2009 Battle of Los Angeles - Nov 20 & 21!

[onlxn]

If it was Aries vs. Gatson, just for the sake of a big name vs. small name, I don't think anyone would give Gatson a chance in hell.

1) That doesn't mean Gatson can't win. Well, in the specific case of Aries, it's possible that they have some sort of restrictions in terms of who they can job him to. But there's nothing to say that Brandon Gatson can't pin Kevin Steen or Chris Sabin.

2) "There's no way that one guy can beat that other guy" provides better heat for a match than "neither one of these guys is gonna win in the next round, so who cares who wins this one."

Granted, you could turn that on it's head and say since no one expects either guy to get to the second round, we as the crowd will be accordingly quiet and unresponsive, but both those guys can get a reaction. I think when the time comes, they'll put peoples' fears to rest. At least I hope so.

I'm sure the match will go over just fine. I'm sure they all will. It just strikes me as a mistake. BOLA is going to sell out regardless, and people tend to buy it as a two-pack... you don't actually need to overload Night One with big matches. Given that, the tournament should be structured in a way that gets everyone as over as possible. Spanky doesn't get any more over beating Aries than he does beating Nick Jackson (or a comparable babyface)... Spanky's already a star in the promotion and doesn't need a rub. But Brandon Gatson gets a *lot* more over beating Aries than he does beating Nick Jackson. Which does more for Gatson going forward, beating a big star who's the current ROH champ, or beating a guy who's won even fewer PWG singles matches than Gatson has? I mean, if you want to push Gatson, really push him.

I don't even really know why I'm complaining about it... the first round is always booked in this same imbalanced way, and the tourney always comes out fine. It just seems like they don't get nearly as much value out of the requisite fifteen jobs as they should. If you do it right, you can have five guys come out of this tourney with momentum, not just one or two.

[onlxn]

I'm with you on it being a better idea to feed big names to smaller ones if they're to be fed anyway, but saying Gatson wouldn't get a rub from beating Nick Jackson is absurd.

Are you sure? If I'm recalling correctly, Nick Jackson is 0-2 in singles competition in PWG. Gatson's won more singles matches than Nick has. And either Young Buck on their own just doesn't have the heat that they do as a unit. The entire act is what works. Both guys are great performers and get singles matches decently over through their work, but they're not the dynamite heels separately that they are together. There's just not that much value in beating Nick Jackson.

The fed knows what to do when it comes to BOLA and pushes. Last year both Bonham and (especially) Perkins shone like crazy. If both guys hadn't cut ties soon after you know they'd have received major boosts into 2009.

I agree with you on TJ. But Bonham is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Beating Kenny Omega, a relative unknown making his PWG debut, did *not* help Brandon Bonham. In fact, Bonham was not over before or during his match with Nigel... it certainly didn't help that he wrestled a bad match against Nigel, but still, there was no buzz about him. What if you'd switched their first-round matches? What if Nigel had beaten Omega and Bonham had beat Aries? More buzz for Bonham. He'd be coming into a match with Nigel with a huge win already under his belt.

Brandon Bonham came out of BOLA ice-cold last year... if he'd stayed, his push would've lessened. And while a lot of that is because he probably wasn't all that great after all, a part of it is that he got no extra momentum out of his second-round showing in BOLA. You don't become a name beating a no-name.

Also, last year Aries jobbed to Nigel in round 1. Comparing that to the scenario of Kendrick beating him, I'd gladly take the latter over the former, because at least Kendrick is a rather exclusive talent to PWG.

I certainly agree with that. And I'm not saying that this is a new issue... every BOLA has been booked this way, with bizarrely weighted first-round matches. It's pointless to complain about it, I guess, but it's a waste of some perfectly good clean jobs by big indy names.

[Matt Flash]

There's absolutely nothing at all that says he can't be put over Steen or Sabin, you're right. But there's nothing that says it would actually work, either. They're matching up different styles for the first round. Gatson/Jackson is the spotfest, Strong/Sabin is the workrate dream match. Aries/Spanky is the awesome heel dream match. Omega/Steen can be Steen slightly coming to Generico's aid (Steenerico vs. MOLMF would be greatness). Lost vs. LTP is... well... I don't have any answer on that one. But 4/5 ain't bad. That'll still be a fine match.

I'm gonna stop debating this, 'cause really, there's so many ways they could've taken this tournament, it's difficult to nitpick it. There's just too many options. I do see your points, though, onlxn. Saving the bigger matches for the later rounds would work, as well.

[Ebessan]

I'm with you on it being a better idea to feed big names to smaller ones if they're to be fed anyway, but saying Gatson wouldn't get a rub from beating Nick Jackson is absurd.

Are you sure? If I'm recalling correctly, Nick Jackson is 0-2 in singles competition in PWG. Gatson's won more singles matches than Nick has. And either Young Buck on their own just doesn't have the heat that they do as a unit. The entire act is what works. Both guys are great performers and get singles matches decently over through their work, but they're not the dynamite heels separately that they are together. There's just not that much value in beating Nick Jackson.

Nick's 0-2, but Gatson's yet to have a singles match in PWG, so it's still a major test for him. In fact, Gatson, LTP and Matt Jackson are all having their first singles matches at BOLA.

I would consider it a push if Gatson beat Nick. He may not have racked up any singles wins, but he's still 1/2 of the Bucks, the biggest deal in the company this year. Having seen some Bucks singles bouts, I can say I'm really looking forward to Nick's heel antics against Gatson. It may not be both Bucks in 1 match, but this match they won't need both for.

[Ebessan]

What do you guys think will be the Main? My guess is it'll involve 2 of Generico, Joey or Tornado, being World Champs and all.

I really hope that we end up getting Generico/Shelley, though. That'd set up Generico/Strong for night 2 and allow MCMG to tag.

[onlxn]

Both Gatson and LTP won qualifying four-ways to get into the tourney, right? Sure, they weren't traditional one-on-one matches, but each guy has gotten their hand raised as a singles competitor in PWG, unlike Nick.

More to the point, whether Nick is higher or lower on the singles totem pole than Gatson isn't the issue. The issue is, does a win over Nick Jackson make Brandon Gatson a bigger star? And I just don't see that it does. If Gatson beats Kevin Steen, there are no two ways about it: the reaction is, "Wow! That's a huge win for that kid!" With Nick, you *could* argue, "Wow, that kid beat one half of the promotion's hottest act!", but you could just as easily argue, "Well, big whoop... the Bucks never win anything when they're by themselves."

Incidentally, the converse is true. If Nick beats Gatson, you're hoping for a reaction of, "Wow, he beat a singles guy -- these Bucks are good!" But you risk a reaction of, "Well, big whoop... who cares if he can beat some rookie." There's just no guarantee that either guy gets momentum from a win here.

It *could* work out. Nick could call such a confident, impressive match that Gatson gets a rub out of it, or Gatson could be so spectacular in losing that Nick looks legit for outlasting him. But why put all the pressure on the workers to make it click? Why not book the tourney in a way that gives them the best chance to succeed? Omega vs. Nick would be a continuation of a red-hot feud, and Gatson vs. Steen would be a fun rookie vs. legend matchup... you still get Kenny and Gatson into the second round, if that's how you want to go with it. Omega vs. Steen will be great, but with sixteen really good workers, all the matches are going to be great. Why book a match between two guys with no issue and no history of singles success? Why force them to pull the crowd into it on their own, when the booking could have the match over from the get-go?

Whatever, it's all good. Whining over. Back to the matches.

What do you guys think will be the Main? My guess is it'll involve 2 of Generico, Joey or Tornado, being World Champs and all.

I really hope that we end up getting Generico/Shelley, though. That'd set up Generico/Strong for night 2 and allow MCMG to tag.

Sounds right. I'm hoping for Tornado vs. Matt in block B, with Tornado going on to face whichever heel advances (presumably Spanky)... Joey/Cabana in block C, maybe with Joey advancing and losing to Gatson, the surprise semi-finalist... and then, yeah, Generico/Shelley. I was in attendance for their first match at "All Nude Revue", Shelley's PWG debut. It was real fun though, and you'd have to think it'd just be dynamite now.

[PWG_Silverback]

On the official mini-site for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's 2009 Battle of Los Angeles, the final three tournament match-ups have been announced! Checkout the official mini-site for all of the information about this year's 2009 Battle of Los Angeles tournament!

Tickets for this year's two-day tournament event are on sale at the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles mini-site. Tickets for Night One, Night Two, and Two-Night Passes are all available for purchase at the tournament mini-site. Be sure to order your tickets now in order to guarantee yourself a seat for the annual spectacular known as the Battle of Los Angeles!

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's 2009 Battle of Los Angeles - Night One takes place Friday, November 20, 2009, at 8:00 PM at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's 2009 Battle of Los Angeles - Night Two takes place Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 8:00 PM at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. Front Row tickets are $30 per night, and General Admission tickets are $25 per night. Front Row and General Admission Two-Night Passes may be purchased for only $50 (Front Row) and $40 (General Admission).

American Legion Post #308 is located at 7338 Canby Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. Online tickets orders are available through the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles mini-site, and are subject to the PayPal Service Charge (2.9% + $0.30). Tickets purchased in advance allow for priority admittance to the venue, along with guaranteed event seating. Online tickets sales for this event will end on November 17, 2009 at 11:59PM. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Video recording devices are not permitted. Card subject to change.

[bford24]

A nice end to the final first round matchups. I am looking forward to Shelley/Generico, should be a heck of a matchup. It also sets up nicely to have both the MCMG and Young Bucks in the loser tag, which they excel in.

[BOLA4ever]

A nice end to the final first round matchups. I am looking forward to Shelley/Generico, should be a heck of a matchup. It also sets up nicely to have both the MCMG and Young Bucks in the loser tag, which they excel in.

yes true
im seeing Young Bucks Austin Aries and mabey Joey Ryan vs MCMG LTP and Kevin Steen

[TigerDriver98]

Shelley vs Generico II should be great.

Here is my bracket prediction:

Block A:
1. Kenny Omega Over Kevin Steen
2. Scott Lost Over LTP
Block B:
3. Brian Kendrick Over Austin Aries (likely by underhanded means)
4. Joey Ryan over Colt Cabana
Block C:
5. Brandon Gatson over Nick Jackson
6. El Generico over Alex Shelley
Block D:
7. Roderick Strong over Chris Sabin
8. The Human Tornado over Matt Jackson

2nd Round
Kenny Omega Over Scott Lost
Brian Kendrick Over Joey Ryan
El Generico over Brandon Gatson
Roderick Strong Over Human Tornado

Semi-Finals
Kenny Omega over Brian Kendrick
El Generico over Roderick Strong

Losers Tag:
Shelley, Sabin, Colt Cabana, LTP Over The Young Bucks, Austin Aries, Kevin Steen

Finals:
Kenny Omega over El Generico to end the feud, and win the title.

[OSKMIA]

My official final predictions for the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles.

Round 1

Kenny Omega vs. Kevin Steen

Scott Lost vs. Jerome Robinson

Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick

Colt Cabana vs. Joey Ryan

Brandon Gatson vs. Nick Jackson

El Generico vs. Alex Shelley

Chris Sabin vs. Roderick Strong

Matt Jackson vs. Human Tornado


Quarter Finals

Kenny Omega vs. Scott Lost

Brian Kendrick vs. Colt Cabana

Brandon Gatson vs. El Generico

Roderick Strong vs. Human Tornado


Semi Finals

Scott Lost vs. Brian Kendrick

Brandon Gatson vs Roderick Strong


Finals

Scott Lost vs. Roderick Strong

Scott Lost becomes the new PWG World Champion, and the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles winner.


Crazy Loser 8-man Tag

Kevin Steen, Jerome Robinson, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin vs. Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson, Austin Aries, Joey Ryan

[Zwarrior2]

Round 1
Block A
Kenny Omega def. Kevin Steen
Scott Lost def. LTP
Block B
Brian Kendrick def. Austin Aries
Colt Cabana def. Joey Ryan
Block C
Brandon Gatson def. Nick Jackson
El Generico def. Alex Shelley
Block D
Roderick Strong def. Chris Sabin
Human Tornado def. Matt Jackson

Round 2
Block A
Kenny Omega def. Scott Lost
Block C
Brian Kendrick def. Colt Cabana
Block C
El Generico def. Brandon Gatson
Block D
Roderick Strong def. Human Tornado

Round 3
Kenny Omega def. Brian Kendrick
El Generico def. Roderick Strong

Loser Tag
Young Bucks, Aries & Steen def. MCMGs, LTP & Ryan

Final
Kenny Omega def. El Generico
Winner of 2009 BOLA and PWG World Champion: Kenny Omega


Almost the same as TigerDriver. But it wouldn't be the end of Generico/Omega, not even close.

[onlxn]

Fun matches to fill out the first round. And TD98's bracket looks perfect to me.

[PhenomenalONE]

Night One
Round One
1. Kenny Omega Over Kevin Steen
2. Scott Lost Over LTP
3. Brian Kendrick Over Austin Aries
4. Joey Ryan over Colt Cabana
5. Brandon Gatson over Nick Jackson
6. El Generico over Alex Shelley
7. Roderick Strong over Chris Sabin
8. The Human Tornado over Matt Jackson

Night 2
Round 2
1. Kenny Omega b. Scott Lost
2. Brian Kendrick b. Joey Ryan
3. El Generico b. Brandon Gatson
4. Roderick Strong b. The Human Tornado

Non Tournament 4 Way
5. Austin Aries b. Colt Cabana, LTP, and Kevin Steen

Round 3
6. Kenny Omega b. Brian Kendrick
7. El Generico b. Roderick Strong

PWG Tag Team Titles
8. The Young Bucks b. The Motor City Machine Guns

Final Round
PWG World Championship
El Generico b. Kenny Omega

-I decided to switch it up and instead of doing a Losers 8 Man Tag; I did a losers 4 Way and the Tag Team Title Match. Generico is your BOLA 2009 Winner. OLE!

[The Kid from Camp Cabana]

Round One:

Omega over Steen
Lost over LTP
Kendrick over Aries
Joey over Cabana
Nick Jackson over Brandon
Generico over Shelley
Roddy over Sabin
Tornado over Matt Jackson

Round 2

Lost over Omega
Joey over Kendrick
Generico over Nick Jackson
Roddy over Tornado

Round 3

Lost over Joey
Roddy over Generico

Finals

Roddy over Lost

[essayrob]

Gotta be honest, i'm a kenny omega fan, too... really lookin forward to seein him in the BOLA, but don't you think you guys are hyping him up in the tournament a little much? Takin him all the way to the finals?? Even winning the belt??? To be honest, I don't see him getting past the first round, with Kevin Steen. Steen would be much more useful to take further in the tournament, and Omega would be more useful in the tag on the second night. I'm all for Omega and Taylor winning the tag titles eventually, but you guys are way overestimating where he's at at this point in his career in PWG. Tournament goes like this...

Steen over Omega
Lost over Ltp
Kendrick over Aries
Ryan over Cabana
Gatson over Jackson
Generico over Shelley
Strong over Sabin
Jackson over Tornado

Steen over Lost
Kendrick over Ryan
Generico over Gatson
Strong over Jackson

Kendrick over Steen
Strong over Generico

Kendrick over Strong

Not necessarily how I would LIKE to book it, but how I see it going...

I'd LIKE to see a Shelley-Sabin, Aries-Steen semis and then have the finals go whichever way, but I don't see 3 of those makin it outta the first round.

Just my thoughts, maybe I"m wrong and it'll be Omega winning the whole thing

[Ebessan]

Predictions (with most anticipated matches in bold):

Round 1

- Kenny Omega def. "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen
- Scott Lost def. Jerome "LTP" Robinson
- Brian Kendrick def. Austin Aries (Kendrick out-cheats Aries)
- Joey Ryan def. Matt Classic (it's GOTTA be Classic!)
- Brandon Gatson def. "Slick" Nick Jackson
- El Generico def. Alex Shelley
- Roderick Strong def. Chris Sabin
- Human Tornado def. "Mr. Instant Replay" Matt Jackson

Round 2

- Kenny Omega def. Scott Lost (ref doesn't notice Lost kick out/break the pin somehow)
- Brian Kendrick def. Joey Ryan (via cheating)
- El Generico def. Brandon Gatson
- Roderick Strong def. Human Tornado

Round 3

- Kenny Omega def. Brian Kendrick
- Roderick Strong def. El Generico

Round 4

- Scott Lost def. Kenny Omega & Roderick Strong in a Three-Way match

Due to how Lost/Omega ended, Lost interferes in the finals, making it a 3-Way, and wins.

[maxx powerz]

Gotta be honest, i'm a kenny omega fan, too... really lookin forward to seein him in the BOLA, but don't you think you guys are hyping him up in the tournament a little much? Takin him all the way to the finals?? Even winning the belt??? To be honest, I don't see him getting past the first round, with Kevin Steen. Steen would be much more useful to take further in the tournament, and Omega would be more useful in the tag on the second night. I'm all for Omega and Taylor winning the tag titles eventually, but you guys are way overestimating where he's at at this point in his career in PWG. Tournament goes like this...

This is the first time Steen is wrestling out here in 15 months. He's going to be a very occasional guest star at best in PWG in the future. Omega has been arguably the MVP of the year for the promotion. Plus Steen is rumored to be pretty injured and would probably benefit from being in a tag match on Night 2. I'd bet the house on Omega winning against Steen.

As for the rest of the tournament. Wouldn't really stun me if Lost won in round 2. But really, Omega has as much momentum and crowd heat going into this thing as anyone. And PWG has struck while the iron was hot before. Steen was less than a year into his PWG run when he won the belt. So I'm not really sure what you mean when you say we're "overestimating where he's at ... this point in his career in PWG".

[Ebessan]

I hope Omega doesn't win, because it is too soon for him. When Steen won it seemed legit because he was a monster, but his reign wasn't all that great. It was more of a plot device for the Steen/Dragon feud more than anything. I fear a major eventual backlash from the crowd if Omega wins.

[DjEn3rgy21]

I hope Omega doesn't win, because it is too soon for him. When Steen won it seemed legit because he was a monster, but his reign wasn't all that great. It was more of a plot device for the Steen/Dragon feud more than anything. I fear a major eventual backlash from the crowd if Omega wins.

I disagree, I think it would be a good thing if he won. Or if a few of the others won like LOST, GENERICO or RYAN. PWG has been known for making random feuds for outrages reasons. I'd love to see what creative aspects the company can come up with.

This is where new feuds can be created and new possibilities. I think people are taking things so personal at this point that they all want to see their favorite win rather then just let the tournament unfold on it's own.

As I said I'm not a big fan of predictions. Things get ridiculous and dramatic. Which is why I say let the tournament take place and let PWG surprise us.

The tournament is now less than 6 days away, the anticipation is driving us mad with excitement. Lets just go and make it one of the best PWG shows by being fans who love real indie wrestling and enjoying a great show.