Pro Wrestling Guerrilla

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla launched in Southern California in 2003, created by six local wrestlers who wanted full control over their cards and presentation. The founders were Super Dragon, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, Disco Machine, and Top Gun Talwar.

The debut show took place on July 26th, 2003, and set the tone with a mix of sharp comedy, energetic crowds, and ambitious matchups. The founders also wrote tongue-in-cheek announcements and show titles, which became part of the brand’s voice. Over time, Excalibur and Super Dragon handled the core operations as others stepped away.

The Reseda Era and Move to the Globe Theatre

PWG cycled through several Los Angeles venues in its early years, including the Hollywood/Los Feliz JCC, before settling into a long run at American Legion Post 308 in Reseda. The tight space and vocal fans created a distinct atmosphere that many associate with PWG’s prime years.

In 2018, the promotion left Reseda after a series of farewell dates and moved to the Globe Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The Globe allowed larger crowds while preserving PWG’s stripped-down presentation.

Battle of Los Angeles (BOLA) Becomes the Flagship

PWG built a reputation as a destination for top independent talent and international visitors. The promotion paired elite independent wrestlers with rising prospects, then let the matches speak for themselves. In September 2005, PWG introduced the Battle of Los Angeles (BOLA), which quickly became its flagship event.

Future headliners such as Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens), El Generico (Sami Zayn), The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Adam Cole, Bryan Danielson, Bronson Reed, Finn Bálor, Will Ospreay, Sammy Guevara, Keith Lee, WALTER (Gunther), Bandido, and Mike Bailey all featured across the years.

PWG also ran Mystery Vortex, a card that was revealed to fans as it unfolded, and launched the Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament (DDT4) in 2007 to showcase the top tag teams.

Extended Hiatus and Current Status

PWG paused operations during the COVID-19 shutdown, then returned on August 1st, 2021, with Mystery Vortex at the Globe Theatre. The company resumed a limited schedule centered on tentpole shows. The 2023 Battle of Los Angeles took place on January 7–8, 2023, at the Globe, with Mike Bailey winning the tournament.

In November 2023, Super Dragon announced that PWG would pause operations while he cared for a loved one, and noted the intention to return when possible. The statement confirmed no further events would be held in 2023. Activity within the promotion continued to slow, and by mid-2024, the promotion’s website had officially gone dormant.

PWG’s future remains uncertain as of late 2025. There have been public discussions among some well-known former wrestlers, including the Young Bucks, about possible new paths or buyouts, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

The promotion is currently inactive, but it remains well respected for developing wrestlers who later worked for WWE, AEW, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), as well as for raising the standard of independent wrestling in North America.