Lee Moriarty has become the longest-reigning ROH Pure Champion, holding the title for over 580 days after breaking Nigel McGuinness’ previous record of 350 days in 2025. Despite this milestone, Moriarty expressed mixed feelings about surpassing the record, as he deeply respects those who held the championship before him while aiming to honor their legacy. The achievement highlights Moriarty’s continued commitment to elevating the prestige of the ROH Pure Championship.
The Significance of Moriarty’s Record and Comparisons with McGuinness’ Reign
Moriarty has defended the Pure title around 12 times so far, yet he credits McGuinness as the greatest Pure Champion due to his 17 defenses and pioneering role in taking the title internationally.
“I still consider Nigel to be the greatest Pure Champion of all time because while he’s held it in 350 days, he defended it 17 times. He was the first person to defend it internationally,”
Moriarty said on AEW Unrestricted. Moriarty aims to continue building upon McGuinness’ legacy by defending the championship in new locations such as Australia and Mexico.
A Defining Match and a Career Highlight
At ROH Final Battle 2025, Moriarty faced McGuinness in a title bout that ended with Moriarty’s victory, marking a memorable moment in his wrestling career. Moriarty described the post-match interaction with McGuinness as filled with surprise and disbelief. When asked about their conversation, he replied,
“Hella thank yous, just like… in disbelief and shock.”
This win stands as one of the top highlights among Moriarty’s achievements.
The History and Evolution of the ROH Pure Championship
Originally created in 2004, the ROH Pure Championship emphasizes technical wrestling under a specialized ruleset. Recently, a women’s version of the title was introduced, with Deonna Purrazzo becoming the inaugural women’s Pure Champion, signaling growth in the division and a broader focus on pure wrestling styles within ROH.
Moriarty’s Future Plans and Aspirations for the Pure Title
Looking ahead, Moriarty revealed on AEW Unrestricted that he hopes to defend the Pure Championship against dream opponents including Samoa Joe and Kosei Fujita. His overarching goal in wrestling is to improve the industry, and he sees his ongoing title reign as a chance to further the cause of pure wrestling and its appreciation among fans.
The Current ROH Landscape and Recent Title Defenses
Ring of Honor has entered a new chapter with standalone television tapings held at WJCT Studios in Jacksonville, Florida, where Moriarty successfully defended the Pure Championship during the inaugural taping. This fresh approach to ROH programming aims to highlight the prestige and excitement around its titles and athletes.
