17 Best Wrestling Schools in LA [All You Need to know About]

Last Updated on 28/03/2024 by John Penn

Los Angeles is a big city for wrestling. It has many great schools for all kinds of wrestlers. This guide will tell you about the top 25 schools in LA. They are split into 5 types: Pro Wrestling, D1, D2, D3, and WWE. Each school has its own style and focus. No matter what your wrestling goals are, LA has the right school for you.

Pro Wrestling Schools

• Santino Bros. Wrestling Academy

• Located in Bell Gardens, CA
• Started by brothers Sal and Mongol Santino in 2002
• Trains wrestlers of all skill levels
• Teaches in-ring moves, character work, and telling stories in the ring
• Has expert trainers like ex-WWE star Cliff Compton (Domino)
• Grads include Eli Everfly, Heather Monroe, and WWE’s Jake Atlas
• Holds regular live events for students to get ring time and exposure

• Millennium Pro Wrestling

• Based in Los Angeles, CA
• Opened in 2010, now a top LA wrestling school
• Covers all aspects of pro wrestling
• Teaches in-ring skills, characters, and the business side
• Head trainer is indie veteran Mike Rayne
• Team of coaches helps students reach full potential
• Hosts live events to showcase student talent
• Grads include Royce Isaacs (wrestled in NJPW, AEW) and Heather Monroe

• School of Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling

• Found in San Bernardino, CA
• Run by pro wrestler/trainer Joey Ryan since 2010
• Focuses on technical wrestling, ring psychology, and making good characters
• Has modern training space and experienced coaches
• Ryan himself trains students hands-on
• Lets students perform at live events and showcases
• Grads include Candice LeRae (wrestled in WWE) and rising indie star Laura James

• Finest City Wrestling

• Located in Chula Vista, CA
• Offers a 12-week complete pro wrestling course
• Students learn in-ring work, characters, promos, and telling stories
• Head coach is Gino Rivera (wrestled in Lucha Underground, AEW)
• Gives students chances to perform live and get seen by the industry
• Grads include Flip Gordon (wrestled ROH, NJPW) and indie standout Brody King

• Lucha Underground Training Center

• Based in Boyle Heights, CA
• Specializes in high-flying lucha libre style
• Founded by pro wrestler/trainer Chavo Guerrero Jr.
• Trains future luchadores and luchadoras
• Teaches aerial moves, submissions, and lucha libre history and tradition
• Offers chances to perform at live events
• Grads include Lucha Underground announcer Melissa Santos and Marty “The Moth” Martinez (wrestled in Lucha Underground, MLW)

D1 Wrestling Schools

• Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB)

• Has a top-ranked NCAA D1 wrestling program
• Consistently one of the best D1 schools
• Offers athletic scholarships to talented wrestlers
• Lets athletes pursue school and sports goals
• Head coach is Manny Rivera, a former NCAA All-American and Olympian
• Team of skilled coaches helps athletes reach full potential
• Competes in the tough Pac-12 Conference
• Grads include Stephen Neal (NCAA champ, NFL player) and 2-time NCAA All-American Darryl Pope

• Cal Poly

• Strong NCAA D1 wrestling program
• Known for excellence in both sports and academics
• Wrestles in the Pac-12 Conference against top competition
• Head coach is Jon Sioredas, an ex-NCAA All-American
• Coaching staff is committed to helping athletes succeed
• Provides support for sports and studies
• Grads include 2-time NCAA All-American Tom Kline and 4-time NCAA qualifier Bernie Truax

• Fresno State

• Powerful NCAA D1 wrestling program in the Big 12 Conference
• Consistently produces top talent
• Has state-of-the-art training facilities
• Experienced coaches dedicated to athlete development
• Head coach is Troy Steiner, an ex-NCAA champ and Olympian
• Supports athletes in sports and academics
• Grads include 3-time NCAA champ and Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas, and Josh Koscheck (NCAA All-American, MMA fighter)

• Stanford

• NCAA D1 wrestling program focused on academic and athletic excellence
• Competes in the Pac-12 Conference
• Head coach is Jason Borrelli, a former NCAA All-American
• Coaching staff helps athletes reach full potential
• Provides a supportive environment for sports and studies
• Grads include 2-time NCAA champ Matt Gentry and 2-time NCAA All-American Nick Amuchastegui

D2 Wrestling Schools

• Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB)

• NCAA D2 wrestling program in the competitive RMAC conference
• Balances athletics and academics
• Head coach Andy Vogl is an ex-NCAA D2 All-American
• Skilled coaches help athletes reach their best
• Strong history of success with multiple NCAA D2 All-Americans and national qualifiers
• Grads include 2-time NCAA D2 All-American Eric Sims and NCAA D2 national qualifier Keenan Willard

• San Francisco State (SFSU)

• NCAA D2 wrestling program in the RMAC conference
• Competes against top D2 wrestlers
• Supports athletes in sports and studies
• Head coach Lars Jensen is a former NCAA D1 All-American
• Has a winning tradition with many NCAA D2 All-Americans and national qualifiers
• Grads include 2-time NCAA D2 All-American Mitch Houghton and NCAA D2 national qualifier George Quintero

• Cal State LA

• NCAA D2 wrestling program in the RMAC conference
• Consistently produces high-level talent
• Gives athletic scholarships to skilled wrestlers
• Lets athletes pursue sports and academic goals
• Head coach is Brandon Slay, an Olympic gold medalist and ex-NCAA champ
• Expert coaches help athletes maximize potential
• Supportive wrestling community and focus on academic success
• Grads include NCAA D2 national qualifier Timothy Vega and 2-time NCAA D2 All-American Heratch Zadourian

D3 Wrestling Schools

• Claremont McKenna College

• NCAA D3 wrestling program in the SCIAC conference
• Known for high academic standards and competitive wrestling
• Draws athletes who excel in class and on the mat
• Head coach Corey Endres is a former NCAA D3 All-American
• Coaches help athletes reach full potential
• Close-knit wrestling community fosters personal and athletic growth
• Grads include NCAA D3 national qualifier Drew Housman and 2-time NCAA D3 All-American Joey Lippman

• Whittier College

• NCAA D3 wrestling program in the SCIAC conference
• Balances sports and academics
• Head coach is Robert Valderrama, an ex-NCAA D3 national qualifier
• Dedicated coaches help athletes succeed
• Tight wrestling community and personal attention from coaches
• Grads include Coach Valderrama and NCAA D3 national qualifier Anthony Jacobo

• Occidental College

• NCAA D3 wrestling program in the SCIAC conference
• Supports athletes in studies and sports
• Head coach Michael Blankenship is a former NCAA D3 national qualifier
• Coaches are committed to athlete development
• Close team atmosphere and focus on personal and athletic growth
• Grads include NCAA D3 national qualifier Bruce Mebine and Coach Blankenship

WWE Wrestling Schools

• WWE Performance Center

• The official WWE training facility in Orlando, FL
• State-of-the-art center with a complete program for future WWE stars
• Covers all aspects of sports entertainment
• World-class coaches include ex-WWE stars and industry experts
• Grads include Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, and Montez Ford, all current WWE top stars

• Santino Bros. Wrestling Academy

• While not an official WWE school, many grads have signed with WWE
• Offers solid training in pro wrestling basics and character work

• Millennium Pro Wrestling

• Several graduates have been recruited by WWE
• Training aligns with WWE’s style and expectations

Final Remarks

LA is a hotbed for wrestling talent. It has many top-notch schools for all styles and levels. From the high-flying lucha libre of Lucha Underground to the intense D1 programs at schools like CSUB, to the all-around training at pro wrestling academies like Santino Bros., there’s a perfect fit for every wrestler in LA. Use this guide to find the school that matches your goals, and start your journey to wrestling success in the City of Angels.