By Silverback, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Staff Writer
Just a few hours ago, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla received word from Davey Richards that he was on his way to the hospital with what would ultimately be diagnosed as a staph infection. Davey will be kept in the hospital at least overnight for treatment and observation, which means that he will not be able to compete on Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's eighth anniversary event, EIGHT, taking place tomorrow night at 8PM in Reseda, CA.
We wish Davey the very best in his treatment and recovery, and look forward to seeing him challenge for the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship in the future.
We would also like to inform fans that the opening contest of tomorrow evening's event will feature the returning "Man That Gravity Forgot" PAC taking on "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen in a rematch years in the making!
General Admission tickets will be on sale at the door for only $25, so do not miss your chance to celebrate eight years of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and see the absolute best professional wrestling in the universe!
Low Ki out, CIMA in at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT on July 23!
By Silverback, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Staff Writer
North Hollywood, CA - In a bit of unfortunate news, Low Ki has contacted Pro Wrestling Guerrilla to inform us that he was pulling himself off of our eighth anniversary event, EIGHT, taking place on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. Low Ki said that he would be missing the event due to "personal issues." With that information in mind, as Freddie Mercury famously sang, the show must go on.
On any normal show, this situation could be seen as a huge blow to the event. However, on July 23, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla will be celebrating eight years of not just the best professional wrestling in the entire universe, but eight years of rolling with the punches. If, for some strange reason, one were to think that Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's events were not the best in the universe (to be fair, we hear good things about Kaylar Pro Wrestling on Rigel VII), that person would have to at least admit that Pro Wrestling Guerrilla was the leader in making the best of a bad situation. So fear not, loyal fan of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, we, along with some of the best professional wrestlers from around the world, have got you covered.
Low Ki's absence on July 23 leaves former Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion Chris Hero without an opponent at EIGHT, which at first may seem like a bad thing. After all, Chris Hero is a professional wrestler, and as a professional, if he doesn't wrestle, he doesn't get paid. However, things have a way of working themselves out in professional wrestling, especially if during your most recent shot at reclaiming the title the top rope broke, leading to some people (including the Board of Directors) clamoring for a rematch. Oddly enough, that was exactly what happened when Claudio Castagnoli defended the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship against Chris Hero at All Star Weekend 8!
But to grant Chris Hero a straight-up rematch with Claudio Castagnoli would do a huge disservice to fellow former champion Davey Richards, who is scheduled to challenge for the World Championship at EIGHT. So in the interest of fairness, and in the interest of making this eighth anniversary event the best eighth anniversary event Pro Wrestling Guerrilla will ever have, Claudio Castagnoli will now defend the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship against Davey Richards and Chris Hero in a single fall, three-way title match!
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT takes place on July 23, 2011 at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA at 8:00PM. General Admission tickets are available right now on the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Ticket Page. EIGHT is scheduled to feature:
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship Title Three-Way Match
Claudio Castagnoli (Champion) vs. Davey Richards (Challenger) vs. Chris Hero (Challenger)
Non-Title Tag Team Grudge Match
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. CIMA & "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen
Tag Team Match
El Generico & Ricochet vs. Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong
Dream Rematch
"The Man That Gravity Forgot" PAC vs. "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen
Tag Team Match
The Dynasty (Joey Ryan & Scorpio Sky) vs. RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma)
Singles Match
Brian Cage-Taylor vs. Brandon Gatson
Singles Match
"Pretty" Peter Avalon vs. Ryan Taylor
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT takes place Saturday, July 23, 2011, at 8:00 PM at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. American Legion Post #308 is located at 7338 Canby Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. Front Row tickets are sold out, and General Admission tickets are $25. Online tickets orders 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 July 19, 2011, at 11:59PM. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Tickets are not refundable. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the premises. Video recording devices are not permitted. Card subject to change.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT on July 23 Gets Even Bigger!
By Silverback, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Staff Writer
North Hollywood, CA -As if Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's eighth anniversary event, EIGHT, wasn't already special enough, we have a late addition to the lineup that makes things a little more noteworthy: Dragon Gate's CIMA will be making his Pro Wrestling Guerrilla return on July 23, 2011 at EIGHT!
It was just a few weeks ago at All Star Weekend 8 that the fans of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla bid farewell to Akira Tozawa, the Dragon Gate star that was on a one year learning excursion in the United States. While his fans, and most of his fellow wrestlers, were more than willing to give the respect and thanks due to Tozawa for his contributions to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in the last year, two men were a bit... reluctant. In fact, the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Tag Team Champions Matt and Nick Jackson were so offended by what they felt as Akira Tozawa stealing the spotlight from the world's premiere tag team that they attacked Tozawa after his tough tag team contest with the RockNES Monsters. Though Chris Hero and Kevin Steen were eventually able to run off The Young Bucks, the lack of respect from the champions was clear. To make matters worse, the Bucks were telling everyone that would listen, and many that wouldn't, about how they ran roughshod over every tag team they faced in Dragon Gate, and the only reason they left was because there was "no competition."
Once word, and footage, of The Young Bucks disrespect toward both Tozawa and Dragon Gate reached Japan, the outrage was palpable. CIMA reached out to the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Board of Directors and asked, not for a shot at the World Tag Team Championship, but for a shot at the "boys that call themselves men." Unfortunately for CIMA, the lineup for EIGHT was already announced, and The Young Bucks were slated the defend the titles against Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky, newly reunited as The Dynasty. However, Joey and Sky have had their fair share of run ins with Matt and Nick Jackson in the past, and knew just how easily the Bucks can get under someone's skin, so they graciously stepped aside to allow CIMA to take aim at The Young Bucks in a non-title match! The Dynasty will receive their title shot at the next Pro Wrestling Guerrilla event.
One part of the plan was complete for CIMA, but he still needed a partner. Akira Tozawa would be a natural choice, but having just recently returned to Japan, and fighting tooth and nail with Shingo Takagi means he would be unable to return. But if not Tozawa, why not his tag team partner, "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen? Though Steen is already slated to face "The Man That Gravity Forgot" PAC, he has agreed to team with CIMA to not only defend the honor of his friend Akira Tozawa, but to also get his hands around the scrawny little necks of The Young Bucks one more time. Once again, Kevin Steen will be wrestling twice in the same night out of not just love of the sport, but also for the love of beating people up. Perhaps it's time to change his nickname to "Mr. The Hardest Working Man in Professional Wrestling?"
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT takes place on Saturday, July 23 at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. General Admission tickets are still available, and can be purchased online at the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla ticket page. EIGHT is scheduled to feature:
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship Title Match
Claudio Castagnoli (Champion) vs. Davey Richards (Challenger)
Non-Title Tag Team Grudge Match
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. CIMA & "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen
Dream Rematch I
Chris Hero vs. Low Ki
Tag Team Match
El Generico & Ricochet vs. Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong
Dream Rematch II
"The Man That Gravity Forgot" PAC vs. "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen
Tag Team Match
The Dynasty (Joey Ryan & Scorpio Sky) vs. RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma)
Singles Match
Brian Cage-Taylor vs. Brandon Gatson
Singles Match
"Pretty" Peter Avalon vs. Ryan Taylor
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT takes place Saturday, July 23, 2011, at 8:00 PM at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. American Legion Post #308 is located at 7338 Canby Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. Front Row tickets are sold out, and General Admission tickets are $25. Online tickets orders 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 July 19, 2011, at 11:59PM. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Tickets are not refundable. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the premises. Video recording devices are not permitted. Card subject to change.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla "Imaginatively" Names Eighth Anniversary Event EIGHT;
Takes Place July 23; Company May Have Used Same Joke Last Year; Could be Running Out of Ideas
By Silverback, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Staff Writer
North Hollywood, CA - Like a chimpanzee riding in the sidecar of the motorcycle that is professional wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com) started out as an amusing diversion, but soon climbed from the sidecar, viciously mauled the face of the driver, and is now steering the bike into uncharted territory. If that fails to make sense, you are welcome to come up with your own equally confusing metaphor, but it does not change the fact that on July 23, 2011, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla will be celebrating our eighth anniversary with our next live event, EIGHT, at American Legion Post #308 in pastoral Reseda, CA.
EIGHT, of course, is not to be confused with the recently completed All Star Weekend 8, because that is designated by the numeral and not… well, whatever, you're a smart bunch.
Also like a chimpanzee now driving the motorcycle, even after all this time, we've still got some pretty neat tricks up our sleeve. Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT is scheduled to feature:
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship Title Match
Claudio Castagnoli (Champion) vs. Davey Richards (Challenger)
-- In the last eight years there have been three men to vacate the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship: Low Ki, "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson, and Davey Richards. Bryan Danielson is currently working with National Geographic and researching the flora and fauna of the entire Equatorial Amazonian region, or something, and cannot challenge for the title. Low Ki received his shot at reclaiming the title on Night Two of All Star Weekend 8, and while he came very close, was ultimately defeated by current World Champion Claudio Castagnoli. That leaves Davey Richards.
Davey Richards was the last man to hold the World Championship before Claudio, but was forced to vacate the title due to commitments in Japan. Now that his schedule has stabilized, Davey is prepared to take back the title he fought so hard to claim in the first place. While he might seem to be at a severe size disadvantage against Claudio Castagnoli, Davey has been fighting larger guys all his life and is well aware of how to level the field. On the other hand, Claudio proved at All Star Weekend 8 that he is fully capable of dispatching opponents of all sizes, defeating Chris Hero and Low Ki on consecutive nights.
Both Claudio Castagnoli and Davey Richards had to overcome much to capture the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship title. Both men plan on leaving the main event of EIGHT with the title around their respective waists. Will the champion add to his legacy at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's eighth anniversary, or will the challenger reclaim the title and finish the chapter of history that has gone unwritten?
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship Title Match
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson - Champions) vs. The Dynasty (Joey Ryan & Scorpio Sky - Challengers)
-- When Matt and Nick Jackson first won the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship titles, no one expected their reign to last for very long. After all, they were just a pair of young, happy-go-lucky kids that could do some nice flips. Fifteen successful title defenses later and The Young Bucks had become the most dominant tag team in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla history. Now that they are two defenses into their second title reign, tag teams around the world have taken notice and are jockeying for a shot at The Young Bucks, but at EIGHT, the challengers will be a team from close to home.
Not only were Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky featured on the very first Pro Wrestling Guerrilla event eight years ago, they also played a big part in the Jackson brothers' professional development. At one point in time, the Bucks really were just skinny kids that did flips, but by training with Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky, Matt and Nick Jackson were able to build a foundation that has allowed them to flourish as the top tag team in professional wrestling. When The Dynasty reformed at All Star Weekend 8, their goal was to return to the top of the tag team scene. Now, eight years after their Pro Wrestling Guerrilla debut, The Dynasty has chance to prove that the masters are still the masters, not the students. But has this opportunity to challenge The Young Bucks come too soon after reuniting for Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky?
Dream Rematch I
"The Man That Gravity Forgot" PAC vs. "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen
-- He might be "The Man That Gravity Forgot," but PAC is certainly not the man that fans forgot. Since his last match in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, nearly three years ago at All Star Weekend 7, fans have been clamoring for his return, and at EIGHT, those fans will get their wish. For those that have never experienced what the Newcastle, England native can do inside of (and above) a professional wrestling ring, we would like to direct your attention to February 24, 2007 and Holy Diver Down, where PAC took on "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen in a match that, to this very day, is still spoken about in reverent tones.
Since that rainy day in 2007, each man's career has taken them down very different paths. Kevin Steen went on to become one of the best known independent professional wrestlers in North America, cementing his position near the top of that list after his brutal feud with long-time rival El Generico. On the other hand, PAC began wrestling in Japan for Dragon Gate in late 2007, and since then, thanks to his innovative, high-flying style, he has become a full-time member of the Dragon Gate roster. PAC's role in Dragon Gate has severely limited his professional wrestling appearances outside of Japan, but he left an indelible mark on Pro Wrestling Guerrilla during his first tour of duty, so we are just as excited as the fans to see how the world's best high-flyer has grown as a professional wrestler in the last three years.
Dream Rematch II
Chris Hero vs. Low Ki
-- If you are a fan that missed the PAC-period of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, you also may have missed the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles, and more specifically, the final round match between Low Ki and Chris Hero. After a grueling weekend of hotly contested tournament matches, Hero and Low Ki met in what would be politely described as an Ass Kicking Contest. And that's the polite description. The tournament was up for grabs, and it seemed like both men were attempting to end each other's career, if not life. Every strike was thrown with not just bad intentions, but malicious, hateful intentions.
Though he won the match and the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles, this match would be Low Ki's last match in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla until 2011 due to professional obligations to the World Wildlife Fund. Despite losing the match and tournament, Chris Hero's career flourished immediately after the loss, becoming the winningest champion in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla history, and one of the most accomplished tag team wrestlers in the entire world.
Both Low Ki and Chris Hero were defeated by Claudio Castagnoli at All Star Weekend 8, and now find themselves on the fringes of the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla title picture. A victory here for either man would do much to help restore their standing as a top competitor to the title, but if their first encounter was any indication of what to expect, neither man may be the same, or alive for that matter, after the rematch.
Tag Team Match
El Generico & Ricochet vs. Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong
-- The Dynasty were not the only team to reunite at All Star Weekend 8; Austin Aries, Alex Shelley, and Roderick Strong once again joined forces and put pretty much all of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on notice. Though it seemed they would compete as a trio, with Austin Aries out of action for an indeterminate length of time, that leaves just Shelley and Strong to settle scores both new and old.
Unfortunately for El Generico and Ricochet, they now find themselves in the sights of Alex Shelley and Roderick Strong. Originally set to meet in singles competition at All Star Weekend 8, the rivalry between Generico and Ricochet seems to have been squashed, or at least set aside, as the two men work toward a Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Championship title match. Even though their record as a tag team stinks (0-2), each man possesses enough raw talent that if the two were ever able to cooperate they could become the most dangerous tag team in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
Can Ricochet and El Generico work out the kinks afflicting their less than perfect union, or will Alex Shelley and Roderick Strong run roughshod over the tag team competition in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla?
Singles Match
"Pretty" Peter Avalon vs. Brandon Gatson
Tag Team Match
Fightin' Taylor Boys (Brian Cage-Taylor & Ryan Taylor) vs. RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma)
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's EIGHT takes place Saturday, July 23, 2011, at 8:00 PM at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA. American Legion Post #308 is located at 7338 Canby Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. Front Row tickets are $30, and General Admission tickets are $25. Online tickets orders 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 July 19, 2011, at 11:59PM. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Tickets are not refundable. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the premises. Video recording devices are not permitted. Card subject to change.