During the main event of Friday night’s ROH Final Battle 2023 pay-per-view event, Athena retained the ROH Women’s World Championship against Billie Starkz.
Appearing on the “Under the Ring” podcast ahead of ROH Final Battle 2023, Athena lavished praise on Skandor Akbar for helping her with aggression in the ring.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On training with Skandor Akbar: “I just remember he was so tough and so adamant that I didn’t train like a woman, that I was going to be special beause he also trained Ms. Jaqueline, he was also influential … And JBL, according to him, Mean Mark’s [Undertaker] career, if you guys know who that is. So it was very important to him that I showed that aggression, that I didn’t wrestle like a woman, that I didn’t wrestle like what was on TV.”
On what Akbar instilled in her: “And I think … that I was different, that I could wrestle and do everything that the guys did. He instilled in my brain that, ‘It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. You’re a pro wrestler, and pro wrestling is the game. Be aggressive. Be the bad guy, be the good guy, be whoever you want to be. But don’t be limited to gender, don’t be limited to race. Ak was really adamant about those types of things, which I feel has definitely been ingrained in my brain to this day.”
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Athena Retains ROH Women’s World Championship at Final Battle 2023
In an electrifying main event at the ROH Final Battle 2023 pay-per-view event, Athena successfully defended her ROH Women’s World Championship against Billie Starkz. The match showcased the incredible talent and athleticism of both competitors, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final bell.
Prior to the event, Athena appeared on the “Under the Ring” podcast, where she expressed her gratitude towards Skandor Akbar for his invaluable guidance in enhancing her aggression inside the ring. Akbar, a legendary figure in the wrestling industry, has trained numerous successful wrestlers, including Ms. Jaqueline and JBL.
During the podcast, Athena shared her experience of training with Akbar, stating, “He was so tough and so adamant that I didn’t train like a woman, that I was going to be special because he also trained Ms. Jaqueline, he was also influential… And JBL, according to him, Mean Mark’s [Undertaker] career, if you guys know who that is. So it was very important to him that I showed that aggression, that I didn’t wrestle like a woman, that I didn’t wrestle like what was on TV.”
Akbar instilled in Athena the belief that she could excel in wrestling regardless of her gender. He emphasized the importance of breaking free from societal limitations and stereotypes, encouraging her to embrace her aggression and become a force to be reckoned with in the ring. Athena expressed her gratitude for Akbar’s teachings, stating, “He instilled in my brain that, ‘It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. You’re a pro wrestler, and pro wrestling is the game. Be aggressive. Be the bad guy, be the good guy, be whoever you want to be. But don’t be limited to gender, don’t be limited to race.'”
Athena’s victory at Final Battle 2023 not only solidifies her reign as the ROH Women’s World Champion but also serves as a testament to the impact of Skandor Akbar’s training and mentorship. Her ability to showcase her aggression and skill in the ring has made her a standout performer in the world of professional wrestling.
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