PWG 2012 Battle of Los Angeles: Night Two Review

PWG wraps up its annual tournament with a bang!

PWG 2012 Battle of Los Angeles: Night Two

Reseda, California 9/2/12

1.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Quarter-Final Round Match – Sami Callihan vs. TJ Perkins: ***1/4

The theme for this show is that the guys who won last night would move on into a blind bracket, meaning that the pairing for the Quarter-Finals on tonight's show would be completely random. Callihan kisses (I think?...Looked like it) Perkins before the match for some reason. The match was a good opener, and a quick one. These two put on a good show. Sami Callihan advances to the Semi-Finals.

2.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Quarter-Final Round Match – Adam Cole vs. Eddie Edwards: ***1/2

Cole is heeling in up once again in this one. These two showed A LOT of personality in this match, definitely more than they show in ROH. This seemed like a normal wrestling match with bits of a comedy match added in. Adam Cole advances to the Semi-Finals.

3.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Quarter-Final Round Match – Brian Cage vs. Michael Elgin: ***1/2

The match started off slow but definitely picked up down the stretch. Kevin Steen interjects himself and costs Cage the match, much like Cage did the night before. Michael Elgin advances to the Semi-Finals.

Steen goes back to beating up Cage after the match until the Young Bucks, who weren't even scheduled to be there, come out. Senior Referee Rick Knox tries to break things up. The Young Bucks & Brian Cage then triple team Knox. They set up for More Bang For Your Buck until El Generico comes out with a chair & runs them off. Knox then lays down a challenge...The Young Bucks & Brian Cage against...Rick Knox & Steenerico!! Steen however, flips them off & leaves, so it looks like it'll be three on two later...for now.

4.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Quarter-Final Round Match – Ricochet vs. Roderick Strong: ***1/2

Once again PWG provided us with an Indy-Dream Match that you won't see anywhere else. It seems like Roderick Strong works some of his better matches against smaller opponents. Ricochet advances to the Semi-Finals.

5.) Six-Man Tag – B-Boy, Willie Mack & Drake Younger vs. Kyle O’Reilly, Davey Richards & Joey Ryan: ***1/2

This is a match made up of guys who were eliminated on Night One. O'Reilly & Richards are dressed like Joey Ryan, making them Team Statutory!! I'm not sure how one rates a match like this. While there was wrestling, it was mostly comedy from the heels (hilarious comedy at that!). This needs to be seen to be believed.

6.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Semi-Final Round Match - Sami Callihan vs. Adam Cole: ***1/4

These two have wrestled each other before in CZW. While it was rather short, it was still pretty good. Adam Cole advances to the Finals. 

7.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Semi-Final Round Match – Michael Elgin vs. Ricochet: ****

Here we get another Indy Dream Match involved Ricochet. Nice. These two put on a great match. Not much else to say. The Power ends up prevailing over speed. Michael Elgin advances to the finals.

8.) Six-Man Tag – The Young Bucks & Brian Cage vs. Rick Knox, El Generico & Kevin Steen: ****

After Steen's rejection, this starts out as a Three-on-Two Match, but part way through Rick Knox gets thrown into the ring post. Steen goes to check on him, and sees Generico in trouble. He offers his hand for tag. Generico looks reluctant, but eventually makes the tag to Steen!! The faces get their act together and eventually pull out the win. This match had a lot of great story telling, especially when Steen entered the match. 

After the match it looks like Kevin Steen & El Generico are going to shake hands, but Steen flips off Generico, followed by Generico flipping off Steen. We won but we're still enemies! Grr!

9.) 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Final Round Match – Adam Cole vs. Michael Elgin: ****

This was another short match (11 Minutes roughly) that ended up being really good. Adam Cole once again shines as a heel. Lots of great stuff from these guys, as you would expect. Adam Cole is the 2012 Battle of Los Angeles Winner!

After the match, Cole cuts a heel promo and calls out the PWG World Champion Kevin Steen. Steen gets in the ring and starts to cut a promo, but is the kicked in the nuts by Cole and struck with his own PWG World Title Belt. Cole takes the BOLA trophy & belt and runs off.

Overall: 9.5/10

While this did not have that one overly awesome match like Night One did, it still had some great moments. The last three matches really brought the show together, and the Team Statutory match is worth watching. Plus....it's PWG...need I say more?