Add as a preferred source on Google Athena just achieved one of the biggest milestones in recent U.S. pro wrestling history.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, she reached 1,317 consecutive days as ROH Women’s World Champion, surpassing Roman Reigns’ 1,316-day reign with the WWE Universal Championship. That makes hers the longest reign in a major North American promotion this century.
Athena won the title on December 10, 2022, at ROH Final Battle, defeating Mercedes Martinez. She has since passed Samoa Joe’s 645 days to become the longest-reigning champion in Ring of Honor history, across all divisions.
Reigns, for his part, began his reign at WWE Payback on August 30, 2020. That run ended on April 7, 2024, when Cody Rhodes beat him in the main event of night two of WrestleMania 40.
Athena has surpassed Roman Reigns' modern-day record as the longest-reigning champion in the US. pic.twitter.com/uvAVZXzGWC
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) July 19, 2026
Athena’s feat isn’t the all-time record among U.S. promotions, though. Hulk Hogan held the WWE Championship for 1,474 days between 1984 and 1988, and Bruno Sammartino’s reign lasted 2,803 days.
Athena has said she plans to break Sammartino’s record. Getting there would still mean holding the ROH Women’s World Championship for about four more years.
Her most recent defense came at ROH Global Wars on June 18, 2026, when she beat Syuri in the main event to retain the title.