Women of Wrestling | |
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![]() | |
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 | 8 |
No. of episodes | 522 (as of July 29, 2023 | )
Production | |
Production locations | Los Angeles, California |
Camera setup | Multicamera setup |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Release | |
Original network | Broadcast syndication (2000–2001; 2022–present) Streaming television (2015–2019) AXS TV (2019–2020) Pluto TV, CW Seed (past episodes; 2022–present) |
Picture format | NTSC HDTV 1080i |
Original release | September 1, 2000 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]
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]
On October 6, 2021, it was announced that ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) had entered into a multi-year distribution agreement for WOW that will see new episodes produced for weekend syndication on 160 U.S. TV stations (CBS or The CW affiliates) owned by ViacomCBS or Sinclair Broadcast Group, with new episodes airing starting in Fall 2022.[20][21][22] On October 7, WOW announced that April Mendez (formerly AJ Lee in WWE) joined the company as an executive producer and color commentator.[23]
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.[24] On August 1, 2022, it was announced that new episodes of the series will begin airing on September 17, 2022, via Paramount Global Content Distribution. The series is carried in the U.S. on CBS-owned-and-operated stations, Sinclair Communications, Nexstar Broadcasting, Hearst Television, TEGNA Media, Weigel Broadcasting, Gray Media and Cox Television. It has also been licensed for broadcast in Canada, Australia and Indonesia.[25] In December 2022, The New York Times reported that WOW was the highest rated wrestling television show produced outside of WWE and AEW, ahead of those produced by Impact Wrestling and NJPW.[26] This was attributed to the show being available in every cable home in the United States, as well as airings in Canada and Australia.[27]
Main article: Women of Wrestling seasons |
WOW Unleashed | |||
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Promotion | Women of Wrestling | ||
Date | February 4, 2001 | ||
City | Inglewood, California | ||
Venue | Great Western Forum | ||
Attendance | ~9,500 | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
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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.[28] 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.[29][30]
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) defeated 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 | Nicki 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 defeated Slam Dunk by double disqualification | Singles rematch | 6:16 |
8 | Riot defeated Wendi Wheels | Singles match for the Hardcore match | 9:40 |
9 | Jungle Grrrl defeated Beckie the Farmers Daughter | Singles match for the 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 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 |
Tag team match for the Hair vs. hair match, A surprise Handicap match | 5:16 |
13 | Thug (with Charlie Davidson and EZ Rider) defeated Selina Majors | Singles match for the Steel cage match | 15:01 |
WOW Unleashed | |
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Promotion | Women of Wrestling |
Date | August 6, 2023 |
City | Los Angeles, California |
Venue | The Belasco Theater |
WOW Unleashed: LIVE August tapings Attend WOW Unleashed LIVE at The Belasco Theater in Los Angeles during the month of August. Six (6) spectacular events starring the WOW Superheroes! See the high-flying action, have fun with friends and, who knows, you may be on TV!
See also: List of Women of Wrestling Personnel |
Ring name | Real name | Season(s) |
---|---|---|
Abilene Maverick The Governor's Daughter | Callee Wilkerson | 2-6 |
Adrenaline | Priscilla Zuniga | 6-7 |
Amber O’Neal | Kimberly Dawn Davis | 2-4/6-7 Who later The Beverly Hills Babe |
Azteca | Gisele Shaw | 5 Who later Reyna Reyes |
Azúcar | Vanessa Herrera | 2 |
Beckie The Farmers Daughter | Renee Intlekofer | 1 |
The Beverly Hills Babe | Kimberly Dawn Davis | 4-5 Formerly known as Amber O'Neal |
Boom Boom The Volcano | Patty Bunya-Ananta | 1 |
Bronco Billie | Lisa Danielle Rachuba | 1 |
Caliente | Rachel Iverson | 1 |
Cali Ray | Kirsten Young | 7 |
Candice LeRae | Candice Dawson | 2-3 |
Charlie Davidson | Charlie Davidson | 1 |
Christy Order | 1 | |
Cow Girl Casey Dakota | Sarah Stallman | 7 |
The Dagger | Michelle Blanchard | 4-7 |
Danger | Elle Alexander | 1 Former WOW World Champion |
Delta Lotta Pain | Jwaundace Candece | 1-4 |
Desdemeana The Soldier Of Darkness | Andrea VanEpps | 2 |
The Disciplinarian | Kristen Davidson | 1 |
Eye Candy | Willow Nightingale | 5 |
EZ Rider | Eleanor Kerrigan | 1 |
Faith The Lioness | Faith Jefferies | 5-7 |
Farah The Persian Princess | Telma Roshanravan | 1 |
Fire | Kiera Hogan | 5-7 |
Fire | Taylor Lewis | 3 |
Frenchie | Marie Gibeault | 3 |
Frost The Olympian | Janeshia Adams-Ginyard | 2-3 |
Hammerin' Heather Steele | Christina Tomaziesski Colby | 1 |
Hazard | Elizabeth Crist | 6 |
Ice Cold | Inga Waggoner | 1 |
Jacklyn Hyde | Vasilika Vanya Marinkovic | 1 |
Jade | Jennifer Lee Chan | 1-3 |
Jane Blond | Ella Carter | 1 |
Jessicka Havok | Jessica Cricks | 5-6 |
Jolene Dixie | Airial Le | 5-7 |
Jolynn Dixie | Cathy Le | 5-7 |
Jungle Grrrl | Erica Porter | 1-7 Former WOW World Champion |
Khloe Hurtz | Katie Forbes | 4-7 |
Kobra Moon | Melissa Cervantes | 5 Who later Serpentine |
Krissy Vaine | Kristin Eubanks | 7 |
La Niña | Melissa Santos | 3 |
Lady London | Georgina Rawlings | 2 |
Lana Star | Lana Kinnear | 1-6 Former WOW World Champion |
Loca | Cher Ferreyra | 1-4 |
Lotus | Jeannie Kim | 1 |
Misery | Kristen Davidson | 1 The secret identity of The Disciplinarian |
Mystery | Nicole Ochoa | 1 The secret identity of Vendetta |
Nicki Law | 1 | |
Nikki Krampus | Ragnhild Bjoerge | 5-6 |
Paradise | Maria Nunez | 1-3 |
Patti Pep | 1 Who later Patti Pizzazz | |
Patti Pizzazz | 1 Formerly known as Patti Pep | |
The Phantom | Lynnette Thredgold | 1 |
Poison | Kina Van Vleet | 1 |
Randi Rah Rah | 1 | |
Razor | Christina Von Eerie | 4 |
Reyna Reyes | Gisele Shaw | 6-7 Formerly known as Azteca |
Riot | April Kathryn Littlejohn | 1/4 |
Roxy Powers | Natalie T. Yeo | 1 |
Sandy | Tamie Sheffield | 1 |
The Sassy Massy | Alisha Edwards | 6-7 |
Selina Majors | Selina Majors | 1-4 |
Serpentine | Melissa Cervantes | 6-7 Formerly known as Kobra Moon |
Slam Dunk | Famisha Jones-Millman | 1 |
Spike | Hudson Envy | 2-4/7 |
Summer | Bobbi Billard | 1 |
Sunshine | Jamila Griffith | 2-3 |
Sunny | Rebecca Gravell | 1 Who later Wendi Wheels |
Tanja The Warrior Woman | Tanja Richter | 1 |
Tatevik The Gamer | Tatevik Hunanyan | 2-3 |
The Temptress | Katarina Leigh Waters | 5-7 |
Terri Gold | Heather Lee-Millard | 1 WOW World Champion |
Tessa Blanchard | Tessa Blanchard | 5-7 Former WOW World Champion |
Thug | Peggy Lee Leather | 1-3 |
Vendetta | Nicole Ochoa | 1 |
Venomous | Ruby Raze | 7 |
Wendi Wheels | Rebecca Gravell | 1 Formerly known as Sunny |
Ring name | Team name | Season(s) |
---|---|---|
Abilene Maverick The Governor's Daughter Candice LeRae |
2-3 | |
Abilene Maverick The Governor's Daughter The Disciplinarian |
6 | |
Adrenaline Fire |
2-3 Former WOW World Tag Team Champions | |
Amber O’Neal Krissy Vaine |
Team Blondage | 7 |
Amber O’Neal Santana Garrett |
The All American Girls | 2-4 Former WOW World Tag Team Champions |
Azteca Princess Aussie |
5-6 | |
Beckie The Farmers Daughter Bronco Billie |
1 | |
Boom Boom The Volcano Caliente |
1 | |
Chantilly Chella The Sassy Massy |
6-7 | |
Charlie Davidson EZ Rider Thug |
Harley's Angels | 1 |
Christy Order Nicki Law |
Law & Order | 1 |
The Dagger The Temptress |
The Vengeful Vixens | 5-7 |
Danger Riot |
1 | |
Delta Lotta Pain Loca Vendetta |
Caged Heat | 1-4 WOW World Tag Team Champions |
Faith The Lioness Lana Star |
6 | |
Farah The Persian Princess Paradise |
1 | |
Hazard Jessicka Havok |
Monsters Of Madness | 6 |
Ice Cold Poison |
1 | |
Jade Lotus |
The Asian Invasion | 1 |
Jessie Jones Jolene Dixie Jolynn Dixie |
The Dixie Darlings | 7 |
Jolene Dixie Jolynn Dixie |
The Dixie Darlings | 5-7 |
La Niña Paradise |
Tropical Storm | 3 |
Lana Star Patti Pizzazz |
1 | |
Misery Mystery |
The Daughters Of Darkness | 1 |
Patti Pep Randi Rah Rah |
Team Spirit | 1 |
Razor Riot Spike |
4 | |
Reyna Reyes Princess Aussie |
6 | |
Roxy Powers Tanja The Warrior Woman |
1 | |
Sandy Summer |
The Beach Patrol | 1 |
Sandy Sunny |
The Beach Patrol | 1 |
As of July 31, 2023.
Championship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held |
Location | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WOW World Championship | Penelope Pink | 1 | December 4, 2022 | 239+ | Los Angeles, CA | Won a 10-woman Gauntlet match for the vacant WOW World Champion at WOW Season 8: Episode 25 from acquired footage from LA Comic-Con | |
WOW World Tag Team Championship | Miami's Sweet Heat (Laurie Carlson and Lindsey Carlson) | 2 | December 4, 2022 | 239+ | Los Angeles, CA | Won the titles from a rematch, managed of the fabulous Lana Star defeated Coach Campanelli and Randi Rah Rah at WOW Season 8: Episode 25 from acquired footage from LA Comic-Con |