Surf Wiki
Save to docs
technology/web

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Battle of Los Angeles (professional wrestling)

Annual independent wrestling tournament by PWG

Summary

Annual independent wrestling tournament by PWG

FieldValue
nameBattle of Los Angeles
promotionsPro Wrestling Guerrilla
firstevent2005
gimmickAnnual single elimination tournament

The Battle of Los Angeles tournament (the BOLA) is an annual independent wrestling tournament in North America, run and promoted by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). It is the flagship event of PWG. Over the years, the tournament has featured numerous notable wrestlers such as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling stars A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels, future WWE world champions Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens), Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan), Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) and Drew Galloway (Drew McIntyre), future AEW world champion Kenny Omega and future Impact world champions Brian Cage, Pentagón Jr., Chris Sabin, Rich Swann, Sami Callihan, John Hennigan (Johnny Impact), Austin Aries and Eddie Edwards.

The tournament setup

The number of participants have often changed over the years. In the first year of the Battle of Los Angeles, there were sixteen participants, with eight opening round matches, four quarterfinal matches, two semifinal matches, and a final. In 2006 the tournament was expanded to 24 participants, which caused the addition of another eight person bracket and created three semifinals matches and an elimination three-way final match. In 2008 the tournament returned to its 16-man format. In 2011, the tournament was completely revamped, taking place for the first time as a one night tournament with only eight participants. In 2014, the tournament reverted to a 24-man format held over three nights. The first two nights are all first-round matches, while the third night contains the quarter-finals and semi-finals before culminating in a three-way match. In 2022, the tournament was reduced to sixteen participants.

All nights also feature non-tournament special attractions, which are usually tag-team matches involving tournament participants from other nights or eliminated wrestlers. Titles are also occasionally defended on these events.

The tournament winner is awarded a title shot for the PWG World Championship. The champion himself often participates in the tournament and if some other wrestler wins the tournament then he is entitled to a title shot. So far, no champion has won the tournament. There have been a few instances where the winner did not receive a title shot. For example, the 2006 winner Davey Richards cashed in on a PWG World Tag Team Championship opportunity instead of challenging for the World Championship. The 2007 winner CIMA did not invoke his title shot while the 2008 winner Low Ki left PWG immediately after winning the tournament due to signing with WWE. The 2009 tournament was itself contested for the vacant PWG World Championship.

Winners, dates, venues and main events

YearTournament winnerTimes wonDateRunner-upCityVenueMain EventRef.
2005Chris Bosh1AJ StylesLos Angeles, CaliforniaHollywood-Los Feliz Jewish Community CenterKevin Steen vs. Super Dragon in the first round of the 2005 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
AJ Styles vs. Chris Bosh in the 2005 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2006Davey Richards1CIMAReseda, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAmerican Legion Post #308B-Boy, Excalibur, Homicide and Human Tornado vs. Petey Williams and The Dynasty (Chris Bosh, Joey Ryan and Scott Lost)
Necro Butcher vs. Super Dragon in a No Disqualification match in the first round of the 2006 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
CIMA vs. Davey Richards in the 2006 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2007CIMA1El Generico and Roderick StrongBurbank, CaliforniaBurbank ArmoryEl Generico and Kevin Steen (c) vs. Dragon Kid and Susumu Yokosuka for the PWG World Tag Team Championship
Dragon Kid vs. Susumu Yokosuka in the first round of the 2007 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
CIMA vs. El Generico vs. Roderick Strong in a three-way elimination match in the 2007 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2008Low Ki1Chris HeroChris Hero vs. Necro Butcher in a No Disqualification match in the first round of the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
Chris Hero vs. Low Ki in the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2009Kenny Omega1Roderick StrongReseda, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAmerican Legion Post #308Alex Shelley vs. El Generico in the first round of the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
Kenny Omega vs. Roderick Strong in the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final for the vacant PWG World Championship
2010Joey Ryan1Chris HeroChris Hero vs. Christopher Daniels in the first round of the 2010 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
Chris Hero vs. Joey Ryan in the 2010 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2011El Generico1Kevin SteenKevin Steen vs. El Generico in the 2011 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2012Adam Cole1Michael ElginDavey Richards vs. Michael Elgin in the first round of the 2012 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
Adam Cole vs. Michael Elgin in the 2012 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2013Kyle O'Reilly1Michael ElginAdam Cole and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero) and T.J. Perkins
Kyle O'Reilly vs. Michael Elgin in the 2013 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2014Ricochet1Johnny Gargano and Roderick StrongMen of Low Moral Fiber (Chuck Taylor and Kenny Omega) and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mount Rushmore (Adam Cole and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson))
The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian)
Johnny Gargano vs. Roderick Strong vs. Ricochet in a three-way match in the 2014 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2015Zack Sabre Jr.1Chris Hero and Mike BaileyMount Rushmore 2.0 (The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) and Roderick Strong) vs. Euro Trash (Marty Scurll, Tommy End and Zack Sabre Jr.)
Mount Rushmore 2.0 (The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) and Super Dragon) vs. Andrew Everett, Biff Busick and Trevor Lee
Chris Hero vs. Mike Bailey vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in a three-way elimination match in the 2015 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2016Marty Scurll1Trevor Lee and Will OspreayMount Rushmore 2.0 (Adam Cole and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)) vs. Bobby Fish, Dalton Castle and Kyle O'Reilly
Matt Sydal, Ricochet and Will Ospreay vs. Mount Rushmore 2.0 (Adam Cole and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson))
Marty Scurll vs. Trevor Lee vs. Will Ospreay in a three-way elimination match in the 2016 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2017Ricochet2Jeff Cobb and Keith LeeRicochet vs. Flamita in the first round of the 2017 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)) vs. Flamita, Penta El Zero M and Rey Fenix
Jeff Cobb vs. Keith Lee vs. Ricochet in a three-way elimination match in the 2017 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2018Jeff Cobb1Bandido and Shingo TakagiLos Angeles, CaliforniaGlobe TheatreRingkampf (Timothy Thatcher and WALTER) vs. Ilja Dragunov and Shingo Takagi
Bandido, Flamita and Rey Horus vs. CIMA and The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz)
Bandido vs. Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi in a three-way elimination match in the 2018 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2019Bandido1David Starr and Jonathan GreshamLucha Brothers (PENTA EL 0M and Rey Fenix) vs. MexaBlood (Bandido and Flamita)
Daisuke Sekimoto and Jonathan Gresham vs. King's Hawaiian (Brody King and Jeff Cobb)
Bandido vs. David Starr vs. Jonathan Gresham in the 2019 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2022Daniel Garcia1Mike BaileyBandido vs. Mike Bailey in the first round of the 2022 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
Daniel Garcia vs. Mike Bailey in the 2022 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final
2023Mike Bailey1Konosuke TakeshitaBandido vs. Black Taurus vs. El Hijo del Vikingo in a Three-way match in the first round of the 2023 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mike Bailey in the 2023 Battle of Los Angeles tournament final

Championship match for winner

: – Championship victory : – Championship match loss : – Did not receive title match

#WinnerEventYearChampionship match
1Chris BoshAfter School Special2005Bosh challenged Kevin Steen for the PWG Championship but lost via disqualification. Bosh received another opportunity for the title against Steen in a Three-Way Dance, also involving AJ Styles but lost again.
2Davey RichardsAll Star Weekend IV - Night 12006Instead of challenging for the PWG World Championship, Richards opted to challenge Arrogance (Chris Bosh and Scott Lost) for the PWG World Tag Team Championship alongside Super Dragon at Self-Titled but failed to show up. Dragon instead teamed with B-Boy to defeat Arrogance. Richards got his title opportunity at All Star Weekend IV by teaming with Roderick Strong to defeat Dragon and B-Boy for the titles.
3CIMAN/A2007After winning the tournament, CIMA left PWG to compete in his home promotion Dragon Gate in Japan and returned to PWG in 2008.
4Low KiN/A2008After winning the tournament, Low Ki left PWG due to signing a developmental contract with WWE and did not return to the promotion until 2011.
5Joey RyanCard Subject To Change III2010Ryan successfully defended his title shot against Candice LeRae at the 2011 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament. Ryan challenged Claudio Castagnoli for the PWG World Championship at Card Subject To Change III but lost.
6El GenericoSteen Wolf2011Generico defeated Kevin Steen in a ladder match to win the PWG World Championship.
7Adam ColeMystery Vortex2012Cole defeated Kevin Steen in a Guerrilla Warfare to win the PWG World Championship.
8Kyle O'ReillyMatt Rushmore2013O'Reilly challenged Adam Cole for the PWG World Championship but lost.
9RicochetBlack Cole Sun2014Ricochet challenged Kyle O'Reilly for the PWG World Championship but lost.
10Zack Sabre Jr.All Star Weekend 12 - Night 22015Sabre defeated Roderick Strong to win the PWG World Championship.
11Marty ScurllMystery Vortex IV2016Scurll challenged Zack Sabre Jr. for the PWG World Championship but lost.
12RicochetAll Star Weekend 13 - Night 22017Ricochet defeated Chuck Taylor to win the PWG World Championship.
13Jeff CobbSmokey and the Bandido2018Cobb defeated WALTER to win the PWG World Championship.
14BandidoMakings of a Varsity Athlete2019Bandido defeated Jeff Cobb to win the PWG World Championship.
15Daniel GarciaDelivering The Goods2022Garcia defeated Bandido to win the PWG World Championship.
16Mike BaileyTwenty: Mystery Vortex2023Bailey lost to Daniel Garcia in an Iron Man match for the PWG World Championship.

The 2009 Battle of Los Angeles winner did not receive a title match as the tournament itself was for the vacant PWG World Championship. Kenny Omega defeated Roderick Strong in the tournament final to win the vacant title.

References

References

  1. (October 14, 2007). "BG Says: PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2005".
  2. (January 9, 2009). "The Furious Flashbacks – PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2005".
  3. (January 24, 2009). "The Furious Flashbacks – PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2006".
  4. (April 14, 2011). "The Furious Flashbacks – PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2007 Night One".
  5. (April 15, 2011). "The Furious Flashbacks - PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2007 Night Two".
  6. (April 16, 2011). "The Furious Flashbacks – PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2007 Night Three".
  7. (September 9, 2012). "Colling It In The Ring Reviews: PWG Battle of Los Angeles Stage One 11/1/2008".
  8. (September 10, 2012). "Colling It In The Ring Reviews: PWG Battle of Los Angeles Stage Two 11/2/2008".
  9. (March 5, 2010). "Break It Down: PWG 2009 Battle of Los Angeles – Night One".
  10. (March 9, 2010). "Break It Down: PWG 2009 Battle of Los Angeles – Night Two".
  11. Alvarez, Bryan. (September 5, 2010). "PWG Battle of LA Night One report". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  12. Massingham, Matt. (August 21, 2011). "8/20 PWG results in Reseda, Calif.: BOLA tournament winner, Young Bucks not shaking hands turned into angle, Tag Title match, Finlay debuts". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  13. (September 3, 2012). "RECAP of PWG’s BOLA 2012 Night One".
  14. (September 3, 2012). "RECAP of PWG’s BOLA 2012 Night Two".
  15. (August 31, 2013). "PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2013 RESULTS".
  16. (September 1, 2013). "2013 PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES WINNER IS.....".
  17. (2014-08-30). "Show results – 8/29 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 1: A.J. Styles vs. former WWE star, Elgin, Daniels & Kaz, more". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  18. (2014-08-31). "Show results – 8/30 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 2: Sabin returns, Sydal vs. Hero, Bucks vs. Daniels & Kaz main event". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  19. (2014-08-31). "Show results – 8/31 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 3: The Finals of huge tournament with Styles, former WWE stars, PWG champ, ROH champ, mega-tag match, Willie Mack says good-bye". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  20. (2015-08-28). "Show results – 8/28 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 1: First Round matches, plus big main event of PWG Champ & Tag Champs vs. Team Europe". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  21. (2015-08-30). "Show results – 8/29 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 2: Guerrilla Warfare main event, First Round matches with Drew Galloway, Chris Hero, more". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  22. Caldwell, James. (2015-08-30). "Show results – 8/30 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 3: This year's BOLA Winner determined, plus mega tag matches, more details". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  23. Meltzer, Dave. (2016-09-03). "PWG Battle of Los Angeles night one results: BOLA begins". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  24. Meltzer, Dave. (2016-09-04). "PWG Battle of Los Angeles night two results: A phenomenal night of action". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  25. Meltzer, Dave. (2016-09-05). "PWG BOLA Night 3 results: A winner is crowned; Young Bucks vs. Pentagon Jr & Fenix". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  26. Meltzer, Dave. (2017-09-02). "PWG BOLA night one results: Chosen Bros vs. Dijak & Lee". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  27. Meltzer, Dave. (2017-09-03). "PWG BOLA night two results: The Elite vs. Penta 0M, Rey Fenix & Flamita". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  28. Meltzer, Dave. (2017-09-04). "PWG BOLA night three results: The winner is crowned". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  29. Meltzer, Dave. (2018-09-15). "PWG BOLA night one results: Ringkampf vs. Dragunov & Takagi". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  30. Meltzer, Dave. (2018-09-16). "PWG BOLA night two results: First round concludes". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  31. Meltzer, Dave. (2018-09-17). "PWG BOLA night three results: Tournament winner crowned". [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]].
  32. (September 21, 2019). "PWG BOLA night one results: Lucha Bros vs. Flamita & Bandido".
  33. (September 22, 2019). "PWG BOLA night two results: Cobb & King vs. Sekimoto & Gresham".
  34. (September 23, 2019). "PWG BOLA night three results: The 2019 champion is crowned".
  35. (January 30, 2022). "PWG Battle of Los Angeles night one results: Opening round matches".
  36. (January 31, 2022). "PWG Battle of Los Angeles night two results: A tournament winner is crowned".
  37. (January 8, 2023). "1/7 PWG BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2023 NIGHT ONE RESULTS FROM LA".
  38. (January 9, 2023). "PWG Battle of Los Angeles night two results: A winner is crowned".
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

professional-wrestling-tournaments professional-wrestling-in-los-angeles recurring-events-established-in-2005 battle-of-los-angeles-(professional-wrestling) pro-wrestling-guerrilla-shows
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Battle of Los Angeles (professional wrestling) — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report