, an international television taping! EXTREMELY LIMITED tickets remain to see all of your favorite Ring of Honor and Women of Honor stars on the last stop before the Honor Re-United Tour. This event will not air for HonorClub until it airs as part of ROH’s international television distribution so be the first to see it LIVE in Atlanta!
ROH PRESENTS SATURDAY NIGHT AT CENTER STAGE
SATURDAY, JULY 21TH
BELL TIME @ 07:00 PM EDT
CENTER STAGE
374 WEST PEACHTREET STREET NORTHWEST
30309 ATLANTA , GA
ALREADY SIGNED
WOMEN OF HONOR CHAMPIONSHIP
WOMEN OF HONOR CHAMPION SUMIE SAKAI vs. MADISON RAYNE
SIGNED TO APPEAR
ROH WORLD CHAMPION JAY LETHAL
ROH WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION PUNISHMENT MARTINEZ
ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE BRISCOES (JAY & MARK)
ROH WORLD SIX-MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE KINGDOM (MATT TAVEN, VINNY MARSEGLIA, & TK O’RYAN)
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE YOUNG BUCKS (MATT & NICK JACKSON)
“AMERICAN NIGHTMARE” CODY
“THE VILLAIN” MARTY SCURLL
SOCAL UNCENSORED (CHRISTOPHER DANIELS, FRANKIE KAZARIAN, & SCORPIO SKY)
JONATHAN GRESAHM
“PRO WRESTLING’S LAST REAL MAN” SILAS YOUNG
SHANE TAYLOR
FLIP GORDON
KAREN Q.
JENNY ROSE