List of PWG World Champions

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Current champion Daniel Garcia

The PWG World Championship is a professional wrestling world championship owned and copyrighted by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). The championship was created and debuted on August 30, 2003, at PWG's Bad Ass Mother 3000 – Stage 2 event.[1] Originally called the PWG Championship, the title was renamed to the PWG World Championship in February 2006 after the title was defended outside the United States for the first and second time—that month, then-champion Joey Ryan defeated Emil Sitoci in Essen, Germany at European Vacation – Germany and Jonny Storm in Orpington, England at European Vacation – England.[2][3]

The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition. All reigns are won at live events, which are released on DVD. The inaugural champion was Frankie Kazarian, whom PWG recognized to have become the champion after defeating Ryan in the finals of a 16-man tournament on August 30, 2003, at PWG's Bad Ass Mother 3000 – Stage 2 event.[1] As of March 2024, Kevin Steen holds the record for most reigns, with three.[4][5][6] Bandido's only reign at 863 days is the longest in the title's history. PWG publishes a list of successful championship defenses for each champion on their official website (though this section of the website has not been updated in a few years). As of March 2024, Ryan has the most defenses, with 19, while Bryan Danielson and Kenny Omega have the least, with 0.

Daniel Garcia is the current champion in his first reign, after defeating Bandido on May 1, 2022, to win the title. Overall, there have been 32 reigns among 25 different wrestlers and three vacancies.[7] Low Ki, Bryan Danielson, and Davey Richards, all of whom vacated the championship, are the only people to have not been defeated for the championship.[8]

Title history[edit]

Names[edit]

Name Years
PWG Championship August 2003 – February 2006
PWG World Championship February 2006 – present

Reigns[edit]

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
Defenses Number of successful defenses
<1 Reign lasted less than a day
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days Defenses
1 Frankie Kazarian August 30, 2003 Bad Ass Mother 3000 – Stage Two Industry, CA 1 176 4[9] Kazarian defeated Joey Ryan in the finals of a 16-man tournament to become the first champion. [1]
2 Adam Pearce February 22, 2004 Taste the Radness Santa Ana, CA 1 139 3[10] This was a Chicago Street Fight. [11]
3 Frankie Kazarian July 10, 2004 The Reason for the Season Los Angeles, CA 2 126 3[12] This was a Loser Leaves Town steel cage match. [13]
4 Super Dragon November 13, 2004 Free Admission (Just Kidding) Los Angeles, CA 1 140 8[14]   [15]
5 A.J. Styles April 2, 2005 All Star Weekend – Night Two Los Angeles, CA 1 126 4[16]   [17]
6 Kevin Steen August 6, 2005 Zombies [Shouldn't Run] Los Angeles, CA 1 119 5[4]   [18]
7 Joey Ryan December 3, 2005 Chanukah Chaos (The C's Are Silent) Los Angeles, CA 1 406 19[19] The title was renamed from the "PWG Championship" to the "PWG World Championship" following PWG's European Vacation tour of England and Germany in February 2006. [2][3][20]
8 Human Tornado January 13, 2007 Based on a True Story Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 42 3[21] This was a Guerrilla Warfare match. [22]
9 El Generico February 24, 2007 Holy Diver Down Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA 1 155 9[23]   [24]
10 Bryan Danielson July 29, 2007 Giant-Size Annual #4 Burbank, CA 1 160 5[25]   [26]
11 Low Ki January 5, 2008 All Star Weekend 6 – Night One Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA 1 32 1[8]   [27]
Vacated February 6, 2008[8] The title was vacated due to Low Ki suffering a knee injury while working in Japan. [8]
12 Human Tornado February 24, 2008 ¡Dia de los Dangerous! Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 2 133 1[28] Tornado defeated Karl Anderson and Roderick Strong in the finals of a 5-man tournament to become the champion. [29]
13 Chris Hero July 6, 2008 Life During Wartime Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 425 10[30] This was a Guerrilla Warfare steel cage match. [31]
14 Bryan Danielson September 4, 2009 Guerre Sans Frontières Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 2 <1 0[32]   [33]
Vacated September 4, 2009[32] Guerre Sans Frontières Reseda, Los Angeles, CA The title was vacated due to Bryan Danielson being unable to defend it after signing with WWE. [32]
15 Kenny Omega November 21, 2009 Battle of Los Angeles – Night Two Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 98 0[34] Omega defeated Roderick Strong in the finals of the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles to win the vacant championship. [35]
16 Davey Richards February 27, 2010 As the Worm Turns Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 198 2[36]   [37]
Vacated September 13, 2010 The championship was vacated due to Davey Richards being unable to defend it. [38]
17 Claudio Castagnoli October 9, 2010 The Curse of Guerrilla Island Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 287 6[39] Castagnoli defeated Brandon Gatson, Chris Hero and Joey Ryan in a four–way match to win the vacant championship. [40]
18 Kevin Steen July 23, 2011 Eight Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 2 91 1[5]   [41]
19 El Generico October 22, 2011 Steen Wolf Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 2 147 0[42] This was a ladder match. [43]
20 Kevin Steen March 17, 2012 World's Finest Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 3 259 4[6] This was a three-way match, also involving Eddie Edwards. [44]
21 Adam Cole December 1, 2012 Mystery Vortex Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 538 7[45] This was a Guerrilla Warfare match. [46]
22 Kyle O'Reilly May 23, 2014 Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n Roll Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 203 3[47] This was a Knockout or Submission Only match. [48]
23 Roderick Strong December 12, 2014 Black Cole Sun Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 449 7[49] This was a Guerrilla Warfare match. [50]
24 Zack Sabre Jr. March 5, 2016 All Star Weekend 12 – Night Two Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 489 5 [51]
25 Chuck Taylor July 7, 2017 Pushin Forward Back Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 106 0 [52]
26 Ricochet October 21, 2017 All Star Weekend 13 – Night Two Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 83 1[53] [54]
27 Chuck Taylor January 12, 2018 Mystery Vortex V Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 2 70 1 This was a Guerrilla Warfare match.
28 Keith Lee March 23, 2018 Time Is a Flat Circle Los Angeles, CA 1 29 0
29 Walter April 21, 2018 All Star Weekend 14 – Night Two Reseda, Los Angeles, CA 1 181 2 This was a three-way match, also involving Jonah Rock.
30 Jeff Cobb October 19, 2018 Smokey and the Bandido Los Angeles, CA 1 427 3[55]
31 Bandido December 20, 2019 The Makings of a Varsity Athlete Los Angeles, CA 1 863 3 [56]
32 Daniel Garcia May 1, 2022 Delivering the Goods Los Angeles, CA 1 693+ 3 [57]

Combined reigns[edit]

Former and longest reigning champion Bandido
Record three time champion Kevin Steen

As of March 24, 2024.

Indicates the current champion
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns
Combined
defenses
Combined
days
1 Bandido 1 3 863
2 Adam Cole 1 7 538
3 Daniel Garcia 1 3 693+
4 Zack Sabre Jr. 1 5 489
5 Kevin Steen 3 10 469
6 Roderick Strong 1 7 449
7 Jeff Cobb 1 3 427
8 Chris Hero 1 10 425
9 Joey Ryan 1 19 406
10 El Generico 2 9 302
Frankie Kazarian 2 7 302
12 Claudio Castagnoli 1 6 287
13 Kyle O'Reilly 1 3 203
14 Davey Richards 1 2 198
15 Walter 1 2 181
16 Chuck Taylor 2 1 176
17 Human Tornado 2 4 175
18 Bryan Danielson 2 5 160
19 Super Dragon 1 8 140
20 Adam Pearce 1 3 139
21 A.J. Styles 1 4 126
22 Kenny Omega 1 0 98
23 Ricochet 1 1 83
24 Low Ki 1 1 32
25 Keith Lee 1 0 29

References[edit]

General
  • Westcott, Brian. "PWG Heavyweight Championship reign history". Solie.org. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  • "PWG World Championship reign history". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
Specific
  1. ^ a b c "Bad Ass Mother 3000 - Stage 2". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  2. ^ a b "European Vacation - Germany". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  3. ^ a b "European Vacation - England". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  4. ^ a b "Kevin Steen's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  5. ^ a b "Kevin Steen's second reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  6. ^ a b "Kevin Steen's third reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  7. ^ "Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  8. ^ a b c d "Low Ki's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
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  10. ^ "Adam Pearce's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  11. ^ Corey, Commander (2004-12-01). "Pro Wrestling Guerilla DVD a rad experience". Slam! Sports - Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
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  13. ^ "The Reason for the Season". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  14. ^ "Super Dragon's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  15. ^ "Free Admission (Just Kidding)". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  16. ^ "A.J. Styles' first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
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  20. ^ "Chanukah Chaos (The C's Are Silent)". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  21. ^ "Human Tornado's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  22. ^ "Based on a True Story". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  23. ^ "El Generico's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  24. ^ "Holy Diver Down". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  25. ^ "Bryan Danielson's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-10. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  26. ^ "Giant-Size Annual #4". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
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  29. ^ "¡Dia de los Dangerous!". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  30. ^ "Chris Hero's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  31. ^ "Life During Wartime". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  32. ^ a b c "Bryan Danielson's second reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  33. ^ "Guerre Sans Frontières". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  34. ^ "Kenny Omega's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  35. ^ "2009 Battle of Los Angeles - Night Two". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  36. ^ "Davey Richards' first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  37. ^ "As the Worm Turns". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-11. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  38. ^ Caldwell, James (2010-09-14). "PWG News: Davey Richards relinquishes PWG World Title, four-way match announced for next show to determine new champion". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  39. ^ "Claudio Castagnoli's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  40. ^ "The Curse of Guerrilla Island". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  41. ^ "Eight". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  42. ^ "El Generico's second reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-21. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  43. ^ "Steen Wolf". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2011-11-07. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  44. ^ "World's Finest". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  45. ^ "Adam Cole's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  46. ^ "Mystery Vortex". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  47. ^ "Kyle O'Reilly's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  48. ^ "Sold our Soul for Rock 'n Roll". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  49. ^ "Roderick Strong's first reign". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  50. ^ "Black Cole Sun". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
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  52. ^ Crockett, Paul (2017-07-08). "New PWG Champion crowned". Pro Wrestling Insider. Archived from the original on 2017-10-14. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  53. ^ "PWG World Championship". cagematch.net.
  54. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2017-10-22). "PWG All Star Weekend 13 night two results: Chuck Taylor vs. Ricochet". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2017-10-22.
  55. ^ Bryant, Steve (January 19, 2019). "PWG Hand of Doom - 18 January 2019 - Results". Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  56. ^ "Bandido se convierte en el nuevo campeón mundial de PWG". solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com. December 21, 2019.
  57. ^ Bryant, Steve (May 1, 2022). "PWG Delivering the Goods – 01 May 2022 – Results". socaluncensored.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.

External links[edit]