Saturday, June 25, 2011

Episode 20a - The Two-Part Three-Show Coverage Continues!

So I left you all hanging yesterday halfway through today's CHIKARA card. Let's finish up today's card and cover Sunday's show as well.

And now, the conclusion of...

A DEMON IN HIS POCKET

Incoherence (Hallowicked and Frightmare) vs. F.I.S.T. (Johnny Gargano and Chuck Taylor)

I stated yesterday that I thought F.I.S.T. would win their match against The Colony. And I haven't looked at the results, because I like to find out when I watch the shows rather than the minute they're over and done. So I don't know who won that match, but if F.I.S.T. did, then they'd be poised for another victory today. If any team could pose a serious threat to the current Campeones de Parejas (besides the BDK), it'd be F.I.S.T. I'd love to see Quackenbush and Jigsaw take on Gargano and Taylor. Though that may not be for a little while, as Jigsaw is on the shelf with an injury. Still, winning today would give this incarnation of F.I.S.T. two points towards challenging for the Campeonatos, and I'd like to see this matchup take place. So I'm picking F.I.S.T. to win again today.

The Colony (Soldier Ant, Fire Ant, and Green Ant) vs. The BDK (Ares, Claudio Castagnoli, and Tursas)

Hoo boy, talk about your major main event attraction! The past two King of Trios winning teams take on each other to see who is the better team. The BDK certainly has the size advantage (with the mammoth Tursas and the chiseled Claudio Castagnoli), but The Colony has the boundless energy of Fire Ant and the baffling strength of Green Ant. Green managed to bodyslam Tursas, which is impressive considering Green weighs half what Tursas does. It appears that getting his arm broken last year was the best thing to have happened to Green Ant. So which team will I pick to win? That's a tough choice. The BDK is still going strong six months after I thought they would dissolve, and The Colony is better than ever after their King of Trios victory. I think, though, that this time, size does matter. As much as it pains me to say this, I think the BDK is going to win this match.

12 Large Summit match - Mike Quackenbush vs. Ophidian

CHIKARA's founder takes on the venomous, vile serpent from the Nile. Ophidian took Amasis' place in the 12 Large Summit, so he's got something to prove. Quackenbush lost to Hallowicked in the first match of the round robin tourney, so he's got something to prove. This will be an excellent match. Both men are adept at the high-flying, and both are great submission wrestlers as well. Their styles should mesh quite well. I can't remember them facing off one-on-one before, so this should be a unique experience to say the least. However, I think one major point will be the deciding factor here: this is Ophidian's first match in the tourney, and Quack's second. Quack needs a victory to keep in the running, while Ophidian can muster a loss and still stay in the hunt. So I'm going to pick Mike Quackenbush to win.

12 Large Summit match - UltraMantis Black vs. Eddie Kingston

I hate to say it, but even the great and devious UltraMantis Black can't stop the momentum of one Eddie Kingston. I picked Mantis to win yesterday, so he can suffer a loss and be even with just about everyone. Eddie Kingston wins.



And now, for Sunday's show showdown...I present to you...

THE EVIL THAT LIES WITHIN, PART 4

Sugar Dunkerton vs. Ophidian

Sugar had one of my favorite matches of the year last month against Archibald Peck. It was definitely a surprise and a sleeper hit for yours truly. Ophidian I've already discussed. Sugar hasn't had much success as a singles wrestler, but damn if he doesn't give it his all every single time. Sadly, I don't think that Sunday will be his day to win. Ophidian needs the win after his predicted loss on Saturday, and he'll get it. Nevertheless, this should be a damn fun match. Ophidian wins.

Four Corner Elimination Match - The Olsen Twins (Colin and Jimmy) vs. Los Ice Creams (Ice Cream Jr. and El Hijo del Ice Cream) vs. The Dark Army (Obariyon and Kobald) vs. Aeroform (Louis Lyndon and Flip Kendrick)

You know why I hated WWE multi-man or multi-tag matches? Because they were always one fall to a finish. CHIKARA does it right by having these epic elimination matches. We FINALLY get The Olsen Twins back after months away, as well as the unreal team of Louis Lyndon and Flip Kendrick. I first saw these two a couple of years ago in the Fray match that opened a Dragon Gate USA show, and I instantly became a fan of both. Lyndon is thoroughly unique, and Kendrick is ridiculously athletic. Both men can go like nobody's business. Then, we've got Los Ice Creams, the closest thing CHIKARA has to jobbers, and two members of The Dark Army, who are seemingly everywhere. Now, one of these teams could potentially walk out of this match with the three points necessary to challenge for the Campeonatos de Parejas, provided they win all three falls against their opponents. To my knowledge, that has not happened since I began watching CHIKARA. But who knows? It could happen on Sunday. We can probably count Los Ice Creams out, since I can't remember the last time they won a match. And, unless they're planning to become a more constant fixture, we can count Aeroform out (though an Aeroform/F.I.S.T. could be intriguing since Johnny Gargano teamed up with Aeroform at King of Trios 2010 before becoming part of F.I.S.T.). So that leaves us with The Olsen Twins and The Dark Army. Obariyon and Kobald have, to my knowledge, not teamed together as a regular tag team, while The Olsen Twins...well, I think you can figure that out. For this match, I'm honestly going with my heart here and picking The Olsen Twins to win, though I don't think they'll get all three points necessary to challenge for the Campeonatos. But they'll get the final fall.

Cheech Hernandez vs. Jakob Hammermeier

If Jakob survives his match with The Throwbacks on Saturday, he's got a tough cookie in Cheech to contend with on Sunday. Cheech is a guy I haven't seen too much, but I've enjoyed what few matches I've seen him in. He's got great sway over the crowd and a great attitude. Whether he can stop the apparently unstoppable Jakob Hammermeier is another story. Jakob's matches usually go as such: he gets the crap beaten out of him only to have someone distract or take out the ref long enough for another BDK member to destroy his opponent and drape him (Jakob) over his opponent's unconscious body and pick up the victory. Since the BDK has plenty of members on hand this weekend, it's likely that will happen yet again. My apologies, Cheech Jakob Hammermeier wins.

Eddie Kingston vs. Hieracon

Kingston was originally scheduled to face Brodie Lee in the main event of this show, but due to Brodie's knee injury, that match will not happen. It's too bad, too, because that would have been one hell of a main event match. Instead, we get poor Hieracon getting thrown to the wolves. Or, in this case, The War King. We all know Hieracon can take some punishment, but something tells me he won't be pinning Kingston's shoulders to the mat for a three count. Look for a serious beatdown being laid out by one Mr. Last of a Dying Breed. Eddie Kingston wins in convincing fashion.

Dasher Hatfield vs. Tursas

I do not envy Dasher one bit. Tursas has been defeated only a few times since his debut last year, and since adding a TOP ROPE MOONSAULT to his repetoire, Tursas is scarier than ever. Dasher is one of those guys who can take about as much abuse as anyone can dish out, but I just cannot see him winning this match. He may have defeated Brodie Lee last year, but Tursas is another monster entirely. Tursas wins.

The Spectral Envoy (UltraMantis Black and Hallowicked) vs. The BDK (Ares and Tim Donst)

The whole UMB/BDK thing began before I started watching CHIKARA, and I keep meaning to go back and read more about the story between these two. I've read some, but it's a very complex and detailed story. Safe to say that UMB and Ares have unfinished business, and it's even more complicated with Sinn Bodhi in the mix, though we haven't really gotten to hear much of the story unfold as of late. I'd like to know if someone is in league with someone else, or if all three factions are working for themselves, or who knows what else? Anyway, this should be one hell of a fight. But UMB is fighting a two-pronged war, and his resources will be depleted more than Ares'. I'm giving this win to the BDK. Damn, why am I picking them to win so much?

Young Lion's Cup Championship Match - Frightmare (c) vs. Kodama

Kodama earned this title shot by pinning Frightmare last month during a trios match. Frightmare is trying to be the first Young Lion's Cup champ to hold the title for an entire year. The only person who came close to that was Shane Storm, now known as STIGMA, who held it from YLC II to YLC III, which were eleven months apart. I will give Kodama some credit: he has gotten better as the months pass. But I still think he's a little behind Obariyon as far as in-ring polish is concerned. Kodama probably botches moves more than anyone on the CHIKARA roster, but that isn't a huge insult considering how polished the entire roster is (especially when compared to companies like CZW). I can't imagine him winning the YLC from Frightmare. Not this close to the next YLC tourney. Frightmare wins and retains the Young Lion's Cup.

The Colony (Soldier Ant, Fire Ant, and Green Ant) and "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush vs. F.I.S.T. (Icarus, Chuck Taylor, and Johnny Gargano) and Vin Gerard

As it says on CHIKARA's website, RELEVOS ATOMICOS! I have no idea what that means, but we've got an eight-man tag team match, and you will never hear me complain about that. Poor Vin Gerard is trying to pick up the pieces of his career after being forced to split up after losing to 3.0 last month. Oddly enough, we haven't seen 3.0 since then...anyway, Gerard will get a chance by teaming up with F.I.S.T. to take on the 2011 Kings of Trios and one half of the Campeones de Parejas. We're getting another rematch of the King of Trios final match, which I'm totally cool with. Add Gerard and Quack to the mix and it's a recipe for insanity. Atomicos matches tend to get out of hand, and they're usually famous for their multi-person submission sequences. I hope at some point we get eight guys with seven submissions chained together simultaneously. Hell, if the first guy being made to submit manages to get a hold of the eighth guy and have a crazy circular eight-man submission, I could die happy. Anyway, this should be fast, furious, and fun match to watch. And I want to see the weekend end on a positive note. So I'll pick The Colony and Mike Quackenbush to win. Better luck next time, Vin.



And so ends another insane three-day weekend spectacular in CHIKARA. Makes me want to try to get a job with them so I can go to these shows instead of experiencing them on DVD. Anyone know if CHIKARA is hiring? *wink*

Okay, that's it for me for now. But I'll be back for CHIKARASAURUS REX weekend, if not sooner. Keep cool in this unbearable summer heat, kids.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Episode 20 - Three! Three! Three Shows In One!

(To be said in Yakko Warner's voice) "It's that time again." Time for another CHIKARA weekend spectacular showcase extravaganza! With the sheer number of shows they've been putting on this year, it's getting tougher and tougher to fit their three-day-weekend shows into one episode. I'll try to do so today, seeing as how I meant to do a write-up yesterday but got totally sidetracked by various other things. Anyway, I thought this weekend was Chikarasaurus Rex weekend, but it turns out that's next month. That is a trio of shows I am looking forward to almost as much as I did King of Trios. But let's get to this month's shows first.

There is one very unfortunate injury to report: Brodie Lee was hurt during a recent Dragon Gate USA show, and will probably be out of action for a while. This puts the highly anticipated Lee/Kingston match off and takes Lee out of the 12 Large Summit. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Now, to make up for the loss of the Big Rig of the CHIKARA roster, the matches already set up had to be shuffled around a little. But the cards still look great, so let's take a looksee.

The Case of the Bulletproof Waldo

The Throwbacks (Sugar Dunkerton, Dasher Hatfield, and Matt Classic) vs. The Dark Army (Obariyon, Kodama, and Kobald)

*clears throat* Ahem...MATT CLASSIC IN THE HOUSE! He is once again paired with The Throwbacks in a...well...throwback...to last year's King of Trios. Dunkerton, Hatfield, and the 87-year veteran of professional wrestling will take on the dangerous trio known as the Dark Army. Obariyon and Kodama gained a victory over the Throwbacks last month at Anniversario, and I'm sure the Throwbacks are looking to even the score. Matt Classic is a bit of a wild card, though, as he's been known to be somewhat unreliable in tag team matches. Some people question whether he actually knows what a tag team is. But he is a dangerous man when inside the squared circle, so the Dark Army had better watch out. Kobald is also a wild card, always running around and interfering in other peoples' business...Anyway, I'd imagine this to be a pretty back and forth affair, hopefully including some classic Matt Classic high-flying maneuvers. You know, I'm not sure Matt Classic has ever won a match in CHIKARA...but I think that streak may come to an end today. I'll take The Throwbacks to win.

The Osirian Portal (Ophidian and Hieracon) vs. Emperador and Ripper

Unfortunately, I know absolutely nothing about Emperador and Ripper besides the fact that they work for GALLI Lucha Libre. But they're luchadores, and that usually means that they're good workers. On the other side of the ring, Hieracon continues to fill in for the injured Amasis. While Hieracon has been doing better in the ring, he doesn't quite yet have the chemistry that Ophidian had with Amasis. Still, they are a formidable tag team with points towards the Campeonatos de Parejas. And I can't see them losing said points to a team that's probably in CHIKARA for one night only. Still, it should be an interesting matchup. The Osirian Portal wins.

Eddie Kingston vs. Colt Cabana

This match could be epic. And I don't use that word very often anymore (mostly because it's been completely overused by the general public). I don't think I've looked forward to an advertised match this much since Kingston vs. El Generico. And I think (for those of you who know the not-so-well-kept secret about Cabana) you will understand why I picked the Throwbacks to win: I don't see Cabana taking two losses in one night. I also don't see him taking two wins in one night. Sorry, Colt, but this match is going to the War King. Eddie Kingston wins.

Side note: I'm a little saddened that CHIKARA seems to be going toward a more generic music feel. Maybe they aren't able to use the songs they used to use under Fair Use anymore. All I'm saying is I'm royally disappointed that Eddie Kingston isn't using the instrumental version of that Jay-Z sample of The Ecstasy of Gold anymore. Moving on...

The Colony (Soldier Ant and Green Ant) vs. F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano)

We're getting a rematch of sorts from this year's King of Trios finals. Since both Fire Ant and Icarus are in 12 Large Summit matches, these teams are going at it in a traditional tag match. Well, a traditional CHIKARA tag match, that is. I'd have to imagine that F.I.S.T. still holds a grudge against the Colony for preventing them (F.I.S.T.) from becoming two-time Kings of Trios. And everybody holds a grudge against F.I.S.T. for...well...being F.I.S.T. Anyway, these are two of CHIKARA's most well-established teams with a long history, and they always put on a good match, be it against each other or other opponents. So this match should be no different. I'm sure Chuck Taylor is stinging from two losses at Anniversario, so he's probably wanting a win more than anyone else. And that's why I think this match will be won by F.I.S.T.

Da Soul Touchaz (Marshe Rockett, Acid Jaz, and Willie Richardson) vs. the BDK (Ares, Tursas, and Tim Donst)

We haven't seen DST in CHIKARA in a while, but they still aren't done with the BDK. I'm a little surprised (but not disappointed) that this feud has lasted for about eight months. I'm glad it gives DST something to do in CHIKARA. They are three very talented men who probably could move up to bigger and better things were it not for this nagging feud they have with the BDK. I think if they get a win, they might get some closure from the events that transpired late last year. Maybe if they win, they'll get a more permanent spot on the CHIKARA roster, and maybe a spot in next year's King of Trios...I hope that's the case, anyway. So I'm going with my heart here and picking Da Soul Touchaz to win this bout.

12 Large Summit match - Sara Del Rey vs. Icarus

Two of the most despised heels on the CHIKARA roster will battle it out to see who gets their first win in the 12 Large Summit. Some people (namely the face commentators) are questioning how anyone other than Claudio Castagnoli got any votes to get into this tourney, and we don't know yet how Sara garnered enough votes to get in. But this just proves that she's that damn awesome. And you know what? As much as I like to root against the BDK, I like to root against anyone from F.I.S.T. even more. So I'm picking Sara Del Rey to win this match, because I want to see her kick Icarus' freaking head off.

12 Large Summit match - Fire Ant vs. UltraMantis Black

Both men are also competing in their first 12 Large Summit match, and getting points early is a key to moving on. And in a contrast to the previous match, both Fire Ant and UMB are painfully over with the crowd. Mantis had an awesome bout with Chuck Taylor that saw them fighting in a park for a couple of minutes and a chop war that lasted far longer than any chop war I've seen (save that insane chop war between Kobashi and Sasaki - go look it up). I'm expecting this to be a fairly fast-paced affair, with lots of high spots from Fire Ant and a fair bit of offense from the devious one himself. But who wins? Out of the two, I honestly think Mantis has a better shot of getting further in the tourney, and since he's got a monstrous challenge the next day, I'm thinking he gets some points today. UltraMantis Black wins.

12 Large Summit match - Claudio Castagnoli vs. Hallowicked

Hallowicked was the first person to win a 12 Large Summit match, besting Mike Quackenbush in an excellent match at Anniversario. But Claudio is another story entirely. The contest between Quack and Wicked was a spirited affair, since both men are friends and compatriots. This bout, however, will be brutal, filled with hate and anger, a true knock-down drag-out fight to the bitter end. Hallowicked may have won the first match in the tourney, but I don't think he'll make it to the finals. I've already hedged my bets that Claudio vs. Kingston will be the final match of this tourney (to put the final nail in their feud's coffin), and for that to happen, Claudio needs to win his matches. So I'm picking Claudio Castagnoli to win.

And that's today's (Friday) show. Now let's move on to Saturday's show:

A Demon in His Pocket

CLASH Special Attraction match - Cameron Skyy and Too Sweet vs. Gavin Quinn and The H3RD

I've only heard (no pun intended) of Cameron Skyy, who was a participant in last year's Young Lion's Cup tournament. And sine I've never seen a CLASH show, I'm totally in the dark here. So I'll just pick the guy I've heard of to win. Awful practice, I know. Cameron Skyy and Too Sweet win. I need to watch more independent stuff...

Hieracon vs. Vin Gerard

Despite losing his tag team partner of quite some time, STIGMA, Vin Gerard probably has to feel pretty good about defeating Brodie Lee in a 12 Large Summit match last month. And now that Lee is out of the tourney due to an injury, Gerard can claim that he's the only man who can lay claim to defeating Brodie in the tournament. Or something silly like that. This isn't a tournament match, but it should be a good match nonetheless. And I think that Vin needs the singles victory more than Hieracon, since Vin needs to get some momentum built up as a singles competitor now that the UnStable is no more. So I'm picking Vin Gerard to win. Eew, I think I need to take a shower after making that pick...

The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield and Sugar Dunkerton) vs. The BDK (Tim Donst and Jakob Hammermeier)

I'm actually a little disturbed at how many wins Jakob has. A small part of me wonders if this is just to get back at Lince Dorado for no-showing a couple of events (a fact I did not know about until recently, which explains why Dorado is no longer a part of CHIKARA (which is disappointing to me since I rather liked watching him get the crap beaten out of him on a regular basis (See: The Extremely Hilarious Deaths of Lince Dorado on the Youtubes))). I hope that isn't the case. Anyway, Hammermeier's gimmick of announcing himself, then running to the back and walking out all proud like he just got introduced by someone else is still hilarious to me. And while he isn't the greatest wrestler in the company, he's got the heel schtick down perfectly. He wears a vest and tie down to the ring, and always uses them to choke his opponents. He's actually very good for a man with limited in-ring academics. Anyway, I've blabbed on about Jakob for longer than most announcers will during a match of his. I don't think The Throwbacks will be winning two matches in two days, unfortunately. The BDK wins this match.

Gregory Iron vs. Icarus

Iron has been champing at the bit to get revenge on Icarus for months. He gets his shot on Saturday. And as much as I want to see him win, I just don't think it's going to happen while Icarus is part of the 12 Large Summit. Maybe once Icarus is eliminated from the tourney, Iron will get his revenge. But this time, I think Icarus gains the victory.



Okay, after some thought, I've decided to break this episode into two so I can retain some semblance of sanity. Also so this episode isn't twelve thousand words long. So stay tuned for part two, which will be posted either tonight or tomorrow!