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Bryan Alvarez
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Bryan Alvarez (born June 12, 1975)[2] is an American independent professional wrestler, martial artist, satellite radio host, podcaster, and journalist. Alvarez is the editor and publisher of Figure Four Weekly, a fan run, online newsletter that has covered professional wrestling since 1995.[4][5]

Key Information

A Bothell, Washington native, Alvarez was trained by Buddy Wayne and later became a trainer himself, training former All Elite Wrestling star Jack Evans.

Martial arts involvement

[edit]

Alvarez is a third-degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer and Pedro Sauer black belt Justin Angelos.[1][6] He is currently the head instructor of the adult Gracie Jiu-Jitsu program at Evergreen Karate and Jiu-Jitsu in Bothell, Washington.[7] He also holds a green belt in Shudokan Karate.[1][8]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Alvarez and his friends formed a backyard wrestling promotion called Youth Wrestling Federation, which aired on Seattle's Public Access Channel from 1993 to 1995.[5] Years later, Alvarez began working as a referee for local independent shows, which eventually led to him returning to wrestling, when he replaced another wrestler who did not show up for an event. Afterward, Alvarez began wrestling more regularly, at first for free.[5] Alvarez's career has mostly been spent wrestling for various independent promotions in the Pacific Northwest. He appeared in the first match of the short-lived Portland Wrestling television revival in 2003, losing to The Grappler. He was accompanied by a blonde valet, Miss Rent-to-Own (Auto), who was named after one of the TV show's sponsors.

Return to the ring

[edit]

A fundraiser was held in which Alvarez stated that if it reached $400, he would do one more match with a friend and former professional wrestler Vince Verhei. He also stated that anyone who donated at least $25 would get a special DVD. The amount was surpassed and in fact exceeded $3000, with donation amounts ranging from one cent to $250, and the scheduled match was posted on YouTube on September 17, 2006. The DVD was released on December 8, 2006. Verhei defeated Alvarez to win the YWF Title, the main belt in Alvarez's original backyard wrestling organization in the mid-1990s.

On March 17, 2007, Alvarez battled Larry Sweeney to a no-contest for Sweeney's ICW-ICWA Texarkana Television Championship. Alvarez executed a German suplex, but both men's shoulders were pinned, and the ref could not conclusively determine a winner. Alvarez agreed to a challenge made on Figure Four Daily once Sweeney agreed to "pay $7,500" to Alvarez. The title match was part of the inaugural Fight Sports Midwest card in Portage, Indiana. Sweeney and Alvarez's promos are available on YouTube.

Alvarez had announced that a rematch with Larry Sweeney, set to take place on June 13, 2007, in Portage, Indiana, had been canceled. Alvarez stated that the rematch would take place sometime in 2007. Alvarez further claimed that after beating Sweeney for his Texarkana Television Championship, he planned to rename it the Frank A. Gotch Memorial Collar & Elbow Pacific Coast Championship.

Fight Sports Midwest announced on September 27, 2007 that the Alvarez/Sweeney rematch would take place at the November 18, 2007 CHIKARA show at the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[9]

After Alvarez favorably reviewed the Derby City Wrestling television show in Figure Four Weekly, announcers Kenny Bolin and Timmy Baltimore mentioned his reviews on the air, holding up a copy of the newsletter. DCW wrestler Ted "The Trailer" McNaler then came to the announcers' table, complaining that Alvarez disparaged McNaler's physique and intelligence. He then proceeded to challenge Alvarez to a match, insisting that he had an athletic physique. In subsequent weeks, he continued the challenges, insulting Verhei and Alvarez's "Granny" (Alvarez's actual grandmother and an occasional guest on The Bryan and Vinny Show), and was shown humorously attempting to raise money to bring "Chico" to Louisville, Kentucky, where DCW is taped.

Alvarez has said that he was not told of McNaler's challenge until it was taped, and that initially, there were no plans to have a match with McNaler; his comments on the matter were limited to mentions on his podcast and newsletter. But in September 2007, Alvarez, in a video that aired on DCW television, turned down McNaler's challenge, citing his new writing career, and asked him not to insult his grandmother. McNaler responded by further insulting Alvarez.

On October 21, Alvarez confirmed that he would be wrestling two more matches in 2007.[10] On November 15, 2007, Alvarez faced Ted "The Trailer" McNaler in the New Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, for the Derby City Wrestling promotion. After a grueling fifty-eight-minute battle, Alvarez managed to make McNaler submit to the sharpshooter. Alvarez then traveled to the former ECW Arena for an event promoted by Chikara on November 18, and defeated Larry Sweeney with a superkick to win the ICW/ICWA Texarkana TV Title.[11] He lost it back to Sweeney on April 25, 2008, in a four-way match at IWC's Super Indy VII in Pittsburgh, which also included Delirious and Ruckus.[12]

Injury and subsequent comebacks

[edit]
Alvarez wrestles Thomas Santell as part of a tag team match also involving Nick Gage and Tom Lawlor in July 2019

Alvarez returned to wrestling on November 7, 2009, after taking a year off following a back injury.[13] He defeated Mike Santiago at the Tulalip Championship Wrestling event in Marysville, Washington, at the Pacific Rim. The match, along with other TCW matches, is available on YouTube. Alvarez stated that he would be performing on most of the group's future events. On April 4, 2010, Alvarez wrestled Lance Storm, who worked under a mask as the Ideal Canadian, winning with a superkick.[14] In August 2010, Alvarez lost a Loser Leaves Town for Three Months match to Christopher Ryseck. It was his last match with the promotion.

Alvarez returned after four years on August 16, 2014, for a match with Buddy Wayne at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. It was the first ever match for the debuting Wrestle-Sport promotion. Mason Ryan, Chris Masters and Adam Pearce wrestled in the main event. Alvarez defeated Wayne with a senton bomb after sixteen minutes.[15]

On July 14, 2018, Alvarez returned to the ring to team with Filthy Tom Lawlor under their new team name, The Chop and Roll Express, against The Rock and Roll Express at a Black Label Pro show. The Rock and Rolls won when Alvarez was pinned with a sunset flip. He complained that he was the illegal man and had been pinned by the illegal man on the other team.[16] On August 18, Alvarez beat the Beach Bums (Peachmachine and Mikey G) at a Future Stars of Wrestling show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez had attempted to get Disco Inferno to be his partner, but Disco did not return any of the calls Alvarez made to him during Wrestling Observer Live. Disco showed up at the end of the match, made a comeback on the Beach Bums, but then turned on Alvarez and hit him with the chartbuster. Alvarez still managed to hit Mikey G with a superkick to win the match. Peachmachine claimed afterward that Mikey was the illegal man.[17] On November 3, Alvarez beat Marko Stunt at a Black Label Pro show in Crown Point, Indiana. Stunt had challenged Alvarez to a match on Wrestling Observer Live. Alvarez won with a superkick. Following the match, which saw the two men chop each other bloody, Stunt offered a handshake, but Alvarez turned on him before challenging Stunt and a partner to face himself and Tom Lawlor at Black Label Pro's WrestleMania weekend event in New Jersey on April 5, 2019.[18] The planned match fell apart after Lawlor was pulled from the show due to other commitments, Stunt suffered a broken leg and Stunt's supposed partner, PCO, was signed to an exclusive deal with Ring of Honor, thus leaving Alvarez with neither partner nor opponents.

Radio and podcasting

[edit]

Alvarez hosted his own 900-number wrestling hotline through Figure Four Weekly in the mid-1990s, then shut it down and moved to Meltzer's 900-number Wrestling Observer Hotline. Originally Meltzer hired Alvarez to take calls for him, but in 1999 recruited him as a co-host after getting an offer to do a show for eYada,[5] the first-ever live streaming Internet radio station, based out of New York City. The original Wrestling Observer Live was the most-listened-to program on the network and the final program to air before the station closed down.[19][20] Meltzer invited him to be a guest on the first several episodes of Wrestling Observer Live on Eyada as a co-host to bounce news stories off of at the beginning of the program. Later, Alvarez became a full-time co-host. When Eyada went out of business in 2001, the show eventually moved to the Sports Byline USA radio network. Meltzer eventually gave up hosting duties to devote more time to MMA columns for Yahoo.com and Alvarez took over as lead host.[21] The show continues to air daily with Alvarez and Mike Sempervive.[22] It is the most-listened-to wrestling/MMA program in the world, airing on Sports Byline over-the-air radio affiliates, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, the Armed Forces Network, and online both live and in replay form on the Wrestling Observer website.[23]

In June 2005, Alvarez launched Figure Four Online, a subscription website run primarily by himself and his brother-in-law Tony Leder. Several times a week, Alvarez and Vince Verhei produce their own Internet podcast, The Bryan and Vinny Show, where the pair review professional wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) programming, in an observational comedic style similar to that found in the newsletter. The Monday night edition of The Bryan and Vinny Show or Wrestling Observer Radio is free for anyone to download, while other editions done during the week are available only to subscribers of the web site. On June 12, 2008, Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer website merged with Figure Four Online, and both newsletters are now available online through that website. Alvarez also hosts Wrestling Observer Live, a talk show where he interviews guests related to professional wrestling or MMA, and Wrestling Observer Radio with Dave Meltzer. Alvarez and Meltzer also do occasional bonus shows covering breaking news.

Other features found on Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online include access to a growing archive of past Figure Four Weekly and Wrestling Observer newsletters, and an active discussion forum. Alvarez also hosted After Dark, a weekend podcast covering various non-wrestling fringe topics including science and technology, UFOs, cryptozoology and the paranormal.[5]

Columns and books

[edit]

The Death of WCW

[edit]

Alvarez's book, The Death of WCW, which he co-wrote with R. D. Reynolds, was released in 2005.

Alvarez and Reynolds revised and updated the original work through ECW Press - the newly expanded edition was released in October 2014 and also won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for Best Pro Wrestling Book. Alvarez also lent his voice to the Audible version of the update.[24]

100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

[edit]

Alvarez's second book, 100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, was released in 2019.[25]

Other works

[edit]

Alvarez is a former columnist for British wrestling and MMA magazine Fighting Spirit, as well as a former online correspondent for The Fight Network and the internet radio show Wrestling Weekly. He also wrote a monthly professional wrestling column for Penthouse Magazine. [26]

Personal life

[edit]

Alvarez married Whitney Neugebauer on July 31, 2010.[27] She gave birth to the couple's first child on February 28, 2016. She gave birth to a second daughter on September 19, 2019.[28]

Alvarez is the cousin of retired Olympic gymnast Guillermo Alvarez.[29]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

[edit]
  • 2013 Revolution Tournament XXII Bronze Medal Brown Belt[7][30]
  • 2013 Edmonds Submission Challenge Silver Medal Brown Belt[7][31]

Professional wrestling

[edit]
  • International Championship Wrestling (Cloverdale, BC)
    • ICW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Nikkie Sixx[32]
  • Pacific Northwest Pro Wrestling
    • PNPW Television Championship (1 time)
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter
    • Best Pro Wrestling Book (2005) The Death of WCW - with R. D. Reynolds
    • Best Pro Wrestling Book (2014) The Death of WCW – 10th Anniversary Edition - with R. D. Reynolds[33]
    • Best Pro Wrestling Book (2019) 100 Things A WWE Fan Should Know Before They Die[34]
  • Other
    • ICW-ICWA Texarkana Television Championship (1 time)[35]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bryan Alvarez

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bryan Alvarez (born June 12, 1975) is an American , podcaster, , and retired professional best known for his work in professional wrestling media. Alvarez founded the wrestling newsletter Figure Four Weekly in 1995, which he continues to edit and publish as a key source of in-depth analysis and news on the industry. He co-founded Figure Four Online (F4WOnline) in 2005, a subscription-based that merged with the in 2008 to form a major hub for wrestling coverage. In addition to his writing, Alvarez co-hosts the daily podcasts Wrestling Observer Radio and Figure Four Daily, which are among the most prominent in , often featuring discussions on events, booking decisions, and industry trends. He has authored several books on wrestling history, including the bestselling The Death of WCW (co-written with R. D. Reynolds in 2004 and updated in 2014) and 100 Things Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (2019). Alvarez began his in-ring career in August 1998 after training in Washington state, competing primarily on the independent circuit as a technician-style wrestler until retiring in 2023 following a 25-year tenure. Outside of wrestling, he holds a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Pedro Sauer.

Early life and background

Childhood and family

Bryan Alvarez was born on June 12, 1975, in . He grew up in the , primarily in the Lynnwood area near Bothell, where his family resided during his formative years. As a child, Alvarez was exposed to sports and entertainment through local activities, including staging mock matches with friends using couch cushions at age 11, which sparked an early interest in wrestling that influenced his later pursuits. Growing up in this regional environment, Alvarez developed an affinity for physical activities, including coaching by age 16, contributing to his early physical development and interests beyond school. In 2010, Alvarez married Whitney Neugebauer, whom he met through shared interests in ; the couple had two children during their marriage. They divorced in 2024, with the dissolution proceedings handled in King County Superior Court and involving arrangements for their children. Post-divorce, Alvarez continues to reside in , where he maintains personal hobbies such as bowling and working out at local gyms.

Education and initial interests

Alvarez developed an early fascination with during the 1980s and 1990s, heavily influenced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and regional promotions. At age 11, around 1986, he began experimenting with alongside friends, using couch cushions as makeshift rings and videotaping their grapples to mimic professional matches. By his mid-teens, this hobby evolved into more structured activities; at age 16, he coached , leveraging spring floors and foam pits to refine wrestling techniques inspired by performers like . His initial forays into writing emerged in his late teens, culminating in the launch of the Figure Four Weekly newsletter in 1995 at age 19 or 20, which provided self-taught analysis of wrestling events and marked the beginning of his journalistic pursuits. These hobbies transitioned into dedicated endeavors by the mid-1990s, as Alvarez co-founded the Youth Wrestling Federation—a backyard promotion that aired on Seattle's public access channel from 1993 to 1995—further honing his analytical skills through event production and commentary. Alvarez's family offered occasional support for his burgeoning interests, such as when his grandmother assisted in resolving a financial issue related to his early wrestling video ventures.

Martial arts involvement

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Bryan Alvarez developed an early interest in martial arts during his childhood, which later drew him to Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2006 when he began training under Justin Angelos, then a purple belt affiliated with Pedro Sauer. Angelos had trained extensively at Sauer's original academy in Salt Lake City before relocating to Washington state. Alvarez progressed through the ranks under this lineage, leveraging his prior professional wrestling experience to enhance his grappling fundamentals, particularly in takedowns and positional control. This integration of wrestling knowledge allowed him to advance rapidly, earning promotions directly from Pedro Sauer, a key figure in the Gracie lineage tracing back through Rickson Gracie, Helio Gracie, Carlos Gracie, and Mitsuyo Maeda. Alvarez achieved his black belt on February 26, 2018, awarded by Sauer himself, and as of November 2025 had attained the rank of third-degree black belt. During his colored belt years in the late and , he competed in various tournaments across , belt divisions, securing multiple medals and accumulating over 3,300 points in competitive ings. These experiences solidified his technical expertise in Gracie jiu-jitsu principles, emphasizing and efficient leverage over brute strength. Since 2011, Alvarez has served as the head instructor for the adult program at Evergreen Jiu-Jitsu in , where he has trained hundreds of students in the art. The academy was founded in 2000. As of November 2025, he remains actively involved, conducting regular classes and occasional seminars that highlight the Gracie lineage's foundational techniques. His teaching role continues to blend traditional jiu-jitsu with practical grappling applications, fostering a community-focused academy environment.

Karate and instruction

Alvarez began instructing at the Evergreen Karate and Jiu-Jitsu academy in 2011, starting the program there. At the academy, his instruction focuses on for adults, emphasizing practical and physical conditioning. Alvarez has maintained an active presence in the community through his teaching role up to 2025. His involvement in has supported his personal fitness regimen. The academy offers traditional Okinawan karate alongside grappling arts, with integrated training opportunities.

Professional wrestling career

Debut and early years

Alvarez, a longtime wrestling enthusiast who had been publishing the Figure Four Weekly newsletter since 1995, transitioned from fan to performer by beginning his professional training in 1998 under veteran Buddy Wayne in Washington state. Wayne, a prominent figure in the Pacific Northwest wrestling scene, mentored Alvarez in a technical style emphasizing fundamentals over high-risk maneuvers, drawing on Alvarez's gymnastics background for enhanced coordination and strength. This period marked Alvarez's entry into the industry, where he quickly adopted a grappling-oriented approach influenced by his martial arts experience. Alvarez made his in-ring debut on October 16, 1998, at ICW Grudge Madness in , competing in a three-way match against Inferno and Craig Corrosion, which he lost. Early matches saw him working primarily for independent promotions in the , including (ICW) and Pro Wrestling Federation (PWF), often in formats that highlighted his technical skills. For instance, in September 1999 at ICW Meltdown, Alvarez teamed with Sumito in a title tournament quarterfinal against and Ken Johnson, resulting in a loss but establishing early alliances within the regional scene. During these formative years, Alvarez engaged in feuds and partnerships typical of the indie circuit, such as bouts and title challenges that built his reputation in Washington and venues. By around 2000, he embarked on his first full-time tours, wrestling more frequently across local promotions and refining his role as a reliable performer. Concurrently, Alvarez began training aspiring wrestlers, including future star Jack Evans, contributing to the development of talent in the community.

Returns and key matches

After a hiatus from in-ring competition to focus on his burgeoning journalism career, Alvarez made his first return to professional wrestling in early 2010 with Tulalip Championship Wrestling (TCW), an independent promotion in Washington state. This comeback featured a series of nostalgia-driven matches, including tag team bouts against opponents like Christopher Ryseck and The Ideal Protection, often showcasing his technical wrestling style rooted in his early career. A highlight was his ongoing feud with Ryseck, which built to a high-stakes Loser Leaves Town match on July 16, 2010, at the Pacific Rim Ballroom in Marysville, Washington, where Alvarez competed in a stipulation bout emphasizing personal rivalry and territorial storytelling typical of regional indie wrestling. Alvarez's appearances remained sporadic through the mid-2010s, with a notable singles match against on August 16, 2014, at WrestleSport's event in , marking his last non-extensive run before shifting priorities pulled him away from the ring. He re-emerged more actively in 2018 with Black Label Pro (BLP), an indie promotion known for its blend of hardcore and elements, where he adopted the "Super Chico" persona from his past and collaborated with veterans to create entertaining spectacles. A key tag team match saw Alvarez partner with as the Chop 'n' Roll Express, facing the legendary ( and Robert Gibson) on July 14, 2018, at BLP's event in , highlighting intergenerational clashes and drawing crowds familiar with Alvarez's media presence. In 2019, Alvarez's BLP run intensified with singles competition that incorporated elements of his early career titles, including the resurrection of the defunct ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television Championship for added gimmick appeal. He issued an open challenge defending this belt on , 2019, at BLP's Adventures in Wrestling in , though the match evolved into a title defense against for the IWTV Independent Wrestling Championship, lasting just under 10 minutes in a fast-paced, comedic encounter. Additional bouts included a rematch with on November 3, 2018, and a No Holds Barred stipulation against Stunt on June 1, 2019, both in , which emphasized Alvarez's resilience and ability to mix serious with lighthearted indie flair. These matches balanced his wrestling roots with his established role as a wrestling commentator, often playing into fan expectations for crossover entertainment without overshadowing his primary media commitments.

Injuries and retirements

In the 2010s, he attempted multiple comebacks, including a return in 2009 after a year off due to a back injury, but recurring issues with his back and knees derailed these efforts, resulting in only sporadic appearances. Alvarez continued with sporadic appearances through the early 2020s, retiring from in-ring competition in 2023 after a 25-year . During rehabilitation, Alvarez incorporated cross-training in and to aid recovery and maintain physical conditioning. These injuries significantly impacted his wrestling career, prompting a pivot to and by the late ; as of 2025, he remains fully retired from in-ring competition and focuses exclusively on media endeavors.

Journalism and publications

Newsletters and columns

Bryan Alvarez founded Figure Four Weekly in 1995 as a print newsletter dedicated to news, opinions, and analysis. As editor and publisher, he has overseen its content, which includes detailed event coverage and editorial commentary on the industry. His work integrated more fully after the 2008 merger of Figure Four Weekly's website with Wrestling Observer, allowing for collaborative coverage under the F4W/WON banner. Alvarez's columns emphasize in-depth critiques of creative booking decisions, evaluations of performers' in-ring techniques and character work, and examinations of broader industry trends, such as and promotional strategies, extending through 2025. These pieces often highlight structural elements like match pacing and storyline logic, drawing from his background as a wrestler to offer practical perspectives. The newsletter evolved into a digital format with the launch of F4WOnline.com in 2005, enabling daily updates and expanded online columns accessible to subscribers. This shift facilitated real-time reporting and multimedia integration while maintaining the weekly newsletter's core focus. Among his notable scoops, Alvarez reported on a backstage altercation involving an AEW talent and production staff at All Out in September 2024, detailing security involvement ahead of the main event. In 2025, he covered operational changes at AEW, including the implementation of formal production meetings under to address creative planning issues. Additionally, he revealed last-minute adjustments to the main event in March 2025, underscoring ongoing backstage dynamics.

Books

Bryan Alvarez has authored and co-authored several books on , focusing on historical analysis, fan guides, and industry critiques. His works draw from his extensive experience, providing detailed examinations of key events and figures in the sport. These publications have been recognized for their insight and have achieved commercial success within the wrestling community. Alvarez co-authored The Death of WCW with R.D. Reynolds, first published in 2004 by . The book offers a comprehensive dissection of World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) rise and fall, particularly its collapse in , attributing the downfall to mismanagement, creative missteps, and internal conflicts under AOL Time Warner ownership. It incorporates insider accounts, event recaps, and critiques of booking decisions, such as the mishandling of stars like Sting and . The original edition became a seminal text for understanding the Monday Night Wars era. In 2014, an expanded 10th anniversary edition was released by , updating the analysis with new chapters on post-WCW impacts, including the WWE acquisition and legacy on modern wrestling. This version includes additional interviews and reflections on how WCW's errors influenced promotions like TNA and . The book received the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Best Pro Wrestling award in both 2005 for the original and 2014 for the update, highlighting its enduring influence and rigorous research. In 2019, Alvarez published 100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die through Triumph Books, a fan-oriented ranking essential WWE knowledge, matches, and experiences. Structured as a countdown from 100 to 1, it covers historical milestones like the WrestleMania era, iconic rivalries such as versus , and practical advice for attending events or collecting memorabilia. Foreword by , the book emphasizes cultural and in-ring significance, blending trivia with contextual analysis to deepen fan appreciation. Marketed as a , it has been praised for its accessible yet informative approach to WWE's 70-year . Beyond these major titles, Alvarez contributed chapters and essays to various wrestling anthologies and compilations during the , offering expert commentary on topics like match psychology and promotion histories. His book projects often stem from research conducted for his newsletter columns, ensuring depth and accuracy. As of 2025, no new full-length books by Alvarez have been released since 2019.

Broadcasting career

Radio hosting

Bryan Alvarez began hosting Wrestling Observer Live in the late , initially co-hosting with on the internet streaming platform Eyada.com from 1998 to 2001, where it became the most-listened-to program on the network. In March 2002, the show transitioned to terrestrial and on the Sports Byline USA network, marking Alvarez's entry into traditional . His background as editor of Figure Four Weekly since has provided deep content expertise for the program's wrestling and MMA discussions. The show's format centers on live call-in interactions, breaking news updates, and in-depth debates about major promotions like and AEW, typically running one to two hours per episode. It airs Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET, often featuring co-hosts such as Mike Sempervive or to analyze recent events and field listener questions. This interactive structure has allowed Alvarez to engage a dedicated audience on timely topics, including match outcomes, booking decisions, and industry rumors. Key episodes have included extensive post-event coverage, such as the breakdowns following WrestleMania 41 in April 2025, where Alvarez and co-hosts dissected the two-night card's highlights, surprises, and implications for storylines. Similar detailed recaps have been a staple after major pay-per-views through 2025, emphasizing caller reactions to pivotal moments like title changes and celebrity involvements. Syndication has grown steadily since its radio debut, expanding from the Sports Byline USA network to Sirius XM Satellite Radio channels and additional affiliates, including San Diego's 1090 AM in 2020, broadening its reach to a national audience. By 2025, the program remains one of the most popular wrestling radio shows, with consistent weekly segments drawing listeners for its unfiltered analysis.

Podcasts

Bryan Alvarez has been a prominent figure in professional wrestling podcasting since the early 2010s, hosting Wrestling Observer Live with co-hosts such as Mike Sempervive and , which airs weekdays and covers , event previews, and industry analysis. He also co-hosts the daily Wrestling Observer Radio with , produced by Figure Four Online, typically running for 60-90 minutes and featuring discussions on major promotions like and AEW, with episodes released frequently. These podcasts build on earlier radio formats but emphasize on-demand accessibility, distinguishing them through their focus on timely, insider-driven commentary. Episodes often include predictions for events, such as the 2024 AEW All In, where Alvarez forecasted outcomes for high-profile matches like the main event bout. Backstage rumors are a staple, exemplified by Alvarez's November 2025 reporting on AEW relocating its storage and training facilities from to Nashville, signaling potential operational shifts for the promotion. These segments highlight Alvarez's role in disseminating unverified but influential industry insights, often sparking fan debates and further media coverage. The podcasts have expanded to platforms like and in the 2020s, with video versions of Wrestling Observer Live debuting around 2020 to enhance viewer engagement through visual elements like screen shares during live discussions. By November 2025, episodes garner average ratings of 3.8 out of 5 from hundreds of reviews, reflecting steady listener interest amid a competitive wrestling media landscape. Alvarez frequently hosts guests, including former wrestlers like on related shows, to provide in-depth interviews. Ongoing series under the Wrestling Observer/Figure Four banner include Figure Four Daily, a derivative that extends the newsletter's content with Alvarez's solo or co-hosted breakdowns of weekly events. These formats maintain high production values, with audio and video options ensuring broad accessibility across streaming services.

Championships and accomplishments

Martial arts

Alvarez holds a third-degree black belt in , awarded directly from the Pedro Sauer lineage, with all promotions received from Master Pedro Sauer himself. This rank was achieved in the 2020s, reflecting over 15 years of dedicated training since starting in 2006. He also possesses a green belt in Shudokan , complementing his expertise with striking arts fundamentals. As a certified instructor under the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association, Alvarez runs the adult BJJ program at Evergreen Karate and Jiu Jitsu. His expertise in jiu-jitsu has occasionally informed discussions on grappling holds within contexts.

Professional wrestling

  • International Championship Wrestling
    • ICW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Nikkie Sixx (February 26, 2000)
    • ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television Championship (1 time) (won November 18, 2007)
  • Pacific Northwest Pro Wrestling
    • PNPW Television Championship (1 time)

References

  1. https://slamwrestling.net/features/book-excerpt-100-things-wwe-fans-should-know-do-before-they-die/
  2. https://www.f4wonline.com/about-us/
  3. https://www.f4wonline.com/author/bryan-alvarez/
  4. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Death-of-WCW/Randy-Reynolds/9781770411753
  5. https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Bryan-Alvarez/226622204
  6. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1881
  7. https://x.com/bryanalvarez
  8. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=5107
  9. https://www.heraldnet.com/business/pro-wrestling-fan-turned-radio-host-broadcasts-nationally-from-bothell/
  10. https://armpit-wrestling.com/pick-my-brain-interview-bryan-alvarez/
  11. https://trellis.law/case/53033/24-3-05353-4-sea/whitney-loria-neugebauer-bryan-alvarez
  12. https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=44733
  13. https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/pedro-sauer
  14. https://evergreenkarate.com/about-us/
  15. https://evergreenkarate.com/
  16. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1881&page=4
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j57zkUib6dQ
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJZJNV76eGk
  19. https://independentwrestling.tv/news/black-label-pro-announces-new-matches-and-start-time-for-adventures-in-wrestling
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hVsOJGaFKs
  21. https://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/match-review-bryan-alvarez-vs-marko-stunt-black-label-pro-theres-something-about-barry-june-01-2018/
  22. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/bryan-alvarez-5596.html
  23. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Bryan_Alvarez
  24. https://www.f4wonline.com/
  25. https://www.si.com/author/bryan-alvarez-wrestling-observer
  26. https://www.pwmania.com/aew-backstage-operations-shift-tony-khan-implements-formal-production-meetings
  27. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1810018/backstage-details-reported-last-minute-changes-made-aew-revolution-main-event/
  28. https://www.amazon.com/Things-Fans-Should-Know-Before/dp/1629376930
  29. https://www.amazon.com/Death-WCW-Wrestlecrap-Figure-Present/dp/1550226614
  30. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Wrestling_Observer_Newsletter_awards
  31. http://mwrestlingzone.weebly.com/won-year-end-awards.html
  32. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/109594.Bryan_Alvarez
  33. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/bryan-alvarez/245375/
  34. https://sportsbyline.com/wrestling-observer-live/
  35. https://www.f4wonline.com/podcasts/wrestling-observer-radio/wor-wrestlemania-2025-night-two/
  36. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wrestling-observer-live-expands-san-diegos-mightier-1090-am-317756/
  37. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/the-wrestling-observer-live-22230193/
  38. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wrestling-observer-figure-four-online/id77719377
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiY54xfAuDk
  40. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-no-longer-has-training-ring-in-florida-following-nashville-move/
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5qyDqgdOLc
  42. https://open.spotify.com/show/72cIfNLVfcMyY64rgFy2Ti
  43. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-dark-with-bryan-alvarez/id1768567001
  44. https://alchetron.com/Bryan-Alvarez
  45. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/bc/icw/bc-icw-t.html
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