PCW Ultra
{{Short description|Independent professional wrestling promotion in Los Angeles, California}}
{{Infobox professional wrestling promotion
|website=www.pcwultra.com
|image=PCW-Ultra.jpg
|founder={{ubl|Josef Samael|Mike Scharnagl}}
|location=Los Angeles, California
|established=2016
|name=PCW Ultra
|formerly=Pacific Coast Wrestling
}}
PCW Ultra is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Los Angeles, California. The company predominantly features several different styles of professional wrestling such as hardcore wrestling, lucha libre, and catch wrestling.{{Cite magazine|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|title=Week in Wrestling: Legal update on "Broken" Matt Hardy|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2017/11/29/wwe-wrestling-cody-rhodes-matt-hardy-ric-flair|access-date=2021-12-12|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}} PCW Ultra was founded in 2016 by former NWA Heavyweight Champion and current MLW wrestlers Josef Samael and Mike Scharnagl under the name Pacific Coast Wrestling.{{Cite web|last=Stories|first=Local|title=Conversations with Josef Samael - Voyage LA Magazine {{!}} LA City Guide|url=http://voyagela.com/interview/conversations-with-josef-samael/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=voyagela.com|date=22 September 2021 |language=en-US}}
PCW Ultra's roster consists of wrestlers and figures such as independent freelancers, signed talent, and retired legends.{{Cite web|title=PCW ULTRA All-Time Roster|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=1642&page=16&year=2021|website=Cagematch}}
History
= Pacific Coast Wrestling (PCW) =
PCW Ultra was founded in January 2016 by Joseph Cabibbo (known professionally as Josef Samael) and Mike Scharnagl under the name Pacific Coast Wrestling (PCW). In an interview with Sports Illustrated Scharnagl talked about the formation of PCW Ultra, stating that he attended a wrestling show but felt that the show was lacking. Upon discovering the cost to establish a new promotion, he decided to create one right away. He balanced his PCW responsibilities with selling car care products. Samael has over two decades of experience as a wrestler who used the ring name The Sheik as a tribute to Ed Farhat.{{cite web|title=The Sheik still lives ... in Florida|first=Blaine|last=Van Der Griend|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/02/02/8234231.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130115132104/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/02/02/8234231.html|archivedate=2013-01-15|date=2009-02-02|url-status=usurped|accessdate=2021-12-15}} The promotion features several different styles of professional wrestling such as hardcore wrestling, lucha libre, and catch wrestling. Longtime wrestler Kevin Sullivan, known as “The Taskmaster” from his time in WCW, works behind-the-scenes with Josef Samael with the promotion as it continues to grow and expand its reach beyond the west coast.{{Cite magazine|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|title=Week in Wrestling: Stipe Miocic on Brock Lesnar in UFC|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/03/14/wwe-news-brock-lesnar-stipe-miocic-wrestlemania|access-date=2021-12-12|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}
In an interview with the podcast "Keeping it 100 with Konnan", Samael talks about the influence Sullivan has had on PCW Ultra's booking, and how Sullivan has taught him how to book, promote and format a show.{{Cite web|title=K100 w/ Konnan & Disco: K100 Bonus: PCW Ultra's The Almighty Sheik on Apple Podcasts|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/k100-bonus-pcw-ultras-the-almighty-sheik/id1130710911?i=1000539273344|access-date=2021-12-12|website=Apple Podcasts|language=en-GB}} WWE Hall of Famer Jake "The Snake" Roberts also helped teach Samael. PCW Ultra's events are also featured on FITE TV PPV.{{Cite magazine|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|title=Mark Henry reflects on his legendary WWE career|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/01/17/week-wrestling-mark-henry-james-storm-bobby-roode|access-date=2021-12-12|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}
= Event history =
In 2021 PCW Ultra made its post-pandemic return to wrestling and held its All Systems Go! event from ILWU Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California.{{Cite web|title=PCW ULTRA All Systems Go Results (10/22): Jacob Fatu, Hammerstone, 2 Cold Scorpio In Action {{!}} Fightful News|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/pcw-ultra-all-systems-go-results-1022-jacob-fatu-hammerstone-2-cold-scorpio-action|access-date=2021-12-12|website=www.fightful.com|language=en}} The event featured matches from wrestlers like JTG, Steve Madison, Viva Van, The Bloodhunter with Kevin Sullivan, 2 Cold Scorpio, Alex Hammerstone, Alex Kane, Warbeast (Sheik, Fatu) and more. WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons also appeared at the event.{{Cite web|title=PCW ULTRA All Systems Go Results (10/22): Jacob Fatu, Hammerstone, 2 Cold Scorpio In Action {{!}} Fightful News|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/pcw-ultra-all-systems-go-results-1022-jacob-fatu-hammerstone-2-cold-scorpio-action|access-date=2021-11-06|website=www.fightful.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=411MANIA|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/pcw-ultra-all-systems-go-results-jacob-fatu-in-main-event/|access-date=2021-11-21|website=PCW Ultra All Systems Go Results: Jacob Fatu In Main Event|language=en-US}}
In 2020 PCW Ultra only held one event throughout the year out of the ILWU Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California due to the pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Bryant|first=Steve|date=2020-01-11|title=PCW Ultra - 10 January 2020 - Results|url=http://socaluncensored.com/2020/01/10/pcw-ultra-10-january-2020-results/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=SoCalUNCENSORED.com|language=en-US}} January 10, 2020 PCW ULTRA held its Annual Anniversary 2K20 event featuring matches from wrestlers like Chris Masters, Killer Kross, TJ Perkins. Ring of Honor, Sumie Sakai, The Bloodhunter with Kevin Sullivan, Sabu, Jake Atlas, Mil Muertes, Alex Hammerstone, Warbeast (Sheik and Fatu), Outlaws Inc (Eddie Kingston and Homicide) and more.{{Cite web|title=PCW ULTRA Anniversary 2020 Results (1/10): Kross vs. Masters, Muertes vs. Hammerstone, More {{!}} Fightful News|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/pcw-ultra-anniversary-2020-results-110-kross-vs-masters-muertes-vs-hammerstone-more|access-date=2021-11-19|website=www.fightful.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=PCW ULTRA Anniversary 2K20|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=249164|website=Cagematch}}
In 2019 PCW Ultra held several events throughout the year out of the ILWU Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California. Some of these include Into the Void, which featured matches from wrestlers like Alex Hammerstone, Sumie Sakai, Viva Van, Brian Pillman Jr., Jacob Fatu, Eddie Kingston, Jake Atlas, Daga, Sheik, Homicide, Mil Muertes, WWE Hall of Famer Savio Vega, and more.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-19|title=PCW ULTRA Into The Void 10/18/19 Results|url=https://www.pwponderings.com/2019/10/19/pcw-ultra-into-the-void-10-18-19-results/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=PWPonderings|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Shapiro|first=Micah|title=#Preview: PCW ULTRA Presents Into the Void - ProWrestlingPost.com|url=https://prowrestlingpost.com/preview-pcw-ultra-presents-into-the-void/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=prowrestlingpost.com|language=en-us}}
PCW Ultra also held its event No Quarter event on August 9, which featured matches from wrestlers like Mil Muertes, Dan Maff, Daga, Puma King, Matt Sydal, Brian Pillman Jr., Jake Atlas, TJ Perkins, Sumie Sakai, Tessa Blanchard, Warbeast (Sheik and Fatu), Outlawz Inc. (Eddie Kingston and Homicide), WWE Hall of Famer Kelly Kelly and more.{{Cite web|last=Bryant|first=Steve|date=2019-08-10|title=PCW Ultra "No Quarter" - 09 August 2019 - Results|url=http://socaluncensored.com/2019/08/09/pcw-ultra-no-quarter-09-august-2019-results/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=SoCalUNCENSORED.com|language=en-US}}
On June 14, 2019, PCW Ultra held its Mind Crawler event which featured matches from wrestlers like, TJ Perkins, Adam Brooks, Jake Atlas, Brian Pillman Jr., Mil Muertes, Sami Callihan, Tessa Blanchard, Jordynne Grace, Trey Miguel, Warbeast (Sheik and Fatu), The Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix) and more.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-15|title=PCW ULTRA Results: Mind Crawler – Los Angeles, CA (6/14)|url=https://www.wrestling-news.net/pcw-ultra-mind-crawler-results/125642/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=www.wrestling-news.net|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=armchairpromoter|date=2019-06-13|title=Preview: PCW ULTRA - Mind Crawler (6/14/19)|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2019/06/13/preview-pcw-ultra-mind-crawler/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Last Word on Pro Wrestling|language=en-US}}
On March 29, 2019, PCW Ultra held its annual event Wrestle Summit which included wrestlers from different promotions like All Elite Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, PCW Ultra, Defy Wrestling, and The Wrestling Revolver.{{Cite web|last=armchairpromoter|date=2019-03-26|title=Preview: Wrestle Summit (3/29/19)|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2019/03/26/preview-wrestle-summit-3-29-19/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Last Word on Pro Wrestling|language=en-US}} the summit featured matches from wrestlers like Trey Miguel, Adam Brooks, Caleb Konley, Kikutaro, Tessa Blanchard, Daga, Taya Valkyrie, John Morrison, Sami Callihan, Brian Cage, Jake Atlas, Wes Lee, Warbeast (Sheik and Fatu), Nash Carter, Mil Muertes, Isaiah Scott and more.{{Cite web|last=Bryant|first=Steve|date=2019-03-30|title=PCW Ultra Wrestle Summit - 29 March 2019 - Results|url=http://socaluncensored.com/2019/03/29/pcw-ultra-wrestle-summit-29-march-2019-results/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=SoCalUNCENSORED.com|language=en-US}}
On October 26, 2018, PCW Ultra held its Possessed event from ILWU Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California.{{Cite web|last=Madison|first=Marc|date=2018-10-22|title=Preview: PCW ULTRA POSSESSED (10/26/18)|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2018/10/22/preview-pcw-ultra-possessed-10-26-18/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Last Word on Pro Wrestling|language=en-US}} The event featured matches from wrestlers like Jake Atlas, Chris Bey, Marko Stunt, Alexander Hammerstone, Daga, Brody King, Puma King, Tessa Blanchard, Priscilla Kelly. Warbeast (Sheik and Fatu), Abyss, Sinn Bodhi, Isaiah Scott, Darby Allin, Pentagon Jr., P. J. Black and more.{{Cite web|title=PCW ULTRA Possessed at ILWU Memorial Hall wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database|url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/pcw-ultra/possessed-28288.html|access-date=2021-11-19|website=www.profightdb.com}}
= Events glossary =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Event !Date !Location !Notes |
| All Systems Go!
|October 22, 2021 |
| Anniversary 2K20
|January 10, 2020 |
| Wrestle Summit 2 (Day 2)
|December 1, 2019 |Notes |
| Wrestle Summit 2 (Day 1)
|November 30, 2019 |
| Into the Void
|October 18, 2019 |
| No Quarter
|August 9, 2019 |
| Mind Crawler
|June 14, 2019 |
| Wrestle Summit
|March 29, 2019 |
| Anniversary 2K19
|January 18, 2019 |
| Believe
|December 7, 2018 |
| Possessed
|October 26, 2018 |
| Vision Quest |
| Sound the Alarm |
| Opposites Attack |
| May the 4th |
| Tuff Luck |
| Anniversary 2K18 |
| Refuse to Lose |
| Demonized |
| Young Guns II
|Notes{{Cite web|title=PCW Young Guns II|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=178742|website=Cagematch}} |
| Second to None |
| Showdown |
| Young Guns
|April 22, 2017 |Notes{{Cite web|title=PCW Young Guns|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=171415|website=Cagematch}} |
| High Tide |
| Fantasm |
| Clear the Way |
| Title Wave |
| Relentless
|Notes{{Cite web|title=PCW Relentless|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=151691|website=Cagematch}} |
| The Shining |
| Release the Kraken |
Championships
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Championship !Current Champion(s) !Date won !Location !Notes |
| Ultra Heavyweight Championship
| |defeated Titus Alexander and Calvin Tankman at SCENE NOT HEARD - winning vacant title due to Fatu signing to WWE |
| Ultra Light Championship
|April 22, 2023 |Defeated Myron Reed at Saturday Night Special |
| Ultra Tag Team Championship
|January 20, 2017 |Vacant due to Jacob Fatu Leaving as he was signed by WWE |
| Ultra Women Championship
|Zamaya |October 22, 2021 |Defeated Viva Van |
Roster
PCW Ultra's roster consists of wrestlers and figures such as independent freelancers, signed talent, and retired legends.
= Fighting Athletes & Managers=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Name !Debut !Notes ! rowspan="15" | !Name !Debut !Notes ! rowspan="15" | !Name !Debut !Notes ! rowspan="15" | !Name !Debut !Notes |
| A. C. H.
|December 7, 2018 |JTG |October 22, 2021 |August 9, 2019 |October 26, 2018 |
| Adam Brooks
|March 29, 2019 |Joe Graves |January 9, 2016 |August 20, 2016 |October 22, 2021 |
| Allie Katch
|Oct 29th 2021 |March 27, 2020 |March 29, 2019 |August 9, 2019 |
| Artemis Spencer
|March 29, 2019 |Super Panda |March 27, 2020 |The Natural Classics |October 18, 2019 |March 16, 2018 |
| Bestia 666
|July 28, 2017 |Juicy Finau |October 22, 2021 |1 Called Manders |October 22, 2021 |January 9, 2016 |
| The Blood Hunter
|January 10, 2020 |June 2, 2017 |The Oracle |November 12, 2016 |December 7, 2018 |
| Brian Cage
|August 20, 2016 |January 10, 2020 |September 7, 2018 |May 4, 2018 |
| Brian Pillman Jr
|June 14, 2019 |Slice Boogie |August 9, 2019 |June 4, 2016 |January 9, 2016 |
| Chris Masters
|January 10, 2020 |June 4, 2016 |September 7, 2018 |October 22, 2021 |
| Daga
|June 10, 2017 |Lil Cholo |December 7, 2018 |Ruby Raze |January 10, 2020 |March 29, 2019 |
| Diamante
|September 7, 2018 |Los Luchas |August 20, 2016 |March 24, 2017 |Vipress |March 27, 2020 |
| Dragon Lee
|June 8, 2018 |August 20, 2016 |Schaff |June 14, 2019 |December 1, 2017 |
| Eddie Kingston
|September 7, 2018 |August 20, 2016 |Shawn Donovan |March 29, 2019 |December 9, 2021 |Notes |
| Homicide
|May 4, 2018 |July 27, 2018 |March 29, 2019 | | | |
= Legends =
| class="wikitable"
!Name !Name !Name !Name |
| Abyss
|Sabu |
| Road Warrior Animal
|Haku |
| Billy Gunn |
| Christy Hemme |
| Gail Kim |
= Alumni =
| class="wikitable"
!Ring Name !Ring Name !Ring Name !Ring Name |
| Isaiah Scott |
| Brody King |
| Lio Rush |
| Keith Lee |
= Staff =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Name !Role |
| Dan Master
|Ring Announcer |
| Dom Vitalli
|Director of Communications |
| Christian Cole
|Color Commentator |
| Todd Kenely
|Play by Play Commentator |
References
{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}
Category:Independent professional wrestling promotions based in California
Category:American companies established in 2016