February 18th, 2017
PWG World Champion - Zack Sabre Jr
PWG World Tag Team Champions - The Young Bucks
Commentators: Excalibur, Rick Knox, Chuck Taylor, & Joey Ryan
1) Trevor Lee vs. Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes had one of my favorite performances in BOLA 2016 so it's good to see him on the first show of 2017. Trevor felt otherwise though, as soon as the bell rang he charged him with a fucking GERMAN SUPLEX OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE. LORTA MERCY. This crowd is rowdy and that popped the top off the building. A perfect start leads us to another super solid Rhodes match that held my interest the entire duration. Trevor did some taunting and referencing Cody's brother as well as his fallen father (which apparently got some heat backstage afterwards), but it made this one all the more intriguing to watch unfold. Cody was flying around in this one, y'all. But in the end, Trevor puts him out with the small package driver.
Match rating - ***1/4
2) Rey Fenix vs. Trent?
Holy hell, these boys went out and killed it. Trent set the tone for the match telling Fenix - "none of that Lucha shit" which of course only made the crowd want it more. It also made them pop harder when Rey Fenix did indeed bust out that lucha shit. Reseda feels super reinvigorated on this show, as do the wrestlers, and it's really sick. Trent is always a sleeper on PWG shows, having killer matches up and down the card that go unrecognized and this is another one of those. Some awesome spots, all well paced and timed out so it never goes into overkill. It's just right and it's great. He even gave Fenix a piledriver on the apron, at one point. This shit was bonkers. Trent gets the win when all is said and done.
Match rating - ***3/4
3) Unbreakable F'n Machines (Michael Elgin & Brian Cage) vs. Chosen Bros (Jeff Cobb & Matthew Riddle)
"Isn't it funny to you how Elgin & Cage's combined weight is still somehow lower than what WWE billed Andre the Giant as?" -Joey Ryan
The Chosen Bros became a thing last December. Cobb & Riddle started off their run as a team with a victory over The Young Bucks, the reigning PWG Tag Team Champions and the mecca of tag team wrestling in this day and age. So, even though Cage & Elgin are absolute beasts, they had to be a bit concerned heading into this one. They dominate the less experienced, but more successful team of Cobb & Riddle to start things out, but things eventually bust wide open and we get some insane exchanges. I'm not a big fan of the Elgin/Cage team however this was really freaking good. If I wasn't slightly biased with my distate for the Machines, this woulda probably got four stars. Really well put together and had me marking out on multiple occassions. Cobb & Riddle played their roles perfectly yet again and the pop for their victory was huge once again. Great match.
Match rating - ***3/4
4) Ricochet vs. Lio Rush
This is a dream match. It's crazy to think Lio Rush has only been wrestling for two years, but then again it's not too surprising considering his athletic ability and gymnastics are what he is known for and that's just a piece of what is needed to be successful in the biz. HOWEVER, he has that down pat so this was fun, but not much more. You got your acrobatics and such, cool counters & exchanges, not even that many false finishes though. Rush kicked out of the benadryller and the shooting star press, but it didn't get much of a reaction until he hit the ~FIGHTING SPIRIT~ only to be put away with one of Rico's spinning piledriver variations.
Match rating - ***1/2
5) Marty Scurll vs. Jay White
"Welcome to PWG, bitch." -Marty Scurll to Jay White before slapping him in the face
Much like Lio Rush has acrobatics, but no persona or drawing power, Jay White has grapplefuck, but no persona or character. So, this was pretty akin to Ricochet/Rush except this wasn't a dream match, instead just a newcomer versus a vet. White tried some new things to show some personality like taking Scurll's mask he uses in his entrance, but it wasn't the best attempt and came off sorta flat. Excalibur tried to build him up on commentary in instances like this and the crowd tried to react in kind, it just didn't click. For instance, when Scurll slapped White and hit him with the quote at the beginning of this review, White retaliated with a series of spaced out slaps to follow up which was a good babyface comeback, but there was no emotion shown in this so it had half the impact it could have. None the less, the closing exchanges were tight, got a little stiff here or there, White hit some suplexes, all that good stuff. Scurll taps White out to the chicken wing amidst his flurry.
Match rating - ***
6) Superkliq/Mount Rushmore/Bullet Club (Adam Cole & The Young Bucks) vs. O14k (Sami Callihan, Jake, & Dave Crist)
"Adam Cole, can he get that ample mid section over the top rope?" -Excalibur
The Cole/Callihan anthology continues in this random six man that sees the debuting Crist brothers alongside their mentor Sami Callihan. Alot of people hate O14k just because they are CZW guys, but I don't mind them. They aren't in the league of the Bucks, but they can put on an entertaining match. This was contested under tornado tag rules. Cole & The Bucks were introduced by Cody Rhodes which was GRAND. BC 4 LIFE BABY. Then they go into what was essentially a 15 minute sprint. Pretty enjoyable one, too, although the only notable thing that happened was the epic RKO out of nowhere sequence so watch this for that, for sure. Superkliq with another victory after annihlating the Ohio boys with like 40 superkicks.
Match rating - ***1/4
7) Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs. Chuck Taylor - PWG World Championship Match
For the first time in almost two years, the PWG fans are giving a mixed reaction to Zack Sabre Jr. This is almost weird to see. I'd argue that more people were cheering Chuck in this and Sabre's character began to evolve as this went on. More cockiness, more taunts. It was good stuff, but let me not get ahead of myself. This match kicked off with Chuck rolling Sabre up off a handshake then nailing him with a piledriver for two awesome false finishes that had everyone on their feet. Chuck's hunger for the title and Sabre's change in character were both displayed in fantastic fashion here. They sold a potential Chuck victory well only Sabre to choke him out in a triangle choke causing Rick Knox to call for the bell.
Match rating - ***3/4
After the match, Marty Scurll comes out and basically scolds the audience for cheering Chuck instead of Zack then nails Chuck with his umbrella. Zack joins in on the assault to a huge shocker of a reaction. Before it gets too bad, Trent makes the save and I'VE GOT GOOSEBUMPS LADIES. Sabre & Scurll flip off the audience as they exit and Trent tries to get them to come back in the ring. What a twist to start off the year.
Keeping it short and sweet because I'm so behind.
Wrestler of the Year: Roderick Strong (2nd Consecutive Year)
Tag Team of the Year: The Young Bucks
Match of the Year: Roderick Strong (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr - PWG World Championship Match - All Star Weekend 12 Night Two
Newcomer of the Year: Jeff Cobb
Top 10 Matches of the Year:
1) Roderick Strong (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr - PWG World Championship Match - All Star Weekend 12 Night Two - ****1/2
2) The Young Bucks & Adam Cole vs. Ricochet, Matt Sydal, & Will Ospreay - BOLA 2016 Night Two - ****1/2
3) Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs. Kyle O'Reilly - PWG World Championship Match - THIRTEEN - ****1/2
4) Marty Scurll vs. Kyle O'Reilly - All Star Weekend 12 Night One - ****1/4
5) Chris Hero & Tommy End vs. Rey Fenix & Pentagon Jr - BOLA 2016 Night Two - ****1/4
6) Rey Fenix vs. Will Ospreay - BOLA 2016 Night One - ****1/4
7) The Young Bucks vs. Rey Fenix & Pentagon Jr - BOLA 2016 Night Three - ****1/4
8) Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs. Marty Scurll - Mystery Vortex IV - ****1/4
9) Chris Hero vs. Jeff Cobb - PRINCE - ****
10) Chuck Taylor, Jushin Liger, Jeff Cobb, Tommy End, & Cedric Alexander vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Brian Kendrick, Pete Dunne, Matt Riddle, & Sami Callihan - BOLA 2016 Night Three - ****
Top 10 Wrestlers of the Year:
1) Roderick Strong
#1 in 2015, #2 in 2014, #9 in 2013, #8 in 2012, #10 in 2011, #10 in 2010, #6 in 2009
2) Zack Sabre Jr
#2 in 2015, #10 in 2014
3) Will Ospreay
#9 in 2015
4) Marty Scurll
No previous rankings
5) Chris Hero
#3 in 2015, #7 in 2011, #4 in 2010, #1 in 2009, #1 in 2008
6) Kyle O'Reilly
#1 in 2014, #2 in 2013, #9 in 2012
7) Rey Fenix
No previous rankings
8) Adam Cole
#6 in 2014, #1 in 2013, #2 in 2012
9) Ricochet
#6 in 2015, #3 in 2014, #7 in 2013, #4 in 2012, #5 in 2011, #8 in 2010
10) Chuck Taylor
#5 in 2014, #4 in 2009
December 16th, 2016
PWG World Champion - Zack Sabre Jr
PWG World Tag Team Champions - The Young Bucks
Commentators: Excalibur, Rick Knox, Chris Hero & Chuck Taylor
Coming off another great BOLA tournament, Marty Scurll challenges his best friend, former partner, & fellow englishman, Zack Sabre Jr for the PWG World Championship at the 4th Annual Mystery Vortex in which every other match on the card is unnannounced and picked at random.
1) Candice LeRae vs. Trent?
The night begins with a return and god dammit, it's about time we saw Candice LeRae back in PWG. 2014 was her year and 2015 saw the slow decline of her & partner Joey Ryan, but she looks to restake her claim against Trent. A man who himself has been on a bit of a rough whim since going to war with former partner Chuck Taylor at 13 earlier in 2016 in a match that turned way more brutal than anyone ever expected. BUT none the less, we are here and this is a fun opener. Candice gets all her signature stuff in, Trent is the perfect douchebag to counteract the babyface appeal of a returning Candice. There's several close falls and sick exchanges near the end. Trent ends up putting Candice away by planting her with two scrunchies.
Match rating - ***
2) Trevor Lee vs. ACH
Alright, this show is offically seriously feeling too much like 2014. ACH is back and Trevor Lee lambasts his ass at the bell. Lee is aggressive and ACH is playful, but deadly. Not necessarily a memorable return for ACH or anything that will make you wanna see him become a regular part of PWG again, but this was enjoyable and as a massive mark for his initial Pro Wrestling Guerrilla run, I loved seeing him roll through one more time. Trevor Lee gets the predictable win with a small package driver. Woot.
Match rating - **1/2
3) Matt Sydal vs. Pete Dunne
Another pretty anti-climatic match here as the show reaches a mellowing pace. Sydal is fresh out of Japanese jail and Dunne is coming off his debut BOLA weekend. This was one of those matches where there was a cool exchange or two, but it never really built into anything noteworthy and never even really flowed that well. Definitely not what you'd expect from Sydal and one of the fastest rising and unique cruserweights. BUT ya can't win em all and this wasn't horrible by any means so aye. The closing sequence was pretty solid as they built towards Sydal finally hit the SSP with a bunch of reversals and false finishes. Sydal finally hits it and puts Dunne away.
Match rating - **1/2
4) Chris Hero & JT Dunn vs. ReDragon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish)
At first, it felt like this was gonna be the pick me up the show needed. Dunn & Fish had a fantastic opening exchange that felt like the start of a rivalry, as Excalibur even noted on commentary. Plus, we got a sick Hero/O'Reilly stand off that got a standing ovation from Reseda. But then this fell into going way too long and way too dull of a pace. 27 minutes was just too much and I lost interest half way through. I love all the guys involved, but this one just missed the marker for me. O'Reilly taps Hero out to get ReDragon the victory. It gets **3/4 for the opening half and the few good exchanges we did get out of this damn near dream line up.
Match rating - **3/4
5) Adam Cole vs. Chuck Taylor - #1 Contender's Match for the PWG World Title
NOW WE'RE TALKING BABY. Excalibur announces this as a number one contender's match and Chuckie T is ELATED and the crowd explodes with chants for the Kentucky Gentleman. Adam Cole is a bit pissed. This is made even worse when Excalibur turns to fat jokes when introducing him and ADAM COLE RUNS THROUGH THE CROWD TO CONFRONT HIM to which Excalibur responds "He is too fat to get through this small space" - Cole tries to attack Excalibur, Chuckie T comes up from behind and GRABS THE HEADSET. God dammit I love this. They battle for a little on the stage, Cole calls Excalibur a son of a bitch, and Chuckie hits a dive into the crowd. Things head back to the ring and it's just quality banter although it settles into quite the perfect heel/babyface #1 Contender dynamic. The crowd is super behind Chuck even though you can tell they kinda expect Cole to win. The support for Taylor is enough to make it feel like he has a chance, though, and in the end, he had more than a chance as he drops Cole with a third awful waffle for the win and the crowd EXPLODES. Awesome moment, hella fun match that brought this show back up to par.
Match rating - ***1/2
6) The Young Bucks vs. Jeff Cobb & Matthew Riddle
The momentum continues here with another vintage Young Bucks performance against two fresh faces in Reseda. Cobb & Riddle have both made their names in singles contests, but this is probably the biggest match for either in PWG thus far and this is their first time ever teaming together. They played off that story well all match with the Bucks outsmarting them, but Cobb & Riddle still showing some good team work. The Bucks isolated Riddle and built to the hot tag for Cobb who cleaned house. Then we got the big break down of crazy shit from everybody. In the heat of all of this, Cobb & Riddle pull out the surprising victory out of nowhere in this non title match. HUGE moment for them and I still can't believe it myself. The utter excitement and disbelief on their own faces after the victory was priceless. GOOD STUFF.
Match rating - ***3/4
7) Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs. Marty Scurll - PWG World Championship Match
To be completely honest with you, the era of PWG which I've fallen off on this current era in which ZSJ leads so I always seem to underestimate the potential of his championship matches and boy did it bite me in the ass this go round because WHAT A MAIN EVENT. Sabre & Scurll have crossed paths many a time over the past few years, including a meeting in the semi-finals of the 2015 BOLA tournament that underwhelmed many including myself, however this more than made up for it. On that night, the crowd was pretty exhausted as were the athletes themselves, on this night there was much more energy and a story to be told. Pure technicality and stiffness for 30 minutes between two best friends vying for the PWG World Championship and it never got old. The smoothness of these two kept you on your feet for it felt like any moment could be the moment a pinning combination counted to three or a lethal submission was locked in. And on top of that, even when things weren't moving at a fast rate, the strikes left you cringing and as the match crept on, the exhaustion showed as both men could barely stand. This felt like the most pure display of wrestling you could ask for and it ruled. Until the final few minutes, that is, where Scurll brought his umbrella as well as powder into play AND there was a ref bump. It didn't take away from the match, though, just gave it a different little twist and set up for the babyface to overcome the odds as Sabre would end up stretching Scurll in an ungodly hold that he couldn't escape thus forcing him to tap. Awesome match.
Match rating - ****1/4
Post-match, Scurll looks as if he's going to attack Sabre only to shake his hand just in time for Chuck Taylor, the new number one contender to emerge. And man, once again I wasn't very excited for Chuck/Sabre on paper, but seeing them two in the ring together gave me goosebumps, or moreso seeing Chuck that close to the PWG Title gave me goosebumps because he has been the unsung, beloved hero of PWG since 2008 and now he's getting a chance he's never gotten and god damn this is gonna be good stuff. Perfect way to close out the year.
