Champions belts
ROH World Champions: Title Holders List
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The Ring of Honor (ROH) championship is one of the most prestigious and classical approaches in professional wrestling. This league was first introduced in 2002 and named ROH Championship, Initially, surrounded only the USA but later, in 2003, the title was renamed ROH World Championship because of the inception of numerous world-class wrestlers and the worldwide popularity of this league.
The ROH championship is also well-known for its main focus on athleticism, compelling success stories, and of course the one and only prolifically designed ROH championship belt. The most iconic names of the wrestling world like Samoa Joe, Low Ki, Chris Jericho, and Daniel Bryan are known as the assets of this classical fighting event that can’t be undenied.
In this article, We’re going to discuss all the famous and emerging ROH world champions, their prestige titles, and the upgradation and evolutionary changes in the design of ROH belts. So read this article till the end.
How The ROH Championship Belt Design Changes Overtime
Every championship belt speaks about a unique story. As for the ROH championship belt design, it has undergone many changes in pattern and design over the years. The first Roh title belt was simple and classic. At that time, the main focus was on the globe and the ROH logo. Later, with the advancement and evolution, the belt was redesigned and structured according to the demand and need.
In 2010, this ROH championship belt design added a big eagle with spread wings over the picture of the ROH logo and the inclusion of the flags of different countries makes it unique and eye-catching. The intricate engravings and detailed finishing of the belt were the true representation of the hard and dedication towards the game.
Then again in 2012, 2017, and 2023 the ROH belt was redesigned. Also, the custom options unveiled by Jay Briscro and Adam Cole stepped up the modernization of this symbolic championship belt for the aspirants. The inscription of different titles, names, and engravings on the main and side plates gives a personalized touch to the belt. All these changes polish the title belt and make it more iconic and exceptional.
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A Look Into The Excellence And Power of All ROH World Champions
The history of the Ring of Honor championship is filled with notable names and unsung heroes of the wrestling world. These wrestlers not only show their exceptional skills and playful techniques in the ring but also inspire the wrestling enthusiast with their charismatic personalities.
Every ROH wrestler and champion brings a unique style that becomes a symbol of their recognition and popularity. Here is the list of all the Ring of Honor champions and ROH title holders who served this championship and cemented their names in the history of the ROH championship.
July 2002: Low Ki – The Inaugural Champion
Brandon Silvestry “Low Ki” the ring name, was the initial champion of the ROH World championship belt. He is an American professional wrestler who defeated Christopher Daniels, Spanky, and Doug Williams in a “Four-way 60-minute Iron Man match” at “Crowning A Champion.” Low Ki held this ROH title for 56 days and laid a positive groundwork for the future aspirants.
September 2002: Xavier – The Second Champion of the ROH League
John Jairo Bedoya Jr. Ring name “Xavier” was an American professional wrestler. He won the ROH title belt and became the second champion of this league in September 2002 at “Unscripted.” he held this title for 182 days.
2003-2004: Samoa Joe – Renowned As The Longest ROH Title Holder
Samoa Joe is an American professional wrestler and one of the most iconic names. He held this prestigious title for the longest period almost 645 consecutive days. He defeated The Zebra Kid in London at the final match of “Night of Champions.”
December 2004-2005: Austin Aries – Final Battle Match
In December 2004, Austin Aries, an American wrestler, and a TNA star, became the next champion of ROH. He won this ROH title in the Final Battle match and held this title for 174 days. A few small fights between notable wrestlers like CM Punk at “ROH Death Before Dishonor III” and Jamie Noble for the “ROH Redemption match” were fought for a short time.
September 2005-2006: Bryan Danielson – ROH Pure Championship
Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler who diligently fought in the ROH world championship. He became the third-most anticipated ROH World Champion and held this title for 462 days. Danielson unified the ROH pure championship in the ROH world title championship. He defeated Nigel McGuinness at Glory By Honor IV in Lake Grove NY. He proves himself as one of the best wrestlers in the world.
December 2006: Homicide
Nelson Erazo is famous for his ring name Homicide. He’s an American wrestler who won this prestigious ROH title. He held this title for 56 days at ROH Final Battle in December 2006.
February 2007: Takeshi Morishima
Takeshi Morishima is a former Japanese wrestler who performed very well in the “ROH Fifth Year Anniversary Festival” in 2007 and held this title for almost 231 days.
October 2007-2009: Nigel McGuiness – The Second Longest Era Winner
Nigel McGuiness is an English professional wrestler who won the honorable ROH world champion title for 545 days. His hard-hitting style and technical prowess made him the wrestling enthusiast’s favorite. He fought many memorable matches and became the greatest asset for ROH wrestling.
April 2009: Jerry Lynn
Jerry Lynn won the ROH world champion title at “Supercard of Honor IV.” he held this title for 71 days.
June 2009: Austin Aries
Austin Aries came for the second time in the ring and this time he won the ROH world champion title for 245 days. In a three-way elimination match at Manhattan Mayhem III.
February 2010-2014: Tyler Black & Other Aspirants
In February 2010, Tyler Black (formerly Seth Rollins) won the hearts of the ROH fans. He fought very well at the ROH 8th Anniversary Show and held this title belt for 210 days.
Many other names like Roderick Strong, Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards, Kevin Steen, Jay Brisco, Adam Cole, and Michael Elgin from 2010 – 2014 contributed hard-core to this game. They sustained the ROH World Champion’s title for the short and long term. This flourishing legacy has become more classic when bright names like Jay Lethal showed their diversity in the ring.
June 2015: Jay Lethal – A Beginning of The New Era
Jay Lethal is an American professional wrestler who’s known as the most iconic figure in the ROH championship. He won the prestigious title in June 2015 and held it for almost 427 days. He was also known as the multiple reigns player because of his diverse and playful skills. His high-profile matches gave breathtaking excitement and excited pressure to the fans.
Dive Into The Remarkable ROH Rivalries From August 2016 To December 2021
- August 2016: Adam Cole won and sustained the ROH world champion title for 105 days.
- December 2016: Kyle O’Reilly in “No Disqualification match” won the title and held it for 33 days.
- January 2017: Adam Cole again fought back in NJPW and won the title belt.
- March – December 2017: Christopher Daniels, Cody, and Dalton Castle won the ROH world champion title in the same year for different events.
- 2018: Jay Lethal came back into the game and won the ROH title for consecutive 280 days at the Ring of Honor Wrestling event.
- April 2019: Matt Taven at the “Death Before Dishonor XVII match” won the ROH belt title and held it for 77 days.
- September 2019 – December 2021: Many debuted names like Rush (two-time winner), PCO, and Bandido fought courageously to get the ROH world champion title and they succeeded in achieving it.
All this shows the thrill, excitement, and daring style of the wrestlers who show their unique defensive and attacking techniques in the ring.
December 2021 – 2022: Jonathan Gresham – Turned The Final Battle
Jonathan Gresham an American professional wrestler and a TNA superstar turned the final battle in 2021. His reign is highlighted by the technical and tactful wrestling skills that cemented his name as the ROH great champion. He defended the ROH title against emerging wrestlers like Bandido. He sustained this title for 224 days. During that time, Tony Khan purchased the Ring of Honor and named it as Undisputed ROH World Champion.
July-December 2022: The Battle of Two
From July 2022 to December 2022, the great wrestlers Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Jericho’s back-to-back fights captivated the hearts of the fans. They not only fought in ROH events but also in All Elite Wrestling events.
September 2023: Eddie Kingston – Dynamite Grand Slam
Because of the merge of ROH into AEW promotion Eddie Kingston fought his battle in an AEW continental match and sustained this title for 198 days. He performed well in the match.
April 2024: Mark Brisco – Supercard of Honor
Mark Brisco is an American professional wrestler who fought in an ROH grand event and performed enthusiastically. He sustained the ROH world champion title for almost 201 days.
October 2024 – Present: Chris Jericho – AEW Dynamite
Chris Jericho is an American professional wrestler who fought exceptionally during a Ladder war match at AEW Dynamite event. He’s the current champion of this title and has held this title for the last 41-plus days.
Who will be the next champion? All the fingers are crossed but only the one who has the capability and dedication will definitely win the battle and the hearts of the fans.
Final Verdict
The ROH World Championship plays a pivotal role in the world of professional wrestling. The league is filled with countless iconic performers who contribute to the game, become the reason for the success and popularity of this event, and win the supreme “ROH World Champions” title.
ROH wrestling champions not only enthrall ROH fans but also captivate international audiences. The association of well-known wrestling promotions like AEW and others has evolved the landscape of the ROH world championship.
For the wrestlers, champions, and fans, the ROH league is the perfect emblem of dedication, inspiration, and fast-growing talent.