PWG Death To All But Metal Predictions

World Championship Title Match:
Kevin Steen defends vs. Brian Cage-Taylor

JP: This is a very interesting contest. Brian Cage is someone who I have been waiting for a very long time to get a singles opportunity with a higher name independent talent, and what better way for that to happen then to put him against one of the most talked about names in all of professional wrestling: Kevin Steen. I’m hoping that much like how Elgin/Davey at ROH in Ft. Lauderdale helped open many eyes to the kind of wrestler that Michael Elgin can be, the same will be done here for Brian Cage. He is someone who I was a fan of during his tenure in FCW and I have been a growing fan of throughout his run in PWG. Steen retains in what should hopefully be a very fun contest.

Prediction: Kevin Steen

Ben: Yes, I realize Brian Cage-Taylor has a grand total of, I think, one singles victory in his PWG tenure before challenging for the top title, and I don’t care. This match is very intruiging, which is exactly what I want from PWG, and easily my most anticipated of the show. The unique pairing coupled with the Reseda atmosphere is something I really feel only PWG can produce. Cage-Taylor, (Is it Brian Cage-Taylor or just Brian Cage?) is a guy that I have wanted to see get more of a shot in a singles role and this is without a doubt doing it with a bang. I’m not sure if this is a writing on the wall type thing with Cage-Taylor or just a case of the company’s officials riding some sort momentum with him. Time shall tell. I wrote this up without mentioning the name Kevin, Steen, or Kevin Steen, the defending champion and one of the most talked about wrestlers on the circuit at the moment, but what more can be said? He is the man.

Prediction: Kevin Steen

TJ Hawke: I’m going to start this off with that I think this will be a good match, and that I am very, very happy that PWG has inserted someone new (and a “homegrown” guy) into the PWG World Title picture. That being said, I really wish they did something to set this up on one of their 2012 shows. They didn’t even have to do an angle with Cage and Steen. Just having Brian Cage beat someone higher on the card than Ray Rosas would probably have satisfied me. I think the main events from Steen Wolf and Fear last year were helped greatly by the fact that PWG did an angle to set them up at the show(s) before them. PWG has seemingly gotten away from that this year and that disappoints me. As I said, I think this will definitely be a good match.

Prediction: Kevin Steen

No DQ Tag Team Match:
Super Smash Bros. vs. The Young Bucks

JP: After the SSB’s triumphant victory (or victories) at DDT4, the 2 time DDT4 winners (3 time finalists) in the Young Bucks were not pleased after being eliminated by the SSB in the first round, attacking the SSB to end the show and thus we have our match here with no disqualifications. As per standard of no disqualification matches and the like in PWG, this promises to be wild. Coming off of their big win, I expect the SSB to win to further give reason as to why they should be PWG Tag Team Champions, but I would not be entirely shocked if the Young Bucks were victorious to keep their name in the contention status as well.

Prediction: Super Smash Bros.

Ben: This will be the third straight show these teams will have been involved in the same match, and is without a doubt the most difficult pick’em of the show. I’m not sure if I should side with momentum, SSB, coming of their DDT4 victory, or give the nod to The Bucks, as I feel with SSB’s DDT4 win they already have a title shot in the bag, which sets you up a few more options for when Super Dragon returns. I haven’t had the pleasure of viewing the DDT4 match between these teams yet, but the no disqualification stipulation should add an entirely different dynamic to this after the March 3-way with RockNES and said DDT4 match. Have The Young Bucks ever lost three straight matches in PWG?

Prediction: The Young Bucks

TJ Hawke: The Super Smash Bros are coming off their huge DDT4 Tournament victory, but because Super Dragon is still injured, their tag title shot has been delayed. The Young Bucks are looking for revenge after the SSB eliminated them from DDT4 in the first round. The Young Bucks are underrated as brawlers, and I am expecting this to be a brawl all over the arena match, but with highspots. With the news that SSB and Kevin Steen have to compete on the first half of the show due to their flight schedule, I wouldn’t be surprised if this match opened the show. I’m expecting the match to be fantastic. As for who wins, the SSB could get the win just for some added momentum, but a Young Bucks win could set them up for a title shot (after the SSB presumably take the belts off Appetite for Destruction).

Prediction: The Young Bucks

Grude Match:
El Generico vs. Ricochet

JP: These two had a killer match back in October 2010 and recently had another great match at EVOLVE 12. In PWG, the tension has been building between these two for a very long time and it will finally come to a head. Considering Generico is more likely to be around than Ricochet, Generico winning seemingly makes more sense, but you can’t go wrong either way. The match could end up being the best that the two have had.

Prediction: El Generico

Ben: With the top two advertised matches going on on pre-intermission, I expect this to main event, and it’s certainly more than worthy. These two first met in 2010 in PWG with a much less mature Ricochet. Fast forward over two years later and you have a much more seasoned and traveled Ricochet. They met for a second time exactly two weeks ago at EVOLVE 12 in Charlotte, NC. With two totally polarizing live crowds, I expected it to play out, especially with PWG announcing it just days after EVOLVE did, with Charlotte, the smaller and less familiar crowd, getting more of your standard stuff from these guys. Great stuff, at that. While a lot more creativity and uniqueness would be reserved for the third match in Reseda. I believe the first part played out, and with this match very likely going on last, even if it doesn’t, there’s no doubt the second will as well. Ricochet got the win in their first bout in 2010, so easy choice to go with El Generico, setting up a third encounter down the line.

Prediction: El Generico

TJ Hawke: Yes, PWG actually has feuds. And yes, sometimes, nothing happens with these feuds until it’s convenient. C’est la Vie. These two had a fantastic match at Curse of Guerrilla Island back in 2010, and they also just had a really good match at Evolve 13. I’m expecting this to be the main event, and I am expecting it to be one of the best PWG matches of the year. These two have incredible chemistry, and they both go all out in PWG. I’m guessing Generico goes over, which will set up his rematch with Kevin Steen for the PWG World Title at some point.

Prediction: El Generico

Singles Match:
Michael Elgin vs. Willie Mack

JP: Making his PWG debut and coming off of the performance of a lifetime, we have Michael Elgin taking on PWG’s rising star in Willie Mack. Much like the PWG title match, this is a very interesting and fresh match-up, but I’m curious as to how it will work. Elgin seemingly works best against opponents smaller than him, making his offense look all the more impressive. The same can be said for Mack as well. I’ll be interested to see how the two mesh, but they are both two of my favorite guys that are on the rise in wrestling so I am expecting good things. Mack wins to continue his quest for PWG gold.

Prediction: Willie Mack

Ben: I’ll get this out of the way first, I think they’re missing a real rare opportunity to book Elgin/Ricochet, and is definitely the match I would rather see. Having said that, this is pretty cool too. I’m not expecting anything overly exciting, but everything about Elgin here is very appealing to me. How the crowd will react to him, to exactly what type of match he and Mack will attempt to offer. I really hope this is the beginning of many Michael Elgin appearances in PWG. Easy pick’em.

Prediction: Willie Mack

TJ Hawke: Willie Mack’s last singles match in PWG (vs. Roderick Strong at World’s Finest) was pretty disappointing as far as I am concerned, but I think this match will be a great bounce-back match for Mack and a great debut for Elgin. I’m hoping they go for a real crowd pleasing back and forth power match. I assume Mack is going to win this, and I can’t think of a reason for him not to.

Prediction: Willie Mack

Singles Match:
TJ Perkins vs. Ryan Taylor

JP: While Brian Cage gets a shot at the belt, fellow Taylor Boy gets involved with some Technical Lightning. Ryan is another one who I have wanted to see get bigger singles opportunities and here is a pretty good shot at that. Considering Perkins’ main enemy seems to be the ring canvas, I don’t like his chances in this one. Perhaps if Ryan gets this W and a few others, perhaps he can find himself in title contention much like his brother from another mother.

Prediction: Ryan Taylor

Ben: Another interesting match. Much like his fellow brother on the card, Brian Cage-Taylor, I have wanted to see Ryan get more singles opportunities, as I feel he, even more so than Brian, improves with every performance I see him in. What to say about my main man TJ Perkins? Despite what his initials may or may not stand for , I like him to pick up the victory here and feel like he is due for some sort of push being a full time regular at this point, but don’t let that fool you, as even he put it himself “Opponents don’t even talk about me anymore, they talk about the next guy after.”

Prediction: TJ Perkins

TJ Hawke: I like both of these guys, but I definitely prefer them in tag team situations, as they are not usually consistent when it comes to engaging crowds in their singles match. Could this match be fun? Absolutely. However, I’m going to keep my expectations low and hope to be pleasantly surprised. I like TJP more than Taylor, but I’m actually hoping that this Fightin’ Taylor Boy gets a win and maybe a bigger test at the next show.

Prediction: Ryan Taylor

Singles Match:
B-Boy vs. Famous B

JP: I feel like a broken record with talking about singles opportunities, but again, these are two guys that I also have wanted to see have their shot in singles competition and what better way to do it than to pair them against each other. I feel like these two have probably faced off in the SoCal independent scene, but I’m unable to confirm. Famous B will have a bigger opportunity here to show off the innovative offense that he brings to the table while B-Boy can show what PWG has missed out on by not booking him until just recently. B-Boy gets the win.

Prediction: B-Boy

Ben: Insert joke about battle of the “B’s” here. This is B-Boy’s return to singles action in PWG and Famous B’s singles debut. Not a ton for me to say about this one, I just sort of expect this to be a match, but a fun one at that.

Prediction: B-Boy

TJ Hawke: Rumor has it, the loser winner gets exclusive rights to having the letter “B” in their wrestling name. I have no idea how good this match is going to be. I assume it will be at least fun, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a styles clash, bad chemistry, etc. Hopefully we will get a lot of leg lariats from Famous B. Where is Chris Kadillak?

Prediction: B-Boy

Six Person Tag Team Match:
Candice LaRae & RockNES Monsters vs. Peter Avalon, Ray Rosas & Joey Ryan

JP: More Candice/Joey interaction. Some seem to be sick of it, but I really don’t mind it myself. One factor that I’m quite intrigued to see is how the PWG crowd reacts to Joey, who is just coming off of debuting for TNA the night before. I would not exactly expect much love for the Sleaze. This should be another nifty multi-person tag that PWG exceeds in very well. RockNES & Candice get the W.

Prediction: Candice LaRae & RockNES Monsters

Ben: Who doesn’t love multi person PWG whackiness? I certainly understand any and all complaints about LaRae/Ryan interactions at this point, but it doesn’t really bother me too much. RockNES should be the stars here and get back on their path to the PWG Tag Titles.

Prediction: Candice LaRae & RockNES Monsters

TJ Hawke: To say that I am tired of the interactions between Joey Ryan and Candice LeRae would be an understatement. Joey Ryan and Candice LeRae are both perfectly capable wrestlers that have a great connection with the Reseda crowd. They are too good to be riding the misogynistic cheap heat horse to death. That being said, there are a lot of good wrestlers in this match, and I expect it to be quite lively and fun. I believe Excalibur mentioned in an interview a while back that Goodtime is looking to take a break from wrestling, and I also believe that the Rockness Monsters were not so chummy after their exit from DDT4. Thus, I’m predicting that the rudos win by pinning Goodtime or Yuma.

Prediction: Peter Avalon, Ray Rosas & Joey Ryan