Ryan Taylor (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Russell "Ryan" Taylor is an American
professional wrestler
, who is currently working for several independent wrestling promotions
on the west coast of the United States
and continues to travel outside the country to Mexico City and Japan. He also does much work with the WWE while never being under contract.
's School of Hard Knocks
and had his match for the EWF on March 27, 2004. Taylor wrestled to gain experience and won the 2004 Rookie of the year award in the company. In the spring of 2006 Taylor had his first feud with Joey Harder
and after a series of hard matches, Taylor won the EWF Cruiserweight Championship
on June 9, 2006. Taylor also won the 2006 Most Improved Award, becoming the first recipient of it. Taylor's reign as the Cruiserweight Champion lasted for 399 days until ending on July 13, 2007 when Markus Riot defeated Taylor in a Best of 3 Falls match to win the EWF Cruiserweight Championship. Ryan won back the EWF Cruiserweight Championship by ending Markous Riot's reign after only 22 days. At EFW's Meltdown, Taylor forced Riot to submit to win back the title. Taylor's second reign as the EWF Cruiserweight Champion only 77 days until October 10, 2007 when Maximo defeated Ryan Taylor to win the EWF Cruiserweight Championship. In November, Ryan Taylor competed in the EWF's Inland Title Series Tournament against J.T. Blackstar, Scorpio Sky
, and Brandon Gatson
. He placed third with a final score of 1-2-0. Taylor also won the 2007 Match of the Year Award for his match against Marcus Riot at the Covina Classic on June 9. Then in the early part of 2008 Taylor formed a stable known as the KOS alongside Mondo Vega and Hook Bomberry. On August 23, 2008 in San Bernardino, California
, Taylor defeated Vizzion in the main event at Flirting With Disaster for the EWF American Championship
and had new female wrestler Aiden Riley join the KOS as well. The KOS then feuded with Tj Perkins and Liger Rivera until the end of the year in a very intense feud that not only won the Feud of the Year 2008 Award but Taylor would win the Match of the Year 2008 Award for his Belt on a Pole match against Tj Perkins in which Taylor would win the NWA Heritage Championship
from Perkins. Taylor also wrestled the main event of the first ever So-cal supershow featuring the combined companies of EWF
and AWS against Tj Perkins and Scott Lost in a triple threat match for the AWS Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Championships and Taylor's NWA Heritage Championship, in which Taylor retained his title. Taylor held and defended both the EWF American Championship
and the NWA Heritage Championship
in the early parts of 2009 until losing the Heritage title to Oliver John in a Fatal 4-way match at the main event of the Cauliflower Ally Club Show after pinning Chris Hero
and he lost the American title to Liger Rivera at the EWF's 14th Anniversary Show. On October 30, 2009, after returning from Japan and being set on climbing the EWF to the top, Taylor defeated Brandon Gatson to win the EWF Heavyweight Championship
. Taylor began to feud with his former stable the KOS in late 2009 and the early parts of 2010, ultimately ending with a Street Fight between Taylor and Mondo Vega, that ended the KOS as Taylor prevailed.
for the NWA Heritage Championship
in Covina, California
. He held the NWA Heritage title until April 13, 2009, when, after first pinning Chris Hero with a LaMajestra Cradle, he lost the title to PWR Heavyweight Champion Oliver John at Las Vegas, Nevada.
debut at the first night of the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles, where he teamed with Malachi Jackson
in a losing effort against the Cutler Brothers (Brandon and Dustin Cutler). Taylor continued to perform on every PWG show since, including having a standout and stellar match against Brandon Gatson
at Titannica and teaming with Roderick Strong
at the DDT4 tournament in May 2010, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Cutler Brothers. On September 4 Taylor entered the 2010 Battle of Los Angeles, but was eliminated in the first round by Brandon Gatson. The following day Taylor formed a new alliance with Chuck Taylor
and Brian Cage (who would adopt the ring name Brian Cage-Taylor), called the Fightin' Taylor Boys.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, who is currently working for several independent wrestling promotions
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
on the west coast of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and continues to travel outside the country to Mexico City and Japan. He also does much work with the WWE while never being under contract.
Empire Wrestling Federation
At 16 years old he began training at the EWF's training school, Jesse HernandezJesse Hernandez
Jesse Lizarraga is a Mexican American Pro Wrestler, Pro Wrestling Referee, trainer, Actor and owner of the School of Hard Knocks pro-wrestling training facility. He also promotes an independent wrestling organization called Empire Wrestling Federation in San Bernardino, California, performing...
's School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks
The School of Hard Knocks is an idiomatic phrase meaning the education one gets from life's usually negative experiences, often contrasted with formal education...
and had his match for the EWF on March 27, 2004. Taylor wrestled to gain experience and won the 2004 Rookie of the year award in the company. In the spring of 2006 Taylor had his first feud with Joey Harder
Joey Harder
Joey Harder is an American former professional wrestler, also known by his nicknames of The Life of the Party and The Silent Assassin, who mainly worked for independent wrestling promotions on the west coast of the United States...
and after a series of hard matches, Taylor won the EWF Cruiserweight Championship
EWF Cruiserweight Championship
The EWF Cruiserweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title for the cruiserweight division in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion. It was established in 2004, with Liger Rivera as the first champion, who defeated Kid Karnage, Ryan Taylor...
on June 9, 2006. Taylor also won the 2006 Most Improved Award, becoming the first recipient of it. Taylor's reign as the Cruiserweight Champion lasted for 399 days until ending on July 13, 2007 when Markus Riot defeated Taylor in a Best of 3 Falls match to win the EWF Cruiserweight Championship. Ryan won back the EWF Cruiserweight Championship by ending Markous Riot's reign after only 22 days. At EFW's Meltdown, Taylor forced Riot to submit to win back the title. Taylor's second reign as the EWF Cruiserweight Champion only 77 days until October 10, 2007 when Maximo defeated Ryan Taylor to win the EWF Cruiserweight Championship. In November, Ryan Taylor competed in the EWF's Inland Title Series Tournament against J.T. Blackstar, Scorpio Sky
Scorpio Sky
Schuyler Andrews, better known as Scorpio Sky, is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is best known for his appearances on MTV's Wrestling Society X, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and Lucha Vavoom, but has also worked in Japan, Germany and England. Sky has held titles in the...
, and Brandon Gatson
Brandon Gatson
Brandon Gatson is an American professional wrestler, primarily working for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Empire Wrestling Federation...
. He placed third with a final score of 1-2-0. Taylor also won the 2007 Match of the Year Award for his match against Marcus Riot at the Covina Classic on June 9. Then in the early part of 2008 Taylor formed a stable known as the KOS alongside Mondo Vega and Hook Bomberry. On August 23, 2008 in San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
, Taylor defeated Vizzion in the main event at Flirting With Disaster for the EWF American Championship
EWF American Championship
The EWF American Championship is the next most prestigious professional wrestling title in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion behind the EWF Heavyweight Championship. It was established in 1999, with Mr. Quick who was awarded the title from the EWF...
and had new female wrestler Aiden Riley join the KOS as well. The KOS then feuded with Tj Perkins and Liger Rivera until the end of the year in a very intense feud that not only won the Feud of the Year 2008 Award but Taylor would win the Match of the Year 2008 Award for his Belt on a Pole match against Tj Perkins in which Taylor would win the NWA Heritage Championship
NWA Heritage Championship
The NWA Heritage Championship is a title controlled by the National Wrestling Alliance and defended in the NWA, NWA Pro and NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.-Title history:-External links:**...
from Perkins. Taylor also wrestled the main event of the first ever So-cal supershow featuring the combined companies of EWF
Empire Wrestling Federation
The Empire Wrestling Federation is an independent wrestling promotion based in San Bernardino, California. It is owned and operated by Jesse Hernandez). The EWF is also tied to Hernandez's wrestling school, The School Of Hard Knocks. The EWF is the longest running promotion in Southern California,...
and AWS against Tj Perkins and Scott Lost in a triple threat match for the AWS Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Championships and Taylor's NWA Heritage Championship, in which Taylor retained his title. Taylor held and defended both the EWF American Championship
EWF American Championship
The EWF American Championship is the next most prestigious professional wrestling title in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion behind the EWF Heavyweight Championship. It was established in 1999, with Mr. Quick who was awarded the title from the EWF...
and the NWA Heritage Championship
NWA Heritage Championship
The NWA Heritage Championship is a title controlled by the National Wrestling Alliance and defended in the NWA, NWA Pro and NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.-Title history:-External links:**...
in the early parts of 2009 until losing the Heritage title to Oliver John in a Fatal 4-way match at the main event of the Cauliflower Ally Club Show after pinning Chris Hero
Chris Hero
Chris Spradlin is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Chris Hero. He is a mainstay of many independent wrestling promotions, including Ring of Honor, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla as well as Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan...
and he lost the American title to Liger Rivera at the EWF's 14th Anniversary Show. On October 30, 2009, after returning from Japan and being set on climbing the EWF to the top, Taylor defeated Brandon Gatson to win the EWF Heavyweight Championship
EWF Heavyweight Championship
The EWF Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion. It was established in 1996, with Bobby Bradley as the first champion, who defeated Zuma to win it. There have been a total of 30 recognized...
. Taylor began to feud with his former stable the KOS in late 2009 and the early parts of 2010, ultimately ending with a Street Fight between Taylor and Mondo Vega, that ended the KOS as Taylor prevailed.
NWA Pro Wrestling
On December 12, 2008 Taylor defeated T.J. PerkinsT.J. Perkins
T.J. Perkins is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor , while also working on the independent circuit under his real name, under his initials TJP or under a mask as Puma ....
for the NWA Heritage Championship
NWA Heritage Championship
The NWA Heritage Championship is a title controlled by the National Wrestling Alliance and defended in the NWA, NWA Pro and NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.-Title history:-External links:**...
in Covina, California
Covina, California
Covina is a small city in Los Angeles County, California about east of downtown Los Angeles, in the San Gabriel Valley region. The population was 47,796 at the 2010 census, up from 46,837 at the 2000 census...
. He held the NWA Heritage title until April 13, 2009, when, after first pinning Chris Hero with a LaMajestra Cradle, he lost the title to PWR Heavyweight Champion Oliver John at Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
On November 20, 2009, Taylor made his Pro Wrestling GuerrillaPro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is a professional wrestling promotion that is run by wrestlers themselves as it was created by Southern California wrestlers Disco Machine, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, Super Dragon, and Top Gun Talwar...
debut at the first night of the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles, where he teamed with Malachi Jackson
Malachi Jackson
Malachi Massie is a former American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Malachi Jackson.-External links:*...
in a losing effort against the Cutler Brothers (Brandon and Dustin Cutler). Taylor continued to perform on every PWG show since, including having a standout and stellar match against Brandon Gatson
Brandon Gatson
Brandon Gatson is an American professional wrestler, primarily working for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Empire Wrestling Federation...
at Titannica and teaming with Roderick Strong
Roderick Strong
Chris Lindsey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Roderick Strong. Strong currently competes in several independent promotions, most notably Ring of Honor , Full Impact Pro , and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla .He initially debuted as The Jester on the Floridian...
at the DDT4 tournament in May 2010, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Cutler Brothers. On September 4 Taylor entered the 2010 Battle of Los Angeles, but was eliminated in the first round by Brandon Gatson. The following day Taylor formed a new alliance with Chuck Taylor
Chuck Taylor (wrestler)
Dustin Howard is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chuck Taylor. He is currently competing most notably in Chikara, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Evolve Wrestling and Dragon Gate USA...
and Brian Cage (who would adopt the ring name Brian Cage-Taylor), called the Fightin' Taylor Boys.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Omoplata crossface
- The Perfect Circle (Front flip snapmare driver)
- Sitout scoop slam piledriver
- Tope Atomico (Senton bomb)
- 'NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- The SoCal Kid
- The King of Submissions
Championships and accomplishments
- Empire Wrestling FederationEmpire Wrestling FederationThe Empire Wrestling Federation is an independent wrestling promotion based in San Bernardino, California. It is owned and operated by Jesse Hernandez). The EWF is also tied to Hernandez's wrestling school, The School Of Hard Knocks. The EWF is the longest running promotion in Southern California,...
- EWF Heavyweight ChampionshipEWF Heavyweight ChampionshipThe EWF Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion. It was established in 1996, with Bobby Bradley as the first champion, who defeated Zuma to win it. There have been a total of 30 recognized...
(1 time, current) - EWF American ChampionshipEWF American ChampionshipThe EWF American Championship is the next most prestigious professional wrestling title in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion behind the EWF Heavyweight Championship. It was established in 1999, with Mr. Quick who was awarded the title from the EWF...
(1 time) - EWF Cruiserweight ChampionshipEWF Cruiserweight ChampionshipThe EWF Cruiserweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title for the cruiserweight division in the Southern California-based Empire Wrestling Federation independent promotion. It was established in 2004, with Liger Rivera as the first champion, who defeated Kid Karnage, Ryan Taylor...
(2 times) - Great Goliath Battle Royal (2008)
- Wrestler of the Year (2008)
- Match of the Year (2008)
- Match of the Year (2007)
- Most Improved Wrestler (2006)
- Rookie of the Year (2004)
- EWF Heavyweight Championship
- Millennium Pro Wrestling
- MPW World Championship (1 time, current)
- MPW World Title Tournament (2010)
- NWA Pro WrestlingNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Heritage ChampionshipNWA Heritage ChampionshipThe NWA Heritage Championship is a title controlled by the National Wrestling Alliance and defended in the NWA, NWA Pro and NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.-Title history:-External links:**...
(1 time)
- NWA Heritage Championship
- West Coast Wrestling Connection
- WCWC Heavyweight Champion
Luchas de Apuestas
| Wager | Winner | Loser | Location | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair | Ryan Taylor | Peter Avalon | Hollywood, California |