Women of Wrestling (WOW) 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]
Women of Wrestling | |
---|---|
Genre | Professional wrestling Women's professional wrestling |
Created by | David McLane |
Developed by | Jeanie Buss |
Starring | WOW Superheroes roster |
Narrated by | David McLane Stephen Dickey |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | 10 |
No. of episodes | 207 |
Production | |
Production locations | Los Angeles, California |
Camera setup | Multicamera setup |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | Broadcast syndication (2000–2001; 2022–present) AXS TV (2019–2020) |
Release | September 1, 2000 present | –
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
editEarly years and relaunch
editWOW 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
editOn 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
editWOW Unleashed 2001
editWOW Unleashed | |||
---|---|---|---|
Promotion | Women of Wrestling | ||
Date | February 4, 2001 | ||
City | Inglewood, California | ||
Venue | Great Western Forum | ||
Attendance | ~9,500 | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
|
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
editAlumnae
editFormer Superheroes
editRing name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Adrenaline | Priscilla Zuniga | Former WOW World Tag Team Champion |
Amber O'Neal | Kimberly Dawn Davis | Formerly known as The Beverly Hills Babe Former WOW World Tag Team Champion |
Amber Rodriguez | Amber Rodriguez | Formerly known as Sahara Spars |
Azúcar | Vanessa Herrera | |
Beckie the Farmers Daughter | Renee Intlekofer | WOW Original |
Boom Boom the Volcano | Patty Bunya-Ananta | WOW Original |
Bronco Billie | Lisa Danielle Rachuba | WOW Original |
Buggy Nova | Natalie Laura Osman | |
Caliente | Rachel Iverson | WOW Original |
Cali Ray | Kirsten Young | |
Candice LeRae | Candice Dawson | |
Casey Dakota | Sarah Stallman | |
Charlie Davidson | Charlie Davidson | WOW Original |
Christina Von Eerie | Christina Von Eerie | Also wrestled as Razor |
The Dagger | Michelle Blanchard | |
Danger | Elle Alexander | WOW Original Former WOW World Champion |
Delta Lotta Pain | Jwaundace Candece | WOW Original Former WOW World Tag Team Champion |
Desdemeana the Soldier of Darkness | Andrea VanEpps | |
The Disciplinarian | Kristen Davidson Robyn Reid[30] |
WOW Original, also wrestled as Misery |
Eye Candy | Danielle Paultre | |
EZ Rider | Eleanor Kerrigan | WOW Original |
Faith The Lioness | Faith Jefferies | |
Farah The Persian Princess | Telma Roshanravan | WOW Original |
Fire | Kiera Hogan Taylor Lewis |
Former WOW World Tag Team Champion |
Frenchie | Marie Gibeault | |
Frost the Olympian | Janeshia Adams-Ginyard | |
GI Jane | Quanice Jackson | |
Glitch the Gamer | Alicia Bellamy | |
Hammerin' Heather Steele | Christina Tomaziesski Colby | WOW Original |
Hazard | Elizabeth Crist | |
Ice Cold | Inga Waggoner | WOW Original |
Ivy Quinn | unknown | |
Jacklyn Hyde | Vasilika Vanya Marinkovic | WOW Original |
Jade | Jennifer Lee Chan | WOW Original |
Jane Blond | Ella Carter | WOW Original |
Jennifer Florez | Jazmin Allure | |
Jessicka Havok | Jessica Cricks | |
Jolene Dixie | Airial Le | |
Jolynn Dixie | Cathy Le | |
Jungle Grrrl | Erica Porter | WOW Original Former WOW World Champion |
Kaoz [31] | Steffanie Manukainiu | |
Kitty | Holly Michelle Meowy | Former manager of Lana Star |
Kona [32] | Ashley Manukainiu | |
Kharma | unknown | |
Khloe Hurtz | Katie Forbes | |
Kiara Dillon | Kiara Dillon | |
Krissy Vaine | Kristin Eubanks | |
Kristy Order | unknown | WOW Original |
La Niña | Melissa Santos | |
Lady London | Georgina Rawlings | |
Leia Makoa | Reka Tehaka | |
Loca | Cher Ferreyra | WOW Original Former WOW World Tag Team Champion |
Lotus | Jeannie Kim | WOW Original |
Malia Hosaka | Malia Hosaka | |
Mezmeriah | Arelys Rodriguez Silva | |
Misery | Kristen Davidson | WOW Original Also wrestled as The Disciplinarian |
Mystery | Nicole Ochoa | WOW Original Also wrestled as Vendetta |
Nicky Law | unknown | WOW Original |
Nikki Krampus | Ragnhild Bjoerge | |
Paradise | Maria Nunez | WOW Original |
Patti Pizzazz | unknown | WOW Original Formerly known as Patti Pep |
The Phantom | Lynnette Thredgold | WOW Original |
Poison | Kina Van Vleet | WOW Original |
Randi Rah Rah | unknown Kelsey Hornack |
WOW Original Former WOW World Tag Team Champion |
Ray Lyn | Rachel Kelvington | |
Razor | Christina Von Eerie Sarah Wolfe |
|
Rebel Haze[33] | Mandy O'Shaughness | |
Reyna Reyes | Gisele Shaw | Formerly known as Azteca |
Riot | April Kathryn Littlejohn | WOW Original |
Robbie Rocket | Johnnie Robbie | |
Roxy Powers | Natalie T. Yeo | WOW Original |
Sandy | Tamie Sheffield | WOW Original |
The Sassy Massy | Alisha Edwards | |
Selina Majors | Selina Majors | WOW Original |
Serpentine | Melissa Cervantes | Formerly known as Kobra Moon |
Slam Dunk | Famisha Jones-Millman | WOW Original |
Spike | Hudson Envy | |
Summer | Bobbi Billard | WOW Original |
Sunshine | Jamila Griffith | |
Tanja the Warrior Woman | Tanja Richter | WOW Original |
Tatevik the Gamer | Tatevik Hunanyan | |
The Temptress | Katarina Waters | |
Terri Gold | Heather Lee-Millard | WOW Original Former WOW World Champion |
Tessa Blanchard | Tessa Blanchard | Former WOW World Champion |
Thug | Peggy Lee Leather | WOW Original |
Vendetta | Nicole Ochoa | WOW Original Also wrestled as Mystery |
Vickie Lynn McCoy[34] | Kelsey De Journett | |
Vivian Rivera | Everly Rivera | |
Wrecking Ball [35] | Heidi Howitzer | |
Wendi Wheels | Rebecca Gravell | WOW Original Formerly known as Sunny |
Former Tag Teams & Stables
editTeam name | Notes |
---|---|
The All American Girls (Amber O'Neal and Santana Garrett) |
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions |
The Asian Invasion (Jade and Lotus) |
WOW Originals |
The Beach Patrol (Sandy and Sunny) (Sandy and Summer) |
WOW Originals |
The Bully Busters (Keta Rush and Stephy Slays) |
|
Caged Heat (Delta Lotta Pain, Loca and Vendetta) |
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions (Delta Lotta Pain and Loca) WOW Originals |
The Daughters of Darkness (Misery and Mystery) |
WOW Originals |
The Dixie Darlings (Jolene Dixie and Jolynn Dixie) |
|
Exile (Exodus, Genesis and Malia Hosaka) (Exodus, Genesis, and Ice Cold) |
|
Fire & Adrenaline (Adrenaline and Fire) |
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions |
Gritz and Glam (Amber O'Neal and Jessie Jones) |
|
Harley's Angels (Charlie Davidson, EZ Rider and Thug) |
WOW Originals |
The Heavy Metal Sisters (Fury, Mezmeriah and Razor), (Fury and Rebel Haze) |
Formerly known as The Psycho Sisters |
The Island Dynasty (Kaoz, Kona, and Tiki Chamorro) |
|
Monsters of Madness (Hazard and Jessica Havok) |
|
The Psycho Sisters (Razor, Riot, and Spike) |
|
Team Blondage (Amber O'Neal and Krissy Vaine) |
|
Team IQ Superior (The Disciplinarian, GI Jane, Ice Cold, and Samantha Smart), (The Disciplinarian, The Classmaster, and Samantha Smart) |
|
Law & Order (Kristy Order and Nicky Law) |
|
Southern Pride (Jessie Jones and Selina Majors) |
|
Team Spirit (Patti Pep and Randi Rah Rah) |
WOW Originals |
Team Spirit (Coach Campanelli and Randi Rah Rah), (Ariel Sky, Coach Campanelli, and Randi Rah Rah), (Ariel Sky, Coach Campanelli, Pep Riley, and Sasha Sparks) |
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions (Coach Campanelli and Randi Rah Rah) |
The Tonga Twins (Kaoz and Kona) |
Former WOW World Tag Team Champions |
Tropical Storm (La Niña and Paradise) |
|
The Vengeful Vixens (The Dagger and The Temptress) |
Former Tag Teams & Alliances
editTeam name | Notes |
---|---|
Abilene Maverick and Candice LeRae | |
Abilene Maverick and The Disciplinarian | |
Beckie The Farmers Daughter and Bronco Billie | WOW Originals |
BK Rhythm and Glitch The Gamer | |
Boom Boom the Volcano and Caliente | WOW Originals |
Chantilly Chella and Sassy Massy | |
Danger and Riot | WOW Originals |
Faith The Lioness and} Lana Star | |
Farah the Persian Princess and Paradise | WOW Originals |
Ice Cold and Poison | WOW Originals |
Ivy Quinn and Ray Lyn | |
Lana Star and Patti Pizzazz | WOW Originals |
Reyna Reyes and Princess Aussie | |
Roxy Powers and Tanja The Warrior Woman | WOW Originals |
Championships
editAs of November 17, 2024.
Championship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held |
Location | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WOW World Championship | The Beast | 2 | December 14, 2023 | 339+ | Los Angeles, CA | Defeated Abilene Maverick, to win the title. This episode aired on tape delay on June 1, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 37 | |
WOW World Tag Team Championship | Miami's Sweet Heat (Laurie Carlson and Lindsey Carlson) | 4 | December 14, 2023 | 339+ | Los Angeles, CA | Won the titles from The Mother Truckers (Big Rig Betty and Holly Swag) for the WOW World championship tag team title match. This episode aired on tape delay on August 31, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 51 | |
WOW Trios Tag Team Championship | Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter and Kandi Krush) | 1 | December 13, 2023 | 340+ | 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 known as Top Tier to defeats Team Exile (Exodus, Genesis and Ice Cold) to become the inaugural trios champions. This episode aired on tape delay on March 16, 2024, at WOW Season 9: Episode 27 |
References
edit- ^ "Why the Lakers' Jeanie Buss loves Jungle Grrrl and is putting her money into a female wrestling show". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 2016.
- ^ "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 ]
- ^ Vanes. "Women of Wrestling". Shootangle.com. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
- ^ TV.com. "Women of Wrestling". TV.com. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
- ^ 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
- ^ "INTERACTIVE WRESTLING RADIO INTERVIEW - Terri Gold". Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Women of Wrestling - WOWE - New Website Coming Soon". WOWE. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
- ^ "Jeanie Buss executive producer for women's wrestling reality show". Los Angeles Times. May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Women of Wrestling -- Don't Call It a Comeback!". TMZ.
- ^ "Women Of Wrestling". Women Of Wrestling.
- ^ "The1stMovement Pins WOW -Women of Wrestling - Yahoo Finance". Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "Women of Wrestling Season 2 announcement". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
- ^ "WOW Superheroes". YouTube.
- ^ Calvario, Liz (April 20, 2017). "MGM Television Partners With 'Women Of Wrestling' To Create Content For TV And Digital Platforms".
- ^ 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.
- ^ "'WOW — Women Of Wrestling' Series Sells to AXS TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 June 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Sapp, Sean Ross (2019-01-08). "Exclusive: How WOW And AXS' TV Deal Came Together With Two NBA Owners". Retrieved 2019-01-21.
- ^ "Report: AXS TV And Women Of Wrestling Part Ways". fightful.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ ViacomCBS Signs Distribution Deal With WOW — Women of Wrestling – The Hollywood Reporter
- ^ ViacomCBS Syndicating ‘WOW – Women Of Wrestling’ In 160 U.S. Markets – Deadline
- ^ @wowsuperheroes (October 7, 2021). "BREAKING NEWS AJ Mendez is WOW Wrestling! Welcome to the team!" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-10-07 – via Twitter.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "'WOW – Women Of Wrestling' Launching This September In Syndication". Wrestling News. August 1, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "TV Ratings For Women Of Wrestling's First Two Episodes Revealed". Wrestling Inc. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ Steve Bryant (October 28, 2018). "Before There Was Evolution There Was Unleashed". SoCal Uncensored. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ Scott Keith (July 28, 2002). "The smark retro repost women of wrestling february 4 2001". 411Mania. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ Scott Keith (October 30, 2018). "The SmarK Rant for Women of Wrestling (WOW) Unleashed–02.01.01". Blog of Doom. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ "The Disciplinarian". Women of Wrestling.
- ^ "Kaoz". Women of Wrestling.
- ^ "Kona". Women of Wrestling.
- ^ "Reina Del Rey". Women of Wrestling.
- ^ "Vickie Lynn McCoy". Women of Wrestling.
- ^ "Wrecking Ball". Women of Wrestling.