I’ll let you in on a little secret. To find the coolest and most outrageous wrestling promotion in the world, you won’t need to know a secret password or handshake. It’s not found anywhere in McMahon Land or in Japan. All you have to do is head down to Los Angeles, CA (Reseda specifically), and you’ll discover Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG).
Like that cool underground band yet to go mainstream or your favorite bar/hangout spot minus the velvet rope and long lines, PWG has become a wrestling haven and hotbed for diehards and wrestling nerds. Everything from the venue to the crowd, and the OMG wrestling found in the ring, has created something magical - only comparable to the early days of ECW back in the ‘90s.
Formed in 2003 by six wrestlers including Joey Ryan, Super Dragon and Excalibur, PWG has become a platform where the best-of-the-best come to compete and entertain. The talent that has performed inside the American Legion Post #308 are now some of the biggest stars in wrestling. Names like Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, A.J. Styles, Kenny Omega, Cesaro, Finn Bálor, Sami Zayn and The Young Bucks all earned their street-cred in PWG.
With the company averaging only 10 events a year – like the insanely popular Battle of Los Angeles – getting to experience PWG firsthand is difficult. So, let us be your red pill and open your eyes to the world of PWG with some of their wildest moments.
Tommaso Ciampa Believes He Can Fly
If people ask you why you love wrestling, just show them this clip and it will explain it all.
R. Kelly never would have guessed that his hit single “I Believe I Can Fly” would play a key part during a professional wrestling match. But that’s exactly what happened back in September 2016 during night three of Battle of Los Angeles (BOLA). During a 10-Man tag team match, pitting a team led by Tommaso Ciampa against a team led by Jushin Thunder Liger, magic happened. Hesitantly climbing to the top turnbuckle, Tommaso was encouraged by the PWG crowd, joining him in singing R. Kelly’s cheesy song. Next thing you know, everyone in the building, including the opposing wrestlers, were screaming the lyrics. You can’t script stuff like that!
The Thumb Up The Bum Train
Fans of The Human Centipede will really love this. PWG really embraces the ridiculous aspect of professional wrestling, making it a key pillar in what has made the company a success. Outside-the-box moments and spots that you won’t find in WWE, NJPW or ROH, is a regular occurrence at a PWG. Case in point, the butt train.
Going back to the previous Ciampa/Liger 10-Man tag team match, fans also got to witness all the competitors stick their thumbs up each other’s ass, to form a train of man. Hilarious, inexplicable and unforgettable describes the scene, but the best part had to be seeing Hall of Famer Jushin Thunder Liger serving as the conductor. The power of Liger’s ass was on full display, with the crowd cheering wildly!
The Mount Rushmore of PWG
Prior to debuting in NXT and quickly ascending to the top of the WWE roster, Kevin Owens (or Kevin Steen as he was known back then) was the man in PWG. He dominated events, putting on talked about matches and serving as commentator, utilizing those mic skills. Back in 2013 during night two of Battle of Los Angeles, Kevin cut one of his greatest promos cutting down the PWG faithful as well as Sami Zayn’s masked alter-ego, El Generico.
In this epic backstage promo, joined alongside The Young Bucks and Adam Cole (Bay Bay!), Owens was in full heel mode, putting everyone on notice. Pissed off at the fans for not cheering him or buying his merchandise, Kevin’s tirade is key for two things:
1) “I’m the champion of the universe” declared Owens, and he couldn’t have been more right. Tapping into his Nostradamus powers, he predicted that he’d be the WWE Universal Champion.
2) With the Bucks being PWG Tag Team Champions and Cole being the PWG World Champion, Kevin declared himself and the boys “The Mount Rushmore of Professional Wrestling.” The beauty of a Rated-R Kevin Owens!
Candice LeRae Versus Lady Chuck Taylor
PWG breaks many taboos, and seeing a woman like Candice LeRae fight against men is one of those. For the uninformed, Candice LeRae is arguably the best female wrestler currently in the business. What makes Candice amazing is that she competes against men more than she does against women. She’s one half of The World’s Cutest Tag Team alongside Joey Ryan, former PWG Tag Team Champions, and she’s also Mrs. Johnny Gargano.
During a PWG tag team match, “The Kentucky Gentleman” Chuck Taylor made it clear that he wouldn’t hit or fight a woman, to which Candice responded by slapping him. Angered but not breaking his stance, Chuck took drastic actions to find a way to wrestle LeRae. After leaving the ring and heading backstage, he appeared minutes later wearing a dress, wig and holding a purse. “The Kentucky Gentleman” can’t fight a woman, but Chuck Taylor in drag can.
The icing on the cake was Kevin Owens commentating, calling out “Oh…my…God!” upon first seeing lady Chuck. That’s what we call commitment to a match!
The Rock and Stone Cold Return in Spirit
Neither The Rock nor “Stone Cold” Steve Austin ever appeared in a PWG match, but that didn’t stop Kenny Omega and ACH from transforming into the wrestling icons. For a brief moment, fans were transported back to the Attitude Era during Omega and ACH’s match.
Slipping on an Austin 3:16 inspired vest, ACH turned into the pissed off rattlesnake, as he proceeded to stomp a “mud hole” into Omega’s chest. Omega, in turn, impersonated some of The Rock’s mannerisms and moves. Their exchange included a Stone Cold Stunner, a pitcher of beer and fans showing their love by slamming the sides of the ring. This is why PWG is great!
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