If you’re a wrestling fan and you haven’t heard of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, you’re clearly doing something wrong. The Reseda based promotion has been increasing in popularity ever since its inception in 2003, and past world champions include the likes of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
[adinserter block=”1″]This year, the promotion hosts the 11th edition of its annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament, where 24 competitors will battle it out for the chance to win the trophy and take on current PWG World Champion, Roderick Strong. Here, I’m going to run through all 24 participants, and give you my opinion on their chances of winning.
#1- Will Ospreay – As a British wrestling fan, this entrant (as well as the second and seventh) warms my heart. Ospreay has been one of the most consistent performers of recent years in promotions such as Progress and Revolution Pro. His high flying ability is something to behold, and I expect him to have a good run in this year’s tournament. As for winning it? Probably not.
#2- Marty Scurll – Similarly to Ospreay, Scurll’s stock has skyrocketed in the last few years, all thanks to a simple gimmick change. You may recognise him from TNA’s British Boot Camp, but he’s far from ‘Party Marty’. Now known as ‘The Villain’, Scurll has a technical ability similar to that of fellow Brit Zack Sabre, Jr. Watch out for Scurll this year: you may be looking at the eventual winner.
#3- Timothy Thatcher – Here’s a name that may be more familiar to US Indy fans. Whilst I haven’t seen much of Thatcher, what I have seen has been nothing short of phenomenal. Seriously, watch his match with Sabre Jr from Evolve 34 last year. You’ll thank me later. Will Thatcher be able to lift the trophy? Personally, I don’t think so, but certainly expect him to impress whoever he faces.
#4- ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey – The first time you see Bailey, you’ll more than likely be intrigued, yet confused. His martial arts background has certainly inspired his attire, as well as his in-ring style. Despite some great performances against Biff Busick and Trevor Lee, he’s yet to win a PWG match, and whilst I could see him getting through Round 1, winning is out of the question.
#5- Chris Hero – Formerly Kassius Ohno in NXT, Hero is a PWG veteran, as well as a former world champion and the winner of BOLA 2006. His recent performances are almost as impressive as his weight gain, and I can definitely see Hero reaching the later rounds of the tournament.
[adinserter block=”2″]#6- Biff Busick – Busick has made a name for himself on the independents as a result of his aggressive style and power, and his European Uppercuts are straight up nasty. He has just one victory to his name in PWG, against the aforementioned Bailey, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he suffered a first round loss, as he did in his debut at last year’s event.
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