Disc #1: PWG ELEVEN

Event: PWG "Eleven" 

Arena: Americam Legion Post #308, Reseada, CA

Date: July 26, 2014

Run Time: 3 hours

Commentary team: Excalibur with Roderick Strong/Chris Hero/Kevin Steen 

Welcome to the first entry in #TheBinder series! The first disc freed from its protective sleeve is PWG: Eleven. This is a newsworthy show for a few different reasons: 1) This show celebrated the 11th anniversary of the very first PWG show; 2) It was the final PWG appearance of Kevin Steen; 3) The main event saw a brutal match that resulted in a pretty significant title change. 

The landscape of professional wrestling was a bit of a mixed bag during this time. The biggest story in all of professional wrestling was CM Punk's abrupt and fiery exit from the WWE, which occurred within a week or so of this event. TNA was, well, TNA, and New Japan Pro Wrestling was starting to re-emerge as the premier "big league" alternative. Still, most of us diehards looked to the independent scene to get our pro wrestling fill and PWG had one hell of a roster.

I'm going to comment on each match but don't expect move-for-move breakdowns because I find them tedious and boring to write; instead, I'm going to comment on anything that interested me or I found to be notable with my "Rewatch Ability Score" at the end. The "Rewatch Ablity Score" is on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being "this fucking sucked and I will never watch it again" and 5 being "I will continuously re-watch this match." You guys can figure out what 2-4 means (I hope anyway). 

I'm also going to comment on where this collection of talent have ended up 11 years later because it's pretty damn eye opening. So, let's reminisce over some PWG! 

Match #1: Rocky Romero vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Commentary notes that Ciampa fell asleep while sunbathing and is subsequently red. Ouch.

This was a solid, if unspectacular, opener. The crowd was solidly behind Ciampa from the get-go and Romero was more than happy to oblige them with heel(ish) tactics, such as an early thumb to the eye, crotching Ciampa after shaking the ropes, and a sunburned-assisted back rake. 

I thought some of Ciampa's strikes looked weak and I hated one particular spot where Romero initially ties himself in the ropes to bait Ciampa to charge full steam ahead...and Ciampa stupidly obliges, which predictably led to Romero dodging his charge as Ciampa took a nasty spill to the outside (it appeared as if his foot was caught on the ropes). This was a signature spot of Romero's and Ciampa still fell for it. Dummy.

It would have been interesting had Romero emphasized going after Ciampa's sunburned back. It would've made the match more interesting and, gasp, believable. Instead, the sunburn was referenced here and there (which I appreciate but wish Romero had done more). The match abruptly ended after an exchange of strikes followed by Ciampa nailing Romero with a discus lariat at 12:27 for the 1-2-3.

The pace of the match was fast and the selling nearly non-existent, which I often excuse if the action is truly spectacular and, well, truly spectacular this was not. A pedestrian opener that I will likely never watch again. 

Shout-out to two fans, each holding a pitcher of beer that they are most definitely having to themselves (although one of them pours some of the beer into Ciampa's mouth). That's a JCup move if I've ever seen one.

Rewatchability Score: 2

Match #2: ACH vs. Cederic Alexander 

Alexander was fairly new to PWG and particularly impressed in a trios match involving Andrew Everett and Johnny Gargano during Mystery Vortex II. Unfortunately, this was a much less impressive showing from both him and crowd favorite ACH. 

Speaking of ACH, shame on the racist prick in the audience who said ACH looked like Shelton Benjamin.  ACH did have a funny retort, however, as he took offense to being compared to someone "uncharismatic" (his words, not mine). 

It was a fairly pedestrian match with ACH really pandering to the crowd (he was bodysurfed for about a minute or two). I thought this match would've been a more suitable opener because I'm a sucker for fast-paced, high flying action and ACH had a genuine connection with the PWG fans in attendance but it ended up not mattering as the action was only slightly better than Ciampa/Romero.

It was also a match that would've been better if it were, what, 8-10 minutes shorter? The closing sequence that led to an ACH 450 for the 1-2-3 in ~24 minutes elevated the match from "bust" to "fine." My biggest takeaway was that ACH could connect with the audience and it's easy to see why WWE was initially interested in him. 

The Observer noted that, "ACH and Cederic Alexander tore the house down in the second match" and it's rated 8.20 on Cagematch (just 14 votes, though) but I wouldn't go quite that far. I get why people would like it in 2014 but it doesn't age as well over a decade later. Neither do I, but that's for my therapist to hear.

Rewatchability Score: 2

Match #3: The Best Friends (Trent Barretta & Chuck Taylor) vs. The Unbreakable F'N SheBangs (Johnny Gargano & Michael Elgin)

What in the fuck is up with that tag team name? Gargano is subbing for an injured Brian Cage but, like, what a horrible team name. I get it's supposed to be cheeky but yeesh.

This was another match saved by a great closing sequence, more so than Alexander/ACH. I did not love most of this match because I simply lost interest after the first five minutes or so. I did laugh when Taylor screamed for the air conditioner to be turned on mid-match (it did look toasty in there). I was intrigued when Elgin teased doing a dive to the outside from the turnbuckles, but he chickened out. 

I'm not the biggest fan of the Best Friends but it's easy to see why they're so beloved. They have great chemistry and both have decent comedic timing (especially impressive considering they're pro wrestlers and comedy in pro wrestling usually sucks). Gargano looked shredded here and worked really hard in this one. Elgin looked strong at times, clumsy in others. 

There was a funny spot in which Elgin executed a Falcon Arrow, which prompted Excalibur to scream, "HE DID THE DEAL!" Here's a video of Chris Hero explaining the origins of "HE DID THE DEAL!":

But what sealed this match was the finish: Trent nailed a gnarly-looking cradle back-to-belly pile driver. It looked fucking awesome and Gargano sold it so well. He legitimately looked like he could've died from taking that move. A memorable finish to a mostly forgettable match. 

Rewatchability Score: 2 for the overall match, a 5 on the finish. It was that cool. 

Match #4

Trevor Lee vs. Kevin Steen

This is it. The final PWG match for "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen.

The Observer noted in its 8/4/14 issue that, "Steen is scheduled to report shortly and a number of people at the show noted to us they were shocked at how he was not in shape and how WWE is not going to look highly on that, although WWE does see him as somebody significant." I think most of us felt similarly but, in the end, the WWE legitimately viewed him as somebody significant from the get-go. Kevin Steen - as Kevin Owens - continues to have an incredible career as a bona fide WWE superstar. Kudos to WWE for recognizing just how incredibly talented this man is.

Steen was literally showered in streamers, so much so that he was able to do "streamer angels" on the canvas. He also wrapped his entire body in streamers and everyone was suddenly hit with memories of THE YET-TAY! 

Lee opted for a pre-match handshake but Steen responded in the most typical Steen way: blows to the head instead of reciprocating the handshake. Kill Steen Kill!

A memorable spot in this match was Steen nailing Lee, who was in his first year competing with PWG, with several apron powerbombs that looked absolutely devastating. Lee did such a great job of selling Steen's offense. 

Ever the consummate professional, Steen would go out on his back. He was unable to put away Lee with his patented package piledriver (the crowd was genuinely shocked that Lee was able to kick out of the move) and lost on a reverse rollup. 

The crowd was shocked and most definitely bummed that Lee was able to "steal" the victory away but Steen was able to get them back with his post-match comments, immediately noting that Lee beating Steen was not "bullshit" but rather the future of PWG. Steen acknowledges that he's on his way to join El Generico in Mexico to assist in taking care of orphans and makes sure to thank everyone, from talent to the fans to Super Dragon & his girlfriend, before departing. We'll see more of Steen before the conclusion of this show, though. 

This match was the launching pad for Trevor Lee's massive push in PWG, which is not insignificant. 

Rewatchability Score: 4

Match #5

Frankie Kazarian vs. Brian Kendrick

This was a return match for both competitors as Kazarian (along with his partner Christopher Daniels) were released from TNA and Kendrick from WWE. This match is especially notable for Kazarian because it would be exactly 11 years from his PWG debut. I got a big, big kick out of a small "YOU'VE STILL GOT IT!" chant directed at Kazarian because the guy was viewed as a seasoned veteran 11 years ago, yet he's still trying to propel his career in the here and now. I respect the hustle. 

Anyways...MY DISC SKIPPED and I was unable to see this match (it also appears to be unavailable online). Drats. I'm going to demand a new one from Highspots, baby. Here's a move-for-move breakdown of the match as written by Jake St-Pierre of 411 Mania in October 2015. I'll do my best to track this match down and will edit this post but it didn't appear to be a "must-see" match or anything. 

Rewatchability Score: N/A

Match #6

Adam Cole vs. Roderick Strong; Winner becomes #1 Contender for PWG Championship

The story of this match was that Cole was dethroned as PWG Champion by Kyle O'Reilly and is looking to regain his title, while Strong was on a journey to "finally win the big one." In fact, Cole demanded that the ring announcer note that Cole should still be PWG Champion. Hacky heel shit.

This was a good, decently-paced, and hard-hitting match that could've been better had they kicked it up a notch or two (and the crowd did not seem as into this one as you'd think). It's a good match that could've been better and I really don't have much to say about it. 

Strong would pick up the victory with his signature End of Heartache and will soon compete for the PWG Championship. 

Rewatchability Score: 3(ish)

Match #7

PWG World Championship Match - Kyle O'Reilly (c) vs. Chris Hero

This match went 34 freaking minutes and it wasn't particularly memorable; in fact, the first thing I recall was Steen on commentary pointing out that Hero was seemingly allowing KoR to be counted out, meaning he would win the match but not the PWG Championship. Hero was looking a little bigger here and his work was sloppier than you're used to.

It's a match that will disappoint you if you go into with high expectations. PWG fans during this time fucking hated it and it's understandable why. It's slow starting, plodding, and had a few boring stretches. It also did not need to be nearly 35 minutes long.

Strong, the newly minted number one contender, would make his way to the ring and display good sportsmanship to KoR...but, predictably, he was full of shit and wound up attacking KoR. 

Rewatchability Score: 1(ish)

Match # 8 - The Main Event

PWG Tag Team Championship under Guerrilla Warfare rules - The Young Bucks (c) vs. World's Cutest Tag Team (Joey Ryan and Candice LeRae)

I can't believe I'm watching a Joey Ryan match in 2025 but here we are. The match itself was fucking awesome. It was violent, hard-hitting, and the Bucks came across as the biggest pricks in pro wrestling. One of the more memorable spots of the contest was one of the Bucks fucking nailing Candice with a thumbtack-aided superkick. Candice sold it like a million dollars, man. Another highlight of the match was Candice rocking a Super Dragon mask and hitting a nasty Violence Party. 

This match turns violent before the opening bell. They brawled all over the floor and gummy bears were involved for Pete's sake. We also saw a modified Meltzer driver to the outside. 

The explosive match ended when one of the Bucks hit the other with the tacked shoe, leading to LeRae to pour thumbtacks into the pants of Matt's tights followed by a Ballsplex for the 1-2-3 in just over 20 minutes. 

The Cagematch score for this match was 9.25 based on 150 votes and it's easy to understand why. This match ruled. After the match, Steen left commentary to check on his Mt. Rushmore stablemates along with Cole. They "Too Sweet'ed" one another before coming together for one last embrace...

...before Cole and the Bucks hit Owens with a triple superkick. They even did the whole "We're sorry. We love you" schtick. Classic. 

The show ends with the audience once again showering Steen with their thanks. 

Rewatch ability score: 5

Final Thoughts

This was an unbalanced show from PWG. You did not get the very best from most of the competitors in these matches and the Hero/O'Reilly match was a real sore point for fans during this time. Still, this show offers an incredible main event and a fitting send-off of one of its biggest stars.

What a fascinating period to look back on. Steen, Ciampa, Cole, O'Reilly, Strong, LeRae, Gargano, Hero, ACH, and Alexander would all soon be part of the WWE machine, to varying degrees of success. The Young Bucks would forge a legacy in Ring of Honor and New Japan. Kazarian is still playing the role of a veteran who's a bit long in the tooth but still chasing something bigger and Rocky Romero is a major front-office presence for New Japan/AEW. 

This show quite literally featured the future of mainstream wrestling. Kevin Steen and El Generico became two of the biggest WWE superstars as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, respectively, and both have signed a couple of well-deserved, lucrative contracts. Ciampa and Gargano were such a focal point of NXT with LeRae also playing a big role. Cole would end up leading a faction involving KoR and Strong in both NXT and some future company named AEW. 

Rewatchability Score for the entire show: 2.5

Up next: TNA Wrestling: The 50 Greatest Moments

This will be the first compilation DVD to review and I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm curious to see what TNA considered to be its Top 50 moments. #1 is easily "HOLY SHIT IT'S VINCE RUSSO!", no?

Anyways, until next time...