Top wrestling states: California

November 7, 4:53 AMPro Wrestling ExaminerMark Satrang

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Between the sunshine and the beaches and the great weather, it is no surprise pro wrestling has always been a fixture in California.

San Francisco
In the days of the wrestling territories back in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, San Francisco was home to some of the finest wrestling found across the country. Men like Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Rocky Johnson, Classy Freddie Blassie, John Tolos and many others ruled the San Francisco territory under the direction of Roy Shire for years. Originally Shire promoted the territory as a pure independent organization under the name Big Time Wrestling with its own version of the United States Title and a Tag Championship.

They based operations out of the Cow Palace in San Francisco to go along with a loop of other bay area towns. Their big yearly draw as a battle royal, where at least 20 of the territory’s top stars battled each other in an over-the-top rope elimination man for bragging rights and a nice cash prize. Because it happened only once a year it was a huge draw for the area, not unlike a supercard like Royal Rumble or WrestleMania is these days. In fact, Pat Patterson, a man who won two of those big Cow Palace battle royals in the ‘70s and ‘80s is the creator and brainchild behind the 30 man Royal Rumble match, that is now one of WWE’s yearly tent pole events.

UPW
After the territories dried up in the ‘80s, independent organizations sprang up all around the country and California was no different. Ultimate Pro Wrestling became a big part of the southern California pro wrestling scene in the late 1990s, and has continued into today. The company, owned by Rick Bassman, has become a feeder system for WWE in the past, and the company is responsible for helping many of today’s top pro wrestling superstars, including John Cena, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Chris Masters, Frankie Kazarian, The Miz and many others.

PWG
Now today, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is the premier pro wrestling organization in southern California. Many of today’s top independent wrestling superstars have made appearances in PWG. They present matches with a unique mix of humor and a combination of high-flying, quick moving action between lightweight wrestlers and wild brawls that feature high-impact, dangerous looking moves.

Paul London & Bryan Danielson prepare for the 2009 PWG “Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament”

Famous stars
In addition to the territories and current independent organizations that are home to California, many past and present pro wrestling superstars call California home, or have called it “home” in their careers.

Hulk Hogan, admitted in his new autobiography My Life Outside the Ring that he had never actually been to Venice Beach, California, yet Hogan spent his entire WWF career being billed from that area. Meanwhile, Hogan’s counterpart in WCW during the same time period, Sting, was actually from southern California, and was also billed as hailing from Venice Beach as well.

Today two of WWE’s top stars in Rey Mysterio and John Morrison call California home as well. Morrison is California born and bred and his laid-back attitude makes seem like a true California kid.

Perhaps pro wrestling’s biggest current California star is the diminutive Rey Mysterio, born and trained in the San Diego area of California. The 5’6, 175 lbs. star became WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion in 2006 and arguably became the world’s most popular ”luchadore”. WWE owner Vince McMahon has never been fond of pushing, or promoting, wrestlers are as small as Mysterio but his charisma, ability and character has made him a hero to many fans worldwide. He has incorporated his west coast heritage into his wrestling character as his top rope huracanrana roll-up is called the “West Coast Pop” and his middle rope baseball slide-like spin kick his affectionately known as 6-1-9 (San Diego’s area code.) In fact the crowd’s favorite chant to will Mysterio on during bouts is “6-1-9.”

Other top wrestling states:
Michigan
Georgia
Florida
North Carolina