PWG BOLA 2014 Preview and Predictions

PWG BOLA featuring just about all the best indie wrestlers in the world. What do we think about it?

Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeySplashwater, @TimWelcomed and @TomBlargh.

We will be breaking down the listed matches and our predictions for the final four.

Brian Cage vs. Bobby Fish

Joey:

Bobby Fish is one of my favorites and I’m hoping he does well in PWG. Not the typical PWG guy (doesn’t do flips and dives – YEAH, I SAID IT!) but I think he’ll have a standout performance.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Brian Cage wins.

Tim:

I’m glad Bobby Fish is in PWG. He is going to upset PWG mainstay Brian Cage simply because I do not care for Brian Cage these days. That’s how booking predictions work now. Should be an interesting match-up!

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Bobby Fish wins.

Tom:

ALRIGHT, THERE’S A FUCKING SHITLOAD OF MATCHES SO LET’S GET THROUGH THESE. Brian Cage is a big strong dude! Bobby Fish is a fucking hipster! It’s a match made in heaven.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Brian Cage wins.

Cedric Alexander vs. Trevor Lee

Joey:

Both guys are the top breakout stars on the indie wrestling scene this year. I think PWG is going to push Trevor Lee to the moon, especially with him being “PWG made” in the grand scheme of indie wrestling, not having a presence in ROH or DGUSA.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Trevor Lee wins.

Tim:

Trevor Lee is pretty great and I think PWG is getting behind him as a featured player. Cedric Alexander is still growing and is already an exquisite pro wrestler. I’m heavily looking forward to this one.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Trevor Lee wins.

Tom:

I’m a bit behind in my PWG so I’ve only seen a little Trevor Lee so far. it definitely seems like he’s being positioned to be a big deal, given he was the recipient of Steen’s last match, but who knows, man. Who knows.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Trevor Lee wins.

Biff Busick vs. Roderick Strong

Joey:

I like Biff Busick but have wanted to see more of him in promotions I watch regularly so this makes me happy. Not a huge fan of Roderick Strong’s singles matches but this is a pairing I’m interested in.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Roderick Strong wins.

Tim:

Buff Busick is a favorite of mine and have been wanting to see him in PWG for quite some time. I don’t really have a problem with him wrestling Strong because their styles will match up well. There could’ve been a more interesting pick for his match.  Hopefully he’ll get to stick around because there are some very interesting match-ups for him in PWG.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Roderick Strong wins.

Tom:

*whispers* Hey, I haven’t seen any Biff Busick matches! Don’t tell no-one! Anyway, without the benefit of knowing what ol’ Biff’s deal is, this is just a Roddy match to me and it’s therefore impossible to be too excited. SORRY DUDES AND ALSO BIFF! I HOPE I END UP LIKING YOU A BUNCH!

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Roddy wins

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Michael Elgin

Joey:

Both guys hit hard and do cool wrestling things. I’m sure Elgin will win but I’m rooting for Ciampa here as I usually do when these two meet.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Michael Elgin wins.

Tim:

Ciampa has his moments but I still haven’t seen anything from him that makes me want to actively get behind him. That being said, I can’t care about Elgin at all anymore but he’ll most likely win this.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Michael Elgin wins.

Tom:

Cool. Has Ciampa had a stand-out PWG match yet? Maybe this will be it. NOT MUCH ELSE TO SAY, SOZ.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Michael Elgin wins.

AJ Styles vs. Brian Myers formerly known as Curt Hawkins

Joey:

Huge match for Brian Myers to see if he can make waves on the indies post-WWE firing like Trent? and Drew McIntyre are doing. AJ Styles has been having a hell of a year so all the pressure is on Myers and I hope he can deliver. Very interested to see how things turn out between these two.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: AJ Styles wins.

Tim:

I can’t wait to see how Myers works out here. If anyone can help him out to a good showing it’s AJ Styles. Styles has had such a great career revitalization since leaving TNA.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: AJ Styles wins.

Tom:

I’m excited to see how Myers does in PWG – there seems to be a little bit of buzz about him making his transition to the indies and you couldn’t ask for a better opponent than AJ. Hopefully this is good and Myers turns out to be similar to Trent? in terms of his post-Fed performance (I call WWE ‘The Fed’, nbd).

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: AJ Styles wins.

Drew Gulak vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Joey:

Much like Busick, Drew Gulak is someone I want to see in PWG and a match with Kyle O’Reilly definitely has my interest.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Kyle O’Reilly wins.

Tim:

Yet another person I’ve wanted to see in PWG for while here. Drew Gulack vs Kyle O’Reilly is a match that appeals to me and my tastes. I’M PUMPED FOR THIS ONE DUDES.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Kyle O’Reilly wins

Tom:

*whispers* Hey, I’ve not seen Drew Gulak either! Oops! Kyle’s plenty good though, so this should be fun? I GUESS??????

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Kyle O’Reilly wins.

Johnny Gargano vs. Chuck Taylor

Joey:

“They’re Ronin in DGUSA and FIST in Chikara!!!” – DaShawn’s 2 Cents

“I don’t know what that means.” – Paul London

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Johnny Gargano wins

Tim:

I love these two as a team but I love them going against each other even more. Chuck Taylor is, of course, one of the most entertaining wrestlers on the indies and Gargano is one of the best wrestlers around.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Johnny Gargano wins.

Tom:

HEY, I KNOW WHO BOTH THESE GUYS ARE! I love Chuckie T matches, ESPECIALLY in BOLA. Gargano’s great too and this should be a super fun time. However, I’d rather hear ol’ Chuckles on commentary, so hopefully he continues his BOLA streak of going out at the first opportunity so he can be funny with Excalibur.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Johnny Gargano wins.

Rich Swann vs. Candice LeRae

Joey:

I like Candice. I like Rich Swann. I like this match.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Rich Swann wins.

Tim:

Candice LeRae being added late to the tournament probably means she won’t win it all despite me wanting it to happen every year but I will enjoy the matches she does get to have. Especially this one. Rich Swann is fun to watch.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Candice LeRae wins.

Tom:

I’m hoping Candice goes pretty far in BOLA, despite being a fairly last-minute addition. I like you too, Rich Swann! No disrespect meant. Let’s stay friends.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Candice LeRae wins.

Adam Cole vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Joey:

Zack Sabre Jr. is going to have a standout weekend and potentially be the guy we all remember when we think back on BOLA 2014.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr wins.

Tim:

I’m ridiculously excited about Zack Sabre Jr being in a PWG ring. Hopefully he gets to advance past this match. I like Adam Cole and all but unfortunately him being Sabre Jr’s opponent doesn’t do much for me so here’s to him losing.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr wins.

Tom:

COOL COOL COOL. I’m hoping this isn’t the only time we see Zack Sabre Jr. in PWG because he’d be SUCH a fun addition, but I’m not sure how far we’ll see him progress in the tournament. I’m not exactly sure what Cole’s place in PWG is so this will be interesting to see.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Adam Cole wins.

Ricochet vs. Chris Sabin

Joey:

More than anything, I will be rooting for Chris Sabin to have a big time performance. One of the guys to leave TNA due to rumored shitty scenarios, Sabin left the promotion he called home for a decade and has not yet found a new home on the indies. It would make me very happy if he can secure a full time PWG spot with a great match.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Ricochet wins.

Tim:

THIS MATCH. I fully expect this one to melt my brain. I’m excited to see Sabin do something in PWG and anywhere not TNA. Add in someone I fully believe should get a WWE contract by the name of Ricochet and I’m all in on this match.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Chris Sabin wins.

Tom:

I completely forgot Sabin existed so it’ll be fun to see him doing his thing, especially given that Ricochet is terrific in a way that makes you angry. Well, it makes me angry at least. Maybe I need to talk to someone about that. Jesus, it really is a packed card, eh?

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Ricochet wins.

Chris Hero vs. Matt Sydal

Joey:

Matt Sydal’s hair really weirds me out.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Matt Sydal wins.

Tim:

Huge Matt Sydal fan but the Chris Hero matches that I’ve seen lately have felt empty and that’s a big letdown because I am a huge fan of his as well. Hopefully these two bring the best out of each other, otherwise I’m going to have to hope Sydal gets a more exciting match after this. I haven’t completely given up on Hero yet.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Matt Sydal wins.

Tom:

I haven’t been thrilled with many of Hero’s matches since his return to the indies but this will be my first time seeing Sydal since he departed The E (I also call The Fed ‘The E’ – again, really not a big deal, I’m just a super big fan and thus able to use such advanced terminology) so I’m excited for that. His hair is very ludicrous though.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Matt Sydal wins.

ACH vs. Kenny Omega

Joey:

The last few ACH matches in PWG has taken a lot of steam out of my interest in him but Kenny Omega is back! One of my favorite late 00’s independent wrestlers, Omega being in PWG for the weekend is a beautiful thing.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Kenny Omega wins.

Tim:

Anytime Kenny Omega shows up in PWG it is truly a special occasion and I’m damn excited, people. I haven’t been hyped for an ACH match in awhile but they brought in just the right person to change that.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: ACH wins.

Tom:

I used to not like Kenny Omega very much and I’m not sure why! Maybe his hair? What the fuck was my problem?!?!? Anyway, this should be rad. Hopefully there will be someone to continue Kevin Steen’s spectacular tradition of bullying ACH on commentary throughout BOLA.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Kenny Omega wins.

The Young Bucks and Adam Cole vs. Kenny Omega, Chuck Taylor and Zack Sabre Jr.

Joey:

This is going to be bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Cole and The Bucks were in that stellar trios match featuring the start of Candice LeRae’s rise at last year’s BOLA. I’m most hyped for this.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Bucks Cole Bucks wins.

Tim:

GOOD LORD

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: The Young Bucks and Adam Cole win.

Tom:

MORE GOOD STUFF. IT’S ALL GOOD STUFF. I wish Trent? wasn’t injured but still expecting tremendous things.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: The Young Bucks and Adam Cole win.

Candice LeRae and Joey Ryan vs. Rich Swann and Ricochet vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian

Joey:

Three dope tag teams. Fun stuff. Candice pins Swann and Swann gets his win back the night after.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Candice and Joey win.

Tim:

Everyone in this match is awesome except for Joey Ryan so that’s one point off of my interest level. This match should be especially entertaining with Daniels and Kaz involved.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Candice and Joey win.

Tom:

It’s weird how tolerable Joey Ryan has become. Candice, you are a miracle worker.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Candice and Joey win.

Biff Busick and Drew Gulak vs. Brian Cage and Michael Elgin

Joey:

Team Technical Wrestling vs. Team Power Moves.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Cage and Elgin win.

Tim:

Should be good enough. Again, I just have trouble caring about Cage and Elgin but Gulack and Busick should be a fresh enough match-up to make this worth watching.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Busick and Gulack win.

Tom:

Okay! Good! Guys, I love PWG but I’m getting tired now and I’ve got fuck all to say about 50% of these dudes because I am IGNORANT (please do not accuse me of being a fake geek girl, that would be extremely rude).

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Busick and Gulack win.

Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs. The Young Bucks

Joey:

They’ve had a few matches but never in PWG. It could be their best match yet.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Daniels and Kaz wins.

Tim:

This should be these two teams best head-to-head yet and Kaz and Daniels’ best indie match since leaving TNA.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: The Young Bucks win.

Tom:

While they’ve been consistently good since leaving TNA, Daniels and Kazarian have yet to really have a stand-out match. If it’s gonna happen, it’ll be with those Young Bucks in that Professional Wrestling Guerilla.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Young Bucks win.

Who wins BOLA?

Joey:

Trevor Lee defeats Zack Sabre Jr. and Johnny Gargano to win BOLA.

Tim:

Johnny Gargano defeats AJ Styles and Matt Sydal to win BOLA.

Tom:

Johnny Gargano defeats Adam Cole and AJ Styles to win BOLA.