Unofficial PWG Battle of Los Angeles Preview

[Guest Jay Z. Hollywood]

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla “Battle of Los Angeles 2006” Inside Track (The unofficial betting guide) by Paul Newberry and Jay Doring

 

(hope it's ok that this is posted in it's own thread instead of the BOLA thread. We put some time into this, and wanted to make sure anyone who may possibly be interested gets a chance to see it. Decide it sucks, then resume their daily lives)

 

In this preview, we profile all 24 entrants, provide you with backstories, stats, stories, detailed historys, betting odds, fun facts and we were even lucky enough to get some exclusive comments from a few of the competitors. Everything to get you caught up heading into this weekends shows.

 

Also in a huge innovation, we've implemented PICTURES! Yes, people everywhere love pictures. Much like Tom Hanks winning Oscars it's just one of those tried and true facts of life. So I hope you enjoy them...

 

Since this preview turned out to be incredibly long (we do mean long too), to make it easier for you to navigate through it. We've split it up. In this post, you will find all the 12 profiles for the Night One entrants. And in the post, directly under this one, will be the 12 profiles for the Night Two entrants.

 

Sorry for getting this out so late (day before the event!) but even though we started writiing this back in July, it was hard to find the time to work out on it. So it took longer to finish than we planned, but I suppose with the very recent line up switch, it worked out! Neat eh? Well, we really hope you enjoy it

 

 

Thank you and let us know what you think...

 

Of course for official BOLA information please check out: http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com/BOLA2006/

 

 

 

Chris Sabin

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 207 lbs.

Hometown: Detroit, MI

PWG Record: 10-9-1 (5-7-1 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

TNA Super X Cup 2003: WINNER

IWC Super Indy 3: WINNER

Jeff Peterson Cup 2005: WINNER

WWA Cruiserweight Title Tournament: Finalist

TNA: Chris Candido Cup Tag Tournament: Finalist

Premier Championship Wrestling: Premier Cup 2006: Finalist

ZERO ONE MAX: Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament 2006: Semi-Finalist

IWA:MS Ted Petty Invitational 2005: Semi Finalist

ECWA Super 8 2003 Participant

 

Major Titles Held: TNA X-Division (2 times), Zero One MAX Lightweight Tag Title (Current), WWA Cruiserweight, IWC Super Indy, BCW Unified Television (2 times) MCW Crusierweight

 

Write Up: Best known as one of the fixtures of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's X-Division, where he's made waves, including winning the X Division title 2 times (and never being pinned for it), and winning their Super X 2003 Tournament. Sabin was immortalized with his own TNA action figure (albeit with a incredibly ripped pre-wellness program Chris Masters type body) One of the most polished performers on the indies, he's well-versed on the mat and can go hold-for-hold with anyone, and can take to air with the best of them. Sabin also excels on the defensive side of court with his cat-like reflexes and lightning-like mobility. Sabin has all the tools to succeed or build a handy wall shelf.

 

PWG fans began "hailing" Sabin in March 2005, where he scored an impressive win in his debut over of the Tito Santana of PWG at the time, Ricky Reyes. Unfortunately, there Sabin had rough go of it for the duration of 2005, dropping matches to Chris Hero, Christopher Daniels, Petey Williams and B-Boy.

 

Chris Sabin finally started to come into his own with PWG at the start of 2006 with his new haircut by his side, scoring his first major PWG victories over B-Boy and Alex Shelley. These victories earned him a PWG World Title shot, where he pinned Joey Ryan to seemingly win the title to a deafening ovation, only to have his title win taken because of a Joey Ryan legal loop-hole, seeing as it was Dino Winwood and not a PWG official who made the 3 count.

 

Sabin fought his way to another PWG title shot, after defeating Scorpio Sky in April. In his second title bid, Chris Sabin AGAIN defeated Joey Ryan, this time via submission to win the PWG title, holding the belt proudly over his head, only to find out the referee had disqualified Joey Ryan due to Scorpio Sky's interference. Sky's intrusion allowed Joey Ryan's reign to live another day...but it also added Chris Sabin to the Dynasty's ever expanding list of mortal enemies (which as you will find out over the course of the preview, like 79 guys are out to murderize the Dynasty.. it's crazy I tells ya)

 

But since that trying setback, Chirs Sabin has been on an incredible hot streak, so much so that even Former WWF/WCW World Champion Kevin Nash was so scared to get in the ring with him, he faked an injury. Just this past weekend, Sabin's streak endured as he made his debut in Japan for Zero One, where over the course of 3 days had made it to the semi finals of the annual Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament, and won the Z1MAX Lightweight Tag Titles from the much revered tag team of Ikuto Hidaka & Minoru Fujita.

 

Now, Sabin returns to PWG for the 2006 Battle Of Los Angeles, after being a reluctant scratch from last years' BOLA tournament. He's anxious to show what he can do against the very best on the Indies. It's not only competition that Sabin seeks this time, it's revenge. He has a bone to pick with Scorpio Sky and the Dynasty. This Friday, Sabin has a chance to kill several pompous birds with stone... then after the birds are dead, he'll get revenge on Scorpio Sky, win the tournament and earn another shot at Joey Ryan. Win the PWG title and then live happily ever after.

 

Opening Round match: Colt Cabana, underneath all Colt's wackiness lies an amazingly talented wrestler, who has given the best in the world runs for their money. A dangerous wrestler who can beat you in so many different ways, and has a knack for getting inside the heads of his opponents. This one that you would call a pick em' Niether man has a notable advantage over the other.

 

Later Round Outlook: El Generico or Delirious.Either would make for an exciting match up. Sabin will need all his wits about him, if hopes to

avoid getting shown up by either wrestler. Delirious, in particular seems to be the bane of Sabin's existance. The two times they have squared off, it has been Delirious coming out on top each time. Sabin will be looking to prove a point, by falling for Deilrious' antic this time round

 

Odds of winning: 5-1, the difference between winning and losing tournaments often comes down to intangibles. Already in his young career, Sabin has three major tournament wins to his credit. He's an amazingly well-seasoned tournament wrestler. He knows the BOLA will be a marathon, not a sprint, but he's well versed at the art being able to go all out while keeping enough in the reserve tank for the next round (which is harder than it may seem). As cliche as it may sound, Sabin has the ability to defeat any wrestler on any given day as his history will confirm. If Sabin gets past the first round, expect him to go deep.... very deep.

 

 

 

CIMA

Height 5'9"

Weight 181lb

Hometown: Sakai City, Osaka, Japan

PWG Record: CIMA will be making his PWG debut.

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

2004 Ultimo Dragon Gym Championship tournament: WINNER

2003 Toryumon El Numero Uno : WINNER

2000 Super J Cup : FINALIST

2005 Dragon Gate King of Gate: SEMI-FINALIST

1997 Toryumon Young Dragons' Cup: SEMI-FINALIST

 

Major Titles Held: Dragon Gate Open the Dream Gate Championship, Dragon Gate Open the Triangle Gate Championship (3x) (current) Ultimo Dragon Gym Championship (2x), UWA 6 Persons Tag Title (5x), NWA International Light Heavyweight Championship, IWRG Intercontinental Junior Heavyweight title

 

 

 

Background:: The World Wrestling Federation had The Rock. World Championship Wrestling had Sting. Extreme Championship Wrestling (in the Pre-Kelly days) had Rob Van Dam, The New ECW has Kelly Kelly. Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling has CIMA. One of the original graduates of the Ultimo Dragon Gym, CIMA became an overnight superstar at the 2000 Super J Cup, reaching the finals in a series of increasingly spectacular matches before falling to Jushin Lyger. Combining a spectacular and diverse offensive assault with rock star charisma, CIMA established himself as the undisputed “ace” of Ultimo’s Toryumon promotion (which became Dragon Gate in July 2004), and in the course of the next 6 years took that company from a tiny independent to the clear #4 promotion in Japan. The leader of the legendary Crazy MAX and Blood Generation stables, CIMA has been described as “untouchable” by longtime Japanese wrestling fans, a step above everyone even on the elite Dragon Gate roster.

 

Entering 2006, CIMA has made it clear he is no longer content to be the king fish in his personal pond, and has decided to extend his dominance to the United States. He first traveled to the US in August 2005 for Ring of Honor, defeating former 2-time NWA World Champion AJ Styles straight out of the gate. CIMA and his Dragon Gate cohorts made a much bigger impression in their second trip stateside, engaging in wars with ROH’s Generation Next (fellow Battle of Los Angeles competitors Matt Sydal, Austin Aries, Roderick Strong and Jack Evans) that have garnered “Match of the Year” praise all over the Internet. CIMA has even invited many US indy stars to Japan (including PWG standouts B-Boy and Chris Bosh) to further hone his skills against foreign combatants. The biggest star to ever compete in PWG, CIMA presents an incredibly dangerous presence in the Battle of Los Angeles. Only his cockiness (which has cost him big matches in the past) and unfamiliarity with most of his bracket work against him.

 

Opening Round match: CIMA’s first-round matchup is akin to the #1 seed facing the #16 seed in the NCAA Tourney. His opponent, M-Dogg 20 is a very well-traveled competitor, with multiple tours of Japan and Mexico to his credit, and has worked most of the major independents in the United States. However, M-Dogg’s PWG record is very poor, he has a history of going out early in tournaments, and he has never faced an opponent the caliber of CIMA. Look for CIMA to cruise to the second round fairly easily here.

 

Later Round Outlook: Kevin Steen or Matt Sydal, either would be a worthy challenge for the former CRAZY MAX kingpin. CIMA has met Sydal before in Dragon Gate, so he knows what to expect from him. Steen, however could be CIMA's worst nightmare. Thick, powerful, fast, agile and a notorious abuser of wrestlers the same size as CIMA. CIMA may be the star of the field, but he'll have to prove it here.

 

Odds of winning: 3-1, CIMA comes into the BOLA as the man to beat. Everyone will be gunning for him especially hard to try to make a name off of his reputation. I'm going to state it flat out: CIMA can beat anyone in this tournament. He really is THAT good. He beat AJ Styles, who he had never seen before, with relative ease in Ring of Honor. He has wrestled in the main events of enormous shows and won. He is a virtual lock for at least the semi-finals, where it will take the top talent in PWG catching him at an inopportune time to beat him. Expect him in the finals, and a possible choice to win.

 

 

 

 

 

"Classic" Colt Cabana

 

 

Height 6'1

Weight 235 lb

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

 

PWG Record: 8-6 (7-5 as a single)

Notable Tournament appearances:

IWC Super Indy 2: Winner

EWF Xtreme 8 Tournament 2005: Winner

IWA:MS Tag Title Tourney: Finalist

ROH Trios Tournament Semi Finalist

NWA Upstate: Upstate 8: Semi finalist

1PW Tag Team Tournament: Semi Finalist

PWG Bad Ass Mother 3000 participant

 

Major Titles Held: IWA:MS Heavyweight, ROH Tag Team Title (2) UWA Canadian, ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television Championship, IWC Heavyweight, ACW Heavyweight title,

 

Colt Cabana's corner:" Hi. I'm Colt. I will be wrestling in the Battle of Los Angeles. In order to get ready for the tournament I have already entered myself into the Battle of Tampa, Battle of Kalamazoo and the Battle of Little Rock. I plan on whizzing through those...then holding up the Chicago Flag and screaming "VICTORY" as I become the winner of the BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES. "

 

Background/Motivation: Straight outta South City, it's your boy Cabana givin' wet willies, actin' silly like a modern day Dave Coulier, and attempting to stand out on in this wild indy wrestling world as his own man.

 

Despite being regarded as one of the best all-around packages still unsigned by WWE or TNA, Colt Cabana has never had the spotlight shine directly on him. He has always stood in the shadow of his tag team partner, widely hyped cult figure CM Punk. Now that Punk is representing a New Breed that is Being Unleashed and Forcing the World to Bow to Their New-Found Power, it's up to Cabana to climb the ladder of success alone.

 

So far, Cabana's solo career has been a rough road. He engaged in a feud with Homicide that saw him physically and emotionally destroyed time and time again, and has come up short multiple times against Bryan Danielson for both the ROH and FIP title, falling to the American Dragon in only SIX MINUTES in one encounter.

 

However, PWG is a different story for the former Saint. Cabana has always enjoyed an incredible amount of success with the G-Unit, as during PWG's first two years he headlined multiple cards and nearly wrested the PWG Championship from Frankie Kazarian at "Secret of the Ooze." Since returning to PWG part-time at Astonishing X-Mas, Cabana is 3-1, defeating top-level competition such as Alex Koslov and Dynasty member and BOLA favorite Scorpio Sky. The Battle of Los Angeles may represent Cabana's "coming out party," the chance to show that he doesn't choke at the highest levels, and underneath that silliness and Jackie Mason-esque wit is an elite and dangerous competitor.

 

Opening Round Match: Colt opens the tourney against Chris Sabin, a TNA superstar who thrives within the PWG atmosphere (nearly winning the PWG title on two seperate occasions) Cabana has the size advantage and is the more crafty of the two, but Sabin posses the proverbial lightning like quickness. It's difficult to tell if either man will have an advantage here.

 

Later Round Outlook: How Cabana fares in the second round depends largely on who wins the Delirious/El Generico encounter. Cabana is very familiar with Delirious from his experience in the Midwest, trading the prestigious ICW/ICWA Tex-Arkana Television title with him several times. However, El Generico is someone who to my knowledge has never faced Cabana before, and possesses enough dangerous weapons in his arsenal to shock Cabana and beat him.

 

Odds of winning: 20-1 Cabana has always had all the natural gifts required of a pro wrestler: intelligence, speed and strength, there's no questioning that. However, in a intense bracket where he will almost surely run afoul of wrestlers like El Generico and CIMA, he will be put to a very difficult test. Winning tourneys requires a lot of mental toughness, question is... with Cabana's history as a "choke artist," will a BOLA victory may not be in the cards this year? my Magic 8-Ball is telling me.... "ask again later" Which... well doesn't really answer any of our questions does it?

 

 

DELIRIOUS

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 186 lbs.

Hometown: Edge of Sanity

 

PWG Record: Will be making his PWG debut

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

IWC Super Indy 2006: WINNER

CHIKARA Tag World Grand Prix Tournament - 2006: Semi Finalist

NIW Impact Invitational 2006: Semi Finalist

EWF X8 Tournament 2006: Semi Finalist

Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2005 participant

IWA:MS Ted Petty Invitational 2005 participant

Major Titles Held: ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television Championship (6 times), IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight (2 times) NWA Midwest X-Division title, IWC Super Indy Champion (Current)

Background/Motivation: "BAH BAH BAH BAH BAH BLLJKFLZJDKQ#LSAJ&K@DFLJKSDL!"

 

The above sentence, in a nutshell, is why so many people were clamoring for Delirious in PWG. A Midwestern standout who combines unpredictable tomfoolery with an unorthodox aerial assault, Delirious has long been thought as the perfect fit in the proverbial Pee-wee's Playhouse that is PWG. It is really hard to argue this point, as Delirious has had a great deal of success everywhere he has been. The former 6-time ICW/ICWA Tex-Arkana Television champion has dazzled crowds in IWA-Mid South (where he's a former 2-time Light Heavyweight Champion), CHIKARA, IWC and most recently Ring of Honor, where he came agonizingly close to unseating dominant ROH champion Bryan Danielson on three occasions. The only American PWG debut in the Battle of Los Angeles could do some serious damage, as many of the competitors have never faced someone as weird as Delirious. A BOLA win would only serve to add fuel to the fire of one of independent wrestling's most unique personalities.

 

Opening Round match: El Generico is the perfect example of the point I just made. He previously encountered Delirious at IWA-MS's "We're No Joke" event back in April, and Generico, caught completely off-guard by the (insert synonym for "strange") Delirious, was dominated and defeated by the masked madman. However, El Generico may have adjusted his gameplan and come fully prepared this time, eager to prove his superiority on his "home turf." This match could definitely go either way.

 

Later Round Outlook: Delirious' outlook past the first round is quite interesting. Colt Cabana is someone who has faced Delirious before, has bested him on many occasions, and has a distinct size advantage.Chris Sabin is someone who Delirious has experienced great success against, having scored a submission victory over him earlier this year..

 

Odds of winning: 40-1 Totally unpredictable. He's a real x-factor going into the tourney. But already this year, he has found tournament success earlier in IWC. But while you may say "Yeah but that wasn't hardly the field the BOLA is" Maybe not, but consider that Delirious holds career victories over AJ Styles, Chris Sabin, Matt Sydal, Claudio Castagnoli, El Generico, B-Boy, Ricky Reyes, Human Tornado and many others and you may start to change your tune.

 

 

Dragon Kid

Height: 5'4"

Weight: 154 lbs

Hometown: Tokai, Aichi, Japan

 

PWG Record: Dragon Kid will be making his PWG debut.

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

Toryumon El Numero Uno 2004: WINNER

Toryumon Ultimo Dragon Gym Title tournament 2004: SEMI-FINALIST

Dragon Gate King of Gate Tournament 2005 participant

Toryumon Young Dragons' Cup 1997 participant

 

Major Titles Held: NWA Welterweight Championship, UWA 6 Person tag title (2x), Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate Championship, Dragon Gate Open the Triangle Gate Championship (2x)

 

Background/Motivation: Along with CIMA, Dragon Kid is one of the names synonymous with Toryumon/Dragon Gate. Hand-picked by Ultimo Dragon to continue his legacy, Dragon Kid has attempted to live up to that massive endorsement by becoming one of the most groundbreaking high-flyers in Japan. The inventor of the Dragon Rana, who has the ability to pull off incredibly difficult moves such as the Ultra Hurricanrana (West Coast Pop) with ease, Dragon Kid has never quite broken through to main event status in Dragon Gate, but when the pressure is on, fewer on that roster are more clutch. He retained his mask against Darkness Dragon in arguably the most legendary match in Toryumon history. He pulled off possibly the biggest upset in Toryumon history when he defeated Aagan-Iisou wrecking machine (and current All Japan Jr. Heavyweight champion) Shuji Kondo in the finals of the 2004 El Numero Uno tourney. He overcame the overwhelming force of Blood Generation to defeat Naruki Doi for the Open the Brave Gate title earlier this year. Dragon Kid can more than handle the Battle of LA atmosphere, and he may just flash pin his way deep into the tournament.

 

Opening Round match: You might call Dragon Kid’s first round encounter a “mirror match.” Quicksilver is someone who is obviously influenced by Dragon Kid. He wrestles a very similar style, and frequently uses several of Kid’s signature holds, including the Dragon Rana and the Christo (a corbata into a hanging arm submission) . Both Dragon Kid and Quicksilver also have a history of playing the “spoiler” in tournaments and big matches, so this could honestly go either way. If I had to pick, Dragon Kid’s experience in big matches might allow him to keep his cool and prevail

 

Later Round Outlook: Dragon Kid will have to prepare for multiple styles of wrestling if he advances past Quicksilver to the later rounds. Rocky Romero is what the hotshot corporate types in Hollywood call a "hybrid performer," he can do it all, and do it well. Roderick Strong on the other hand, works more of a straight-ahead power game with a few very deadly submission holds. Dragon Kid has proven in his career he can beat a Roderick Strong-type wrestler, but he has a much tougher time with "Rocky Romeros" of the world. Combine that with Dragon Kid already being familiar with Strong in Japan, his odds of getting past the second round go much higher if Strong beats Romero..

 

Odds of winning: 25-1 Dragon Kid has proven he can "win the big one" in Japan, and he is one of the toughest men to put down in Dragon Gate, but I just have a feeling the competition is too stiff in his bracket to endure a run all the way to the finals. He's difficult to beat, but it's been done before, and it HAS been done in pressure-packed environments. Dragon Kid could very well fold in his first US singles competition since WCW in the late 90's.

 

 

 

El Generico

Height: 5'11"

Height: 180 lbs.

Hometown: Tijuana, Mexico

PWG Record 12-22 (2-9 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

EWR Elite 8 2004: WINNER

CZW Best of the Best 5: Semi Finalist

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

CHIKARA- Tag World Grand Prix 2005 participant

IWA:MS Ted Petty Invitational 2005 participant

Major Titles Held: IWS Title, PWG Tag Team

 

A few words with El Generico: OLE........ OLE!

 

Background: It's hard to believe the El Generico we all know and love actually started off as a joke, a simple one off lamb to the slaughter (akin to the New ECW's Zombie or MACHO LIBRE), designed to light a fire under a struggling heel wrestler. El Generico was an instant senstion. He won over the hard to please IWS fans, who delighted in chanting "Ole" at his every move. Though we was still brutally decimated, his ability to take huge amounts of punishment earned the respect of everyone in attendance.

 

Generico continued to develop, and over the next several years became one of the brightest young wrestlers in Canada. It wsn't long until the United States came calling (collect of course! Cheap country! Should have used 1-800 Collect and saved a buck or two) His first stop was CZW, where on 9/11/04, El Generico blew away United States audiences as part of a 4-way that stole the show (and was later named as the CZW Match Of The Year). The success of the CZW match put El Generico in high demand, leading to an appearance in Jersey All Pro Wrestling, where Generico was invited to come wrestle for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in California.

 

So on November 2004, Generico ventured to a new frontier, Southern California! Where the men are men, and the women are sometimes men as well (long story…) His debut match in PWG was set to have been in a tag team match, where he would teamed with rival Kevin Steen against The Aerial Express. However, a last minute scheduling issue caused the match to switched to El Generico Vs. Kevin Steen. These two relative unknowns with the spotlight all to themselves proceeded to tear down the house (thankfully DJ AC had left it minutes before) Generico won not only the match but the adulation of the PWG faithful in the process. He had entered an unknown, but left a bona fide superstar.

 

This was the start of a beautiful relationship. Over the next several months, El Generico had become one of PWG's most popular performers. He astounded fans with his amazing athleticism, witty persona and impressive outings with the likes of Alex Shelley, Super Dragon, and Human Tornado. Generico even managed to win PWG gold when he and the Human Tornado upset Arrogance to claim the PWG tag team titles at Zombies Shouldn't Run. Audiences delighted in cheering on the lovable Mexican underdog from Canada who thought he was black.

 

Generico is recognized as PWG's most consistent performer, stealing more shows than that fat kid at BAM3K (watch the first PWG DVD) which earned him the title of "PWG's MVP." Generico gave the fans someone to root for, someone to sympathize with. He's not a powerhouse like Kevin Steen, a bad ass like Super Dragon or a technical master like Chris Hero. He's just like you or I (assuming you wear a lucha mask too) the everyman fighting against seemingly impossible odds to achieve his dream.

 

Now at the 2006 PWG Battle Of Los Angeles, before his adopted Southern California family, the wrestler never even meant to exist has his chance to find his place in the sun. Will the ultimate overachiever be able to defy the odds once again and walk away with the biggest tournament of the year?

 

Opening Round match: Generico also has to face a formidable obstacle in Delirious, In their last meeting, Delirious was able to throw Generico off with his sheer lunacy, and completely dominate the matchup. This time around, Generico isn't as likely to be confused by Delirious' tactics.

 

Later Round Outlook:Later Round Outlook: If Generico is successful at solving the riddle that is Delirious, he'll face either Chris Sabin or Generico. Generico has some experience against in a tag team match with Sabin from this past June. He'll know what to expect from the TNA star. Colt Cabana on the other, would in my opinion prove a more difficult task for Generico to overcome. Cabana could bring out Generico's comedic side, would could take his mind off the match long enough to score a flash pin over the "Generic Luchador"

 

Odds of winning: 30-1, The sentimental favorite in this year's field. While he is known for spectacular performances in the ring, his efforts haven't translated into victories (as his 12-22 record will attest). BUT! El Generico has made a career out of surprising people to the point where it's not really a surprise anymore (like KANE as a mystery partner) The big question will be if Generico has enough to win four difficult matches over the course of two nights. He will however benefit from being in the A block, which isn't as high impact as the B and C blocks, thus taking a lesser toll on him going into the later rounds. And perhaps more than anyone else in the field, Generico is just plain due to make a big run. Could we see it at the Battle of Los Angeles?

 

 

 

 

 

"Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 220 lbs.

Hometown: Marieville, Quebec

PWG Record 17-17-1 (16-13-1 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

EWR Elite 8 2005: WINNER

EWR Title Tournament: WINNER

IWA Mid South Ted Petty Invitational 2005: Finalist

CZW Best of the Best 2005: Finalist

UWA Grand Prix 2005: Finalist

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

CHIKARA- Tag World Grand Prix 2005/2006 participant

 

Major Titles Held: PWG Title, CZW Iron Man Title, IWS Title, EWR Title

 

A few words with Kevin Steen: "I have wrestled Matt Sydal a few times in the past, even once in PWG and I really think he's one of the best wrestlers I have ever been in the ring with. But this is the Battle Of Los Angeles, and as much as I like him, there's nothing I won't do to defeat him and go on to win the most prestigious tournament in indy wrestling today."

Background: What makes a man, is it the power in his hands? Is it his quest for glory? Give it all you've got, to fight to the top so we can know your story....

 

Kevin Steen's PWG story began in November of 2004, where he'd arrived focused on two missions. Those missions were to capture the PWG title and to forcibly take Super Dragon’s spot at the top of PWG. Incredibly, in under a year's time, Steen had seemingly accomplished both. He'd defeated, outwitted, outclassed and terrorized Super Dragon and was basking in glory at the top of the PWG mountain after he defeated AJ Styles to win the PWG title in August of 2005.

 

By December of 2005, the tide began to turn for Mr. Steen. He was set for what appeared to be a walk in the park PWG title defense against Joey Ryan. Steen had the contest going his way... until the man he thought he had neutralized, Super Dragon made his presence felt. Two Psycho Drivers later... Joey Ryan had snuck away with the PWG title (an event that unbeknownst to all of us, had set the wheels in motion for the greatest obstacle either would be up against).

 

Kevin Steen had to end Super Dragon and put it all on the line and challenged him to the most dreaded match in all of PWG, Guerrilla Warfare, "Astonishing X-Mas" saw the most violent encounter in PWG's history. Kevin Steen was humbled by Super Dragon (no, not in the Iron Sheik fashion) He handcuffed Steen's arms behind his back and... well for lack of a more expressive term, beat the ever loving shit out of him, culminating in a Psycho Driver into thumbtacks. The war was finally at an end Steen could still claim that both his missions were accomplished, as he ended up taking Super Dragon's spot once again... this time as SoCal Wrestler Of The Year. But there was no denying that the events of "Astonishing X-Mas" had changed, Kevin Steen forever.

 

Steen returned to PWG in Late January 2006, a MAN and a much changed man at that, abandoning his brash cocky nature for a more lighthearted jovial demeanor. He also returned with two enitrely new missions in tow: one was to again engage in sexually related activity with a member of the female persuasion... and the other, to retain the PWG title. But somewhere in the transition, Steen had lost a little of that killer instinct that had led him to past glory, as he came up short in two attempts at regaining his title after being outwitted by Joey Ryan . Steen vowed to get back at the "Black sheep of PWG" at any cost.

 

From there, Steen experienced mixed success, winning several big matches against the likes of Chris Bosh, Matt Sydal, El Generico and Austin Aries, as well as dropping a few matches to B-Boy and almost costing himself his PWG career after putting it on the line in a match with American Dragon, in an an attempt to have "Happy Birthday" sung to him. Steen was defeated, but American Dragon granted him a reprieve if Steen agreed to do a humiliating "booty dance"

 

Where was the Kevin Steen who had ran roughshod over PWG? The one that pinned Samoa Joe, took the PWG title off AJ Styles and brought the Super Dragon to the brink of extinction? Clearly not in the ring, as the same Kevin Steen that once ruled by intimidation was now reduced to doing "booty dances" to keep his spot in the promotion.

 

PWG's "Fear of a black planet" Steen saw put into an unscheduled match with a member of the newly formed Dynasty, Scorpio Sky. Steen savored the opportunity to stick it to one of Joey Ryan's soldiers. Just when Steen had the "PWG Rock Star" beat, Sky's manager Jade Chung interfered. Steen had enough and picked Jade Chung up for the Package Piledriver. This distraction gave Sky the chance to recover and break up the Package Piledriver. Sky planted Steen with the Blackout DDT for the pin.

 

This was the straw that broke the camel's back- from this point on Kevin Steen's problem wasn't just with Joey Ryan, it now extended to the entire Dynasty. Kevin Steen joined up with Chris Sabin, Davey Richards, Human Tornado and B-Boy and others to form a coalition to rid PWG of the Dynasty. Kevin Steen considers PWG his home, and takes great pride in the promotion (proudly sporting the PWG colors wherever he goes, be it IWS, CZW or ECW One Night Stand) It is for this reason Steen doesn't want The Dynasty taking over his home, using the good towels, sitting in his chair, and using {shudder} wire hangers. The once mellowed Kevin Steen was again enraged and motivated by hatred... with yet another new mission to carry out... destroy the Dynasty. September 1st, 2006: Steen is out to remove all doubt of his place in the PWG pecking order and put the first crack in the Dynasty's foundation by winning the Battle of Los Angeles.

 

Judging by Steen's past history with goals in PWG, it may be unwise to bet against him....

 

Opening Round match: Matt Sydal. Always a formidable opponent for Kevin Steen. Their first encounter was in the finals of another 24 man tourney, the IWA:MS Ted Petty Invitational 2005, where Steen was about to hit the Package Piledriver from the top, but Sydal fought him off and hit a shooting star press to score a quick pinfall and win the TPI tournament. Their second encounter was a part of PWG's contenders mini tourney at All Star Weekend 3 Night 1- this time it was Steen who emerged victorious.

 

This will be the rubber match between the two Steen has always had problems counteracting Sydal's speed and aerial abilities, However if he can get his power game into gear, there be nothing Sydal could do to curb Steen's path to glory. Steen just can't afford to get overconfident, and overlook Sydal's abilities or we just may see a repeat of TPI 2005 (well, not an EXACT repeat, as that would mean half the field would pull out of the tournament with strep throat).

 

Later Round Outlook: CIMA or M-Dogg 20. You have to think Steen will be pulling for M-Dogg in the first round. Steen has always had great success against wrestlers with styles similar to M-Dogg 20, while CIMA is an entirely different animal. Steen has faced some of the best going today, but I dare say he's never faced anyone quite like the incomparable CIMA. Steen's size advanage may not be as beneficial as some would think either, as CIMA holds career victories over several sizable wrestlers most recently defeating the closest thing Dragon Gate has to a Kevin Steen, Magnitude Kishiwada in a NO-ROPE street fight. But who knows what opportunities an impressive showing against someone with the influence of CIMA can mean to Kevin Steen?

 

Odds of winning: 8-1, Discipline is the key for Steen, when's he's focused he's a complete package, an unstoppable juggernaut who steamrolls through all in his path. When he gets sidetracked with comedy though, he loses focus and becomes easier prey for crafty opposition. If we see the Kevin Steen of old at the Battle Of Los Angeles, expect to see him a few times come Sunday (aka I think he'll win a few matches)

 

 

 

 

FUN FACT: The best PWG tournament record belongs to B-Boy who is 7-0 (which is counting the #1 contenders mini tournament earlier this year)

 

 

 

 

 

 

M-Dogg 20

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 177lb

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

PWG Record: 2-8 (2-4 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

NWA Upstate: Upstate 8 2005: Winner

JCW Jersey J-Cup 2004 Semi Finalist

PWG Bad Ass Mother 3000 participant

PWG: Tango and Cash Invitational participant

IWA Mid South Ted Petty Invitational 2002/2003 participant

IWA Mid South Tag Team Tournament 2004: participant

CZW Best of the Best 2002 participant

 

A few words with M-Dogg: "I can honestly say it is a huge honor to compete in this years BOLA. With the wealth of talent, and the matches announced, this tournament is THE best of the best. Tournaments come and go, but this years BOLA has managed to capture the attention and intrigue of the whole world. It should be one for the ages......and since all that was overly serious, I'll end with, "All Hail Assramzeez, the BUTT Pharaoh of Egypt!"

Major Titles Held: IWA:MS Heavyweight, UWA Canadian (Current), UNION Heavyweight, XPW Tag Team, IWC Tag Team

 

Background/Motivation: Independent wrestling's "Flipping Enigma," M-Dogg 20 is someone who has jumped in and out of the spotlight seemingly at random over the past several years. First gaining notoriety in the infamous "Backyard Wrestling" videos that clog the sports section of your local Best Buy while you're looking for the new "TNA Knockouts" DVD, M-Dogg used this exposure as a springboard into CZW, where he made an immediate impact. However, just as his CZW tenure was starting to take off, he made the controversial decision to "jump" to rival promotion XPW at the height of the "Philly wrestling wars." XPW rewarded him with 1/2 of the tag team titles (and silver shiny pants), but the promotion folded two months later and left M-Dogg out of a job. While this poor business decision cost M-Dogg a lot of 'Net hype, especially with the rise of athletes like BOLA competitors Jack Evans and Matt Sydal, the Dogg still found steady work. He appeared several times for IWA-Mid South, did tours of Mexico, Europe and Japan (with Big Japan Pro Wrestling), and was a fixture in PWG in its early days, even being one of the featured attractions of PWG's Debut Show.

 

M-Dogg left the PWG scene and shockingly RE-appeared for CZW in 2004, engaging in a hot feud with Sonjay Dutt which climaxed in one of CZW's best-ever matches at Cage of Death 6. He left again just as quickly, and other than shots for Jersey All Pro and starring in Ontario's rising UWA promotion, was once again off the mainstream indy radar. However, M-Dogg's not-so-bogus journey surprisingly brought him back to PWG at All Star Weekend 3, where he impressed many fans, some of whom had never even seen him wrestle.

 

M-Dogg is out to prove that he still belongs in indy wrestling's elite circles, that guys like Evans and Sydal have not surpassed him quite yet, and he is still the premier cruiserweight sensation in North America. What better way to accomplish this by winning the Battle of Los Angeles and knocking off international superstar CIMA in the process?

 

Opening Round match: The luck of the draw was not on M-Dogg's side for this tournament, as he ended up with arguably the biggest-name opponent in PWG history. While this may look like a massive mismatch to the casual fan (and M-Dogg's historically poor tourney record does not speak in his favor either), you can't count him out. M-Dogg recently went on a tour of Italy alongside CIMA's trainer (and toughest opponent) Ultimo Dragon, and even squared off against Ultimo at a UWA show. M-Dogg is fully prepared for CIMA's style of wrestling, and who knows what wisdom Ultimo may have imparted? Still, I don't expect M-Dogg to get past CIMA, especially a CIMA determined to prove his dominance to a US audience.

 

Later Round Outlook: If he does manage to get past CIMA (or the fans, as they'll probably be rioting if he does) M-Dogg's road to the finals will not be easy. He will either have to take on Matt Sydal in an exhausting, but potentially breathtaking "battle of highflyers" OR face former PWG champion Kevin Steen, who takes delight in dropping people on their heads. If anything, this year's BOLA is going to tax M-Dogg's endurance to the limit.

 

 

Odds of winning: 50-1 You'd be hard pressed to find anyone to take this bet. But M-Dogg doesn't have to win to make a lasting impression..A standout performance against the likes of CIMA on a grand stage like the Battle Of Los Angeles would rise M-Dogg's stock instantly.

 

 

Quicksilver

 

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 174lbs

Hometown: San Diego, CA

 

PWG Record: 24-23 (5-4 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

RevPro Fight for the Revolution 2004 - WINNER

RevPro Revolution J 2004 Finalist

RevPro Tag Title Tournament Finalist

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 Semi Finalist

WPW Best of the West 2005 – Semi Finalist

 

Major Titles Held: PWG Tag Team Title (2) RevPro Junior-heavyweight, AWS LA Lightweight (2), AWS Tag Team (2),

 

Write up: In July 2005, after longtime partner Scoprio Sky was taken out of the picture, Quicksilver was left to fend for himself. However, he was quick (pun intended) to adapt, and wasted no time in establishing himself as a singles wrestler, after two impressive showings against PWG heavyweights Super Dragon and Kevin Steen. He absorbed an unfathomable amount of punishment at the hands of both men, and still got up for more. Quicksilver had won over the fans all over again, with his gutsy display of toughness, and his "Goonies never say die" mindset. It looked as if his star would rearch new heights as a singles competitor

 

Enter the BOLA 2005, where Quick became the Cinderella Story of the tournament. Battling his way past a red-hot Davey Richards in the 1st round, then scoring a huge upset over Rocky Romero. His semi-final match was against long time nemesis (and former PWG tag champion partner) Chris Bosh in the Semi-finals- where if it wasn't for a much debated call by the ref, many feel Quicksilver should been awarded the match via count out and advanced to the finals. But it was not to be, as midnight struck early for Cindellera, and Quicksilver was taken out by a Steiner Screwdriver. Even in defeat, Quicksilver had proved that his name belonged among the very elite of the promotion.

 

His stay in the singles ranks proved short lived, as in January of 2006 he formed a new team with El Generico, Cape Fear (they both wear capes... get it?) which just may be the most entertaining tag team since Rene Dupree and Kenzo Sukuzi. Cape Fear wasted no time in becoming unquestionably PWG's most beloved tag team, routinely stealing every show with thrilling performances against the likes Super Dragon/Davey Richards, The Kings of Wrestling, Arrogance, The Briscoe Brothers, Los Luchas and others.

 

Quicksilver may be the best tag wrestler in PWG's history, but the man on the silver mountain still has one mountain left to climb on his own. The 2006 Battle of Los Angeles. After coming within a heartbeat of the finals last year, Quicksilver is eager to prove his performance was no fluke. This time Quicksilver knows what it will take to seal the deal.

 

Opening round match: Dragon Kid. Without question, the highest profile match of Quicksilver's career. The battle of two of the fastest wrestlers in the game today may come down to simple preparation. Which would favor Quicksilver, who was clearly influenced by the work of Dragon Kid. But how well does Dragon Kid know Quicksilver? Has he had time to scout the SoCal superstar? Dragon Kid well have the experience advantage, but Quick will be on the look out for the Japanese stars' every move..which may give him enough of an opening to catch Dragon Kid by surprise and score the upset.

 

Later Round Outlook: It'll get no easier for Quicksilver should he reach Round 2, he'll have to meet the winner of Rocky Romero vs. Roderick Strong, two tremendously skilled wrestlers with international reputations. It would go in the favor of Quicksilver if Rocky (who he scored upset over in the 2nd round of last year's tournament) advanced rather than face the intimidating presence of Roderick Strong, who can end Quick's BOLA bid in a flash with any number of crippling backbreakers

 

Odds of winning: 35-1, After his showing last year, Quicksilver has got to be considered someone to watch in this year's field. However, with more heralded names like Super Dragon and CIMA in the field, Quicksilver's chances are easily overshadowed. He also has a big disadvantage of being in the same as block as the likes of Roderick Strong, Davey Richards, and Austin Aries. While Quicksilver has displayed his toughess time and time again, every man hashis limit.

 

 

Rocky Romero

 

Height: 5'7'

Weight: 175lb

Howntown: Havana, Cuba

 

PWG Record: 11-11 overall (3-5 as a single)

 

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

NJPW-Pro: Best of the American Super Juniors 2006: WINNER (as Black Tiger)

Toryumon Young Dragons Tournament 2004: WINNER

ROH Trios Tournament 2005: WINNER

NJPW-USA Best of the American Super Juniors 2004/2005 (Finalist)

ECWA Super 8 2004 participant

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

PWG Tango and Cash Invitational participant

 

Major Titles Held: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, NWA World Jr. Heavyweight title, ROH Tag Team Titles, CMLL Super Ligero Championship (current) EWF Tag Team, UPW Tag Team, MPW Tag Team

 

Write Up: PWG's resident ace in the hole,. whenever they need a last minute replacement with some star power, Rocky is usually the man who gets the call. If you remember, he was also a last minute replacement in last years's BOLA when Sabin suffered an injury. When it comes to international REP, few in the tournament come close to Rocky Romero. A master of multiple martial arts, Rocky knows at least 1,003 ways to fuck you up (and that's only he stopped counting) He's the only man practically immediately thrown into the fires of Japanese shootfighting and come through unscathed. When Romero is 100% and on his game, he's nearly unbeatable, blitzing through the Toryumon Young Dragon's Cup and the ROH trios tournament, Best Of The American Super Juniors 2006 with relative ease. If I were a BOLA competitor, I'd be very, very affraid if I was looking across the ring to see Rocky Romero staring me down (he's got those EYES! those Cuban death eyes!)

 

 

Opening Round: Roderick Strong, in an encounter between of two of the fields hardest hitters. This is not the first time SoCal has seen this match, they actually met in the finals of NWA Pro's BOTAJ tournament this past May. Where Rocky (as Black Tiger) defeated Strong to win the tournament. But that doesn't necessarily give him the advantage, as Strong will undoubtably be more prepared this time.... if he knows that Black Tiger was really Rocky Romero that is. Never can tell....

 

Later Round Outlook: Quicksilver or Dragon Kid. Now here's where it gets interesting. Rocky Vs. Dragon Kid, would could also be seen as Black Tiger vs. Dragon Kid, a battle of two emblematic characters of their respective Japanese promotions. The ramifications of such a meeting, would be interesting indeed. Quicksilver.... well If you recall, Quicksilver scored an upset over Romero in the 2nd round of last year's BOLA. I'm sure there is nothing Romero would like nothing more than some payback (besides perhaps a fine cuban cigar)

 

Odds of Winning: 20-1 As a late entrant, he may not stand out amongst the field. But you can never look past a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. He's found great success nearly everywhere he's ventured around the world. Rocky is massively dangerous in a tournament environment, as shown last year when defeated the BAM3K winner Frankie Kazarian in the first round of BOLA 2005. Rocky has all the ability to literally come out of left field and win it all. O

 

 

Roderick Strong

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 210 lbs

Hometown: Tampa Florida

PWG Record: 2-3 (1-2 as a single)

Notable Tournament appearances:

ROH Survival of the Fittest 2005: Winner

CZW Best Of The Best 4: Finalist

NWA Pro: Best of the American Super Juniors 2006: Finalist

Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2004: Finalist

ROH Trios Tournament 2005: Finalist

IWS:MS Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2004: Semi Finalist

CZW Best Of The Best 6: Semi-Finalist

Elite Wrestling Entertainment: Florida’s Strongest Tournament: Semi Finalist ( I'm surprised he of all people didn't win that)

ROH Best Of American Super Juniors 2005 Participant

 

Major Titles Held: ROH Tag Team Title (Current) IPW Tag Team Championship, NWA Florida X Division Champion (2), Florida Unified Cruiserweight Title

 

 

Background/Motivation: There are few in the field more formidable than Roderick Strong, who many have described as the love child of Dean Malenko and Arn Anderson (imagine that conception) He is best known for his fierce hard-hitting style (which includes the hardest chops known to man) and notorious reputation for being the MacGuyver of the backbreaker (seemingly being able to turn any situation into a backbreaking predicament). Incredibly skilled, using everything to his advantage, Strong brings a very focused and systematic attack. His general game plan is to wear you down with backbackers and chops then seal the deal with the Strong Hold. It's a winning combination, as his list of career wins will show: Samoa Joe, James Gibson, Homicide, Kevin Steen, Alex Shelley, B-Boy, Jimmy Yang, CM Punk, Super Dragon, served Matt Hardy is only loss during his Indy run and defeated PWG Champion Joey Ryan last May in NWA Pro. Strong also notably took NOAH "it boy" KENTA to his limit earlier this year.

 

That's only as singles wrestler! As you may recall, Strong wrested in what many consider the 2006 PWG match of the year W/Jack Evans Vs. Super Dragon and Davey Richards. Oh yeah and he just happens to be in the middle of a near 10 month reign as one half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with fellow BOLAer Austin Aries. Defending those titles through out the world, against the best the world has to offer. Just this past weekend, Strong manhandled Samoa Joe and scored a pinfall over the dominant "Samoan No Showing Machine"in a tag match.

 

For all of Strong's (no pun intended) strong suits, there is however...one problem. He suffers from a rare condition known in the Sports world as "Buffalo Bills syndrome" As a singles wrestler, he can get to the dance, he just can't seal the deal. Losing in the finals of several major tournaments, coming within a heartbeat of the ROH World title on 5 seperate tries. He's been the perennial bridesmaid for the last several years. But when oh when shall Strong became a bride?

 

I offer advice to Strong in the form of this Bruce Lee Movie quote "Don't think. FEEL. It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory"

 

The 2006 Battle Of Los Angeles repersents another opportunity for Roderick Strong to reveal in the heavenly glory of success (if lousy finger foul him up again)

 

The fact is, the only man that can beat Roderick Strong in the BOLA is Roderick Strong, it's up to him to find it within himself to come through in the clutch.

 

Opening Round match: Rocky Romero, whom he met earlier this year in the Finals of the Best of the American Super Juniors tournament here in SoCal. While it was Romero (as black tiger) coming out on top, Strong more than made his presence felt on the chest of The Havana Pitbull. Romero's advantage is his superior speed and agility. If Strong can dictate the pace and land enough of his imfamous high impact offense, Strong could be unbeatable. Whoever wins this match will be an immediate tournament favorite going into the 2nd round.

 

Later Round Outlook: Quicksilver and Dragon Kid. Strong must be licking his lips like a fat girl looking at a BK Quad Stacker in a anticipation of either of these match ups. Both wrestle a style that plays right into Strong's gameplan. Strong has made a career out of decimating smaller flyers.

 

Odds of winning: 15-1, As covered, the key to victory for Strong is focus, in his few appearances in PWG, we've seen that Strong is an outstanding performer, he doesn't always get the wins. Case in point, his match with Sydal at All Star Weekend 3, which Strong DOMINATED entirely... but still snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Same thing happened against yet another BOLAer Necro Butcher, Strong murdered him for the entire match, yet let himself slip long enough for Necro to score a quick roll up for the pin. However a focused Strong is a scary thing, he has a dangerous mean streak and can plow right through any opposition if he keeps his head on straight. If Strong can get it together and make it past Rocky Romero, I think a trip to at least the semi-finals will be in his future.

 

 

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV Look in the post below for the Night 2 profiles.

[Guest Jay Z. Hollywood]

NIGHT 2

 

Austin Aries

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 202 lbs.

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

PWG Record: 1-2

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

Neo-Pro Wrestling: Crusierweight Title Tournament: Winner

ECWA Super 8 2004: Finalist

CZW Best Of The Best 6: Finalist

ROH Trios Tournament 2005: Finalist

NWA Upstate: Upstate 8: Finalist

NIW Impact Invitational 2006: Semi Finalist

IWA Mid South Ted Petty Invitational 2004 participant

1PW Title Tournament: participant

IWA:MS Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2004 participant

 

 

Major Titles Held: ROH World Title, ROH Tag Team Title (Current) Pro Wrestling WAR Title, NWA Midwest X-Division title, MAW Junior Heavyweight title

 

Background/Motivation: I'm a big fan of the show "Who Wants to be a Superhero" on the Sci-Fi Channel (Editor note: Mr. Doring speaks for himself here. If I wanted to see fat people in spandex, I'd look out my window - PN) I just really love the idea of people in funny costumes pretending they possess amazing powers. However, there are some men who really DO possess powers beyond normal men, and Austin Aries is one of them. Able to end massive title reigns with a single 450 splash, fight through a torn ACL to defeat elite opponents, and spin his elbow faster than mortal men can see, Aries has been described by many fans as a true "wrestling machine."

 

This bulldozer mentality has given Aries a great deal of success. The former ROH champion and a member of the most dominant ROH tag team champions in history, Aries was recently given the honor to travel to Japan as part of Dragon Gate's "Wrestle JAM" tour, and will be returning to TNA soon to once again be a national TV "Starr." A Battle of LA victory would be a fine addition to Aries' already impressive resume and cement his reputation as one of the most superhuman wrestlers in the United States

 

Opening Round match: Disco Machine, this has to be seen as a huge relief for Austin Aries, who was originally set to meet "The Best In The World" American Dragon in round one. It's kinda like going from the #1 seed to the 24th seed. That isn't to say Aries should totally write off Disco, one well placed Chokebreaker and Aries could find himself bumped from the BOLA in a hurry.

 

Later Round Outlook: The later rounds will be yet another test of Aries' superhuman abilities. A couple of drunk near-illiterate hicks from Delaware cracked his ribs over in England, which may limit Aries' abilities to unload his full arsenal on his opponents. Throw in Davey Richards as a probable second-round opponent, someone who is known for kicking people really, really hard in the chest, and Aries' reputation as wrestling's "Iron Enforcer" may be pushed to the brink.

 

Odds of winning: 30-1 Austin Aries may be "macho," but he's in the Battle of Los Angeles' most difficult bracket, against wrestlers who will probably target his injury and exploit it to the fullest. Couple this with the fact that Aries has had difficulty "closing the deal" in the later rounds of tournaments, and you get someone who will likely not get far, despite his reputation.

 

 

Chris Hero

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 230 pounds

Hometown: Metropolis

PWG Record: 8-9 (4-6 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

CHIKARA Tag World Grand Prix 2006: Winner

IWA:MS Sweet Science Sixteen 2000: Winner

IWA:MS Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2005: Winner

CCW Heavyweight Title Tournament 2004: Winner

ACW Heavyweight Title Tournament 2000: Winner

CHIKARA Tag World Grand Prix Tournament - 2005: Finalist

IWA:MS Ted Petty Inventational Tournament 2003: Finalist

Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2004: Finalist

PWG Tango and Cash Inventational: Semi Finalist

CHIKARA Young Lions Cup 2004: Semi Finalist

CZW Best Of The Best 5: Semi-finalist

IWA:MS Ted Petty Inventational Tournament 2005: Semi Finalist

IWA:MS Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2003: Semi Finalist

And we while there is more... we'll stop here. I'm sure you get the point. He does well in tournament

 

Major Titles Held: CZW World (Current) Chikara Tag Team (Current) IWA:MS Heavyweight (4), CZW Iron Man, CZW Tag Team, IWA East-Coast Heavyweight, wXw Heavyweight,

 

Background/Motivation: Obsession can be a double-edged sword. It can bring you to the highest levels of fortune and glory, as the careers of men like Tiger Woods, Stanley Kubrick and Stephen Hawking have proven. However, obsession can also leave you running from a dormitory as a former girlfriend's buddies from art school run after you with baseball bats.

 

Anyway, Chris Hero is a man who believes obsession is the key to becoming the best wrestler on the planet. A stat freak who once wrote down the exact details of all 400+ matches he had in a calendar year (actually, he probably still does), Hero will go to dangerous extremes in order to accomplish his objectives. He has trained under roughly 9,000 different wrestlers of varying levels of experience, skill level and knowledge in order to learn new tactics and strategies in the ring. He wrestled in a junkyard in an attempt to goad CZW owner John Zandig into fighting him. His vendetta against Ring of Honor took him across the Atlantic Ocean and into a Cage of Death. He once stated in a shoot interview that whatever money he makes only goes to food, rent and wrestling tapes. Chris Hero is a man clearly willing to make any sacrifice necessary in order to silence his doubters and become a dominant force in independent wrestling.

 

PWG is one of the few places where Chris Hero has never gotten his just due. The CZW World Heavyweight champion and CHIKARA's "King of Wrestling" has squared off with the best competition PWG has had to offer, ranging from Super Dragon to Christopher Daniels to Austin Aries. However, he has not received one single PWG title shot during his 2+ year tenure with the company. One of the most experienced tourney veterans in the Battle of Los Angeles, a tournament victory may finally take him to the summit of Mount Guerrilla and the championship. Knowing Hero, he will apply his near insane dedication to the grappling arts to take down everyone in his path.

 

Opening Round match: Genki Horiguchi. Who comes into this tourney fairly blind, likely having never seen Chris Hero in action. However, through the magic of international bootlegging, Hero has probably watched hundreds of hours of footage of Horiguchi's entire career (and various stages of hair loss). Not only that, one of Hero's primary trainers was Skayde, the head trainer of the Ultimo Dragon Gym where Genki got his start, and Hero imported many recent graduates of the Gym to CHIKARA in order to familiarize himself with the Toryumon style. Combined with his major size advantage (Hero is nearly a foot taller than Genki) and the odds are on Hero's side.

 

Later Round Outlook: Hero's later round outlook is very favorable no matter who wins the other match in his bracket. He trained Claudio Castagnoli, and has never lost to him in singles competition. Hero is extremely familiar with wrestlers like Jack Evans due to his time in CHIKARA, and knows dozens of strategies to counter Evans' aerial attack. Hero may in fact go deep here.

Odds of winning: 12-1 Chris Hero has all the capabilities to win the Battle of Los Angeles, but there ARE some chinks in the "King's" armor. He has never gotten a major singles victory in PWG, and he has not won a singles match in PWG since January. Hero's arrogance and lack of killer instinct (a point that IWA-MS hammered home OVER AND OVER AND OVER again several years ago) has cost him titles and tournaments before, so if he loses focus for even one second, he will go down.

 

 

 

Claudio Castagnoli

Height - : 6'5"

Weight- 222 lbs

Hometown: The United Bank of Switzerland

 

PWG Record: 3-5 (0-4 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

CHIKARA Tag World Grand Prix 2006: Winner

CHIKARA Tag World Grand Prix 2005: Winner

CZW Best Of The Best 6: Finalist

CZW Best Of The Best 5 Semi Finalist

IWA:MS Ted Petty Inventational Tournament 2004/2005 participant

Major Titles Held: Chikara Tag Titles (Current), CZW Tag Team Titles, CAPW Unified Heavyweight Title (current) wXw World (2), SWF TagTeam Champion, SWF PowerHouse Champion (2x) , wXw TagTeam Champion (3), GSW TagTeam Champion

 

A few words from Double C: "I'm going to make this short. Time is money, and despite that fact, that I have lots of it, I don't wanna waste it. At BOLA I'm going to prove that my Swiss intellect is superior and I'm going to use it to my advantage to go all the way! Jack Evans is an amazing athlete and wrestler, but I'm quite confident. You know why? Because I'm 6'5... and he's not!"

 

Background/Motivation: Switzerland, the Country that brought you that cheese with the holes in it, Army Knives, and James Bond girl Ursula Andress, top notch time pieces and of course Johanna Spyri’s immortal HEIDI... now gives to you, Claudio Castagnoli. bringing the same precision and quality for which the Swiss are world-renowned, to the field of professional wrestling You could accurately describe Claudio Castagnoli in the ring as a human Swiss Army Knife, he's a master of a myriad of international styles, unbridled power, cat like agility, and the ability to open cans.

 

One of wrestling's fastest learners, his ring intelligence is simply phenomenal, when he sees an opening he'll take it and run (as shown in his PWG match with American Dragon in which he saw Dragon's ear was damaged, so he stuck with a headlock nearly the entire match to capitalize). He's literally a Swiss wrestling machine- his dedication to improve every facet of his already elite ability is unmatched. He most recently spent several weeks in Mexico, where he competed in Ultimo Dragon's famed Toryumon promotion, soaking up knowledge like a Swiss sponge (they make sponges too I think)

 

Claudio first found his success in Europe as part of "Swi$$ Money Holding Company" (a stable of Swiss Bankers!) Then in September 2004, after hitting the "green card lottery" Double C moved to the United States to pursue his wrestling dream. Claudio immediately made waves in IWA Mid South, Chikara, CZW and ROH before making his way to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in August of 2005 (notice how all these write ups all lead to PWG? crazy huh?) where he had an impressive outing with now PWG Champion Joey Ryan, before falling victim to Ryan's infamous cheating ways. But his performance was more enough to win the hard to please PWG fanbase. Claudio returned to PWG on a regular basis in January, now making one half of the Kings Of The Wrestling with trainer, Chris Hero, Claudio seems on the fast track to success in PWG

Claudio comes into the Battle Of Los Angeles boasting several tournament accolades, most notably having won the 32 team CHIKARA Tag World Grand Prix two years in a row with different partners. Now tag team glory is great, but there is nothing quite like having the spotlight all to yourself. September 2nd, Claudio is focused on for his first major US singles accomplishment, casting aside the long history of Swiss neutrality, Claudio prepares for battle...

 

Opening Round match: Jack Evans. Claudio willl need to rely on all of his Mexico/Europe/Antarctica training if he even hopes to be able to catch Jack Evans. Claudio will have to be looking to keep the Aerial Emperor grounded, and will need to use his power, size and technical supremacy to his advantage. One thing Claudio cannot afford to do, is overlook Evans capabilities. Returning for a short time before another long stay in Japan, Evans will have several new aces up his sleeve to try out on the unsuspecting "Most Money Making Man."

 

Later Round Outlook: If Claudio makes it through Evans, he'll have either a extremely familar or an unfamilar foe, in either Chris Hero, who he knows like the proverbial back of his hand. Claudio and Hero have traded wins all over the globe (including PWG) they know the counter to the others counters to the counter for the counter they just countered with after countering the time before that (they know each other ok?) or Genki Horiguchi, who'd be giving up nearly a foot in height to Claudio, but is resourceful enough to pull an upset on anyone in the field..

 

Odds of winning: 18-1. To win the Battle of Los Angeles, it'll take an equal mix of skill, conditioning and endurance. Three things in which Double C happens to excell, that combined with his focus, drive and determination make him impossible to overlook here.

 

 

 

Davey Richards

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 202lbs

Hometown: Othello, WA

 

PWG Record: 16-10-1 (1-7 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

ECWA Super 8 2006: Winner

WPW Best Of The West 2005: Winner

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

Jeff Peterson Cup 2006 participant

 

Major Titles Held: PWG Tag Team Title, TRW Jr Title, NWA Canadian Tag Team Champion

 

Background/Motivation: Davey entered PWG in April of 2005 as a total unknown, who took a GREYHOUND BUS (and there is nothing in the world more frightening than a Greyhound bus ride!) from Washington in order to get his chance to compete for PWG at the inaugural All Star Weekend. He wasted no time in winning over the PWG faithful by hitting a jaw dropping Shooting Star Press to score a fall over Excalibur in the opening contest as the largest crowd in PWG history stood in amazement... with this, Davey had earned himself a spot in PWG. While he wasn't successful in winning many matches, he was successful winning over the fans with his explosive offense and fighting spirit. He was raw, hungry and ready to explode at any moment. All he needed was the right opportunity to rearch that next level. As the saying goes "chaos breeds opportunity"- Davey received this shot, as he was slotted in as a last minute replacement in the 2005 Battle Of Los Angeles after TJ Perkins suffered an injury early in the day at an NJPW-USA event. While he was unsuccessful in his first round match with Quicksilver, in many ways the loss was the best thing that could have happened to Davey.

 

On the next night, Davey was involved in an 8-man tag featuring the non-advancing tournament participants. It was in this match Davey Richards caught the attention of Super Dragon. The two had several heated exchanges, before Super Dragon put Davey away with The Psycho Driver to end what many fans called the match of the weekend.

 

The next month at PWG's "After School Special", Super Dragon needed a tag team partner to challenge the PWG Tag Team Champions. After his performance at the BOLA, it was decided that Davey Richards would get the spot. Much to the shock of many, this new team unseated Two Skinny Black Guys in dominating fashion to become the new PWG Tag Team Champions. Though the alliance the intially shakey, the team was a natural fit. Teaming with a veteran like Super Dragon proved to be extremely beneficial to Davey Richards. He had become Super Dragon's unoffical apprentice in a way, picking up many of SD's traits, gaining valuable big match experience and sharpening his skills in the process. The tandem was nothing short of unstoppable, obliterating all who dared challenge for the title. The duo turned back the challenges of top teams from PWG, TNA, ROH, CZW, and CHIKARA. They had even made the titles WORLD titles after two successful defenses in Germany and England. Right before our eyes, Davey had sky rocketed from lower card newcomer to a bona fide main event attraction

 

Davey's PWG success also caught the attention of ECWA, who invited him to participate in the Super 8 tournament, the premiere showcase for up and coming independent stars, on 4/08/06, nearly one after winning over the PWG faithful. Davey staked his claim nationwide at the 2006 Super 8 Tournament where he defeated PWG's own Scott Lost, International star Milano Collection AT and current WWE RAW superstar, Charile Haas in one night to win the prestigious tournament. All the years of training, studying tapes and riding Greyhound buses that finally paid off, for on this night, Davey Richards had arrived.

 

Davey returned to PWG the next day a conquering hero, as he and Super Dragon continued their reign terror with another hard fought win over Cape Fear. Before the match, Davey further won the fans' adulation by proclaiming that while he was going to start working elsewhere, PWG would always be his home.

 

From there... a horribly timed a knee injury suffered on the East Coast slowed Davey's upward climb, but like a true champion he worked through it and returned ahead of schedule.

 

His first match back with PWG was on May 20th 2006 for yet another PWG World Tag Team Title defense. This time against a team they had narrowly defeated a few months prior in England, Arrogance. Before the match, Davey grabbed the mic and proclaimed that he and Super Dragon were "the most dominant tag team in professional wrestling." But little did they know what this night had in store for them... in what was yet another highly competitive match up between the teams, Arrogance were trying to beat Dragon and Davey at the own game, being as malicious and underhanded as possible. At one point Davey appeared to have re-injured his knee on the suplex from the ring to the floor from Lost, limiting Davey's movement and providing a target for Arrogance. Then late in the match... IT HAPPENED. Scorpio Sky and Joey Ryan (two men who've had major issues with both Lost and Bosh) interjected themselves into the contest, running interfearance for Arrogance. It was a set up! While Joey Ryan held Super Dragon back, Davey was left all alone... He took a Steiner Screwdriver on a chair from Bosh, and the sharpshooter from Lost. Davey could withstand no more, and passed out in the hold. Referee dropped his arm three times and called for the bell. Putting an end to the most infamous tag title reign in recent history.

 

Joey Ryan, Scorpio Sky, Chris Bosh and Scott Lost dubbed themselves the Dynasty and proceeded to obliterate Super Dragon while Davey lay unconscious on the floor. Once the smoke cleared, Davey recovered and grabbed the mic, and announced that he was coming for Joey Ryan, and didn't care who he had to go through to get to him. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.... a title for a title

 

One month later at "From Parts Well Known" Davey recieved his shot at Joey Ryan's PWG World title.However, the Dynasty had a plan. They lured Davey to the ring during a Joey Ryan promo early in the show, and PEARL HARBORED him. Joey took complete advantage by spiking Richards with a piledriver on a steel chair. Knowing the Dynasty had to be contained, Commissioner Winwood wanting a fair contest decided that a special ref would be assigned... The Human Tornado! Now there seemed to be no way that Davey wasn't leaving with the PWG title Davey proceed to light up Joey like a Christmas Tree. Wanting to aid their leader, Arrogance came to ring side, only to be met with a Human Tornado dive! But this backfired, as Tornado suffered an injury on the dive out to the floor and had to be taken to the back. It was now a whole new ballgame. As the match soon came Five on One. Dynasty gave Davey their worst- they tried everything, Bosh's Steiner Screwdriver, Lost's superkick, but nothing would put the intensely motivated Davey Richards away. After a while the odds just became too much for any man to endure. Davey's damaged neck (which they had injuried with the Piledriver earlier in the night) could withstand no more and after three Joey Ryan Tiger Driver 98's Davey was defeated in what the fans viewed as a true travesty of justice. Davey may have lost the battle, but the war was just beginning....

 

The next month at PWG's Threemendous, Davey, Kevin Steen and Human Tornado came up short in a 6-man war against Scott Lost, Chris Bosh and Scorpio Sky. After the match, Davey Richards announced he was setting his sights on the BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES where he vowed not to let the Dynasty come away with the trophy at any cost. For the first time in his career, Richards is angry. For this time it's not about fighting spirit, honor, or respect... now it was all about revenge..

 

Today, you are able to see Davey compete for many promotions around the world, but he only has one home... Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. On September 2nd, at The Battle Of Los Angeles, the man who rose to prominence right before our eyes returns home. His goal? Stop the Dynasty at any cost. The only way he can do that? Win the whole.... fucking.... thing. This time, Davey Richards will not be denied....

Opening Round match: TJ Perkins, let's take a look back at the history between these two, shall we?

All Star Weekend Night Two in Davey's 2nd match in the promotion, TJ (then known as the masked PUMA) defeated Richards as a part of a 4-way when Davey missed a Shooting Star Press, injuring his back enough for PUMA to lock in the Rivera Cloverleaf for the submission victory. Later that month the two met again in Canada for ECCW, where PUMA again defeated Richards.

 

Two months later at PWG's “Guitarmaggedon” the two met again, this time as a part of a 3-way dance also involving the Human Tornado. Once again, PUMA was able to score a pinfall over Richards with a jacknife pin. Frustrated with his inability to defeat PUMA…Richards returned to ringside later in the match and got his payback on PUMA with the ultimate disrespect one can inflict on any masked competitor…HE REMOVED his prized mask!

 

The tensions boiled over, and it was decided that the two would again in a PWG ring, this time at the 2 Year Anniversary. Wasting no time in getting under the skin of Perkins, Davey entered wearing the PUMA mask and was met with a suicide dive knocking Davey into the crowd. After another close match up, TJ Perkins again caught Davey off guard with another roll thru jacknife pin to score his 4th win over Davey.

 

This issue came to a head at PWG's "Smells Like Steen ..." where the unlikely duo of TJ Perkins and Alex Shelley met the even more unlikely duo of Davey Richards and Hardcore Kidd. Only this time, it was Davey getting the duke, as rolled out of the way of the 450, and caught TJ in the Tiger Driver 98 to score his first pinfall over the former Puma.

 

Now, at The BOLA... over a year later, the two will meet once again to renew their competitive rivalry They are both a little older, and a little wiser since their first meeting. Davey has improved drastically, and will not be prone to the same rookie mistakes this time around. But don't discount, TJ Perkiins, who is an extremely intelligent and reactive wrestler, if Davey makes one errant move the match could be over in an instant.

 

Later Round Outlook: Austin Aries or The Disco Machine. Before Davey "broke out" whenever I was asked "Davey Richards? What's he like?" I would always say he reminded me of Austin Aries (which is a real compliment).The two share the explosiveness and intense nature in the ring. The have the same type of movements... they even share a similar build.Davey Vs Aries would be a dream match for fans everywhere and be a major test for young Master Davey. Aries being the far more experienced of the two, may have the advantage. But it's no secert that Aries is coming into the tourney a few weeks after suffering two cracked ribs. Will he be fully healed? Would he be able to withstand the force of one of Davey's kicks to the ribcage? How many rhetorical am I going to ask in over the course of this preview?

 

Odds of winning: 2-1, Oh what a difference a year makes. Last year Davey was a last minute replacement, now he's the odds on favorite to win it. While it should be noted that Davey has one of the worst PWG singles records of any regular in the tournament (sole win coming over Shannon Ballard over a year ago) But Davey has taken his lumps from the best in the world, Super Dragon, Low-Ki, American Dragon, Samoa Joe, KENTA, AJ Styles, Kevin Steen, Rocky Romero, Harry Smith, Charile Haas, Chuck Mercury (especially Chuck Mercury) and learned from his every experience. It's not much of a stretch to say that we are just scratching the surface of Davey's capabilites.and is riding such a huge wave of momentum that I don't think it'd be wise to bet against him.

 

 

 

 

Disco Machine

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 190lbs

Hometown: Studio 54 in Tempe, Armenia

PWG Record: 17-26-1 (2-4 as a single)

Notable Tournament appearances:

CPW Patriot's Cup 2002: Finalist

Revolution Pro - Revolution J 2001/2002/2004 participant

PWG Tango And Cash participant

PWG Bad Ass Mother 3000 participant

WPW Best Of The West 2003/2004 participant

 

Major Titles Held: Revolution Pro: Mexican Lucha Libre Heavyweight Title, NTW Cruserweight Championship (Current)

 

Fun Fact: Disco loves the nightlife, he's got to boogie.

 

Background/Motivation: A perennial fixture on the Southern California scene since 1998, while other “sensations” have come and gone, Disco has remained (if you don't count his 40 or so retirements). His experience is not limited to SoCal however, he has traveled the world- boasting several tours of Japan for Osaka Pro, as well wrestling in Meixco and both of the freak states. He's also been by far the most publicized PWG competitor this year, being featured in a spotlight story in an issue of FHM magazine, also appearing on the front page of many SoCal area newpapers as part of a feature story on moonlighting. as well as being a regular with SoCal's most media friendly promotion, Lucha VaVoom. And you if you've ever purchased a PWG DVD (remember kiddies, PWG bootleggers go straight to hell...) you'd know that he's the voice of PWG, calling each and every match since the company's start .

 

While best known for his flashy persona and complete devotion to the disco movement (some 25 years after it's total exinction) behind the disco balls and the showmanship, lies alot of substance. Where ever talk of "Most underated PWG performers" comes up, Disco Machine is always sure to get a few mentions. Disco is one of those unsung journeyman competitors, who've made great sacrifices for the sport, giving it his all, night in and night out, putting everything he has into his matches. it's a tough and often thankless job, but I'm sure Disco wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Battle Of Los Angeles 2006 repersents a golden opportunity for Disco. As for the first time in his storied career, he gets his chance to reach the toppermost of the poppermost, to rock the boat... to finally get his due on the grandest stage in PWG history. While his name may not stand out in the field, this is his time to shine. No one in the field has more to prove out than Disco Machine. A man with style (even if it is from the 70's) can never be underestimated....

 

Opening Round match: Austin Aries, a very tough draw for Disco. Underneath all Colt's wackiness lies an amazingly talented wrestler, who has given the best in the world runs for their money. A dangerous wrestler who can beat you in so many different ways, and has a knack for getting inside the heads of his opponents. Disco Machine will have to keep his focus on Colt Cabana and not on the Copacabana, if wants a shot at upseting the Chicago native.

 

Later Round Outlook: Should Disco take Gloria Gaynor's advice and survive the first round, he would have to deal with the winner of El Generico Vs. Delirious. Like Cabana, Delirious underneath the insanity is a world class wrestler, who can bewilder his foes long to score a quck win before they know what hit them. El Generico is no stranger to the Disco Machine having squared off in several tag team encounters. Like a midget at a urinal, Disco is going to have to keep on his toes.

 

Odds of winning: 100-1, Disco has a long row to hoe if he hopes to dance away with the 2006 Battle Of Los Angeles. While Disco is a very capable singles wrestler, he's traditionally been more successful in tag team competition, which doesn't necessarily bode well for a singles tournament, does it? Disco also lacks the big match experience of every other wrestler in the field. That isn't to say anyone, in the field should overlook Disco for a second. In 2001, Disco Machine upset Current WWE Tag Team Champion, Spanky in the 1st Round of Revolution J, and holds several career victories over Super Dragon and current PWG Champion Joey Ryan. But with this high level of competition, the chances of Disco making it to the end are slim. Unless Disco experiences a sudden in-ring renaissance, the chances of him "stayin' alive" past the 2nd round are as bad as the chances of they come.

 

 

 

 

 

FUN FACT: PWG Champion Joey Ryan holds victories over 15 of the 24 competitors in this year's BOLA field. Imagine that...

 

 

"The Future" Frankie Kazarian

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 215 lbs.

Hometown: Anaheim, CA

 

PWG Record: 25-15-2 (19-11-2 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

PWG Bad Ass Mother 3000: WINNER

RPW Invitational 2006: WINNER

ECWA Super 8 2003: Semi Finalist

TNA Super X Cup 2003: Semi Finalist

UPW/Zero One International Junior Heavyweight Tournament Semi Finalist

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

APW King of the Indies 2001 participant

 

Major Titles Held: PWG Title (2), TNA X-Division title, UPW Lightweight, MPW Title, WCWA Title, EWF Title, EWF Tag, PCW TV title, IWC US title, UPW Tag, PCW Tag, UXW Xtreme title, JAPW Light Heavyweight (Current)

 

Background/Motivation: Frankie Kazarian is an institution on the Southern California scene- you will find no more decorated wrestler in the region over the last 6 years (including Super Dragon) So when PWG arrived in July 2003, it was no surprise that Frankie wasted no time in making a major impact in the promotioin, main eventing its first ever show. But it was the following month where Frankie forever inscribed his name in the annals of PWG history with his performance in the“Bad Ass Mother 3000” title tournament, where he defeated Scott Lost, Lil Cholo, Christopher Daniels and Joey Ryan in route to becoming the first ever PWG champion. Since that day Kazarian has been one of the cornerstones of the promotion. PWG's resident action hero if you will. Overcoming the most trying of adversities with a snappy one liner and without ever losing his cool (or messing his award winning hair).

 

That is until April 2005, when he decided to leave the cushy world of PWG to find “greener pastures” in World Wrestling Entertainment. While in the WWE, he had little problem adjusting in the ring, as he built up an undefeated record on television, defeating Paul London, Scotty 2 Hotty, Funaki and Nunzio with relative ease. However it was outside the ring where Kazarian had became disenchanted with his new promotion. The predominate rumor was that since Frankie didn't look like just he rolled off the WWE assembly line, they wanted him to cut his hair. These compounded with other disagreements and perceived disrespect from key WWE staff mounted lead Frankie to leave the so called promised land. Frankie had chosen his individualism over WWE stardom.

 

Less than a week later, Frankie made his return to PWG, and entered himself into the 2005 Battle of Los Angeles. But he apparently he hadn't shaken the WWE influence, as fell to a very game Rocky Romero in the 1st round. After a rocky start (pun!), Kazarian quickly returned to his old form, and went on an impressive 7-2 run in PWG. Then the king was ready to reclaim his throne. As he staged a protest at "Hollywood Globetrotters" demanding he be granted a shot at the PWG title. Having lost a match to B-Boy earlier that evening, commissioner Windwood denied his request (leading to a swift kick in the lower nut region courtesy of the Future)

 

During "All Star Weekend 3" Frankie had the chance to win a shot at the PWG title by competing in 2 night mini tournament. On Night 1, when walking to the ring for his match with Yang. Scorpio Sky was still in the ring (protesting his loss in the prior match to Chris Sabin) Frankie chased off Sky and thought nothing more of. Frankie Kazarian then made short work of current WWE star, Jimmy Wang Yang to advance to the 4-way final. Night 2, in a 4-way to decide the #1 contender between Frankie, Kevin Steen, B-Boy and Chris Sabin. Frankie had the match won and the title match within his rearch... when Scorpio Sky pulled the referee out of the ring before the three count could be made. A brawl ensued between the two outside, and B-Boy ended up scoring the victory to win the #1 contendership.

 

The next month saw an impromptu tag team encounter with Frankie and B-Boy against Scorpio Sky and Joey Ryan. Where in a surprising turn of events, Frankie scored the pin fall over Joey Ryan after a B-Boy Shining Wizard, and immediately.was named #1 contender, by the PWG Commissioner. Everything was coming up FRANKIE! Well... for a few seconds anyway. As out of nowehere Scorpio blindsided Frankie with a vicious.chairshot. Scorpio said that he was going to do what even Vince McMahon couldn't, and cut off Frankie Kazarian's ponytail!!!! (OMFG!) The very thing Frankie had given up a spot in the biggest promotion in the world for, had been taken away by Scorpio Sky.

 

Frankie Kazarian was kept off the next show, because Sky had obtained a restraining order preventing Kazarian from coming within 1000 feet of him due to alleged death threats. He made his return at "Fear of a Black Planet" to cash in his shot at Joey Ryan's PWG title. In an extremely cheeky match up, Frankie Kazarian took it to the PWG Champ with a brawl thru the crowd. Victory seemed at hand when Frankie hit a version of the Wave of the future off the turnbuckle and looked to have Joey beat... if not for Jade Chung pulling out Referee Rick Knox out of the ring before the 3 count. But Frankie fought through the interferance and had Joey beat once again, this time with the Tazmission. Joey was on the verge of tapping when Scorpio Sky on the outside was able to grab Joey, and turn the move into a cheap pin to successfully retain the PWG title. Scorpio Sky had robbed Frankie Kazarian yet again. The DYNASTY come in full force and layed the beat down on Frankie, and just before he suffered a fate similar to Super Dragon's. B-Boy and Human Tornado came for the save.

The Dynasty had won the battle... but the war had just had begin.

 

PWG suspended Scorpio Sky for his actions, but now Frankie's attention had turned to the entire Dynasty. So if he couldn't get to Sky, he would just have to take his frustration out on the Dynasty's Chris Bosh (who he remembered well from the ill-fated First Family, remember that? Yeah I don't either.) But even while, Scorpio Sky was a world away in England, his presence was still felt, as Jade Chung delievered a message from Sky and cracked Kazarian over the head with a chair, costing Frankie the match.

 

Now on September 2nd, the wait is finally over. In the first round of “Battle Of Los Angeles” in the home town of his mentor Daniel LaRusso, Resada California... Frankie Kazarian has Scorpio Sky right where he wants him, one on one, with all Dynasty members banned!

 

Now for the first time in years, Frankie Kazarian is out by revenge and will stop at nothing to prove that he is still the best around, and no one... not Vince McMahon, not Scorpio Sky, not the Dynasty is ever going to keep him down. September 2nd, will Kazarian SERVE the Dynasty their comeuppance? Or will Scorpio Sky forever prove that "The Future" is a thing of the past?

 

Opening round match: Scorpio Sky, as covered above. Kazarian has waited months for this chance, and must be chomping at the proveribal bit to get his hands on the man disgraced him and cost him the PWG title. PWG history has shown that being on Frankie Kazarian's bad side is never been winning proposition. Just ask Adam Pearce about that. Nonetheless, Sky won't be day off for the Future, even with Dynasty intervention ruled out. Behind the abs and the rock star attitude, Sky is a very proficient wrestler. Who much like his stable mate, Joey Ryan can sneak out a victory even under the most intense pressure.

 

Later Round Outlook: Meeting the winner of Super Dragon/Necro Butcher could be a blessing or a curse. If Necro Vs. SD is the war of attrition that we all expect it to be. Then who knows how much they will have left for Kazarian on Night 3. A similar example would be the outcome of Kevin Steen Vs. Super Dragon in BOLA 05, where Steen (a favorite to win it all) was quickly defeated by AJ Styles due to the toll taken on his body by the match with Super Dragon the night before. If such a thing happens this time, The Future would have no trouble Of course, the other side of the coin would be Frankie would have to face off with a still game Super Dragon or Necro Butcher. Which win, lose or draw, would not be a prefered scenario for the coolest person in the world.

 

Odds of winning: 12-1, Frankie is no stranger to winning when the pressure is on. No one is better in the clutch than Frankie Kazarian. Within the confines of PWG, Frankie is nothing short of a phenomenon. It’s like Superman in a yellow sun solar system, when he's away from it he isn't at his best but when he's in it, he's nearly unstoppable. Adding in all he’s accomplished in PWG, being the only 2 time title holder, winning the Bad Ass Mother 3000, victories over some of the biggest names in wrestling. Frankie Kazarian will always be considered a favorite under the PWG banner. Will The Future once again rise to the occasion?

 

Genki Horiguchi

 

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 165 pounds

Hometown: Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto, Japan

 

PWG Record: This will be his PWG debut.

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

Young Dragons' Cup 1998: WINNER

2003 Toryumon El Numero Uno: FINALIST

King of Gate Tournament 2005 participant

 

Major Titles Held: NWA Welterweight Championship (2x), UWA 6 Person Tag title, Dragon Gate Open the Triangle Gate Championship (2x)

 

Background/Motivation: Genki Horiguchi, along with Dragon Kid, represent Dragon Gate’s DoFIXER stable in the Battle of Los Angeles, and may be one of the most enigmatic competitors in the tourney. The man who made “HAGE” a household phrase in Japan has a reputation as the streakiest competitor in Dragon Gate, going on either winning or losing streaks that last months. Horiguchi is best known for his incredible performance in the 2003 El Numero Uno, defeating two of Toryumon’s top stars (Magnum TOKYO and Masaaki Mochizuki) cleanly with his Heaven-powered backslide before falling to CIMA in the finals. He has also nearly defeated Japanese legend Geni’chiro Tenryu (which is difficult for even the best in Japan) despite being half Tenryu’s size. However, the same Horiguchi has had difficulty with such wrestlers as APW’s Mr. Primetime and DG greenhorn BxB Hulk. To ever so slightly paraphrase a popular Dragon Gate fan saying, “when G-d dwells with Genki, he is unstoppable. When G-d isn’t...ummm….” So basically, if Genki receives some divine intervention (possibly in the form of a lot of “H-A-G-E” chants) he could very well make another strong tourney showing, and either of his two finishers (the Beach Break, a modified Axe Guillotine Driver/sitout reverse tombstone…and the backslide) are generally guaranteed match enders.

 

Opening Round match: Genki without a doubt got the worst opening-round draw of the three Dragon Gate entrants, going against Chris Hero, someone who has studied the Toryumon wrestling style obsessively. Hero has worked religiously under the head trainer of the Toryumon 2000 Project (T2P) class, Jorge “Skayde” Rivera, and has wrestled multiple Dragon Gym graduates in his home promotion of CHIKARA, most notably former T2P ace Milano Collection AT. A self-proclaimed tape geek, Hero is more than aware of what Genki is capable of, and should be able to use his size and strength advantage to overwhelm the MUCH smaller Horiguchi…as long as he avoids that damn backslide.

 

Later Round Outlook: Fortune has not smiled upon Genki for later rounds either. If he does sneak past Hero, he has to either face Hero's bigger, stronger clone in Claudio Castagnoli, or Jack Evans, who has beaten him in virtually all of their Dragon Gate encounters.

 

Odds of winning: 30-1, Genki is the Dark Horse of the field (by law I have to use the term "Dark Horse" in here somewhere). If placed in a different section of the bracket, I'd say he could make a considerable run. But he'll be faced against students of the game, who'll expect his every move or Jack Evans who has "PWNED" him several times over. As covered, he does have a history of upsets and can be incredibly streaky, but it would take a miracle to get to the finals, and while Genki has pulled miracles before, lightning doesn't strike that often (and when it does, it generally doesn't happen in enclosed venues).

 

 

 

Jack Evans

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 175 lbs.

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

PWG Record: 3-4 (1-3 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

Pinnacle Pro-Wrestling 2005 Title tournament: WINNER

ROH Trios Tournament 2005: Finalist

CZW - Best of the Best 4 participant

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

 

Major Titles Held: Dragon Gate Open the Triangle Gate title (current), JAPW Tag Team Title, AWA Pinnacle title, PWU Junior-heavyweight title

 

Jack Evans drops knowledge on PWG's MySpace (what emos): " BOLA?!?!? Why would you even call it the Battle of Los Angeles this year? C`mon now like Jason Took Manhattan, Jack is Jackin Los Angeles so all the competition can get pissed because in comparison to this, they're skills just get dismissed. AAANNND YOu KNOW THIS....MAN "

 

Background/Motivation: Everyone had their heroes growing up, postive figures that indirectly shaped who we would become in life. Be it actors, musicians, comic book characters, Chris Hero, Sports stars or merely people from our everyday lives. They were who we strived to be like and emulate, in hope that one day maybe we could be a little like them.

 

For Jack Evans, that hero was Blitzkrieg. It was Blitzkrieg's gravity deifying exploits in WCW that had inspired Evans to become a professional wrestler in the first place. Evans patterned his style off from Blitzkrieg and Blitz's influence along with other strong influences such as Hayabusa and the Great Sasuke can still be seen in each and every Jack Evans match. As Evans' professional career progress, he for all intents and purposes had become the new Blitzkrieg. Thrilling fans where ever he went with his amazing array of jaw dropping aerial moves, just like Blitzkreig had years ago. Although Evans was theoretically following in the footsteps of his hero, he wanted the chance to literally retrace the path of his idol.

 

It was goal of Evans' to work for Revolution Pro, where Blitzkrieg had once made his home. Unfortunately the promotion closed up shop before Evans could ever make an appearance. While RevPro was gone, Blitzkrieg's former stomping grounds of Southern California was still ripe for the picking. Evans made his debut in the region in November of 2004, making an immediate impact by scoring a win over SoCal's top dog (and former Blitzkrieg associate) Super Dragon.

 

The following month, Jack Evans would recieve the gift of a lifetime. As his role model, Blitzkrieg actually handed his gear, mask, and persona over to him. So that Jack Evans could carry on his legacy, a responsibility he did not take lightly. For a short time, Jack Evans actually became Blitzkrieg 2, donning his complete outfit.in a few appearances.

 

The spirit of Blitzkrieg continued to live on within Jack Evans, as he started to carve out his own unique nitch in the world of Pro Wrestling, Most recently Evans has made a lasting impression in Japan, where he lived from April to July of his year, wrestling and training with The Dragon Gate promotion. He has been nothing short of a phenomenon, amassing a remarkable won/loss record, and becoming the first American to ever win gold in the promotion. Evans is living his dream, and paving his legacy in the land of his heroes Hayabusa and the Great Sasuke.

 

While Jack Evans has accomplished so much in so little time in the realm of pro wrestling, a true lasting accomplishment in the land of his one true idol has continued to elude him. But not for long, as on September 2nd 2006, Jack will at last recieve the opportunity to carry on the legacy of Blitzkrieg and symbolically conquer the land of his idol all at once, by winning the 2006 Battle of Los Angeles tournament. In what would be the ultimate ode to the one man who inspired him to follow his dream (touching isn't it?)

 

Opening Round match: Claudio Castagnoli, who will be quite literally one of the biggest challenges of Evans' career. Jack will be outgunned in several areas, Claudio is much bigger, more experienced, vastly stronger and nearly as fast, he could bend him into a pretzel, pluck him out of the sky with a european uppercut or just hold him up in a delayed verticial suplex until all the blood rushes to Jack's head. However, Jack Evans has made his name overcoming such odds. While he will not be able to out wrestle Claudio, he can easily use his speed advantage to elude him. Jack's small and quick enough to slip out of any hold Claudio could have in store.And who knows what new tricks Jack has picked up while in Japan. If he's able to keep Claudio flustered, he could only be one 630 away from the second round.

 

Later Round Outlook:.Should Evans topple the Swiss Giant, he would have to face either Genki Horiguchi, who he's had a great deal of success against in Dragon Gate or Chris Hero, who like Claudio, is another "wrestling genius" that Evans would have a hell of a time trying to outwit.

 

Odds of winning: 40-1, Jack Evans is the most unique wrestler in the field, and while Evans can't be considered a real favorite to win due to a lack of career singles success, he has thrived when being overlooked (ask Super Dragon, Homicide and others about that) and while he'll need everything in his vast aerial arsenal if he hopes to even get past the first round. I wouldn't be surprised to see Evans turn more than a few heads before he's through..

 

 

 

 

Necro Butcher

Height: 6"2"

Weight: 230 lbs

Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia

 

PWG Record: 0-1

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

IWA Mid-South King of Death Match 2002: Winner

CZW Tournament of Death IV: Winner

PWF Sweet Salt Shock Unbelievable Tag Team Tournament 2005: Winner

IWA:MS Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2005: Finalist

IWA Mid-South King of Death Match 2005: Finalist

CZW Tournament of Death 3: Finalist

CZW Tournament of Death 5: Semi Finalist

CHIKARA World Tag Grand Prix 2005, 2006 participant

CZW Tournament of Death 1-2: participant

 

Major Titles Held: CZW Tag Team Title, CZW UltraViolent Underground Title, NWA Texas Hardcore title (4) FWA Brass Knuckles title

 

 

Background/Motivation: There's nothing Americans love more than tall tales and folk heroes (well, other than American Idol, Razr phones, and Jennifer Aniston). Who doesn't know the story of Paul Bunyan, who in his travels around North America, created Minnesota's ten thousand lakes with his footsteps and the Grand Canyon with his mighty axe? Well, Necro Butcher is a 21st-century folk hero, falling off of high places and bleeding rivers all across the country for a shot of whiskey and a couple twenty dollar bills.

 

However, Necro Butcher is out to prove he is not a one trick pony, that there is more to him than punching guys hard in the face and landing awkwardly on his head. Necro has made it his goal to fight the best pure wrestlers in the country, ranging from Low Ki to Samoa Joe to Roderick Strong. While Necro has come up short in most of these contests, his opponents come out of it glad they're not dead. His greatest singles success in a "straight" wrestling environment came at the 2005 Revolution Strong Style tournament, where he went to the finals before narrowly losing to Chris Hero. Even more impressively, Necro avenged that loss against Hero in, of all things, a European Rounds Match.

 

The Battle of Los Angeles will test Necro's ability to its absolute limit, as he will go up against a variety of wrestling styles that he has very rarely encountered in his career. However, this is the least of his problems, as his first opponent is PWG's resident wrecking machine, Super Dragon.

 

First Round Opponent: There is no doubt that this is one of Necro's toughest challenges ever. Not only can Super Dragon absorb just as much pain as Necro, and hit just as hard as Necro, but he is faster and on his home turf. Combine these advantages with a very angry Super Dragon, out for blood after being put on the shelf by the Dynasty, and that spells bad news for the Butcher.

 

Later Round Outlook: Necro may have a difficult time advancing in the tourney, not so much because of his future opponents but because he may be too drained and battered down from his match with Super Dragon- the same problem that plagued Kevin Steen in last year's tourney. Necro is also vulnerable to highflying wrestlers, and the majority of the competitors in the Battle of Los Angeles favor an aerial attack. Necro's tournament run will no doubt be memorable, but it may be short.

 

Odds of winning: 25-1, Necro is relatively inexperienced in this type of tournament setting, and his match with Super Dragon could destroy him right of the blocks. However, Necro has won multiple gory deathmatch tournaments, meaning he is incredibly hard to kill, shrugging off damage that would cripple mortal men. If Super Dragon doesn't beat him, he may be able to take the Battle of LA with straight-ahead brute force, something most of the tourney participants haven't encountered in their own right. Could the Butcher end Super Dragon's "Evolution" and begin his own by taking the BOLA crown?

 

 

The rest below...

[Guest Jay Z. Hollywood]

Scorpio Sky

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 183lbs

Hometown: The City of Angels

 

PWG Record: 23-19 (9-9 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

Revolution Pro - Revolution J 2004 WINNER

AWS Tag Team Title Tournament 2002: Finalist

Best of the American Super Juniors 2006 participant

PWG Bad Ass Mother 3000 participant

WPW Best Of The West 2003 participant

Revolution Pro - Revolution J 2003 participant

 

Major Titles Held: PWG Tag Team Title, Revolution Pro Juniorheavyweight, AWS Tag team, AWS LA Junior-heavyweight title

 

Fun Fact: Despite being a regular since day one, Scorpio Sky has never wrestled for PWG in the month of September. Ok, I lied... that fact really wasn't fun.

 

Background/Motivation: They say when you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change... the devil changes you. Submitted for your approval is the story of one, Scorpio Sky who found this out the hard way....

 

We join our story on July 9th 2005, Scorpio Sky and Quicksilver were in the biggest match of their lives, putting everything on the line in order to settle the score with Arrogance. The match lived up to the hype and then some, things took a turn for the worse for the AXP when Quicksilver was taken out of the match via a chairshot to the head against the ring post from Chris Bosh, leaving Scorpio Sky all alone against the tag team champions. Sky put forth a herculean effort, enduring an extended two on one assault. Bosh thought he had finished the job after planting Sky with the Steiner Screwdriver but incredibly Sky kicked out at 2! Arrogance then leveled Sky their version of the Hart Attack. Lost went for the kill with his trademark Sharpshooter while Bosh prematuraly celebrated the victory on the floor, only before Lost could apply the hold, Sky countered with a small package to score the pinfall! The AXP had at long last defeated Arrogance to win the PWG Tag team titles (ending what was a nine month quest for the titles). It should have been the crowning achievement of the career of Scorpio Sky, overcoming all the odds to defeat his rivals and win the coveted titles. However it was not to be, as after the match, Scott Lost walloped Sky with the tag title, and layed into him. Then as Chris Bosh and Joey Ryan held Sky at bay, Scott Lost paid Sky the ultimate disgrace and removed his mask, raping him of his very identity. Leaving him beaten and bloody in the ring. In a one of the most iconic images ever in PWG, Scorpio held his mask before his face with both tears and blood dripping down his face. Everything had worked for, was taken away... even in good's victory, evil had still prevailed..

 

This led Sky to question his place in wrestling, as he simply dissappeared from the PWG ranks, and embarked on a soul searching excursion to Africa to try to find the answers to his questions. While the PWG faithful wondered if they would ever see Scorpio Sky compete again.

 

At the Battle Of Los Angeles 2005, those questions were answered when Scorpio Sky returned. Running in from the crowd, and laying out a dazed Scott Lost with the Final Answer, then symbolically removing his mask and leaving it on the fallen Lost. Scorpio Sky lived! This set the stage for a series of matches between Scorpio Sky and Scott Lost. Many believed these would be easy wins for the reborn Sky. But the crafty Scott Lost cheated his way to two straight wins against Sky. Once due to the use of brass knuckles, and once via the aid of a steel chair. That was used to soften up Sky's back for Lost's trademark sharpshooter. Lost had Sky locked in the hold for what seemed like an eternity, but despite the pain Sky refused to surrender. Before any perminate damage could be done, PWG Commissoner Dino Winwood threw in the towel for his friend, Scorpio Sky ending the match..In order to give this heated issue a satisfying conclusion, Winwood booked an "I-Quit" match between the two, that way there would be no doubt. At PWG's Chanukah Chaos (The C's Are Silent) the match was on. In what was an intense brawl, Lost and Sky waged war one more time taking it all through the building. In the end, Sky used a chair assisted Sharpshooter to force Scott Lost to say "I Quit". Scorpio Sky had avenged the wrongs done on to him. But in doing so, had to sink to depths he didn't know he was capable of..

 

Now that the issue with Lost was behind him, a whole new world was opened for Sky. The next month, with all momentum in the world behind him, he faced off with the returning Colt Cabana. During the match, Sky suffered yet another set back as he substained a knee injury in the match up and became easy prey for Cabana. All the momentum he had build up by defeating Scott Lost, was now out the window. Again, Sky was left at a crossroads. Scorpio Sky unable to wrestle, still returned the next month as a guest enforcer referee in a PWG Title match between Joey Ryan and Sky's friend, the Human Tornado. Sky called it fair and square, grabbing a chair out of Joey's hands before he could use it on Tornado. Tornado used this opening to try an O'Connor roll... but Joey kicked out sending Tornado flying into the chair being held by Scorpio Sky. Sky had tried to do the right thing, but still ended up costing his friend the PWG title, and was bearing the brunt of the blame from both Tornado and the fans. .

 

This was the breaking point for Scorpio Sky- he'd always tried to do the right thing, he even rented the movie "Do The Right Thing" and still everything seemed to always turn out wrong. This act had only furthered Sky's growing feeling of disfranchisement. Sky was beginning to change his whole outlook. Over the next few months saw the emergance a yet another new Scorpio Sky. Gone was the good natured Scorpio Sky who never quite reached his potential in his place was a new arrogant, pompous jerk, who was infatuated with his own abs. Sky had enough of losing, had enough of people taking advantage of him. Being the “nice guy” wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Over the next several shows, we witness his metamorphosis, as he got his revenge on the Human Tornado by playing mind games with him. Ultimately leading to Sky defeating his former friend at "Beyond The Thunderdome" and procuring the services of his manager, Jade Chung. With Tornado out of the way, Sky had another goal in sight, the PWG World title.

 

Sky had his chance to win the #1 contendership for the PWG title at "All Star Weekend 3"- all he to do is win a singles match and then a 4-way, sounds easy enough right? Sky only had to get through Chris Sabin. Late in the contest, Sky had Sabin pinned after The Blackout DDT but the ref was distracted by Jade Chung. Sky exploded, and threatened to kill all the white people in the building (which sent several of us honkys running for our lives). This gave Sabin the chance to recover and hit the Cradle Shock for the win. Afterward, a furious Sky feeling cheated out his chance at a title shot staged a protest in the ring. Which did not last long before Frankie Kazarian came out for his match and chased Sky to the back. Which will forever be known as "mistake #1" This further sent Sky over the edge, the old Sky would have just taken it, the new Sky however was going to get even. And that he did, as on the next night when Frankie had the #1 contendership won, Sky interjected and pulled the referee out the ring, costing Kazarian the contendership.

 

The following month at "(Please Don't Call it) The OC" saw several surprising events transpire -the first of which was that Scorpio Sky had alligned himself with PWG Champion Joey Ryan. Now you may be asking "Why would Scorpio Sky team up with Joey Ryan? Didn't he play a part in TAKING HIS MASK?" In Joey Ryan, Sky saw someone who was on the right path, and found his greatest success after abandoning the need to do things the "right way" thus transforming from PWG's door mat to the most successful champion in the promotions history. A role model for Sky's own trip to the darkside so to speak.

 

That night, the unlikely duo had a major challenge ahead of them, in the form B-Boy and Frankie Kazarian. After a competitive match, Frankie Kazarian scored a pin fall over Joey Ryan after a B-Boy shining wizard... earning himself the #1 contendership. Frankie's night was far from over though... as out of nowehere Scorpio blindsided him with a vicious.chairshot to the head, knocking him cold. Scorpio said he was going to do what even Vince McMahon couldn't, and cut off Frankie Kazarian's legally trademarked ponytail, raping Frankie of his identity, much like Arrogance had done to him all those months ago. Scorpio Sky, once the victim... was now the victimizer.

 

Little did we know that this was just the beginning. Scorpio Sky and Joey Ryan had devised a plan that would give them all the power in PWG and settle an old score in the process. May 20th, 2006 their master plan came to fruition, Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky crashed the PWG Tag title match between Super Dragon/Davey Richards and.Arrogance. Enabling Scott Lost and Chris Bosh to regain the tag titles (that had previously been taken from them by Sky) After the match, the four men took turns extracting payback on the King of SoCal. Scorpio Sky (who in the early days of PWG had waged a failed campaign to destory Super Dragon) took great delight in Curb Stomping Super Dragon's face into a chair. Then Arrogance took their shots, finally the Mustache Ride onto tables on the floor from Joey Ryan finished the job. Scorpio Sky, Scott Lost, Chris Bosh and Joey Ryan accomplished together, what they had each failed to achieve seperately ... they had taken Super Dragon out. They removed the man who victimized each of them time and time again throughout their entire careers. Now nothing would be able to stand in their way...

 

During the incident, Sky layed it all out there, and stated that Scott Lost taking his mask was the best thing that ever happened to him, because it allowed him to be his true self. He may have had to sell his soul to the devil to accomplish it, but Scorpio Sky was now where he wanted to be, at the top of the heap. For on this night, a dynasty was born.

 

The next month, Sky, PWG World Champion Joey Ryan and PWG World Tag Team Champions Arrogance entered the ring triumphantly. But it didn't take an avid viewer of Law & Disorder to notice that Scorpio Sky was still missing something. Being the only member without a title or accolade to boast. announced himself as The Dynasty's representitive in The Battle Of Los Angeles. His mission, bring home the trophy for The Dynasty. Then with the World title, the tag team title, the stanley cup and the BOLA trophy in the fold, they would erase any doubt as to where the power lies in PWG.

 

 

Opening Round match: Frankie Kazarian, as we have covered, the issue between these two isn't a minor indiscretion by any means. The recent ruling banning all members of the Dynasty from ringside, has to weigh heavily on Sky's conscience This time, there is no easy way out, no shortcut home. He is left all alone to face the consequences. Has he biten off more than he can chew? Can he still produce without protection that has brought him his recent success?

 

Later Round Outlook: From the frying pan, right into the fire. Never would I ever have thought someone would be better off facing The Necro Butcher. As Super Dragon will stop at nothing to get revenge on Sky and the Dynasty as he seeks a violent resolution to their differences. Sky's only hope would be to perfect the Care Bear Stare, temporarily rendering either Dragon or Necro's heart full of care and then get a quick roll up for the 1-2-3. Either that, or well, running would be a good idea..

 

Odds of winning: 3-1, No one can deny, the hot streak Scorpio Sky is on as of late. Now that he has found the edge he needed to succeed, an already formidable competitor has become a nearly unstoppable. Sky will do whatever it takes to bring home the BOLA trophy to the Dynasty. Even without the outside help, Sky clearly has the ability to win it all, but it's going to be a far tougher row to hoe for him than it is anyone else. Sky has the biggest target of all on back, everyone will be gunning to defeat him to show up the Dynasty. His first round draw is hell bent on defeating him, if he wins that he'll have to face off with another man out to murder him, or The Necro Butcher! If he survives that, good chance he'll be faced with someone like Hero or Castagnoli who'll pick the bones in no time flat.. If he escapes that, he may have to face 2 more men in finals, with good chance of one either Steen, Sabin or Richards. Who want at the Dynasty in the worst way, Also, while they are banned from ringside (at least for the first round) the Dynasty's involvement still might be the determining factor in Sky's success, who knows in what way they will make their presence felt, perhaps they will resort to Jeff Gillooly tactics to give their man the advantage.

 

 

Super Dragon

 

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 200lbs

Hometown: Orange County, California

 

PWG Record: 40-16-1 overall. (18-7 as a single)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

RevPro Revolution J 2001 Winner

JCW Jersey J-Cup 2004: Winner

RevPro Revolution J 02/03/04 – Finalist

WPW Best of the West 03 – Finalist

CZW Best of the Best 5 finalist

PWG Tango & Cash Invitational Finalist

PWG Bad Ass Mother 3000 Semi Finalist

PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2005 participant

 

Major Titles Held: PWG Title, PWG Tag Title (2), CZW World Title, RevPro Title, JCW Junior-heavyweight title, APW Internet title,

 

Fun Fact: With his appearance here, Super Dragon becomes the only man to have competed in all four PWG tournaments

 

Background/Motivation: When it comes to eminence and esteem in Southern California wrestling, there is none higher than Super Dragon. While some may want to disagree, one look at his track record, and it becomes an unimpeachable thesis (I spent $5 on those words) Since 1997, Super Dragon has defined an enigmatic image that has struck fear into the hearts of all that dare oppose him. Earning his reputation as cold, calculating killing machine by tearing through all this in path.

 

In the opinion of many, Dragon also served as the official SoCal "gatekeeper." It was generally an accepted fact that to become a true star on the SoCal Indy circuit, you had to first get through the Dragon. A match with Super Dragon could make you and/or literally break you (in several places). Despite the possible consequences, getting a match with Super Dragon was often considered the SoCal Indy equivalent of hitting the lottery. Among the names to first gain notoriety due to matches with Super Dragon include Joey Ryan, Scorpio Sky, Bobby Quance, B-Boy, Chris Bosh, Rising Son, Quicksilver, Scott Lost, TARO, Babi Slymm, Excalibur just to name a few. If you could wrestle Super Dragon and impress, you were in... if you don't, you generally didn't get too far (If you ever happen to visit obscurity, say hi to Mike Vega) The urge to test the Dragon wasn't limited to West Coast competitors either, top outside wrestlers such as Kevin Steen, Low-Ki, CM Punk, Colt Cabana, Chris Hero all entered the region with the purpose of dethroning the King of the SoCal. While many had come close... they'd all ultimately failed. Even in the case of a rare defeat, he'd always appeared totally dominate throughout. There was nary a competitor that didn’t fear the wrath of the dragon.

 

You could say that in PWG, the wrestlers usually fit into one of two categories, Super Dragon and Super Dragon's bitches. It wasn't exactly a fair system but hey, what could you do? The money was good. That is until Joey Ryan, Chris Bosh, Scott Lost and Scorpio Sky (each with a long history of abuse at the hands of Super Dragon) decided to put there personal differences aside, and devised a plan (possibly while in the Hall Of Doom) to do away with their tormentor and take total control of PWG

 

May 20, 2006 on this date, the four staged their insurrection. After an elaborate set up, Arrogance had ended Super Dragon and Davey Richards' nearly eight month tag team title reign. Then four all took their turns on Super Dragon. First he got hit with his own Curb Stomp on a chair from Scorpio Sky. Then Lost locked him in the Sharpshooter while his head was wedged in a chair, allowing Chris Bosh to leap off the top with a double stomp to exposed head of Super Dragon. Then came the Coup de Grâce, as Joey Ryan gave Super Dragon "the Mustache Ride" off the Top (the only move proven effective on Super Dragon) through two tables set up on the floor. With that, the götterdämmerung of Super Dragon was complete.

 

The Dynasty (as the proclamed themselves) had succeeded where all else had failed. In a scant few minutes time, they had inflicted more damage than anyone had on Super Dragon in his entire career. According to official word from PWG, Dragon' injuries included a serious concussion, a dislocated shoulder, severe hematoma and fluid build up on both elbows, and nerve damage in his neck. For the first time in over 50 PWG events, Super Dragon was put out of commission.

 

The events of this night had shaken PWG's foundation to its very core.

 

With their long time oppressor was now out of the equation. The Dynasty were now the peerless rulers of the promotion. At "Fear Of A Black Planet" The Dynasty basked in their accomplishment and staged a 10 bell salute for the departed Super Dragon. For intents and purposes, The Dynasty had killed Super Dragon.

 

Three months had passed with no sign of Super Dragon. Just as PWG was going to call on "Super Sleuth" Leslie Nielsen to get the bottom of his dissappearance. It was announced that he would be making this long awaited return at the 2006 Battle Of Los Angeles.The man the Dynasty had left for dead, returns... it's right out of the plot of a hundred different terrible horror movies. Super Dragon still knows what the Dynasty did last summer (and also what they did last May) And what he has in store for each and every one of them, will undoubtedly make it pale in comparison

 

September 2nd, Battle Of Los Angeles. Re-Enter The Dragon. Super Dragon is back to reclaim his throne and put the Dynasty out of commission... but this time simple vengeance will not suffice, tonight he draws blood! To paraphrase, the greek Philosopher Mr. T "I pity the poor fool, has to step in the ring with Super Dragon at the Battle of Los Angeles"

 

 

Opening Round match: Necro Butcher in a no disqualification match. Unquestionably the most anticipated match up of the first round, and for good reason, as there are no more feared names in the independent wrestling lexicon than Super Dragon and Necro Butcher. These two will meet to decide the undisputed champion of bashing in sucka's faces. They are no strangers to each other either, having spent the earlier portion of the year teaming in CZW. So they both know first hand the other can do and what they can endure.

Being Dragon's first match back since May, he will be looking to make a statement on Necro's face here.

 

History has shown that only way to defeat the Butcher is to outsmart him (I.E. Joey Ryan In April) or damn near kill him (which is more up SD's alley). He'll need to start off fast, never let the Necro get a chance to recover, as one squarely landed shot from The Butcher could be all it would take to put Super Dragon back on the shelf. While the No DQ stipulation will work more in the Butcher's favor. Super Dragon has shown his ability to get hardcore in four past Guerrilla Warfare match, and the last time he was in the Legion Hall was in a match against Sabu. SD has no qualms about murdering whomever is across the ring from him on his way to The Dynasty.

 

However, Necro is one man who will not be intimidated by Super Dragon. Necro Butcher lives for a good fight. He can take it as good if not better than he gives it. I'm sure he's eagerly awaiting testing himself against the baddest motherfucker SoCal has to offer.

 

Later Round Outlook: If Super Dragon survives the Butcher, he just may get his long awaited chance to face one of his assailants, Scorpio Sky. The two have an extensive history, dating back to September of 2002, where he demolished a plucky young Scorpio Sky (then going by El Gallinero Tres) in Revolution Pro's Rev J. Another singles match in RevPro circa 2003 saw Sky pull off an upset over the Dragon, of course, who would forget their memorable PWG Guerrila Warfare meeting in 2004 where Dragon compacted Sky's head with a double stomp in a chair, as well as meeting in Germany later that year.

 

Frankie Kazarian, in what would be a battle of SoCal icons. If you remember it was Super Dragon who defeated Frankie Kazarian for the PWG title back in 2004. Kazarian would like nothing more than to get one over on SD... but for Dragon anything less then bashing in Sky's head would be a dissapointment.

 

 

Odds of winning: 8-1, Super Dragon finds himself on the all too familar comeback trail. As we've seen in the past, he thrives while revenge oriented (a pissed off Super Dragon is often nothing short of a force of nature) BUT (there's always that but isn't there?) ring rust also has to be taken into consideration, this will be Dragon's first match back since May.(first considerable amount of ring time he's missed in many years) Will he have enough to endure 4 grueling matches over the course of two days? Time will tell, but it's never a wise move to bet against Super Dragon.

 

 

 

 

TJ Perkins

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 172lbs

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

PWG Record: 22-18 (17-10 as a single, 16-6 in one on one match ups)

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

WPW Best Of the West 2006: WINNER

Inoki Dojo American Young Lions 2004: WINNER

ECWA Super 8 2005: FINALIST

NWA ECCW Pacific Cup Tournament FINALIST

GCCW Lightweight title tournament – FINALIST

IWA:MS Ted Petty Invitational 2005: participant

 

Major Titles Held: UWA Canadian, APW Internet, UIWA Cruiserweight title, IWC Cruiserweight

 

Write up: TJ Perkins is a man of many of names and many talents. One of the most versatile competitors in the field, he can adapt to any style thrown his way. TJ is a legitimate threat to any competitor regardless of size, as he's proven time and time again in PWG, in route to amassing the top singles match record in the promotion.

 

While still only in his very early 20's, his list of career highlights reads like it belongs to a veteran twice his age. Ever the world traveler, TJ has spent considerable time in both Japan and Mexico.with NJPW and CMLL. For further proof of TJ's excellence, consider the fact that he tore through the 2006 Best Of The West tournament with complete ease... WHILE HE WAS SICK! Then went and wrestled on National Pay Per View for the TNA the next day. Earning himself a contract with the promotion.

 

As far PWG is concerned, TJ is still hunting for his big break. A regular with the promotion since their 4th show and despite his unmatched record, the opportunities to breakout of the pack just seem to slip through his fingers. First, he was scheduled be Frankie Kazarian's first match after losing the PWG title at "Uncanny X-Mas" in what would have been his first high profile PWG singles match, but an unfortunate leg injury kept from getting his time to shine. Then at last year's BOLA, TJ suffered a similar misfortune when he suffered an injury in an event earlier in the day and had to be scratched for the tournament, while his replacement went on to become one of the hottest stars in the company. It doesn't end there either, just last month, TJ (as PUMA) had a PWG title match scheduled in an outside promotion but an injury suffered the night before forced him to pull out...

 

September 2nd, it's Battle Of Los Angeles season once again. This time TJ will not let another opportunity silently pass him by. The self proclaimed "hope of SoCal wrestling" will be coming in hell bent on adding the 2006 Battle Of Los Angeles to his trophy-filled mantle. After he wins it all PWG will have no choice but to stand up and take notice of his accomplishments.

 

Opening Round match: Davey Richards. A man TJ knows very well. Aside from past feud in PWG in which Davey took the mask of TJ's PUMA alter ego (covered in Davey's profile) they trained together at the New Japan Dojo. But let's not fool ourselves here... this is personal. TJ is going to do everything in his power to completely humiliate Davey. He took his mask, he took his place in BOLA 2005 and used it as a springboard to stardom. TJ wants nothing more to then to humble wrestling's "next big thing" TJ is more skilled on the mat and in the air than is Davey, I dare say he knows Davey better than Davey knows him. That familiarity could help TJ score a huge upset on the heavy favorite, Richards.

 

Later Round Outlook: Austin Aries or Disco Machine. TJ and Disco met last June, with TJ pulling out a quick victory over the dancin' fool. So you'd imagine TJ would much rather face Disco, then Austin Aries who is one of the bigger names in the field. Which is not good news at all for the former PUMA. In the past year when faced with top-level independent talent in PWG, he has always come up just short. The pressure on TJ to finally deliver a win over a big name here will be immense.

 

Odds of winning: 35-1, TJ has all the ability in the world, and could come out of left field and make a run here, but a few key losses in last year have to keep from being considered among to the top BOLA hopefuls. If anything, this year finds TJ Perkins in the role of the spoiler. While he's not favored to become the 2006 BOLA winner, he can very easily knock off several tournament favorites before he's through.

 

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So there you have it. Twenty four competitors, twenty four different stories, one single goal. Winning the Battle Of Los Angeles will definitely be an arduous task for even the very best wrestlers, but the difficulty will only make it all the more sweeter for the victor.

 

 

For official information, brackets and fun, please visit: http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com/BOLA2006/

 

[Resources and Thanks to:] http://www.SoCalUncensored.com, http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com, http://www.socalwrestlingwiki.com, www.mrtvseverything.com

 

Photo Credits: http://www.evilempirewrestling.com, http://www.whacks.bizland.com, all other photos are property of their respective owners

 

Thanks again to the participants who contributed comments.

 

And special thanks of course, to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla for putting on these shows. Truly an embarrassment of riches we have before us this weekend...

 

And to thanks to you for reading, we'll see you this weekend.

[PsychoDriver 0]

Thanks to a copying mistake on my part, Matt Sydal was left off the above write up.

 

Sorry, Matt.. here ya go:

 

Matt Sydal

Height: 5’9”

fWeight: 177 lbs.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

PWG Record: 1-2

 

Notable Tournament appearances:

IWA Mid South: Ted Petty Invitational 2005: Winner

IWC Super Indy 2006: Semi Finalist

CZW Best of the Best 6 : Semi-finalist

ROH: Best of The American Super Juniors 2005 participant

Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2005 participant

 

Major Titles Held: NWA Midwest X-Division title

 

 

Background/Motivation: I'm willing to bet if you ask what quality sportswriters most enjoy about professional athletes, they would reply (besides "cute butts") "heart." Well, Matt Sydal is a wrestler who has heart to spare (and the BUTT, but that's not the point of this article.) The St. Louis, Missouri native became a star in the indy world by taking major risks. He drove all the way down to Atlanta along with travel buddies Daizee Haze and Delirious just so they could wrestle in NWA Wildside for airline peanuts. Wildside led them to IWA Mid South, where Ian Rotten wasted no time throwing Sydal to the lions, not only in the form of huge imposing guys like former PWG alum Brad Bradley and Ryan Boz, but also bigtime indy stars like AJ Styles. Getting bounced around by all of these guys only fueled Sydal's competitive fire, as he always came back from each encounter a better wrestler. Sydal was so impressive in IWA competition he was invited to Ring of Honor, where he made an immediate impact and was invited to join the elite Generation NeXt.

Sydal is a wrestler I consider an absolute joy to watch -one of the most dazzling and graceful aerialists in pro wrestling, who knows how to use his ability to take down opponents. Sydal's natural talents and amazing drive to succeed have taken him all over the country, and to the UK, Germany and Japan. He is the most recent winner of the OTHER top indy tourney in the country, the Ted Petty Invitational, beating former PWG champion and BOLA competitor Kevin Steen in the finals. Can this natural underdog pull off the impossible and become the only man to win both the TPI and BOLA? Sydal, with is "enlarged heart" (tm Jim Ross) just might be able to do it.

 

Opening Round match: Sydal and Steen have a short, but memorable history. Sydal of course beat Steen in the TPI finals, after Steen had bullied his way through the rest of the field. Steen got his revenge at All Star Weekend 3, planting Sydal with the Package Piledriver to even the score at 1-1. What gives Steen the advantage in their rubber match, in my opinion, is not only the home field advantage but the fact that Steen has a need to re-establish his dominance in the promotion he is very proud to represent. An angry Steen is one that'll hurt you bad, and Sydal, "The Nicest Man in Wrestling," might not be able to fend off that onslaugh

 

Later Round Outlook: Sydal faces the winner of CIMA/M-Dogg 20 in round 2. CIMA is Sydal's teammate in Dragon Gate's "Shinsei Blood Generation" stable, and recruited Sydal personally for the group. There is no doubt he would be very familiar with Sydal, and able to counter anything Sydal can throw at him. CIMA's experience and strength advantage would be too much for even the TPI winner. Sydal's only hope would be for M-Dogg 20 to pull a massive upset, as the Dogg has a very poor record against other high-flying wrestlers.

 

Odds of winning: 30-1, Sydal, like Aries, is not considered a pick to win this tourney despite his impressive resume. The competition in his bracket is very difficult, and the fact Sydal has to compete in a tourney the next day in Indiana, then possibly fly back to LA to complete the Battle of LA, may be too taxing even for someone with Sydal's journeyman reputation. Not only that, Steen's roughhouse style of wrestling will likely take a heavy toll on his body, and a weary, unfocused Sydal will likely be easy pickings in the later rounds.

[Tawren 0]

Dude...awesome write up. I can honestly say that reading that got me more jacked for this tournament than PWG's own promoting has.

 

Very much appreciated.

 

For the record, my pick to win is Kevin Steen.