The competition for the first-ever ROH Women’s Pure Championship is intensifying, as Deonna Purrazzo aims for first ROH Women’s Pure Championship against a field of skilled contenders. Ring of Honor revealed the creation of this title in April, launching a tournament format to crown its inaugural champion.
ROH’s Tournament Build: A Heated Quest for a Historic Title
While specifics regarding the tournament bracket remain under wraps, six wrestlers have been officially confirmed as participants. Among them are Serena Deeb, Queen Aminata, Deonna Purrazzo, Taya Valkyrie, Leila Grey, and Billie Starkz, representing a diverse array of wrestling talent. The identity of the eventual champion hinges on strict adherence to Pure rules, preventing outside interference and raising the stakes for each competitor.
Billie Starkz received her entry through Athena, but Pure rules completely prohibit outside help—any violation leads to immediate dismissal. In preparation, Athena sent Starkz away to diligently study classic catch-as-catch-can wrestling, emphasizing individual skill over alliances.
Spotlight on Standout Competitors
Taya Valkyrie described the tournament as a casting call, elevating herself as the primary protagonist in this evolving drama. She is determined to showcase her unique blend of fashion-forward charisma and athletic prowess, promising to stir things up in the bracket.
Reinforcing the competitive edge, Deonna Purrazzo recently made her mark in ROH history by claiming victory in the company’s first women’s Pure rules match, where she defeated Ashley Vox through a Venus de Milo double armbar submission.
.@DeonnaPurrazzo is BACK in Ring of Honor! Is ‘The Virtuosa’ your pick to be crowned the first-ever ROH Women’s Pure Champion?Watch the full show here:▶️ https://t.co/OT8EZn0yzg pic.twitter.com/5PA0Cdcau3— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) May 10, 2025
Serena Deeb’s motivation runs deep, seeing the ROH Women’s Pure Championship as a reflection of her values and career-long pursuit of technical wrestling excellence. After five dedicated years in AEW and ROH without capturing gold, Deeb makes it clear she is ready to seize this opportunity with resolve.
Fresh Strategies and the Wildcard Factor
Queen Aminata, eager to demonstrate her progress, is confident she can surpass Serena Deeb. Their dynamic of mentor and protégé adds intrigue, especially as Aminata recently displayed new submission maneuvers, securing victory over Allysin Kay with an inside figure-four octopus hold.
Leila Grey faces an uphill battle, having lost by submission in her most recent standard rules matches to Mina Shirakawa and Marina Shafir. However, the Pure rules environment may allow Grey to adjust her tactics and potentially surprise the field with an improved approach.
The anticipation is high across the division, with each participant seeking to etch her name in ROH history and claim the newly minted crown. The mix of seasoned veterans, technical specialists, and ambitious newcomers promises a dramatic unfolding of the tournament.
Why This Pure Championship Battle Matters
This tournament marks a defining chapter for Ring of Honor’s women’s division. With Deonna Purrazzo, Serena Deeb, Taya Valkyrie, Leila Grey, Queen Aminata, and Billie Starkz clashing under Pure rules, fans are poised to witness a blend of tactical wrestling, emotional rivalries, and the birth of a prestigious new championship. The outcome could shift the landscape of women’s wrestling in ROH, offering a fresh platform for technical excellence and high-stakes drama. All eyes now turn to see which contender will rise above the rest and make history as the first ROH Women’s Pure Champion.
