All Guts, No Quit: Eddie Ruiz Fights On in the Empire Wrestling Federation
By David John
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — “All Guts” Eddie Ruiz stares up at the lights from the canvas, chest heaving after another brutal loss on a chilly winter night. The crowd at the Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF) event is on its feet, not to cheer the victor but to applaud the fallen underdog. They chant “All Guts! All Guts!” as Ruiz slowly pulls himself up by the ropes. Some see Ruiz as a testament to resilience, a wrestler who refuses to fade despite setbacks. Others, however, remain skeptical, questioning whether his determination alone is enough to elevate him to championship status.
Ruiz’s win–loss record in early 2025 reads more like that of a perennial underdog than a dominant champion. Yet the man behind the “All Guts” moniker has never measured success purely in pinfalls or title belts. A cosplayer and gamer outside the ring, Ruiz took an unconventional path into professional wrestling. He lacks the towering frame of some heavyweights and has heard countless times that he doesn’t “look the part.” But what he lacks in size or accolades, he makes up for with an indomitable drive. His entrance music even proclaims “All Guts, No Glory,” an apt slogan for a wrestler whose glory has so far been elusive.
The 5-foot-9 Ruiz joined the EWF in 2023, drawn by the promotion’s grassroots ethos and the chance to prove himself. Early on, he earned his nickname after enduring a grueling 20-minute debut match in which he refused to submit despite suffering a bloodied face. “All Guts” stuck, and it has defined his career trajectory since. While Ruiz’s ability to withstand punishment has earned him admiration from a loyal segment of the EWF audience, not all fans are fully on board. Some see him as an inspiring underdog, while others question whether his persistence will ever translate into true success.
Not everyone in the locker room shares the crowd’s admiration for Ruiz’s heart-over-hype approach. The Big Bull, the reigning EWF American Champion, scoffs at Ruiz’s never-say-die attitude. “All guts, no glory—that name says it all,”the Big Bull says with a dismissive snort. “He’s got plenty of heart, sure. But heart doesn’t win championships. Guys like me with real power and skill do.” The Big Bull would know: he pinned Ruiz clean in the middle of the ring last year to retain his title, and he remains unconvinced that the underdog poses any real threat to his reign. He then adds with a smirk, “I don’t need to prove myself to anyone. Unlike Ruiz, I go home after a match, soak in my lavender bubble bath, and relax—because I know I’m the best.”
Michael Badwolf, the reigning EWF Champion, doesn’t mince words. “Eddie Ruiz is just a punching bag with a death wish,” he sneers. “The fans can chant his name, but he’s just another loser showing up to get beat. I’ve crushed him before, and I’ll do it again. ‘All Guts?’ More like ‘All Stupid.’”
Even those no longer in the EWF have their doubts about Ruiz. Sergio Santana, a former Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner, was forced to leave the promotion after losing a “loser leaves the Empire” match to high-flyer Firebird last year. Watching from the sidelines in exile, Santana derides Ruiz’s persistence. “Frankly, Ruiz should’ve left with me,”Santana says bluntly. “I’ve seen plenty like him come and go—guys with a lot of heart but little to show for it. At some point, you have to face facts: the kid’s just not championship material.”
The skepticism extends to some of Ruiz’s in-ring rivals as well. Ray Malvado, a veteran luchador known for his cunning tactics, smirks at Ruiz’s underdog reputation. “Corazón (heart) is for fairy tales,” Malvado says, slipping into Spanish to drive home his point. “In the ring, heart gets you hurt. Ruiz can have all the guts in the world; it won’t save him when he’s up against real competition like me.” Malvado, who has tangled with Ruiz in a series of hard-hitting bouts, remains confident that the underdog’s story will end in disappointment rather than triumph.
Talk to Ruiz’s supporters and a very different picture emerges—one focused on the long game rather than immediate results. Jesse Hernandez, the founder of the Empire Wrestling Federation and a mentor to many young wrestlers, is quick to defend the value of perseverance. “Eddie’s the kind of wrestler who reminds me why I started this federation,”Hernandez says. “I’ve been in this sport over 40 years, and I’ve seen that the ones with real passion and determination are often the ones who eventually break through. Heart and integrity count for a lot in the long run.”
As the Empire Wrestling Federation prepares for its next slate of live events, “All Guts” Eddie Ruiz continues to train harder than ever. He knows another opportunity will come — another shot to silence the critics—or prove them right. Whether he will rise to the occasion or continue his struggle remains to be seen, but for now, Ruiz is not backing down.
(For schedules and tickets to upcoming EWF live events where “All Guts” Eddie Ruiz will continue his fight, visit the Events section of empirewrestlingfederation.com for more details.)
