Pro Wrestling Guerrilla presented “Kurt Russellmania” as part of WrestleReunion 4 at the LAX Hilton in Los Angeles, California. Inside the International Ballroom, there was without question the largest crowd for a PWG show ever. No one could figure a good estimate of how many were in attendance, though the popular figures ranged between 800 and 1,000.

A band by the name of Kushinator played some songs before the start of the show. They were brought in specifically to play Rob Van Dam’s new entrance theme “The Whole Fuckin’ Show.” I personally don’t think they were as terrible as everyone else said they were, they just weren’t anything special. They gave out free copies of their CD to the first forty who asked and as “The Whole Fuckin’ Show” became more and more catchy over time, fans were trying to snag whatever discs remained.

The show opened roughly on time with WrestleReunion head promoter Sal Cornette thanking everyone for coming. He asked that everyone swing by the next day for the closing festivities so that there would be an incentive for WrestleReunion to return next year. He then handed the microphone over to Excalibur and Jon Ian. Excalibur teased that the name of the show was actually “JaMarcus Russellmania” before being reminded that he was mistaken. They then ran down the code of conduct before being interrupted by The Young Bucks and Brian Kendrick.

The Young Bucks proclaimed that they were bigger stars now than ever before and announced that they would no longer be held down by their “gimmick names” and revirted to their TNA identities of Max and Jeremy, Generation Me. They then turned their attention to Brian, saying that he was not needed. Realizing he had been turned on, Brian tried to fight off Generation Me as best as he could until they overwhelmed him. Then Paul London suddenly appeared and cleared house. He asked Brian to reunite, which he gladly did, and both wanted to take on Generation me that night. Excalibur, mistaken as Octagon by London, said from the announce booth that he would get back to them on the matter.

The match subtitles weren’t announced, but I like them a lot so I’ll be listing them any way.

“Tombstone” Eight-Person Tag Team Match
The Cutler Brothers (Brandon and Dustin), Ryan Taylor and Christina Von Eerie vs. Johnny Goodtime, Malachi “CK” Jackson, Candice LaRae and Jerome “LTP” Robinson
Nice, fun little opener with everyone getting a chance to showcase their skills before arguably the largest crowd any one of them had wrestled in front of. The heels isolated Candice and later LTP for a good chunk of the match before it descended into a free-for-all with everyone hitting their signature moves. The finish saw the Cutlers pin Candice with their piledriver/tombstone double-team that was just sick to see.
Winners: The Cutler Brothers (Brandon and Dustin), Ryan Taylor and Christina Von Eerie

“Stargate” Singles Match
Bradon Gatson vs. Brandon Bonham
This was Bonham’s PWG return since BoLA ‘08. I understand he was doing some stuff outside the state for most of last year before returning. Fun little “Let’s go Brandon!” chants sounded to start the match. A good, nicely crafted technical battle with both taking their time to hit their moves. Even matched that went back and forth until Gatson nailed his finisher for the win. Good match and certainly showed the potential both will no doubt realize as their careers progress.
Winner: Brandon Gatson

Excalibur hit the ring to announce that there was an unfortunate change in the card as a very heavy snowstorm prevent Chuck Taylor from attending the show. One fan tried to be cute by demanding Chuck be there, to which Excalibur went off on him saying something to the extent of “Do you own a snowplow fucker? Do you salt the fucking roads? If not, then shut the fuck up motherfucker and let me do my promo.” Obviously, the crowd loved this. So Excalibur announced the change in the card for three matches. Human Tornado, Chuck’s scheduled partner, would face Super Crazy. Davey Richards, Super Crazy’s originally scheduled opponent, would face Kevin Steen. So that left Kendrick and Generation Me without matches. Excalibur announced that he would accept the earlier request and grant Paul London and Brian Kendrick to face Generation Me. Only the match would be non-title.

“Tequila Sunrise” Singles Match
The Human Tornado vs. Super Crazy
Tornado immediately jumped Crazy after the bell and both engaged in a short, yet sweet match that was fast-paced and high flying throughout. Crazy may have a gut, but he managed to hang in there for Tornado. A fun, lucha-style match that ended with Tornado managing to float over a brainbuster attempt and hit both the Dat Nigga Dead followed by the Spiral Tap, which saw him land on his head, to get the win. Crazy bailed right away, but gave Tornado an approving bow at the entrance.
Winner: The Human Tornado

“Captain Ron” Singles Match
Davey Richards vs. “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen
As much as this was a stiff match, this was also quite the comedy match with Steen playing up gay innuendos early. At one point, they ventured out into the crowd and used the band’s drums for some action. Once they were back in the ring, it was all business as they went about having a very good, physically hard-hitting match. Davey might have sprained his back, and later his ribs, a bit, but pressed on until he successfully locked Steen in armbar to make him tap. Good showing by all.
Winner: Davey Richards

After the match, Davey simply stated that he was coming after Kenny Omega for the PWG Championship.

“Overboard” Tag Team Match
The Dynasty (Scott Lost and Joey Ryan) vs. KAI and The Great Muta
Say what you will about his age, but Muta could still turn it on when he needed to and this night was no exception. He was also the first to receive the streammer treatment from the fans. All four put on a great little tag match that was filled with a lot of energy in the crowd, so I’m not sure how well that will translate on DVD. Muta and KAI worked over Lost for most of the match until he could make the tag to Joey. The three younger wrestlers started going for their signature moves while Muta was bidding his time. When the referee was distracted, he sprayed the green mist into Lost’s eyes. KAI nailed a super kick and then Muta finished Lost off with the Shining Wizard for the win. Just a fantastic match, mostly from seeing Muta live. Rating: *** 1/2
Winners: KAI and The Great Muta

Intermission. Christina Von Eerie, Chris Hero, and I believe Colt Cabana were hanging out at the merchandise table signing autographs. Ron Simmons was spotted in attendance enjoying the show. After intermission, WrestleReunion 4 host Bill Apter came out to repeat what Sal had done earlier.

The convention had a silent auction with one of the prizes being a chance to announce a match of one’s choice on the show. The winner Kirby, who I learned was a part-time ring announcer in Chicago, chose the next match. He was pretty good, but the Southern California fans would accept nothing less than Jon Ian as their ring announcer so they booed the poor fellow at first.

“Big Trouble in Little China” Singles Match
El Generico vs. Jushin “Thunder” Liger
This was a dream match for Southern California fans as Generico against just about any top quality wrestler was sure to be an instant match. This was no exception as Generico and Liger had an awesome singles match. Liger was in form for the match, going blow for blow with Generico all the way through and earning the streammer treatment he got during his entrance. A number of great false finishes, particularly one where Generico hit the coast to coast front flip dropkick and followed with a brainbuster, resulted in the first “This is awesome!” chant of the night. It would be Liger who would be victorious after slipping out of the BRAINBUSTAAAH attempt with a Running Liger Bomb, the CTB, and then a brutal brainbuster for the pin. A richly deserved standing ovation after the match. Rating: ****
Winner: Jushin “Thunder” Liger

“Escape From L.A.” Non-Title Tag Team Match
Brian Kendrick and Paul London vs. Generation Me (Max and Jeremy)
The band Kushinator played one of their songs “Fucked Up and Fly/Ganja” for Kendrick and London. London came out in full spaceman suit with toy ray gun. Awesome! To play a face team one night and then a heel team the next night before roughly the same crowd takes a great deal of talent. Generation Me pulled it off fantastically, using great heel tactics during the majority of the match to get the heat rolling. London and Kendrick eventually started making the comebacks and soon it was a free-for-all with everyone hitting special moves, resulting in another “This is awesome!” chant for the night. The finish saw London counter the More Bang For Your Buck finisher, leading to Kendrick hitting an unsuspecting Max with the Sliced Bread No. 2 and London capping it off with the Shooting Star Press for the win. Another great match. Rating: ****
Winners: Brian Kendrick and Paul London

“Sky High” Three-Way Match
Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero vs. Rob Van Dam
Kushinator played RVD’s new theme “The Whole Fuckin’ Show” once again, further adding to the addictiveness the song had suddenly become. RVD was also the last to get the streammer treatment. Competitve three-way match with the majority seeing two wrestlers go at it until one gets dumped and the third man jumps in. RVD was in form, putting to rest doubts of his ability to hang with Hero and Strong. All three put forth an excellent match that won the fans over. Each one got to hit their signature moves at certain points throughout the match before the finish. At the finish, Hero ducked an RVD chair toss, which was caught by Strong. Hero suddenly did a roaring elbow into the chair that slammed Roddy in the face. RVD managed to knock Hero out of the ring before hitting the laid out Strong with the Five Star Frog Splash for the win. A very good end to a really good night that featured wrestling’s past, present, and potential future. Rating: *** 1/2
Winner: Rob Van Dam

At the end of the show, Hero got on the microphone and proclaimed that he was still entitled to an immediate rematch for the PWG Championship, currently in possession of Kenny Omega. He offered Strong first dibs should he win the bet.

While it probably won’t be ranked as one of the best PWG shows, it was easily one of their more fantastic shows. All of the guests worked their butts off to help get their opponents over. The crowd dug every match and were extremely excited by the action that they saw, particularly for those who had never seen PWG or its wrestlers before. Simply put, this was a successful showcase of PWG to a much larger audience, both in attendance and in viewership.

PWG had flyers for their next show, which will be on Saturday, Feburary 27 back at the Americian Legion Post #308 in Reseda, California. The flyer has PWG World Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega, PWG World Tag Team Champions Generation Me of Max and Jeremy, The Motor City Machine Guns of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, Chris Hero, Roderick Strong, Davey Richards, El Generico, The Dynasty of Scott Lost and Joey Ryan, Chuck Taylor, The Human Tornado, and Brandon Gatson as appearing. Match details to be announced in the weeks to come.

Dan Short
dan@ifight365.com