Since 2005, independent wrestling promotion PWG has put on an annual tournament known as Battle of Los Angeles. Looking back at past participants, it shows that these tournaments are a bit of a preview for what wrestlers will be on top of the industry. Past participants include AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan, and Kenny Omega, among others. This year’s tournament includes Lucha Underground competitors, a former member of the Cruiserweight Classic, and one former WWE Superstar.
The 2017 Battle of Los Angeles will take place on September 1, 2, and 3 of this year and will feature 24 participants. Let’s take a look at who will be competing.
Flamita
Making his first appearance in the Battle of Los Angeles (BOLA) or PWG in general, Flamita is most known for his work in AAA and Dragon Gate. Following a one-off appearance on Lucha Underground as Night Claw, the now 22-year old Flamita left AAA and has been on the rise in the independent scene.
Keith Lee
Also appearing in his first BOLA, Keith Lee has been a fast-rising name over the past year. At over 300 pounds, Lee is known for his incredible mix of agility, strength, and charisma. Lee worked with Ring of Honor before signing with EVOLVE earlier this year, where he has competed against the likes of Kassius Ohno and Zack Sabre Jr.
Walter
Walter is another big man in the tournament, but he regularly competes in Germany’s Westwide Xtreme Wrestling. He has competed against former WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate and will be making his first appearance in BOLA.
Travis Banks
One-half of Progress Wrestling’s South Pacific Power Trip, Travis Banks has been highly successful, winning championships in Revolution Pro Wrestling, Attack Pro Wrestling, as well as winning Progress’ Super Strong Style ’16 tournament by beating Tyler Bate in the finals. Banks has never previously competed in BOLA or PWG.
Rey Fenix
Also known as just Fenix in Lucha Underground, Rey Fenix is an incredibly talented luchador. While he has never advanced in the BOLA tournament, he has won the PWG World Tag Team Championships alongside Penta El Zero M, as well as all of the titles in Lucha Underground.
Dezmond Xavier
One of Impact Wrestling’s newest X-Division members, Dezmond Xavier is a high-flyer who is making his first BOLA appearance.
Donovan Dijak
As the third large competitor in this tournament, Dijak is known for his series of matches with Keith Lee over the last year. He has won the Ring of Honor Top Prospect Tournament, as well as the Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Championship.
Jeff Cobb
Over the past year, Jeff Cobb has made himself known as an insanely strong competitor. Wrestling under this name and Matanza Cueto in Lucha Underground, Cobb is appearing in his second BOLA after being eliminated in the first round last year.
“Flash” Morgan Webster
This is the first BOLA and PWG appearance for “Flash” Morgan Webster, who is looking to build momentum for himself after suffering an injury. Webster competed in a qualifier for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic against Zack Sabre Jr.
Zack Sabre Jr.
Following his BOLA victory in 2015, Zack Sabre Jr. looks to win the tournament for the second time. Sabre has also competed in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic and EVOLVE.
Sammy Guevara
At just 23 years old, Sammy Guevara already has an impressive list of accolades. Guevara has won ten championships across six different promotions, and he is competing in BOLA for the first time.
Mark Haskins
After being eliminated in the second round of last year’s BOLA, Mark Haskins looks to win the whole thing. Haskins is based in the United Kingdom, where he has won the Progress World Championship.
Jonah Rock
Jonah Rock is accomplished as both a singles and tag team wrestler, winning championships throughout promotions in Australia and Japan. This is his first BOLA and PWG appearance.
Brian Cage
Known just as Cage in Lucha Underground, Brian Cage rivals Jeff Cobb for being the strongest competitor in this tournament. This is his fifth foray into the tournament, and he has never surpassed the quarterfinals.
Rey Horus
Known for his incredibly lucha libre abilities, this is Rey Horus’ first time competing in the tournament. Horus is also known as El Dragon Azteca Jr. on Lucha Underground.
Marty Scurll
After winning the tournament last year, Marty Scurll looks to be the first person ever to win the Battle of Los Angeles two years in a row.
Michael Elgin
Competing all over the globe, Michael Elgin has an incredible list of championships, including the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Elgin has competed in the BOLA finals twice before, but he has failed to win the tournament.
TK Cooper
The other half of the South Pacific Power Trip, TK Cooper is not as accomplished as his partner, Travis Banks. This is also his PWG and BOLA debut.
Matt Sydal
This is Matt Sydal’s sixth BOLA, but he might be better known as WWE Superstar Evan Bourne. In WWE, he captured the Tag Team Championships alongside Kofi Kingston.
Sami Callihan
Sami Callihan has been all over the place. He has competed in every independent promotion imaginable, he worked in NXT as Solomon Crowe, and he is currently featured on Lucha Underground as Jeremiah Crane.
Matthew Riddle
Matt Riddle is one of the fastest rising stars in wrestling since Kurt Angle. Once a former MMA fighter, Riddle has held the Progress Atlas Championship.
Ricochet
When it comes to combining high-flying and strength, Ricochet is one of the best. He was the first-ever Lucha Underground Champion under the name Prince Puma, he has held over a dozen championships, and he won BOLA in 2014.
Penta El Zero M
The last competitor in the tournament has made a huge name for himself over the past couple years. Formerly known as Pentagon Jr., Penta El Zero M is best known for his work in AAA and Lucha Underground where he combines a hard-hitting lucha libre style with natural charisma. He is one half of the current PWG World Tag Team Champions alongside his brother Rey Fenix, and this is his third BOLA.
