Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's DDT4 on May 17 & 18, 2008

[PWG_Silverback]

Thursday, May 15 Update
By Silverback, PWG Staff Writer

As if Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and our affiliated wrestlers have not endured enough bad luck recently, we were informed earlier today that while walking into the Fox Hills Mall to redeem her Orange Julius gift certificate she received for Mother's Day, former PWG employee Judy Sorensen was struck and killed by a piece of orbital debris returning to earth. The news hit the offices of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla pretty hard, though not as hard as say, an instrument panel door sheered off by a space station docking with a shuttle returning to earth at high velocity, but hard enough that Commissioner Dino Winwood was about to send everyone home for the day. That is, until the Commissioner reached for his cell phone to read a text message, then began shouting incoherently about the Japanese, and their lack of ankle support. At first, everyone thought Dino had gone mad with grief over the death of Judy, formerly from accounting, however, the news was much more dire: While wrestling in his home country of Japan, scheduled Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament participant Kota Ibushi broke his ankle, and will be unable to compete in the tournament.

Everyone at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla wish Kota Ibushi a full and quick recovery, and look forward to the day when he is able to make his PWG debut.

With the injuries of Mark Briscoe, Kota Ibushi, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion Human Tornado, it would appear to the outside observer that this year's DDT4 is cursed. Perhaps even Pro Wrestling Guerrilla as a whole is cursed. After all, Commissioner of Food & Beverage Excalibur did "borrow" a bag of beignets from someone who was colloquially referred to as a voodoo priest while in New Orleans for Carnival.

Taking the curse-related talk very seriously, Excalibur dove into his rolodex to find a suitable replacement for Kota Ibushi. Starting at the beginning of the alphabet, Excalibur attempted to contact young Japanese high-flyer AHII, who was thought to be the perfect replacement for Ibushi. However, AHII's number had been disconnected, so the Commissioner of Food & Beverage tried to reach another young Japanese high-flyer, this one with the unlikely name of Catfish Man. Unfortunately, Catfish Man's number now dials a wholesale video game store in Akihabara, which lead to some very interesting conversation. Next, on the list was HUSTLE Kamen Ranger Red, whose roommate said that Ranger Red had moved out quite some time ago, and was to be notified that he had money coming back from the apartment deposit. Making note of it, Excalibur forged ahead, calling several other wrong numbers in hopes of reaching Rabbit Boy, Shanao, UWAI #32, and finally, The★ZEST. After coming up with nothing, especially after The★ZEST sounded so promising, Excalibur spun the rolodex out of sheer frustration and stormed away from his desk.

Upon returning, Excalibur noticed that the rolodex had stopped spinning on the letter Y, and landed on the name Yoshitsune. Desperate for any young Japanese high-flyer at this point, Excalibur, hopes buoyed, phoned Yoshitsune in an attempt to save the World Tag Team Title tournament. As it turned out, Yoshitsune was not home, though his mother, after quite a bit of laughing, mentioned that Excalibur might want to contact her son's "friend," El Blazer, about taking Ibushi's spot in the tournament. Quickly flipping to the E-section and coming up with nothing, Excalibur flipped to Blazer, El. This is when things really began to turn around.

See, El Blazer is known as the premiere high-flyer in professional wrestling today, and it would be a coup for any American wrestling promotion to have him compete at one of their events. And to have El Blazer make his North American debut in a tournament such as DDT4 would be a major coup. In fact, Excalibur had contacted El Blazer earlier this year about competing in DDT4, but Blazer had informed the Commissioner of Food & Beverage that he was unavailable. With trembling fingers, Excalibur hesitantly dialed the fourteen digit telephone number, and reached El Blazer. Speaking in a rush, Excalibur detailed the list of people he attempted to contact, and how Mrs. Yoshitsune was kind enough to suggest that El Blazer schedule may have opened up. After about 10 seconds of silence, then 15 minutes of raucous laughter, El Blazer mentioned that he owed Kota Ibushi a favor, and it would an honor team with KAGETORA in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament.

So now, after a brief period of sheer terror, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is proud to present DDT4, taking place this Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8:00PM and this Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 5:00PM at the Burbank Armory in Burbank California.

Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament Night 1 - Saturday, May 17, 2008

Singles Match
Hook Bomberry vs. Nemesis

DDT4 First Round Match
2.0 (Jagged & Shane Matthews) vs. Los Luchas (Phoenix Star & Zokre)

DDT4 First Round Match
Jack Evans & Roderick Strong vs. Ronin & Scorpio Sky

DDT4 First Round Match
El Blazer & KAGETORA vs. The Dynasty (Joey Ryan & Scott Lost with Jade Chung)

DDT4 First Round Match - Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship Title Match
El Generico & "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen (Champions) vs. Super Dragon & Davey Richards

Plus Austin Aries, Jay Briscoe, TJ Perkins, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion Human Tornado will be on hand to address the fans about his injury, and the status of the World Title!

Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament Night 2 - Sunday, May 18, 2008

Singles Match
"New Guy" Brandon Bonham vs. TJ Perkins

With Austin Aries, Jay Briscoe, and Necro Butcher, plus the teams eliminated in the First Round of DDT4 will compete, and the Semi-Final & Final rounds of DDT4!

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament takes place Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8:00PM and Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 5:00PM at the Burbank Armory. The Burbank Armory is located at 3800 W. Valhalla Dr., Burbank, CA, 91505. Front Row tickets are $30 for each night, or can be purchased in a 2 night package for only $50. General Admission tickets are $25 for each night, or can be purchased in a 2 night package for only $40. Tickets will be available for purchase online until Friday, May 16 at 11:59PM. Any remaining quantity of tickets will be available for purchase at the door on the day of each event. Card and participants are subject to change.


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Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's DDT4 on May 17 & 18, 2008
By Silverback, PWG Staff Writer

El Granada, CA - It has been said on occasion before, and it holds just as true today as it did then: It wouldn't be a Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com) event without changes. Unfortunately, those changes directly effect the Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament (DDT4), taking place on May 17 & 18, 2008 at the Burbank Armory in Burbank, California. The bad news: One of the teams that many fans were picking as the favorites to win DDT4 are out. The good news: If you checked the Weekend Independent Wrestling Injury Report in the New York Times and got worried, there's not as many changes as you might expect. The good-er news: The lineups for the weekend, with both non-tournament and DDT4 matches, have been announced.

Davey Richards was involved in a car accident that kept him out of action over the weekend, however, after speaking to Davey, he assured us that he would take the next few weeks to recuperate, and will be able to compete at DDT4. Also on the injury front, due to a long standing injury that was exacerbated over the weekend, Mark Briscoe has been forced to undergo surgery that will keep him out of action for a considerable period of time. Pro Wrestling Guerrilla wishes Mark Briscoe a quick and complete recovery, and look forward to his return. Jay Briscoe declined the opportunity to chose a new partner for the tournament, so Pro Wrestling Guerrilla management was forced to find a replacement for the Briscoe Brothers. Luckily, they didn't have to look far, when minutes after the news of Mark Briscoe's injury broke, an email arrived in the inbox of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Commissioner of Wrestling Dino Winwood.

While the exact contents of this email remain undisclosed, a few details have been made public. First, the sender alleged that they had video of former PWG Commissioner "SoCal Val" Valerie Wyndham in compromising situations, with "close camera shots, clear audio," and "perfect lighting." If that wasn't enough, attached to the email was a photograph that seemed to confirm exactly what the sender had alleged. Due to his close relationship with Ms. Wyndham, Dino Winwood wanted desperately to help protect her reputation, and responded asking what he could do to keep this information out of the public view. No further details of the conversation have been made public, and Dino Winwood threw his computer (and monitor, for some reason. I mean, it's not like you can retrieve emails from the monitor. Now we have to buy a new one.) out of his third floor window, which luckily was still broken and covered with just a tarp. With the details of the tournament now shrouded in mystery, once can only speculate if Dino Winwood was corresponding with either Shane Matthews or Jagged, members of the team 2.0, who will be making their Pro Wrestling Guerrilla debut and replacing the Briscoe Brothers at DDT4!

While it wasn't easy to find a team to replace the Briscoes, 2.0's record in their native Canada, along with an endorsement by former Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen, Commissioner Winwood is confident that 2.0 will prove to be a worthwhile addition to DDT4. With all eight teams accounted for, the remaining contracts signed, and the ink barely dry, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is proud to announce to scheduled lineup for DDT4, taking place on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2008 at the Burbank Armory in Burbank, CA:

Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament Night 1 - Saturday, May 17, 2008

Singles Match
Hook Bomberry vs. Nemesis

Singles Match
Jay Briscoe vs. TJ Perkins

DDT4 First Round Match
2.0 (Jagged & Shane Matthews) vs. Los Luchas (Phoenix Star & Zokre)

DDT4 First Round Match
Jack Evans & Roderick Strong vs. Ronin & Scorpio Sky

DDT4 First Round Match
Kota Ibushi & KAGETORA vs. The Dynasty (Joey Ryan & Scott Lost with Jade Chung)

DDT4 First Round Match - Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship Title Match
El Generico & "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen (Champions) vs. Super Dragon & Davey Richards

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship Title Match
Human Tornado (Champion) vs. Austin Aries

Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament Night 2 - Sunday, May 18, 2008

Singles Match
"New Guy" Brandon Bonham vs. TJ Perkins

Singles Match/Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship Title Match if Aries wins on Night 1
Austin Aries vs. Jay Briscoe

No Disqualification Street Fight - Non-Title Match if Tornado retains on Night 1
Human Tornado vs. Necro Butcher

Plus the teams eliminated in the First Round of DDT4 will compete, and the Semi-Final & Final rounds of DDT4!

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament takes place Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8:00PM and Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 5:00PM at the Burbank Armory. The Burbank Armory is located at 3800 W. Valhalla Dr., Burbank, CA, 91505. Front Row tickets are $30 for each night, or can be purchased in a 2 night package for only $50. General Admission tickets are $25 for each night, or can be purchased in a 2 night package for only $40. Any remaining quantity of tickets will be available for purchase at the door on the day of each event. Card and participants are subject to change.



-Epilogue-
PWGWinwood (3:47:08AM): we can't let this get out, it will ruin us!
WholeBrevityThing (3:47:28AM): Us?
PWGWinwood (3:47:51AM): well, her. but still, she's such a sweet girl!
WholeBrevityThing (3:48:16AM): Dude, it's not even a secret. It's from that stupid [redacted] site with all that tickling and stomach punching bull[redacted].
PWGWinwood (3:48:47AM): YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS?????
WholeBrevityThing (3:49:09AM): Yeah, worst $40 I ever spent. Seriously.
PWGWinwood (3:49:20AM): WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY!?????
WholeBrevityThing (3:49:35AM): "Excalibur is an idiot. He should have joined [redacted] instead."
PWGWinwood (3:49:47AM): NOT ABOUT YOU ABOUT HER!!!!!
WholeBrevityThing (3:50:06AM): "I hope she got P-A-D for that."
PWGWinwood (3:50:11AM): pad?
WholeBrevityThing (3:50:21AM): Paid, say it out loud.
PWGWinwood (3:50:33AM): how much did she make?
**WholeBrevityThing Signed Off (3:50:38AM)**
**WholeBrevityThing Signed On (3:50:41AM)**
WholeBrevityThing (3:50:56AM): I dunno, a lot, I bet. Someone paid [redacted] like $500 for pictures of her [redacted] feet! It's ridiculous!
PWGWinwood (3:51:32AM): wow
WholeBrevityThing (3:51:40AM): Yeah, so whatever. It's a non-issue. I'm going back to bed.
**WholeBrevityThing Signed Off (3:51:45AM)**

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On May 17 and 18, 2008, eight tag teams will meet at the Burbank Armory for the second ever Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament (DDT4), and much like the first tournament, whichever team wins the final match will be the undisputed Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Champions. Also like last year's tournament, the field of competitors is diverse, being comprised teams from all over the world, and they've all set their sights on the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship.

Already announced for the tournament:

Los Luchas (Phoenix Star & Zokre) - Los Luchas were the first team to qualify for the tournament by winning the Round Robin Qualifier Series earlier this year, and after their impressive victory on April 5, they hope to use that momentum to win the tournament.

El Generico & "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen - By virtue of winning the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team titles at 1.21 Gigawatts on March 21, El Generico and Kevin Steen became the second team to qualify for the tournament. Unlike last year, when the titles were vacant, Generico and Steen will have to defend the titles in each of their matches throughout DDT4 (which means the Championship could change hands a total of three times throughout the course of the tournament).

Ronin & Scorpio Sky - The third team to qualify for DDT4 came as a result of Commissioner Dino Winwood's commitment to sportsmanship, who, after reviewing the footage from the final match of the Qualifier Series, allowed Ronin and Scorpio Sky one more opportunity to capture a spot in the tournament, which they took advantage of.

The Dynasty (Scott Lost & Joey Ryan) - Rounding out the first half of the announced teams are former Tag Team Champions "The Professional" Scott Lost and Joey Ryan, The Dynasty. Lost and Ryan view DDT4 as their chance to prove that they lost the titles due to Super Dragon's interference, and that they are the premiere tag team in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.

The remaining four teams all hail from varying backgrounds, but share a singular goal:

The Briscoe Bothers (Jay & Mark Briscoe) - Hoping to avenge their loss to Roderick Strong and "The Man That Gravity Forgot" PAC in the finals of last year's DDT4, Jay and Mark Briscoe, are prepared to do whatever it takes to win the titles that always seem to elude them.

Jack Evans & Roderick Strong - After his success in the first DDT4, Roderick Strong is back to reclaim the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship, this time with Jack Evans. While these two have been facing each other more often than teaming together as of late, both men are united by a common goal.

Kota Ibushi & KAGETORA - Both making their Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and in one case American, debut, Kota Ibushi and KAGETORA have won over legions of fans in their short careers, and hope that their first foray into Southern California will match the success they've experienced thus far.

Super Dragon & Davey Richards - Arguably the biggest wild card in the tournament due to injuries and personal differences, Davey Richards and Super Dragon hope DDT4 will be a return to form for one of the most successful tag teams ever in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.

While all eight teams have now been announced for the tournament, the first round matches and non-tournament bouts are to be announced. However, we can confirm that Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion Human Tornado will be on hand to defend his title!

Tickets for DDT4 go on sale this Tuesday, April 8, at 8:00AM PDT on the DDT4 mini-site (http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com/DDT4) on prowrestlingguerrilla.com. Front Row tickets are $30 for each night, or can be purchased in a 2 night package for only $50. General Admission tickets are $25 for each night, or can be purchased in a 2 night package for only $40. Any remaining quantity of tickets will be available for purchase at the door on the day of each event. The Burbank Armory is located at 3800 W. Valhalla Dr., Burbank, CA, 91505. Card and participants are subject to change.

[WannaB]

AWESOME!!!

[Meltman]

The last four could've been less predictable (other than the Japanese team, of course), but I'm 100% sure that every match during the course of the tournament will be memorable, which is what truly matters.

[CrOwNMeKiNG23]

Looks really good, three of the teams that I was hoping would be at the tournament are scheduled to be there and one I've never heard of (Kota Ibushi & KAGETORA). I would have liked for MCMG or the team of jacobs and black to be at the event as well but as someone pointed out both jacobs and black are scheduled for some other promotion on may 17? and its not a surprise that MCMG isn't in it but it would've been cool. Regardless though, I am very happy with the teams that have been announced and super dragon and davey coming back will be pretty cool and I hope Super Dragon gets in better wrestling shape for the tournament (I love the guy but he was looking a little chunky at the last show).

[bill1985]

It will be very interesting how the pairings for round one go this year.

[atox]

8 teams? How many were in last years?

[atox]

8 teams? How many were in last years?

Im guessing 8 as well. Its just we had KOW, HP, and others. Should be fun none the less

[CrOwNMeKiNG23]

Yup, 8 teams. here is the fight card for last years DDT4 night 1:

PWG's May 19, 2007 event, the first night of DDT4 to crown new tag team champions plus PWG Title bout! Plus see Toryumon/Dragon Gate stars in action!

Don Fuji vs. Stalker Ichikawa Z
The Briscoe Brothers vs. Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli (Rd. 1)
TJ Perkins vs. Bino Gambino
Ricky Reyes & Rocky Romero vs. Nate Webb & Josh Abercrombie (Rd. 1)
CIMA vs. Bryan Danielson
Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino vs. Chris Bosh & Scott Lost (Rd. 1)
Joey Ryan vs. Ronin
Roderick Strong & PAC vs. Davey Richards & Super Dragon (Rd. 1)
PWG Title: El Generico (c) vs. Kevin Steen

[TigerDriver98]

These are some pretty rad sounding teams. Big surprise with Kota Ibushi & KAGETORA being added. There are so many awesome combinations possible here. I can't wait until they start announcing the matches.

Also I am very happy that it is at the Burbank Armory again. Very happy....

[CheMateo]

This sounds awesome. I'm a bit disappointed that we were not able to get AOTF but regardless I'm very happy with the line up. It has a nice mixture of locals with outside talent. I'm more than content since we get The Briscoes, Super Dragon & Davey and the surprise entrant of Kota Ibushi & KAGETORA. I can't wait to see finalized brackets of the tournament and I wonder what non-tournament matches they have in store for us.

Funnily enough Ibushi wrestles for a promotion called DDT. I can't wait to see his aerial offense live. If Bonzo was able to get over in his first exhibition, Ibushi should blow away the crowd at DDT4.

And it's nice to see a PWG show back in civilization. Hello Burbank!

[CheMateo]

Kota Ibushi is supposed to be making his U.S. debut for ROH later this month. Anyway for those not familiar with Ibushi, I found this tribute video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v0eM-du23k

[bford24]

Great card!!! It has a nice mix of regular teams, returning teams, and new teams. I am sure the non-tournament matches are going to be great just like last year. I love it being back in Burbank, for these major events it is necessary. It will definitely be worth a month.

[bford24]

I meant to say it will be worth the months wait for this show.

[onlxn]

Pretty sweet lineup. Ibushi will be a real treat to see live, the Briscoes were a must, and while they almost never really team anymore, Roddy & Jack are at their best when together. I do kinda wish another outside team had gotten in over Scorp & Ronin -- the great Round Robin just feels so irrelevant now -- but they'll hold up their end just fine.

To be honest, the final I'd like to see is Steen & Generico beating the Briscoes. The Dynasty/SD feud is shaping up as something that won't be centered around the belts, and shouldn't be... the Dynasty just had a nice reign, and Dragon isn't an every-show guy anymore. I'd like to see those teams face off in the first round, and have the losers cost the winners their second-round match. That leaves the finals as Steen & Generico beating the Briscoes, to cement their status as PWG's premier team. It's been run a bunch out East, sure, but the matches are great, and it'd be nice to see our guys get a win for once.

Pretty excited to see how this one shakes out. And the match I most want to see at some point is Strong & Evans vs. Steen & Generico, as I don't think that has ever happened before.

[Meltman]

I'll agree with everyone saying that Evans/Strong vs. Generico/Steen is the ideal final match.

Also, we've GOT to see Evans and Ibushi in there together.

[SenimSilla]

As long as the matches are good, I don't care that two teams from the DDT4 round robin series are in.

[TigerDriver98]

Here is a match in case anyone wants to see KAGETORA & Kota Ibushi as a team:

KAGETORA & Kota Ibushi vs. Shuji Kondo & Kinya Oyanagei from El Dorado:

Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LDDM7ZNN

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFlSGeqLCO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd0e7jHeQaE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13_rr5GAgE

[Meltman]

Thanks for the links, TD.

On the subject of El Dorado, since we was some Dragon Gate guys in non-tournament action last year, anyone else think we'll see the same with El Dorado in May?

[Zwarrior2]

What a line-up, would've liked a different team from Japan but it's always good to see something new. These are the match-ups I would like to see for Round 1.

Match 4: SDDR vs. X Foundation
Match 3: Kota Ibushi & KAGETORA vs. Jack Evans & Roderick Strong
Match 2: Scorponin vs. Steenerico(c)
Match 1: Briscoe Brothers vs. Los Luchas

[Kamikaze]

Damn, great looking line-up. Here's what I'd like to see:

Jack Evans and Roderick Strong vs. Super Dragon and Davey Richards
The Briscoes vs. Los Luchas
Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. Scott Lost and Joey Ryan
Ronin and Scorpio Sky vs. Kota Ibushi and KAGETORA

Jack Evans and Roderick Strong vs. The Briscoes
Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. Kota Ibushi and KAGETORA

Jack Evans and Roderick Strong vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico (Can't believe this hasn't happened yet, it's the perfect match)

I'd like to see Evans and Strong win the titles the most.