Women of Wrestling

Women's professional wrestling promotion
Women of Wrestling
GenreProfessional wrestling
Women's professional wrestling
Created byDavid McLane
Developed byJeanie Buss
StarringWOW Superheroes roster
Narrated byDavid McLane
Stephen Dickey
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes168 (as number of match 650) (as of March 23, 2024 (2024-03-23))
Production
Production locationsLos Angeles, California
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time60 minutes
Original release
NetworkBroadcast syndication (2000–2001; 2022–present)
AXS TV (2019–2020)
ReleaseSeptember 1, 2000 (2000-09-01) –
present

WOW – Women of Wrestling, is an American women's professional wrestling promotion founded in 2000 by David McLane (who also founded Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW)). WOW is based in Los Angeles, California, and is owned by McLane and Los Angeles Lakers owner/president Jeanie Buss.[1]

Initially broadcasting in syndication in the 2000–01 television season,[2] WOW is a sports entertainment-styled product where its talent portrays heavily dramatized characters.[3]

History

Early years and relaunch

Selina Majors entrance at a WOW! event

WOW has been recognized as one of the few nationally broadcast wrestling promotions featuring an all-female roster.[4] Only 24 television episodes and a pay-per-view event were produced during its initial run.[5] In 2002, McLane sought a partnership with Kiss frontman Gene Simmons to revive the promotion.[6] In July 2011, WOW TV reruns began airing on the ABC affiliate KTNV in Las Vegas.[7]

On May 29, 2012, McLane and Buss announced their intention to revive WOW and produce new episodes.[8][9] Later that year, WOW reruns began airing on The CW Las Vegas station KVCW starting on December 9.[10]

In December 2014, WOW announced that it would be producing content for digital media in 2015. Marketed as "WOW Superheroes", its roster of characters are portrayed as empowered women from all different backgrounds and professions.[11] A second season premiered on March 1, 2016, on YouTube.[12] Its fourth season premiered February 28, 2017.[13]

On April 20, 2017, MGM Television announced that Mark Burnett, MGM's President, Television Group & Digital, and Jeanie Buss formed a partnership to develop new WOW content across a range of unscripted programming and digital formats.[14] In June 2018, it was announced that tapings for a new weekly program on AXS TV titled WOW: Women of Wrestling would begin on October 10, 2018, at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles,[15] with episodes airing in early 2019.[16] WOW debuted that January 18 as part of AXS TV's "Friday Night Fights" lineup of shows.[15][17] The AXS TV premiere marked WOW's first television broadcast of new content in almost eighteen years.[18] WOW: Women of Wrestling ran for two seasons on AXS TV. In June 2020, it was reported that AXS had cancelled the series.[19]

Return to syndication

On October 6, 2021, it was announced that CBS Media Ventures, the syndication arm of Paramount Global, had entered into a multi-year distribution agreement for WOW that will see new episodes produced for weekend syndication starting in Fall 2022.[20][21] On October 7, WOW announced that April Mendez (formerly AJ Lee in WWE) joined the company as an executive producer and color commentator.[22]

On January 21, 2022, WOW announced in a press release that "never-before-seen" episodes from "season 7" would debut on Pluto TV and The CW app starting January 22.[23] On August 1, 2022, it was announced that new episodes of the series will begin airing on September 17, 2022, internationally from Paramount Global Content Distribution, the international arm of its United States syndicator CBS Media Ventures. It has also been licensed for broadcast in Canada, Australia (where it airs on Paramount-owned 10 Play) and Indonesia.[24] In December 2022, The New York Times reported that WOW was the highest rated wrestling television show produced outside of WWE and All Elite Wrestling, ahead of those produced by TNA Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling.[25] This was attributed to the show being available in every cable home in the United States, as well as airings in Canada and Australia.[26]

Seasons

WOW Unleashed 2001

WOW Unleashed
PromotionWomen of Wrestling
DateFebruary 4, 2001
CityInglewood, California
VenueGreat Western Forum
Attendance~9,500
Pay-per-view chronology
← Previous
N/A
Next →
N/A


WOW Unleashed was a professional wrestling pay-per-view from Women of Wrestling. It took place on February 4, 2001, from the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The PPV suffered from technical difficulties and a low buyrate.[27] A second PPV, Spring Vengeance, was announced for April 8, 2001, during Unleashed, but never came to fruition. The announcers were Lee Marshall and former manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Regular announcer David McLane, also the promotion's President, served as Master of Ceremonies.[28][29]

Event results
Match
No.
Episode 18 (taped on February 2, 2001, aired on February 4, 2001) Stipulations Times
1 Randi Rah Rah defeated Jacklyn Hyde Singles match 2:15
2 The Beach Patrol (Sandy and Summer) vs. Farah the Persian Princess and Paradise ended in a draw Tag team match 2:30
3 Tanja the Warrior Woman defeated Jane Blond Singles match 2:47
4 Nicky Law (with Kristy Order) defeated Hammerin' Heather Steele Singles match 2:02
5 Boom Boom the Volcano and Caliente defeated The Asian Invasion (Jade and Lotus) Tag team match 4:43
6 Bronco Billie defeated The Disciplinarian Singles match 3:55
7 Roxy Powers vs. Slam Dunk ended in a double disqualification Singles match 6:16
8 Riot defeated Wendi Wheels Hardcore match 9:40
9 Jungle Grrrl defeated Beckie the Farmers Daughter Splash match 9:45
10 Caged Heat (Delta Lotta Pain and Loca) defeated Harley's Angels (Charlie Davidson and EZ Rider) (with Thug) Tag team tournament final match for the inaugural WOW World Tag Team Championship 5:42
11 Terri Gold defeated Danger (c) Singles rematch for the WOW World Championship 4:20
12 Lana Star and Patti Pizzazz vs. Ice Cold and Poison no contest
Lana Star defeated Ice Cold and Poison
Handicap hair vs. hair match
(Since Ice Cold was pinned, she had her head shaved)
5:16
13 Thug (with Charlie Davidson and EZ Rider) defeated Selina Majors Steel cage match 15:01

Personnel

Alumnae

Singles roster

Ring name Real name Season(s)
Adrenaline Priscilla Zuniga Season 6
Season 7
Azteca Gisele Shaw Season 5
Who later Reyna Reyes
Azúcar Vanessa Herrera Season 2
Beckie The Farmers Daughter Renee Intlekofer Season 1
The Beverly Hills Babe Kimberly Dawn Davis Season 4
Season 5
Formerly known as Amber O'Neal
Boom Boom The Volcano Patty Bunya-Ananta Season 1
Bronco Billie Lisa Danielle Rachuba Season 1
Buggy Nova Season 4
Caliente Rachel Iverson Season 1
Cali Ray Kirsten Young Season 7
Candice LeRae Candice Dawson Season 2
Season 3
Charlie Davidson Charlie Davidson Season 1
Christina Von Eerie Season 4
Cow Girl Casey Dakota Sarah Stallman Season 7
Dagger The Widow Michelle Blanchard Season 4
Who later The Dagger
The Dagger Michelle Blanchard Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Formerly known as Dagger The Widow
Danger Elle Alexander Season 1
Former WOW World Champion
Delta Lotta Pain Jwaundace Candece Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Desdemeana The Soldier Of Darkness Andrea VanEpps Season 2
The Disciplinarian Kristen Davidson Season 1
Who the secret identity of Misery
Eye Candy Danielle Paultre Season 5
EZ Rider Eleanor Kerrigan Season 1
Faith The Lioness Faith Jefferies Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Farah The Persian Princess Telma Roshanravan Season 1
Fire Kiera Hogan Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Fire Taylor Lewis Season 3
Frenchie Marie Gibeault Season 3
Frost The Olympian Janeshia Adams-Ginyard Season 2
Season 3
Glitch The Gamer Alicia Bellamy Season 8
Hammerin' Heather Steele Christina Tomaziesski Colby Season 1
Hazard Elizabeth Crist Season 6
Ice Cold Inga Waggoner Season 1
Ivy Quinn Season 4
Jacklyn Hyde Vasilika Vanya Marinkovic Season 1
Jade Jennifer Lee Chan Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Jane Blond Ella Carter Season 1
Jessicka Havok Jessica Cricks Season 5
Season 6
Jolene Dixie Airial Le Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Jolynn Dixie Cathy Le Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Jungle Grrrl Erica Porter Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Former WOW World Champion
Katarina Waters Katarina Waters Season 4
Who later The Temptress
Kharma Season 4
Khloe Hurtz Katie Forbes Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Kiara Dillon Season 4
Kobra Moon Melissa Cervantes Season 5
Who later Serpentine
Krissy Vaine Kristin Eubanks Season 7
Kristy Order Season 1
La Niña Melissa Santos Season 3
Lady London Georgina Rawlings Season 2
Lana Star Lana Kinnear Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Former WOW World Champion
Loca Cher Ferreyra Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Lotus Jeannie Kim Season 1
Malia Hosaka Malia Hosaka Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Misery Kristen Davidson Season 1
The secret identity of The Disciplinarian
Mystery Nicole Ochoa Season 1
The secret identity of Vendetta
Nicky Law Season 1
Nikki Krampus Ragnhild Bjoerge Season 5
Season 6
Paradise Maria Nunez Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Patti Pep Season 1
Who later Patti Pizzazz
Patti Pizzazz Season 1
Formerly known as Patti Pep
The Phantom Lynnette Thredgold Season 1
Poison Kina Van Vleet Season 1
Randi Rah Rah Season 1
Ray Lyn Season 4
Razor Christina Von Eerie Season 4
Reyna Reyes Gisele Shaw Season 6
Season 7
Formerly known as Azteca
Riot April Kathryn Littlejohn Season 1
Season 4
Roxy Powers Natalie T. Yeo Season 1
Sandy Tamie Sheffield Season 1
The Sassy Massy Alisha Edwards Season 6
Season 7
Selina Majors Selina Majors Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Serpentine Melissa Cervantes Season 6
Season 7
Formerly known as Kobra Moon
Slam Dunk Famisha Jones-Millman Season 1
Spike Hudson Envy Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 7
Summer Bobbi Billard Season 1
Sunshine Jamila Griffith Season 2
Season 3
Sunny Rebecca Gravell Season 1
Who later Wendi Wheels
Tanja The Warrior Woman Tanja Richter Season 1
Tatevik The Gamer Tatevik Hunanyan Season 2
Season 3
The Temptress Katarina Waters Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Terri Gold Heather Lee-Millard Season 1
Former WOW World Champion
Tessa Blanchard Tessa Blanchard Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Former WOW World Champion
Thug Peggy Lee Leather Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Vendetta Nicole Ochoa Season 1
Who the secret identity of Mystery
Venomous Ruby Raze Season 7
Who later Reina Del Rey
Wendi Wheels Rebecca Gravell Season 1
Formerly known as Sunny

Tag Team roster

Ring name Team name Season(s)
Abilene Maverick The Governors Daughter
Candice LeRae
Season 2
Season 3
Abilene Maverick The Governors Daughter
The Disciplinarian
Season 6
Adrenaline
Fire
Season 6
Season 7
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions
Amber O’Neal
Krissy Vaine
Team Blondage Season 7
Amber O’Neal
Santana Garrett
The All American Girls Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions
Azteca
Princess Aussie
Season 5
Season 6
Beckie The Farmers Daughter
Bronco Billie
Season 1
BK Rhythm
Glitch The Gamer
Season 8
Boom Boom The Volcano
Caliente
Season 1
Chantilly Chella
The Sassy Massy
Season 6
Season 7
Charlie Davidson
EZ Rider
Thug
Harley's Angels Season 1
The Dagger
The Temptress
The Vengeful Vixens Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Danger
Riot
Season 1
Delta Lotta Pain
Loca
Vendetta
Caged Heat Season 1
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions
Delta Lotta Pain
Loca
Caged Heat Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions
Exodus
Genesis
Malia Hosaka
Exile Season 7
Season 8
Faith The Lioness
Lana Star
Season 6
Farah The Persian Princess
Paradise
Season 1
Hazard
Jessicka Havok
Monsters Of Madness Season 6
Ice Cold
Poison
Season 1
Ivy Quinn
Ray Lyn
Season 4
Jade
Lotus
The Asian Invasion Season 1
Jessie Jones
Jolene Dixie
Jolynn Dixie
The Dixie Darlings Season 7
Jessie Jones
Selina Majors
Southern Pride Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Jolene Dixie
Jolynn Dixie
The Dixie Darlings Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Kristy Law
Nicky Law
Law & Order Season 1
La Niña
Paradise
Tropical Storm Season 3
Lana Star
Patti Pizzazz
Season 1
Misery
Mystery
The Daughters Of Darkness Season 1
Patti Pep
Randi Rah Rah
Team Spirit Season 1
Razor
Riot
Spike
Season 4
Reyna Reyes
Princess Aussie
Season 6
Roxy Powers
Tanja The Warrior Woman
Season 1
Sandy
Summer
The Beach Patrol Season 1
Sandy
Sunny
The Beach Patrol Season 1

Championships

As of March 28, 2024.

Championship Current champion(s) Reign Date won Days
held
Location Notes Ref.
WOW World Championship Abilene Maverick The Governor's Daughter 1 August 20, 2023 221+ Los Angeles, CA Won the title from the Fatal 5-way Championship Challenge match also involving Princess Aussie, The Beast, Penelope Pink, Tormenta and with the surprise returning of Abilene Maverick the Governor's Daughter from the Wild card, and she stolen, Penelope Pink was pinning Princess Aussie to win the title. This episode aired on tape delay on December 9, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 13
WOW World Tag Team Championship The Mother Truckers (Big Rig Betty and Holly Swag) 1 December 14, 2023 105+ Los Angeles, CA Won the titles from Miami's Sweet Heat (Laurie Carlson and Lindsey Carlson) for the WOW World championship tag team title match. This episode aired on tape delay on March 9, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 26
WOW Trios Tag Team Championship Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush 1 December 14, 2023 105+ Los Angeles, CA Coach Campanelli have a big surprise her own Team Spirit (Ariel Sky, Pep Riley and Sasha Sparks)...to out of this ring and replaced, Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush to defeats Team Exile (Exodus, Genesis and Ice Cold) to become the inaugural trios champions. This episode aired on tape delay on March 9, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 27

References

  1. ^ "Why the Lakers' Jeanie Buss loves Jungle Grrrl and is putting her money into a female wrestling show". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 2016.
  2. ^ "Partners pin hopes on women wrestlers | Indianapolis Business Journal | Professional Journal archives from". AllBusiness.com. 2000-08-28. Retrieved 2012-01-24.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Vanes. "Women of Wrestling". Shootangle.com. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  4. ^ TV.com. "Women of Wrestling". TV.com. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  5. ^ Meltzer, Dave (July 2003). "WOW did 24 episodes of television that aired from October 2000 through March 2001...". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 8. WOW did 24 episodes of television that aired from October 2000 through March 2001 on major stations in about 100 markets, buying tin [sic?] most markets. The money was supposed to be recouped by holding a PPV show. They did one from the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, that ended up doing 12,000 buys, and the venture lost several million dollars in the process. In fact, they lost more money in their last three months than ECW did in its last year, and ECW had many wrestlers under six-figure contracts. WOW has been largely dormant ever since
  6. ^ "INTERACTIVE WRESTLING RADIO INTERVIEW - Terri Gold". Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Women of Wrestling - WOWE - New Website Coming Soon". WOWE. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  8. ^ "Jeanie Buss executive producer for women's wrestling reality show". Los Angeles Times. May 29, 2012.
  9. ^ "Women of Wrestling -- Don't Call It a Comeback!". TMZ.
  10. ^ "Women Of Wrestling". Women Of Wrestling.
  11. ^ "The1stMovement Pins WOW -Women of Wrestling - Yahoo Finance". Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  12. ^ "Women of Wrestling Season 2 announcement". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  13. ^ "WOW Superheroes". YouTube.
  14. ^ Calvario, Liz (April 20, 2017). "MGM Television Partners With 'Women Of Wrestling' To Create Content For TV And Digital Platforms".
  15. ^ a b Powell, Jason (2019-01-19). "1/18 WOW on AXS review: Tessa Blanchard appears, Santana Garrett vs. Jungle Grrrl for the WOW Championship, The Beast vs. Stephy Slays, Abilene Maverick vs. Fire, Khloe Hurtz vs. Eye Candy". Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  16. ^ "'WOW — Women Of Wrestling' Series Sells to AXS TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 June 2018.
  17. ^ Pritchard, Bill (2019-01-19). "AXS TV Announces New Friday Night Fights Lineup Featuring Women Of Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling". Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  18. ^ Sapp, Sean Ross (2019-01-08). "Exclusive: How WOW And AXS' TV Deal Came Together With Two NBA Owners". Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  19. ^ "Report: AXS TV And Women Of Wrestling Part Ways". fightful.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  20. ^ ViacomCBS Signs Distribution Deal With WOW — Women of Wrestling – The Hollywood Reporter
  21. ^ ViacomCBS Syndicating ‘WOW – Women Of Wrestling’ In 160 U.S. Markets – Deadline
  22. ^ @wowsuperheroes (October 7, 2021). "BREAKING NEWS AJ Mendez is WOW Wrestling! Welcome to the team!" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-10-07 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "WOW Wrestling never-before-seen episodes to premiere on Pluto TV and The CW App - Wrestling News". Wrestling News. January 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  24. ^ "'WOW – Women Of Wrestling' Launching This September In Syndication". Wrestling News. August 1, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  25. ^ Needelman, Joshua (2022-12-15). "In the World of Wrestling, a Heavy Hitter Steps Into the Ring". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  26. ^ "TV Ratings For Women Of Wrestling's First Two Episodes Revealed". Wrestling Inc. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  27. ^ Steve Bryant (October 28, 2018). "Before There Was Evolution There Was Unleashed". SoCal Uncensored. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  28. ^ Scott Keith (July 28, 2002). "The smark retro repost women of wrestling february 4 2001". 411Mania. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  29. ^ Scott Keith (October 30, 2018). "The SmarK Rant for Women of Wrestling (WOW) Unleashed–02.01.01". Blog of Doom. Retrieved 19 December 2019.

External links

  • Official website
  • Google Groups archive of press release announcing WOW
  • Women of Wrestling at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • Women of Wrestling Unleashed (2001) at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • Divas of Pro-Wrestling
  • Women Wrestling
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