For Atlas, an openly gay man, the impact and importance of his title reign is something he cherishes. PCW (Pacific Coast Wrestling) is one of the most popular companies on the exploding indie wrestling scene. Jake Atlas won the PCW ULTRALight title in January 2019, a milestone in the meteoric rise of one of the most talented and buzzworthy performers in the sport. Because on this night, in front of a sold-out crowd some 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, everybody is here to see a champion who just happens to be gay. Vendors sling cheap beer and tacos as quickly as possible, merchandise sales fly fast at makeshift stands and spectators settle into their folding chairs for a night of independent professional wrestling.īut this night is noteworthy for a reason that goes far beyond the action in the ring.
The crowd is diverse - men and women, young and old, all different walks of life - and once inside the venue, the buzz is palpable. It’s a warm Friday night and the line at the ILWU Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California, wraps around the block.
