Rachael Ellering Refused Handshake After ROH Match
The wrestler declined a post-match handshake from Trish Adora following her defeat on Honor Club.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Wrestling
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Rachael Ellering left the ring without shaking hands after losing her recent match to Trish Adora on Honor Club. Her actions violated the established Ring of Honor Code of Honor that requires competitors to shake hands.
Why it matters
The Code of Honor is a central pillar of the Ring of Honor wrestling philosophy, and breaches of this tradition often signal intensified rivalries or character shifts. Following her February 2024 appearance on AEW Unrestricted, fans are speculating about her future in the promotion.
The Ring of Honor Code of Honor mandates that all wrestlers shake hands, a rule that has persisted through the organization's evolution. Currently, the promotion features titleholders like Bandido and Athena, who has held her championship for 1,400 days.
The players
Rachael Ellering
She is a professional wrestler who has previously navigated a career despite early discouragement from her father, Paul Ellering.
Trish Adora
She is a professional wrestler who competed against and defeated Rachael Ellering in the recent Honor Club match.
Tony Khan
He is the business executive who purchased Ring of Honor in 2022 and currently oversees the promotion's operations.
Athena
She is the current holder of the ROH Women's World Championship and has maintained her title for 1,400 days.
Bandido
He is a professional wrestler who currently holds the ROH World Championship title.
The details
Rachael Ellering finished her match against Trish Adora with a loss and opted to walk away when the traditional post-match handshake was offered. The decision defied the long-standing tradition enforced by the promotion since its inception.
Timeline
Tony Khan purchased Ring of Honor in 2022.
Rachael Ellering appeared on AEW Unrestricted in February 2024.
The Big Picture
This incident serves as a direct contradiction to the Ring of Honor Code of Honor, which has historically defined the behavioral expectations for athletes in the promotion. By disregarding this mandate, the event signals a potential shift away from the traditional sportsmanship values that Tony Khan has preserved since his 2022 acquisition.
The refusal to shake hands sets the stage for a probable storyline progression in the coming weeks. Viewers can monitor the Honor Club broadcasts to see if this defiance leads to disciplinary action or a high-profile rematch.
The takeaway
Disregarding established promotional codes of conduct often serves as a catalyst for professional wrestling storylines and character development. Fans should watch for how management responds to these breaches to determine the future trajectory of the involved competitors.
Further reading
For more on the current storylines and policy developments, visit the Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
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