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100 Percent Fordified: CHIKARA Aniversario 2016 Tour
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Championship Rundown
Grand Champion: Princess Kimberlee
Campeones de Parejas: N_R_G (Race Jaxon & Hype Rockwell)
Young Lions Cup Champion: The Estonian Thunderfrog
Birmingham, England – 5.27.2016
Commentary is provided by Mike Quackenbush, Dasher Hatfield, Bryce Remsburg, and Leonard F. Chikarason.
Lucas Calhoun has turned over a new leaf ever since ditching Snowflake. He’s a little more jukin’ and jivin’ than he is fisticuffs. He says Stewie Scrivens may be a complete unknown, but Calhoun can overcome anything put in his way. The only question at the end of the night will be: are you in the (Lucas Calhoun) fan club, baby?
Stewie Scrivens vs. Lucas Calhoun
Scrivens is the former Karate Durling who is the former Trent Baretta who is the former Benny Figg who is the former Touch Phillips who is the former Bugg Nevans who is the former Rick Beanbag who is the former Scoot Tatum who is the former Chuck Taylor.
Scrivens announces that his finishing move is a Magistral cradle. He asks Calhoun what his finisher is. He looks to demonstrate a Samoan Drop on Bryce, but thinks better of it. Scrivens grabs a wristlock and the fans encourage Calhoun to tap. Calhoun’s other arm drops twice, but he fires up on the third and does some dancing with Scrivens. They trade waistlocks. Scrivens didn’t appreciate Calhoun’s dancing. Calhoun does some ballroom dancing with Scrivens to further anger him. Scrivens gives him a stomach kick and some shots to the stomach in the corner. He kicks out Calhoun’s legs. Calhoun rolls out before Scrivens can go for la Magistral cradle. On the floor Calhoun catches Scrivens with a crane kick. In the ring Scrivens takes back over with stomps in the corner. Bryce admonishes Scrivens for fish hooking Calhoun. Calhoun gives him a jumping knee to the face. He fights off Scrivens’ uranage attempt and comes off the middle turnbuckle with a karate chop to the head. He hits two more. Scrivens ducks the third and delivers a sole butt kick. He goes for la Magistral. Calhoun counters with a backbreaker for two. Calhoun catches Scrivens with a neck snap on the top rope. Scrivens catches Calhoun with the Brodie Knee and gets two with a uranage. Calhoun tries the Samoan Drop. Scrivens slides out. He stops Calhoun’s karate chop and goes for la Magistral cradle. Calhoun cuts back and pins Scrivens at 8:37! This was a fun, character driven match to showcase Calhoun’s more light-hearted personality. Scrivens played his role well, accentuating Calhoun’s attributes and making the win seem like an accomplishment. **¼
N_R_G (Race Jaxon & Hype Rockwell) & Heidi Lovelace vs. Nightmare Warriors (Frightmare & The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama))
To signify that they are now under the control of UltraMantis Black and aligned with the Nightmare Warriors, the Batiri are now donned in red face paint and red and black attire. Frightmare jumps Rockwell from behind and sends him to the corner with a quesadora armdrag. He strings some strikes together, finally taking Rockwell off his feet with a diving clothesline and Frankensteiner. Jaxon comes in with a high crossbody. He hits an enzuigiri and tags in Lovelace. They both attack Frightmare in the corner. Lovelace gives him a low superkick for two. Frightmare backs Jaxon to the corner so the Batiri can pummel him. Jaxon catches Obariyon in a Gory Special in the ropes, but Kodama kicks him in the face to release his partner. Lovelace jumps in and unleashes chops and forearms to Obariyon in the corner. Obariyon stops her with a punch to the jaw. The Batiri and Frightmare beat down Lovelace in their half of the ring. It took her multiple attempts to escape, but she did by slipping out of Frightmare’s powerbomb attempt. She tried a Yoshi Tonic, but a fumble resulted in her landing in a sunset flip position, then tagging out to both members of N_R_G. Jaxon gives Kodama a clothesline through the ropes while Rockwell powerslams Obariyon. Jaxon comes in with a top rope dropkick to each member of the Batiri. They assist Lovelace with a kick and Frankensteiner on Frightmare, sending him to the floor. Jaxon suicide dives after him. Lovelace dove off the top turnbuckle onto the Batiri. Rockwell Finlay rolls Kodama into a super elbow drop from Jaxon. Obariyon breaks up the cover and tosses Jaxon to the floor. He drop toe holds Rockwell onto the middle rope and knee strikes him in the back of the head. Lovelace uses the ropes to spike Obariyon with a tornado DDT. Frightmare gives her Go 2 Sleepy Hollow. Jaxon superkicks Frightmare to stop the cover. Kodama comes in and gives Jaxon a waterwheel slam for two. Lovelace unloads with forearms and chops to both Batiri members and Frightmare. She eats the Skull Bronzing with the Batiri with an added kick to the back of the head by Frightmare. Rockwell waistlock rolls Kodama off of Lovelace to stop any pin attempt. The Batiri and Frightmare jump all over Rockwell, sending him and Jaxon to the floor. Lovelace tries a headscissors on Kodama but Kodama picks her up onto his shoulders. He and Obariyon nail her with the Seventh Circle. Frightmare follows up with Kneecolepsy for the pin at 11:20. This was more or less a showcase for the Batiri and Frightmare to show how cohesive they are together, but lost in the shuffle was how good Jaxon has become. It would have been nice for he and Rockwell had more of a chance to showcase their tandem offense, but that wasn’t this match’s purpose. We’ve seen Lovelace in the underdog role before and she does very well in taking a beating. The brutal offense she took in last 30 seconds or so showed exactly that. ***
Ophidian is looking to avenge his loss to Mark Andrews during King of Trios 2015 weekend. That loss showed Ophidian that his training wasn’t good enough to defeat Andrews in 2015, but in 2016, Ophidian is new man training harder than ever. He is going to prove to Andrews that he is the greatest Rey de Voladores.
Mark Andrews vs. Ophidian
Andrews is replacing the injured Zack Sabre, Jr. Ophidian gets a couple of nearfalls in the opening exchange. Andrews uses a little World of Sport in his counter wrestling. He trips Ophidian and snaps off a trifecta of armdrags, despite Ophidian initially blocking the third. Andrews keeps hold of the arm. Ophidian gets the ropes to escape. Andrews flips out of a sunset flip and dropkicks Ophidian. Ophidian avoids a corner attack. He flips in from the apron and back elbows Andrews before taking him over with a spinwheel kick. He grabs a nerve pinch before delivering an enzuigiri. He gets two with a fisherman’s suplex. Andrews takes some chops in the corner. He catches Ophidian with a prawn hold, but instead of a pin, rolls up and double stomps Ophidian in the stomach. A standing moonsault gets him a two count. Ophidian sends Andrews to the floor, then uses the ropes to come down with a headscissors on the floor. Andrews goes to the entrance stage. Ophidian looks to follow but is met with a kick. Andrews pulls out his skateboard. He skates down the ramp into a tornado DDT! In the ring he spikes Ophidian with a reverse Frankensteiner, then spikes him again with a standard Frankensteiner, but somehow Ophidian kicks out. Ophidian yanks Andrews off of the top turnbuckle. He drives his knees into Andrews’ chest and then his face. He headstands into a knee strike to the face before hitting Meteora for two. The Egyptian Destroyer has the same result. He brings Andrews to the top turnbuckle. Andrews comes down and enzuigiri’s Ophidian. He brings him down with a super Frankensteiner and hits a standing shooting star press for two. A series of pin attempts results in both competitors winded and dazed. Andrews gives Ophidian a Side Effect. He misses a shooting star press. Ophidian catapults up into another Egyptian Destroyer for the pin at 12:13. These two worked a well paced, exciting, athletic match. They walked a very thin line on finisher overkill, but I ultimately think they built to a good point and finished when the crowd was at their peak. This was a really good show of athleticism from both men, and one that reminded me how much I wish Andrews was more semi-regular in CHIKARA. ***¼
Fire Ant vs. Hermit Crab
Crab uses his pincer to pinch Fire Ant’s hand. Fire Ant grabs the rope to escape. Crab throws some chops. Fire Ant weaves him into a side headlock. He shoulder blocks Crab to the canvas. Hermit Crab crab walks to avoid a charge. Fire Ant blocks a boot but takes an enzuigiri. Crab grabs a nerve pinch and sends Fire Ant across the ropes. He crab walks across the ring. Although Fire Ant moves, Crab strikes him in the face. Fire Ant unloads chops to Crab’s chest. Crab grabs his hand a pulls Fire Ant into a clothesline. He holds onto another nerve hold. Fire Ant has trouble escaping, but the crowd wills him up. He shifts so that Crab is grabbing his top and fights his way out. He knocks down Crab with a running forearm. Crab blocks a brainbuster by pinching Fire Ant’s head. He sends Fire Ant face first into the top turnbuckle from the apron. He misses the crab walk elbow. Fire Ant hits the Yahtzee Kick and a brainbuster for the pin at 5:43. Crab still looks really awkward and green, but Fire Ant made his offense look good, and they kept things short, so it could have been worse. ½*
Officer Warren Barksdale runs down Drew Gulak’s impressive resume. He admits it’s impressive, but talks about how he cleaned up trash and saved both humans and animals alike in Cobb County, Georgia. He’s not sure if Gulak is a good or bad guy given the company he keeps, but if Gulak tries any shenanigans, he’s going to have to “book him.”
Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Drew Gulak
Barksdale goes toe-to-toe with Gulak on the mat with either man fighting for a headscissors. Barksdale controls him in a hammerlock. Gulak switches out into a front facelock and rolls with Barksdale when Barksdale tries to escape. However, Barksdale is able to go back to the hammerlock. Gulak goes for an armbar, so Barksdale puts Gulak on his shoulders for a quick two count. Gulak picks him up in a Gory Stretch and pulls him down by his neck all the way down to the mat. He pushes Barksdale’s shoulders down and puts on an inverted crab. Barksdale is able to roll forward to the ropes. He flapjacks Gulak and hits the Cease and Desist for two. Gulak picks up Barksdale and slams him into the ropes. Gulak cleanly breaks a lock-up in the corner. He chops Barksdale and places him on the top turnbuckle. Gulak lands a superplex for two. He applies a chinlock. When Barksdale starts to break, Gulak gives him a powerbomb. Gulak clotheslines Barksdale in the corner. Barksdale responds with a knee to the stomach and a running back elbow for two. Gulak rolls to the apron. Barksdale tries bringing him in with a suplex. Gulak slips out, but Barksdale is able to give him a belly-to-back suplex for two. Gulak counters Barksdale’s powerbomb attempt with a Fujiwara armbar. Barksdale grabs the ropes. Gulak tries a superplex. Barksdale resists and comes crashing down on Gulak on the canvas. Barksdale tries a leapfrog. Gulak rolls under and sunset flips Barksdale for the pin at 9:27. Having matches like this are going to go a long way for Barksdale. I have zero issues with him doing his character stuff here and there in matches, but to establish that he has credibility when it comes to technical wrestling, especially against someone with Gulak’s reputation, is just as important as getting his character elements established. I come out of this match a bigger fan of the guy (and I already liked him before) and more inclined to check out other matches of his in the future. **¾
Princess Kimberlee and Eddie Kingston are backstage. Kingston is completely uninterested in doing a promo and just eyes Kimberlee’s title belt. Kimberlee mentions that history will be made tonight with all four of CHIKARA’s Grand champions in the ring at the same time. When she asks Kingston for some comments on the match, he just laughs in her face and walks off.
Princess Kimberlee & Eddie Kingston vs. Nightmare Warriors (Hallowicked & Icarus)
Icarus is now donning red and black and joins in the pre-match seance with Hallowicked. He too is under Mantis’ spell and serves Nazmaldun. Kingston controls Hallowicked on the mat to start. Hallowicked backs Kingston to his own corner where Kimberlee tags herself in, much to Kingston’s dismay. She ducks a clothesline and unloads with forearms to the chest. She takes Hallowicked over with a headscissors and toreador armdrag. Kingston blind tags himself back into the match. Kingston sends Hallowicked to the floor after some chops. Icarus quickly dropkicks Kingston outside, then Jon Woo dropkicks Kimberlee as soon as she enters the ring. He strings together a slam and elbow drop for two. Icarus and Hallowicked isolate Kimberlee, picking apart her left leg. Kingston (perhaps mockingly) yells “come on, champ!” to Kimberlee. She is able to slip to the floor, which brings in Kingston. He fights off the Nightmare Warriors, chopping them in opposite corners before unloading Kobashi like chops. Both of them are taken down with uranage suplexes. Hallowicked rolls to the floor and Kingston follows with a suicide dive. Icarus yanks Kimberlee by her hair and suplexes her in from the apron for a two count. The Nightmare Warriors go back to working over Kimberlee’s leg, while also illegally choking her when they can. Kingston gives her some advice from the apron, such as to kick Icarus when he had her in a single leg vine. Hallowicked goes for Never Wake Up, but Kimberlee slips out and luckily tags in Kingston.He throws Hallowicked overhead and gives Icarus a Northern Lights suplex. Hallowicked breaks the bridge. Kingston gives Hallowicked a leaping enzuigiri and a running STO. Icarus pulls Kingston to the floor and into the ring post. Hobbling, Kimberlee clotheslines Hallowicked in the corner. She throws a dropkick and drives her knees into Hallowicked’s chest. She sues her legs to throw kicks at Icarus’ head, causing her legs to give out. Hallowicked cracks her with a step-up enzuigiri. Kingston lariats Hallowicked. Icarus spears Kingston. Kimberlee pops Icarus up into a powerbomb. Hallowicked yakuza kicks Kimberlee. Kingston suplexes Hallowicked. Icarus hits a Shiranui on Kingston for two. Kimberlee throws some shots at Icarus. Icarus pulls her into the Wings of Icarus. Kingston breaks the pin and says “you’re welcome, Princess!” sarcastically to Kimberlee. Hallowicked gives Kingston a Rydeen Bomb and Swanton Bomb. Kimberlee breaks the pin and German suplexes Hallowicked. She says “you’re welcome, King!” sarcastically to Kingston. Icarus scoops her up into the Blu-Ray for two. Kingston gives him the Backfist to the Future. Hallowicked gives Kingston Go 2 Sleepy Hollow and Never Wake Up. He then locks on the CHIKARA Special. Kimberlee kicks Hallowicked, then slides her leg around his head and locks him in her own CHIKARA Special! Hallowicked taps out at 16:26. They accomplished a lot with this match, as they re-established Icarus and Hallowicked’s dynamic as a team, started the process of wearing down Kimberlee for her Grand Championship match with Hallowicked, gave her a submission victory over Hallowicked to keep some semblance of momentum for her going, and earned her Kingston’s respect (as shown by him raising her arm in victory). On top of that, the action was hot, the storytelling was on point, and the flurry of finishers/big moves had the crowd rocking. This was a great way to cap off the first show of this year’s UK tour. ***¾
Encore Match
Mr. Azerbaijan vs. Chuck Taylor™
Azerbaijan pulls his straps down and flexes. Taylor™ shoves him to the corner. Azerbaijan pulls his straps back up. He pulls Taylor™ to the corner and throws repeated punches to his stomach. He whips Taylor™ across the ring, then gives him a release suplex. Azerbaijan runs the ropes, then pins Taylor™ for a one count. He goes for a side slam. Taylor™ rakes his eyes and hits a running back elbow. He catches Azerbaijan coming off the ropes with a Samoan Drop. Taylor™ hits the New and Improved Soul Food. He yells to the crowd that he’s the real Chuck Taylor, then hits the New and Improved Soul Food again for the pin at 2:06. This was two of the more fun characters in CHIKARA wrestling for two minutes. What’s not to love? *
Manchester, England – 5.28.2016
Commentary is provided by Leonard F. Chikarason and Dasher Hatfield.
Because Mike Quackenbush is coming out of retirement for tonight’s main event. Senior Official Bryce Remsburg will serve as the Director of Fun for this event.
N_R_G are backstage. Race Jaxon says they’re going to show the UK what N_R_G is all about. Rockwell is pacing in the background. Jaxon says they took down some big dogs to become Los Campeonatos de Parejas and they have some big ones tonight. They’re facing Drew Gulak and the former Chuck Taylor tonight. They know that Gulak and the former Taylor have a deep pedigree in CHIKARA, and they plan to show Gulak and the former Taylor what N_R_G is all about.
N_R_G (Race Jaxon & Hype Rockwell) vs. The Gentleman’s Club (Drew Gulak & Rich Mahogany)
Rich Mahogany is the former Stewie Scrivens who is the former Karate Durling who is the former Trent Baretta who is the former Benny Figg who is the former Touch Phillips who is the former Bugg Nevans who is the former Rick Beanbag who is the former Scoot Tatum who is the former Chuck Taylor.
Jaxon holds on tight to a side headlock on Gulak. Gulak takes him to the mat and twists up Jaxon’s digits. Gulak monkey flips him while holding onto a double knuckle lock. Jaxon negotiates into a hammerlock, which Gulak snapmares his way out of. He twists up Jaxon’s legs and locks on a modified Trailblazer while grabbing at Jaxon’s face. He drops his knees onto Jaxon’s shoulders for a pin, but Jaxon shoves him off. He goes back to the side headlock. Gulak applies a headscissors and tags in Mahogany. Gulak releases the hold on Jaxon which allows Rockwell to tag in. Mahogany’s shoulder tackle fails to move Rockwell. After criss-crossing the ropes, Rockwell delivers a shoulder tackle of his own. Jaxon comes in with a double axe handle and gets two with a Magistral cradle. He grabs the side headlock. Mahogany takes Jaxon to the corner and Beele’s him across the ring. Gulak drops Jaxon with a brainbuster for two. Jaxon recovers and nails a flying forearm for two. Rockwell and Jaxon keep Gulak trapped in their corner momentarily. Gulak bends Jaxon down to the mat in a Gory Stretch for two. Mahogany tags in and is quickly taken to the N_R_G corner. He and Rockwell trade wristlocks. Rockwell takes over on the mat. Mahogany belly-to-belly suplexes Jaxon across the ring and comes off the middle rope with a missile dropkick for two. Gulak gets in some shots but Jaxon grabs the side headlock once again. Gulak throws him down out of a waistlock. Jaxon avoids a corner attack and lands a high crossbody. Gulak and Jaxon evade each others’ offense until Jaxon dropkicks Gulak to the floor. Mahogany gets kicked to the floor by Mahogany. Jaxon dives off of Rockwell’s back onto Mahogany and Gulak. Back inside, tempers flare between Jaxon and Gulak. Gulak slams him into the ropes. Jaxon and Gulak get into a slugfest afterwards. Mahogany attacks Jaxon from behind. He whips Jaxon into a knee from Gulak. Mahogany enzuigiri’s Jaxon and gives him a DDT for two. Gulak comes off the top with a diving clothesline. They double chokeslam Jaxon. Rockwell breaks the pin and cleans house on his opponents. Mahogany cuts him off with the Brodie Knee. Gulak gives him a kneeling Michinoku Driver. Jaxon breaks the pin. Mahogany accidentally superkicks Gulak! Jaxon superkicks Mahogany into the Hyperwheel from Rockwell for the pin at 16:18. They had some good ideas that didn’t materialize. Jaxon going back to the side headlock, Rockwell working over the arm, Gulak and Jaxon getting hot at each other – all ideas with potential that didn’t go anywhere. There wasn’t even much build up to the friendly fire between the Gents Club. The effort was there and the wrestling was good, but had a solid story materialized this would have been even better. **½
Ophidian vs. Hermit Crab
Crab boots Ophidian in the stomach to stop his oncoming charge. Crab gets in a couple of strikes, but Ophidian headbutts him thrice in the chest. Crab whips him to the corner. Ophidian headstands and awaits for Crab to crab walk over to him. When Crab does, Ophidian headstands over him and avoids a running pincer. Ophidian headstands into a headbutt to the stomach. He hits a moonsault for two. Crab grabs a nerve hold and delivers a clothesline. He slams Ophidian twice and digs both his claws into Ophidian’s shoulders. Crab whips him to the corner again and crab walks towards him. His slow walk results in Ophidian being able to recover and throw a variety of chops. Ophidian responds to Crab’s pincer hold with a claw of his own. Ophidian headbutts Crab’s arms away and hits an enzuigiri. Crab chokeslams Ophidian. He connects with an uppercut in the corner, causing Crab to celebrate. Ophidian props himself up in the ropes and hypnotizes Hermit Crab (and Bryce Remsburg, incidentally). Ophidian starts a dance contest which ends with Crab pinching himself! Ophidian snaps him out of the trance with a bicycle kick and double knees in the corner. He headstands into a double knee strike, then hits Meteora for the pin at 6:59. This told a fun story, with Crab’s claws leading to his very demise. This could be used as a growth opportunity for the character if they wanted it to be. Crab still needs polishing, but he and Ophidian hid his flaws and produced a fun match. *¼
Lucas Calhoun has been studying all the masters of karate to prepare for this match: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Kwang, and Steve Blackman. His opponent tonight, Icarus, is not unlike him: they are both changed men. Calhoun plans to make an example of Icarus, at the hand of “Cool Hand Luke”, as demonstrated with a karate chop.
Icarus vs. Lucas Calhoun
Icarus is not amused by, nor does he want to get involved with Calhoun’s shadow karate. Icarus elbows his way out of a waistlock, but gets turned inside out with a shoulder block. Icarus takes a powder. He misses a dropkick and multiple clotheslines, but connects with a kick to the back of Calhoun’s head. Icarus scores with a corner dropkick and running knee to the face for two. He chokes Calhoun on the middle rope with all of his body weight. On the floor he sends Calhoun head first into the ring post and chops him around ringside. In the ring Icarus wears down Calhoun’s back with a Camel Clutch. Icarus snapmares him into a back kick and gives him multiple shots to the stomach. Calhoun bandera’s to the apron and dazes Icarus with a leaping knee strike. He comes in from the middle rope with a karate chop to the head for two. Icarus responds with a Jon Woo dropkick for two. Calhoun escapes the Shiranui. Icarus ducks a clothesline and hits it on the second try for two. He calls for the Wings of Icarus. Calhoun instead swings Icarus into a pumphandle backbreaker for two. He goes for the Samoan Drop. Icarus turns it into a schoolboy for two. He hits the Blu Ray for the pin at 9:32. While the wrestling was basic, Calhoun got a chance to showcase his charisma early on and show he could hang with a CHIKARA Gen 1 original on his own. Seeing Icarus revert to his Rudo ways is in a way refreshing, almost like seeing an old friend for the first time. I enjoyed this and appreciated it’s simple nature. **¼
Chuck Taylor™ says there’s been a lot of talk about his match with Eddie Kingston tonight. He knows Kingston was a former Grand Champion, but he himself was a former Emmy nominated actor. He was the baby Kunta Kinte held up in “Roots.” He was destined for greatness from an early age and is destined to defeat Kingston as well.
Eddie Kingston vs. Chuck Taylor™
Taylor™ throws his jacket at Kingston. Kingston unleashes Kobashi like chops on him in response. Kingston mocks Taylor™ with some singing in between chops. Taylor™ fights out of the Saito suplex by giving him an eye rake. He knocks down Kingston with a running back elbow. He hits the New and Improved Soul Food. Taylor™ grabs the microphone and tells Edward that he is going to make him suffer. He kicks Kingston out of the ring and starts singing “7 Days” by Craig David, which he claims to have co-written. Kingston double fish hooks his face and pummels him ringside. He chops Taylor™ as Taylor™ lays across some fans and is still holding the microphone. In the ring, Taylor™ pretends to apologize, only to lure Kingston into a chinbreaker! He drops Kingston with a DDT for two. Taylor™ goes for Sole Food but Kingston is too tall. Kingston successfully pulls off the Saito suplex twice. The fans ask for a third and Kingston obliges. The Backfist of the Future gets Kingston the pin at 5:10. This was an absolute blast. Taylor™’s character is incredible, and the crowd loved watching him perform and get his butt kicked. Kingston made Taylor™ sing his song after the match while he was in immense pain. This whole package was incredible. ***
Princess Kimberlee, Heidi Lovelace & The Colony (Fire Ant & Soldier Ant) vs. Nightmare Warriors (Hallowicked, Frightmare & The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama))
Soldier Ant uses armdrags and a dropkick to take the opening exchange with Obariyon. Fire Ant passes Obariyon to Soldier Ant for an atomic drop. Fire Ant lands three sentons before Soldier Ant delivers a falling headbutt. Hallowicked tosses Soldier Ant to the floor. Fire Ant gets the better of him in a Lucha exchange. The Nightmare Warriors all get stacked up in the corner. Lovelace separates them into opposite corners, then the Tecnicos whip them into one another and rowboat their collective legs. Kodama takes over Kimberlee with a Frankensteiner and Japanese armdrag. He misses a corner attack and Kimberlee delivers a Jon Woo dropkick and double knees to the chest. Frightmare throws her out. He ducks a kick from Lovelace, but Lovelace catapults herself into a quesadora armdrag. She comes off the middle rope with an alita and drops Frightmare with a running STO. She tries a DDT but Frightmare takes her over in a Northern Lights suplex. She turns a crucifix pin into a Rings of Saturn. Kodama bites her leg, leading to a chain of submissions from all eight competitors. The Tecnicos spread out the Rudos in the four corners and each deliver punches. Hallowicked and the Batiri dispose of the Colony and Lovelace, then save Frightmare from Kimberlee’s attack. Hallowicked and Kimberlee fight in the ring while the Nightmare Warriors fight her partners around the building. Kimberlee unleashes some rapid fire chops. Frightmare reenters the ring only to tope con hilo onto Fire Ant. Soldier Ant comes in but Hallowicked instantly tosses him back out. Kimberlee does a valiant job fighting off all four Nightmare Warriors but succumbs to the insurmountable odds. During their beatdown, like last night, the Nightmare Warriors target Kimberlee’s left leg. Kimberlee avoids corner attacks from both Hallowicked and Frightmare and sends them out. Lovelace from the apron fights off the Batiri so she can tag out, but Kimberlee tags in Soldier Ant instead! Hallowicked throws him out and drags Kimberlee back into the ring, going back to working over her leg. Hallowicked sets her up for Never Wake Up, stating this is the end for her. Kimberlee counters into the Alligator Clutch but Frightmare breaks up the pin. Kimberlee German suplexes all of the Nightmare Warriors twice, except Hallowicked who blocks the second attempt and counters with Go 2 Sleepy Hollow. Lovelace breaks up the pin and hits Hallowicked with a Heidi-Can-Rana. Kodama stops the pin. He tosses her to Obariyon for the Seventh Circle. Fire Ant comes in with a high crossbody to Kodama and a tornado DDT to Obariyon. Fire Ant takes them both over with a double Frankensteiner. The Colony hit the Ants Marching dropkick on both Batiri members. They give Kodama the Ants Marching neckbreaker. Frightmare breaks the pin. Soldier Ant goes for a TKO. Frightmare shoves him to Hallowicked, who tosses him to Frightmare for Go 2 Sleepy Hollow. Hallowicked assists Frightmare with a double stomp. A flurry of offense ends with Lovelace eating the Skull Bronzing from the Batiri. Soldier Ant makes the save just in time. He knocks down the Batiri with back elbows. The Batiri stop Soldier Ant from ascending the ropes. Lovelace shoves the Batiri to the floor and follows with a crossbody onto Kodama. The Colony suicide dive onto Obariyon and Frightmare. Kimberlee looks to dive but Hallowicked cuts her off with a yakuza kick. Never Wake Up connects for the pin at 21:08. Like most Atomicos matches CHIKARA has, the action was consistent and fun. This had some nice layers to it as well, as Hallowicked and Kimberlee now split the difference in wins across the weekend (for now), Kimberlee’s leg was further worn down, and Lovelace now has some more ammunition to throw at Kimberlee when that relationship inevitably goes South. The Nightmare Warriors also worked super well together, as you’d expect after all the matches they had against each other over the years. Although their time in the ring together was brief, I got a lot of joy seeing the original Colony duo together. Good stuff. ***½
World of Sport Rules
Mike Quackenbush vs. Johnny Kidd
The match will be contested in eight, three-minute rounds. You win the match by scoring two falls (pinfalls or submissions), or by knockout. Drew Gulak is Quackenbush’s corner man while Tyler Bate is Kidd’s corner man.
Round One: The match begins with a wristlock reversal, with Quackenbush using his agility to reverse Kidd’s initial hold and Kidd rolling away from Quackenbush to bring them back to a stalemate. Although Quackenbush escapes from a full nelson, Kidd takes him to the mat in a headscissors. Quackenbush pops out of that. Kidd sneaks in a sunset flip, but the round ends before a full count can be made.
Round Two: Kidd starts the round with a neck-tie headscissors. Quackenbush pulls down his legs to the mat and lifts up Kidd’s left leg while it’s tied up under his right leg. Kidd is in immense pain, but rolls his way free and trips Quackenbush to the canvas while keeping his legs locked. Quackenbush makes it to his face, and Kidd releases his legs in the name of sportsmanship. Quackenbush tries to trip Kidd, but Kidd simply steps out of the leg hold. Kidd tries to double cross Quackenbush on a handshake, but Quackenbush flips him out of a wristlock to the mat instead. Kidd is stretching out Quackenbush’s wrist when the round ends.
Round Three: Kidd puts on a neck lock. Quackenbush escapes and trips Kidd. Kidd puts on a head vice, but Quackenbush digs his elbow into Kidd’s knees. Kidd grabs a bodyscissors and accelerates Quackenbush forward to add pressure. Quackenbush is accelerated out of the bodyscissors by accident. He goes back to Kidd’s knee. Kidd then puts on a figure four surfboard with a double knuckle lock. Quackenbush headstands out and pins Kidd to the canvas for a two count. Kidd grabs the shoulder when the round ends.
Round Four: Kidd grabs a double knuckle lock behind Quackenbush’s back. He brings him down to the mat and digs his feet into Quackenbush’s shoulders. Quackenbush bike pedals in the air and escapes. Kidd grabs a courting hold on Quackenbush’s right shoulder. After a standing headscissors doesn’t work, Quackenbush armdrags out and grabs a straight jacket choke. Kidd drives his knees into Quackenbush’s face which Quackenbush does not seem to appreciate. Kidd hip tosses him over for a two count. Quackenbush is in the process of escaping Kidd’s body scissors when the bell rings to end the round.
Round Five: Kidd transitions from a full nelson into a chinlock on the mat. Quackenbush baits Kidd into a wristlock. He kicks Kidd’s left arm away. Quackenbush sits down to avoid being Irish whipped across the ring. Kidd muscles him up. He trips Quackenbush into a toe hold. Quackenbush cartwheels away, but Kidd rolls with him. Quackenbush grabs an abdominal stretch, which Kidd hip tosses his way out of. Quackenbush tries to trip Kidd, but Kidd kneels down onto Quackenbush’s shoulders and folds up his leg, scoring a fall at 18:31. We go into Round 6 with Kidd at one fall, Quackenbush with zero falls.
Round Six: Kidd outstretches Quackenbush over his knee, digging the top of his head into the mat. Quackenbush weaves out into a wristlock, which Kidd turns into a lateral press for a series of two counts. Kidd goes back to the straightjacket choke and leans back to stretch Quackenbush’s legs and back out across his knees. Quackenbush rolls back, reversing the choke. Kidd snapmares out of that. Quackenbush has Kidd’s legs and knees stretched out, and throws Kidd’s head into the canvas when the bell rings.
Round Seven: Kidd drives his elbow into Quackenbush’s face. Quackenbush back trips Kidd into a toe hold. Kidd spreads out Quackenbush’s legs with his feet until Quackenbush trips. He takes a shot at Quackenbush’s throat. Quackenbush goes up and over him in the corner. He rolls Kidd back and into the Alligator Clutch for a pinfall at 24:51. We head into the eighth and final round with the match tied at one fall a piece.
Round Eight: They shake one another’s hands to start. Kidd takes a double knuckle lock exchange, flipping Quackenbush onto his shoulders and digging his feet back into his shoulders. He pulls his legs forward and traps him, only scoring a two count. He also gets two with a backslide. Quackenbush gets two with a small package. Kidd headbutts Quackenbush in the chest and accelerates him chest first into the corner for a two count. Kidd goes for a Crab, but Quackenbush rolls Kidd to the floor. He reenters the ring and Quackenbush again gets two with a small package. Kidd elbows him in the chest. He ducks Quackenbush’s palm strike and goes for a surfboard stretch. Quackenbush resists but Kidd is able to lock it on. Quackenbush fights out. They each go for a desperation pin, but the match ends in a draw when the bell rings to end the round at 29:15 (breaks between rounds included).
From a wrestling perspective, this was what you would expect. Holds, counter holds, few to no strikes, lots of pinfalls, and the two falls coming with each guy catching each other in a clutch. Of course, you’ll be hard pressed to find two active competitors today who are as good at that style as these two. That said, it’s the little things they did that made the story. Quackenbush came off as a student of the game facing the game’s creator; while Quackenbush knew his stuff, and could even be considered a master, the forefather had his number in almost every round. Quackenbush would shake out his wrist here and there, reminding the audience that it’s a weak point on his body, and it added that much more anytime Kidd would go for his wrist or outstretch his arms. Each of them did a great job with facial expressions, portraying the match shifting from a friendly sporting competition into a somewhat heated affair. The whole package was a lot of fun to watch and the rounds flew by. This was a match worthy of Quackenbush coming out of retirement for and a nice send off for Kidd. ****
The fans chant for one more round. Instead, Quackenbush and Kidd shake hands, and Quackenbush leaves the ring, leaving Johnny Kidd to bask in the thank yous and applause from the crowd. Mildly exasperated, Quackenbush says some inaudible things to Kidd as he goes backstage, presumably frustrated that their score will never be settled. Eddie Kingston enters the ring and bows to Kidd. The CHIKARA locker room surrounds the ring, shaking Kidd’s hand to thank him for his efforts.
North Shields, England – 5.29.2016
Commentary is provided by Mike Quackenbush, Leonard F. Chikarason, and Dasher Hatfield.
Lucas Calhoun says Manchester was kind to him, even if that dirty heel Icarus was not. Tonight he faces Heidi Lovelace. He knows she’s tough as nails and that he has an uphill climb ahead of him in their match, but the new Calhoun doesn’t focus on negativity. That said, nobody can stand up to the power of his karate.
Heidi Lovelace vs. Lucas Calhoun
Calhoun ducks a lock-up. Lovelace knees him in the face out of his crane stance. Calhoun does a little swing dancing when he catches Lovelace coming off the ropes. She armdrags him twice and comes off the middle turnbuckle with an alita. Calhoun stops her double knee attack and drops her with a Samoan Drop. He stomps on her in the corner. Lovelace fights back with uppercuts. He muscles her up into a pumphandle backbreaker for two. Calhoun whips her chest first into the corner, then follows in with a running splash when she turns around. He puts on an abdominal stretch. When Lovelace begins to escape, he throws her head first to the mat. She gets in some shots. He blocks a kick and gives Lovelace another Samoan Drop. Lovelace avoids another corner attack, sending Calhoun shoulder first into the ring post. She unloads a barrage of running kicks to the face and rolls Calhoun out mid-ring for two. He tries a haymaker, but Lovelace ducks and drops him with an STO for two. She tries a Saito suplex but Calhoun remains standing. He throws her down in a gutwrench suplex for two. She blocks a punch but Calhoun drills her with a knee strike. She superkicks Calhoun and successfully pulls off the Saito suplex on her second try. He catches her charging, potentially for a third Samoan drop. Instead she counters with a crucifix pin for the victory at 7:04. I liked the story of Calhoun working over Lovelace’s midsection and her catching Calhoun off guard for the win, although having him use the Samoan Drop as a set up for more Samoan Drops when it’s a finisher for him is questionable, although this could be a way to lead to Calhoun establishing a new finisher. That said, this was a fun opener with solid character work and the crowd was into it. **¼
Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Slim Perkins
Slim Perkins is the former Rich Mahogany who is the former Stewie Scrivens who is the former Karate Durling who is the former Trent Baretta who is the former Benny Figg who is the former Touch Phillips who is the former Bugg Nevans who is the former Rick Beanbag who is the former Scoot Tatum who is the former Chuck Taylor.
Apparently new Chuck stole former Chuck’s theme music as he came up to a generic song instead of his usual song. Barksdale searches both Perkins and Bryce Remsburg and they found a wrench in Remsburg’s pocket! He claims he uses it to fix the ring. As he’s demonstrating this, Barksdale finds a dinner knife if Remsburg’s pocket. Remsburg tries to explain that away, but then rings the bell to avoid further questions. Barksdale gets a side headlock. Perkins escapes and shoulder tackles Barksdale down in the corner to stomp him silly. Barksdale snaps off a pair of armdrags. Perkins avoids a dropkick. Barksdale avoids a armdrag with one of his own, sending Perkins outside. Perkins claims Barksdale pulled his hair and touched his butt. Remsburg demonstrated when questioning Barksdale about it. Perkins pummels on Barksdale with forearms to the back. He digs his knee into Barksdale’s neck and throws him over in a butterfly suplex. Barksdale catches him off the ropes with a flapjack. He knee strikes Perkins in the corner and takes him down with a leaping lariat. He hits Cease & Desist for two. Perkins almost weaves Barksdale into the Sole Food, but remembers he can’t use it. This gives Barksdale time to turn it into an Olympic Slam for two. Perkins however catches Barksdale with the Brodie Knee and DDT’s him for two. Perkins grabs a Border City Stretch. Barksdale backs to the ropes. When Perkins asks Bryce what he will do if he doesn’t break the hold, Bryce tells him he is the law and order in the ring. Barksdale takes umbrage with this statement and shows Bryce his badge to show who the law is. Bryce uses his referee shirt to disagree. Perkins then sends Remsburg into Barksdale, who headscissors Barksdale! Perkins wraps up Barksdale in a Magistral cradle for the pin at 7:18. This was the comedic affair it should have been. Getting Bryce involved added a fun dynamic and the crowd was into the humorous aspects of the bout. Even the straight wrestling between the competitors was good. I feel Barksdale has a bright future, though he could use a boost in his energy. **½
Soldier Ant vs. Chuck Taylor™
Soldier Ant doesn’t understand why Chuck Taylor looks so different. Bryce explains it’s the beard. Soldier Ant goes for a side headlock to start. Taylor™ escapes the first one with a headscissors. The second time Soldier Ant gives him a quesadora armdrag, a regular armdrag, and dropkicks Taylor™ to the floor. Taylor™ tries baiting him into a double axe handle. Soldier Ant avoids it, but Taylor™ slams him. Taylor™ wants a Boston Crab but instead punches Soldier Ant and delivers a falling headbutt to the shoulder. Taylor™ headbutts Soldier Ant twice and whips him into different corners thrice. He then lands a running back elbow for two. They switch headlocks. Soldier Ant’s running crossbody gets a two count. He kicks Taylor™ to the ropes. Taylor™ hits a rebound chop and a German suplex for two. Three successive vertical suplexes yield the same result. He grabs a Camel Clutch. Soldier Ant stands up and drops back, causing Taylor™ to crash into the canvas under his body weight. Soldier Ant throws a flurry of strikes. Taylor™ ducks a discuss forearm and spins Soldier Ant into a neckbreaker for two. He says he’s going to do something for the ladies. He stomps Soldier Ant while singing “My, My, My” by the Whispers. All that did was give Soldier Ant enough to recover and trip Taylor™. He trips Taylor™ into the cross military kneebar. Taylor™ immediately taps out, giving Soldier Ant the win at 6:23. I’m not sure if this particular crowd “got” what Taylor™ was all about, but that didn’t stop him from leaning into his character. This was probably the most wrestling heavy of Taylor™’s matches thus far, and you could see he is talented in that respect, but maybe a little more character work and a more understanding audience would have helped this achieved more than it did. **
Eddie Kingston says he should be focused on the BDK and getting back the Grand Championship. He should overlook Hermit Crab, but he can’t. Crab may be young to the game, but he doesn’t sleep on anybody, because sleep is the cousin of death. He knows what it takes to get through the Wrestle Factory so he has an idea of what kind of character Crab possesses. Tonight he will go through Crab, then Jaka and Jakob, then finally reclaim his Grand Championship.
Eddie Kingston vs. Hermit Crab
Kingston puts Maffew of Botchamania in a sleeper hold before entering the ring. Crab revs up and crab walks across the ring. Kingston simply walks around the ring. Crab changes his trajectory and eventually just dropkicks Kingston. He digs his pincers into Kingston’s neck, bringing him to the mat. Crab goes for a Boston Crab. Kingston kicks him away, drops him with an STO, and unloads with punches. He lights up Crab with machine gun chops in the corner. Kingston brings him out with a release belly-to-belly suplex. Kingston teases a pedigree, opting for a release powerbomb instead. Crab gets his shoulder up on Kingston’s pin attempts. He throws Crab out of the ring and playfully tries to start a with with Bryce. Bryce decides to throw the Crab back in the ring. Surprisingly, the Crab blocks the Backfist and chokeslams Kingston! He gets a close nearfall on Kingston from it. He crab walks across the ropes and nails an elbow. He’s too excited about the move that he delays his pin attempt, but still gets a two count. Crab gets on a half crab, dragging Kingston away from the ropes. Kingston is able to grab the ropes. Crab picks him up. Kingston clobbers him with the Backfist to the Future upon being picked up and gets the pin at 6:11. Kingston’s playful approach to the match was endearing, adding some levity you don’t see in some of his matches these days. In turn, Crab got a few hopeful moments, which were nice, but ultimately they were more contrived than actual moments of glory. Like the previous bout, this was fun, but the winner was never in question and the rookie could have come out of the match with more than they did. *½
Ophidian goes into his match with Fire Ant tonight with 3 points and a Grand Championship opportunity. He knows how great Fire Ant is and sees him as a hurdle between his presumed title shot. He will not let Fire Ant stop him. He won’t lose because he can’t lose. He will win today.
Fire Ant vs. Ophidian
The opening sequence sees a lot of fast strikes and kicks from Ophidian that Fire Ant evades. Fire Ant catapults Ophidian into a Tornado clutch which Ophidian counters into a crucifix. Ophidian maneuvers his way into the Death Grip. Fire Ant switches him around, looking for a suplex or brainbuster. Ophidian reapplies the Death Grip. Fire Ant switches him around again, but this time Ophidian small packages him for two. He also gets two with a Gedo clutch. Fire Ant tries a backslide. Ophidian rolls out and backslides Fire Ant with a back bridge for two. Ophidian cracks him in the face with a bicycle kick for two. A second bicycle kick has the same effect. Fire Ant takes to the corner. Ophidian drives his knees into Fire Ant’s chest twice. He comes off the top with Meteora, and Fire Ant gets his shoulder up. Ophidian looks for his Egyptian Destroyer. Fire Ant escapes. Ophidian enzuigiri’s Fire Ant to the floor and follows with a headscissors from a headstand off the ring apron. Ophidian headstands on the apron again. Fire Ant knocks him down with a tiger feint kick. He reenters the ring and suicide dives onto Ophidian. Back in the ring Fire Ant lands a high crossbody. A running forearm leads to a tornado DDT for two. He forearms Ophidian in opposite corners. He strings some chest strikes and a knee strike to the face together. He goes to the corner, where Ophidian follows in with a yakuza kick. In the opposite corner Fire Ant catches Ophidian with a Yoshi Tonic for two. Ophidian rolls to the apron. He and Fire Ant trade shots on the apron. Ophidian ducks a knee strike. He grabs a nerve hold and pulls Fire Ant up to the middle turnbuckle. He goes for a super Egyptian Destroyer but Fire Ant stops Ophidian with an antzuigiri. He brings down Ophidian with a super Frankensteiner. Ophidian fires up. He ducks a clothesline and grabs a grounded Death Grip. Fire Ant makes it to his feet and drives Ophidian head first into the corner to free himself. He baits Ophidian into the Yahtzee Kick and spikes him with a Frankensteiner. A brainbuster gets Fire Ant a close nearfall. The Beach Break puts Ophidian away at 12:32, erasing Ophidian’s points and giving Fire Ant his second. The Colony and Osirian Portal always worked well in the past so it’s no surprise that these two would have a great singles match altogether. Ophidian fought hard right from the get go knowing he had a tough opponent to beat to keep his three points, and it made for a really entertaining back-and-forth match where the stakes felt high. The early brainbuster tease coming around in the end after Ophidian got the Death Grip locked on was a great way to bring the match full circle. This was excellent, as expected. ***¼
Princess Kimberlee, N_R_G (Race Jaxon & Hype Rockwell) & Los Ice Creams (El Hijo del Ice Cream & Ice Cream Jr.) vs. Nightmare Warriors (Hallowicked, Frightmare, Icarus & The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama))
Kimberlee and Hallowicked start out. Hallowicked quickly tags out to Frightmare when Kimberlee takes him down in a single leg trip. She avoids Frightmare targeting her leg, but ends up taking a yakuza kick in the corner. Jr. dropkicks him out. He sends Icarus out with a toreador. Hallowicked gets in some shots to Jaxon, but he takes down Hallowicked with a back elbow. Frightmare brings Jaxon to his corner where all the Nightmare Warriors maul Jaxon and throw him outside. This leads to a ten person stand off where Bryce is forced to restore order. Hijo cracks Icarus with a punch to the chin after a fanny pinch. Icarus Jon Woo dropkicks Hijo and twists on his neck. Hijo backdrops and hip attacks Icarus to the floor. Hijo follows with a seated senton off the apron. Hallowicked twists on Jr.’s cone on the top of his head before throwing him to the floor. Hijo gives some headbutts to Hallowicked’s stomach. Frightmare enters and Hijo sends him and Hallowicked into one another. Hijo gets on a abdominal stretch. Obariyon tries to save Hallowicked but Jaxon crossbody’s onto him upon entry. Jaxon however finds himself in the Nightmare Warriors corner upon recovering. The Batiri do some double team work on Jaxon. Rockwell jumps in to help, and while he’s initially cut off, he does manage a double shoulder tackle. N_R_G double team the Batiri in a corner. Jaxon lands a moonsault block onto both of them and pins Kodama for two. Frightmare escapes Rockwell’s military press and gives Rockwell the Deja vu headscissors. Frightmare cuts off Kimberlee when she enters and passes her off to Hallowicked. Los Ice Creams help Kimberlee take him down with a headscissors. He kicks Kimberlee’s bad leg and she instantly bails. Jaxon jumps in but is cut off with a tandem Go 2 Sleepy Hollow. They also tandem clothesline Jr. Rockwell tries to save but accidentally splashes Jr. Hallowicked super snapmares Rockwell into a diving elbow drop from Frightmare. Hijo makes the save. He takes the Sidewinder from Hallowicked and Frightmare for two and elbow drops from the entire Nightmare Warrior contingent. They have a seance before clearing the other Tecnicos off the apron and going back to work on Hijo. He escapes the Nightmare Warriors grasp by avoiding a corner attack from Obariyon (causing his arm to smack into the ring post). and giving Frightmare the Cold Stone Stunner. Kimberlee tosses Frightmare out and armdrags Obariyon. She holds onto his arm which just hit the ring post, and the Tecnicos turn the tables by isolating Obariyon and working over that arm.
As they’re jamming Obariyon’s arm over their shoulders, Hijo doesn’t realize that he’s fed Jr.’s arm and does damage to his own brother. This lapse of judgment allows Icarus to jump in. He gives Hijo a facebreaker. Rockwell lariats Icarus. Frightmare dives in and immediately takes a Hyperwheel! Kodama breaks the pin attempt. Kimberlee German suplexes both Batiri members and Icarus. She tries for one on Hallowicked, who kicks out her bad leg. This leads to the Nightmare Warriors confining Kimberlee to their half of the ring and wearing down her bad leg. Kimberlee kicks Hallowicked to the floor after he clears the apron. Kimberlee musters a suicide dive onto Hallowicked, and the other eight competitors enter into a fracas. The Warriors send all four Tecnicos crashing into one another. Icarus and Obariyon suplex N_R_G into a diving headbutt from Kodama (onto Rockwell) and double stomp from Frightmare (onto Jaxon). The Batiri hit Jaxon with the Seventh Circle. Frightmare gives him the Friggin’ Sweet Driver for two. Kimberlee gives Frightmare a Ganso Bomb, hurting her knee in the process. Icarus sets her up for a barrage of kicks from Hallowicked and the Batiri in the corner. Kodama finds himself getting assaulted in another corner, ending with a cannonball senton from Rockwell for two. Kodama comes back with a springback Ace Crusher. Jr. gives Kodama the Jack and Jill Hammer. Icarus gives Jr. the Shiranui and Jaxon missile dropkicks Icarus afterwards. Obariyon drop toe holds Jaxon onto the ropes and cracks him with a knee to the back of the head. Hijo chokeslams Obariyon. Hallowicked drops Jaxon with the Rydeen Bomb. Kimberlee and Hallowicked big boot one another simultaneously, leaving everyone laying. Rockwell wipes out Frightmare and Hallowicked with double clotheslines. Kimberlee fights off the Batiri on her own until they lock her in a tandem crab. Hijo pulls them off in a double facelock. They push him to the corner and Icarus goes for his mask. Jaxon and Jr. double hip toss Icarus off the top. Kimberlee folds Icarus up in the Alligator Clutch for the pin at 27:43.
This was like a Dragon Gate style main event, where the action goes a mile a minute, all the competitors look great, and they layered the stories between in the action. There was minimal friendly fire between N_R_G and Los Ice Creams, but just enough to build slight tension between the current Campeones de Parejas and the team with a Golden Opportunity, who just so happen to be in a match against each other tomorrow night. Kimberlee’s bad leg is in even worse shape going into her title defense with Hallowicked tomorrow, but she pinned a former Grand Champion to get a win for her team, despite not being at her best. This is a really fun match and one worth seeking out. ****
Hallowicked says his team may not have been victorious tonight, but they took with them Kimberlee’s knee, which was destroyed in the name of Nazmaldun. He will tear whatever is left of it apart tomorrow night and his “brothers” will be there to laugh and mock her. All glory Nazmaldun.
Encore Match; Fight Club Pro Showcase
Drew Gulak vs. Daniel Moloney vs. Travis Banks
Moloney immediately attacks Gulak as he comes into the ring. He gets in some shots to Banks as well. Banks and Gulak take turns chopping Moloney until he hits the floor. Banks takes down Gulak with a running shoulder block for wo. He does it again after a leapfrog from Gulak. Gulak trips him into a lateral crab. Banks gets the ropes. He and Gulak trade chops. Moloney comes back in and Saito suplexes them simultaneously. He throws both of them around with suplexes. Hi bicycle kicks Banks before German suplexing him. Gulak breaks the bridge. Moloney takes Gulak down with a punch and a suplex, Banks Jon Woo dropkicks Moloney. Gulak is there again to break the pin. He headbutts Banks in the stomach. He resists a uranage from Moloney and takes him down with a rolling lariat. Banks breaks the cover. Gulak and Banks trade forearms. Moloney jumps in for a three man chop battle. He bicycle kicks Banks. Gulak brings down Moloney in the Gu-Lock, and Moloney submits at 3:35. The action was a bit repetitive, but it’s biggest strength was that it felt different from just about everything on the tour so far. In the short time allotted, all three showed you what they were all about and impressed. *½
Glasgow, Scotland – 5.30.2016
Commentary is provided by Mike Quackenbush and Dr. Rod Diamondfire.
Nixon Newell says Heidi Lovelace is one of the toughest competitors in the world. The Chikarmy may or may not know who she is, but after she hits the Welsh Destroyer, they will know exactly who she is and how she represents British strong style.
Heidi Lovelace vs. Nixon Newell
A wristlock exchange leads to an overhead wristlock exchange, then a stalemate. Lovelace catapults into a modified quesadora armdrag. She comes off the middle rope with an alita and headscissors Newell to the corner. She chops Newell before whipping her across the ring. Newell goes up and over and delivers her own chop. Newell snaps off a pair of armdrags and a single leg dropkick. Lovelace Jon Woo dropkicks her to the corner. Newell sends her to the apron and high kicks her in the head for a two count back in the ring. A snapmare into a back kick gets another nearfall for Newell, as does a vertical suplex. Lovelace uses her legs to drive Newell face first into the middle turnbuckle for two. Lovelace throws kicks to Newell’s leg and a forearm across the shoulders. A Perfect neck snap gets a two count. Lovelace cracks her with a pair of running boots in the corner. Newell avoids a third and delivers two running forearms in the corner. Mid-ring they nail one another with stereo superkicks. They trade shots and headbutts as they get to their feet. Lovelace cracks Newell with a knee strike. Newell avoids a boot and hits a Shining Wizard for two. Lovelace counters Newell’s reverse front facelock with a Saito suplex. Newell ducks the Heidi-Can-Rana. She throws a series of boots to Lovelace’s head and drives her into the mat with a Hero’s Welcome for two. Lovelace avoids a corner charge with a boot to the face. She uses the ropes to deliver a spike DDT. The Heidi-Can-Rana only gets a two count! Newell avoids a top rope attack. Lovelace rolls through but is caught with a sole butt kick. Newell hits the Welsh Destroyer, but Lovelace grabs the bottom rope to break the count. Newell sets Lovelace up for another Welsh Destroyer. Lovelace rolls through, leading to a series of pinfall attempts. In this, Lovelace catches Newell in a sunset flip position for the pin at 10:22. Newell made the most of this opportunity, holding her own against Lovelace and impressing me with her skill and general ring demeanor. This was a really solid back and forth match, and if it were slightly more crisp and there was a bit more in the way of selling, this would have been even better. As is, it was a rock solid opener and one that makes me hope Newell visits CHIKARA back in the States. **¾
Officer Warren Barksdale vs. Chuck Taylor™
Taylor™ ducks Barksdale’s initial lock-up. Barksdale grabs a wristlock, which Taylor™ uses the ropes to break. Taylor™ slips out of the ring when Barksdale takes him down in a hammerlock. He demands Bryce backs up Barksdale before he’ll get back in. Despite this, Barksdale drops him with a side slam right away. Taylor™ avoids Cease & Desist and drops Barksdale with a uranage for two. He whips Barksdale hard into the corners thrice. The calls for an elbow but Barksdale cuts him off with a boot. He gives Taylor™ a neckbreaker and goes for Cease & Desist. Taylor™ gets his knees up to block the splash. Taylor™ calls for the Awful Waffle. He whispers to Bryce, and as it turns out, he wants to know how to even do the Awful Waffle. This gives Barksdale time to backdrop his way out of Taylor™’s grasp. He ascends the ropes and Taylor™ follows. Barksdale is able to knock him down and hit a Superfly Splash for two. Barskdale goes to attack Taylor™ in the corner, but Taylor™ moves so that Barksdale will collide with Bryce. Barksdale is able to put on the breaks, but Taylor™ rakes Barksdale’s eyes behind Bryce’s back and steps on his foot before hitting the New and Improved Soul Food for the pin at 6:11. They built to the top rope splash well and the character work was fun, which is exactly what I would want from these two. *¼
Elimination Match
N_R_G (Race Jaxon & Hype Rockwell) vs. The Colony (Fire Ant & Soldier Ant) vs. Los Ice Creams (El Hijo del Ice Cream & Ice Cream Jr.)vs. The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama)
Fire Ant wins the opening Lucha exchange over Jr., getting a nearfall with a prawn hold. N_R_G control Fire Ant in a wristlock. Rockwell grabs a side headlock and shoulder blocks Fire Ant when he escapes. Jaxon and Fire Ant trade a nearfall each. Soldier Ant forces Jaxon to salute in a Camel Clutch. Jaxon armdrags out. Kodama knocks Soldier Ant to the ground and enters the ring. Jaxon tags Soldier Ant in so he can get his comeuppance. Obariyon attacks Soldier Ant from behind. Fire Ant jumps in but the Batiri dispose of both Colony members. N_R_G rid of the Batiri with a dropkick and shoulder block, respectively. Los Ice Creams sneak in but get frightened. Jaxon dropkicks them both to the floor. The Batiri attack N_R_G from behind and send them out. They slingshot Soldier Ant into the ring. Soldier Ant is able to counter a corner whip by coming off the second rope with back elbows to each Batiri member. The Colony double team Kodama with tandem offense, ending with a saluting headbutt. Los Ice Creams break up the cover. Hijo sends both ants into Jr.’s upturned boots. Two suplex chains are broken up by the Batiri. Rockwell mows them down with a double clothesline. N_R_G double team the Batiri in the corner. Los Ice Creams sneak in double O’Connor Rolls on N_R_G for two. N_r_g sends them into on another and put them in stereo figure four leg locks. The Batiri then put Dragon Sleeper’s on N_R_G. The Colony then put the Batiri in stereo Octopus stretches. Once the chain is broken by Bryce’s count, The Colony double boot Rockwell. They place Jaxon up top for a double superplex. Jaxon fights them off. Jr. crotches Jaxon on the top turnbuckle. Soldier Ant tries a TKO on Jr., but Jr. gives him a Jack and Jill Hammer instead. Fire Ant cracks Jr. with a Yahtzee Kick. He tries a brainbuster but settles for a Stunner and tilt-a-whirl DDT. Hijo gives Fire Ant the Cold Stone Stunner. The Batiri take out Hijo with a Manhattan Drop/knee strike combo. They climb up to take down Jaxon, but Rockwell cuts them off and holds them up in the air. Jaxon takes them down with stereo dropkicks into a double powerbomb from Rockwell. Hijo and Jr. wrap up Rockwell in a tandem Magistral cradle. Jaxon breaks the pin, but succumbs to the Ice Cream Sandwich. Hijo hits El Asesino, but Jaxon slips to the floor. Obariyon takes the Ice Cream Sandwich. Kodama sneaks in and sends Jr. outside. The Batiri catch Hijo with the Skull Bronzing for the pin and elimination at 13:09. Fire Ant valiantly fights off both of the Batiri, taking them over in a tandem Frankensteiner. The Colony give Obariyon the Ants Marching dropkick. They go for a neckbreaker on Kodama, but Obariyon cuts him off. Soldier Ant eats the Skull Bronzing for the pin and elimination at 14:06, meaning the Batiri now have 3 points in total. Rockwell avoids Skull Bronzing and latches onto Obariyon. Jaxon superkicks Kodama out of the ring. Rockwell gives Obariyon the Hyperwheel for the pin and the victory at 14:40, resetting the Batiri’s points to zero. This did a lot in one match. Despite losing, the Batiri defeated a team holding a Golden Opportunity and former Campeones de Parejas, setting them up as one of the stronger teams on the roster. But, in losing to N_R_G, it reaffirmed N_R_G’s status as the top team and showed that maybe the Batiri aren’t quite ready for them…yet. It also effectively re-introduced Fire and Soldier Ant as a tandem while reminding fans that Los Ice Creams have the tools to win the titles if and when they cash in the Golden Opportunity. On top of that, the match was really fun. The quick nearfalls felt a bit contrived, but it didn’t take away my enjoyment at all. ***¼
Lucas Calhoun feels bad that Hermit Crab can’t enjoy playing music because he has pincers. Tonight, he wants to see if his karate can crack through the Crab’s shell.
Lucas Calhoun vs. Hermit Crab
Crab maneuvers away from Calhoun’s karate. Crab says he knows “Clawrate.” After them resisting one another’s strikes, Crab boots Calhoun in the stomach. Calhoun stops from being pinched in the face and twirls Crab into a lean over his knee. Crab claws at his face. Calhoun’s arm drops twice on the mat, but the third time he fires up and makes his way up from the canvas. He frees his way out of the Crab’s clutches and delivers a jumping knee strike. Crab rakes his face to avoid a Samoan Drop and chokeslams Calhoun with his pincer. Crab slowly walks across the ring after firing himself up and jabs Calhoun in the throat once he makes it to him. He calls for the Boston Crab but Calhoun kicks him off. He karate chops Crab in the neck repeatedly. Crab kicks him in the stomach. Calhoun avoids a shot and Samoan Drops Crab for the pin at 4:55. They kept this short and comedic which was exactly the right thing to do. Calhoun got to cut promos all four nights and have four very different matches, so I have to imagine that will help him grow into a more well-rounded competitor. *
Ophidian apologizes to Eddie Kingston for the time they were together in the Snake Pit, admitting it was not a successful time period. He treated it like a dictatorship and he was wrong in doing so. He says in their tag match tonight, he will do things Kingston’s way. Kingston seems cool with doing things his way. He tells Ophidian all he needs to do is fight: nothing more, nothing less. Ophidian nods in agreement.
Eddie Kingston & Ophidian vs. Nightmare Warriors (Frightmare & Icarus)
The Nightmare Warriors jump the former Snake Pit at the bell. They spill out to the floor with Kingston brawling with Icarus with Frightmare and Ophidian fighting back into the merchandise area. Kingston and Icarus make their way back in that area, and Kingston throws the Nightmare Warriors’ heads together. Icarus slams Ophidian on the floor. He back rakes Kingston to stop him from attacking Frightmare. Icarus takes care of Ophidian again, then brings Kingston to the apron only to give him a DDT onto it! In the ring, Frightmare drops Ophidian with the Friggin’ Sweet Driver for two. As Kingston recovers, the Nightmare Warriors isolate and attack Ophidian in their corner. After some excellent team work out of Icarus and Frightmare, Ophidian unwinds an enzuigiri on Frightmare and spikes Icarus with the Duat Driver, giving him time to tag in the War King. Kingston punishes Icarus with chops. Frightmare cuts him off with a yakuza kick.Kingston throws Frightmare into Icarus. Icarus pokes Kingston in the eyes, but it only halts him for a moment. He unleashes a flurry of chops on Icarus. Ophidian drives his knees into Icarus’ chest. Kingston facewash kicks Icarus before he does it again. Kingston Dragon suplexes Icarus but Frightmare breaks the cover. Frightmare ducks the Backfist and takes down Kingston with a Frankensteiner. Icarus gives him a Shiranui. Frightmare comes off the top with a diving clothesline for two. Kingston rolls out and Ophidian comes in with a bicycle kick to Frightmare. He back bridges on a backslide to Icarus for two. Kingston chops Icarus some more before attempting the Backfist. Icarus ducks and drills Kingston into the corner with the Blu-Ray. Ophidian makes the save for his partner. Frightmare kicks Ophidian into the Wings of Icarus. He then hits Kneecolepsy for the pin at 11:27. I think the concept of Kingston and Ophidian putting their differences from the Challenge of the Immortals aside to form a cohesive unit is a much more interesting story than continuing the animosity between them, and I think it helped produce a better match in which Frightmare and Icarus’ teamwork meant much more in the long run. I also liked them brawling around the building, as it shows that Ophidian took Kingston’s words to heart, and it differentiated this match from everything else on this UK tour. I admit, my expectations weren’t terribly high for this match, and I come out of it very pleasantly surprised. ***¼
Hallowicked asks if Kimberlee dreamed sweetly or had nightmares when she slept the night before. Perhaps the pain of her injured leg kept her awake. Hallowicked knows before stepping in the ring with Princess Kimberlee that despite her injured leg, she would be prepared to fight, because she is a fighter. He too was once a fighter, but no more. He is a messenger, the harbinger of the will of Nazmaldun. He will deliver Nazmaldun’s message so clearly that Kimberlee will not be able to ignore it. Her nightmare has only just begun.
Grand Championship
Princess Kimberlee vs. Hallowicked
Kimberlee has been champion since 12.5.2015 and this is her sixth defense. Kimberlee limps on her way to the ring, caused by the damage the Nightmare Warriors have done to her leg over the course of the three previous events. Bryce even double checks with her before ringing the bell that she is still up for the fight; she confirms.
Hallowicked spouts off and Kimberlee rocks him with forearms to the chest and kicks to the leg in response. He hits to the floor, causing the fans to call him a chicken. Inside he goes for the leg, but Kimberlee counters with an Oklahoma roll. She ducks another attack and kicks Hallowicked in the back. He once again hiis the floor. Kimberlee grabs a wristlock when he enters the ring. When Hallowicked grabs her leg, she enzuigiri’s him to the corner. She throws forearm strikes and chops, moving him across the ring with her strikes. She shoulder blocks her in the stomach and places her on the top turnbuckle. She comes down with a swinging Frankensteiner and a German suplex! Hallowicked retreats to the floor. From the floor he trips Kimberlee and jams her leg into the apron. This leads to Hallowicked working over Kimberlee’s leg with an outside toe hold. She pummels Hallowicked’s back, but he drives his shoulder blade into her knee cap to cut her off and go back to work. He goes for Never Wake Up. Kimberlee weaves out of the lock and throws some kicks to Hallowicked. She sets up for the CHIKARA Special but Hallowicked pounds on her leg before she can even begin to apply it. Kimberlee fights out of another toe hold, but unfortunately, she couldn’t support her weight when going to the ropes, and Hallowicked is easily able to go back to the leg. He twists on her bad foot. She uses her good leg and some forearms to escape and chops Hallowicked against the ropes. He weaves underneath her Irish whip attempt and dropkicks her leg out. Kimberlee evades a corner attack and brings Hallowicked down for the CHIKARA Special. Hallowicked wiggles free and fervently kicks at Kimberlee’s hurt leg. He snapmares Kimberlee into a back kick and locks on a Stump Puller. She uses her good leg and kicks Hallowicked to the corner. She has a hard time basing for some kicks to the chest but does so nonetheless. Hallowicked cuts her off with a shoulder block to the stomach. Kimberlee avoids a step-up enzuigiri and kicks Hallowicked until he falls and gets his leg stuck in the ropes. Bryce frees him and Hallowicked tumbles to the floor. Back inside Hallowicked misses a knee strike in the corner. Kimberlee goes after his know hurt knee, kicking at it with her good foot. She German suplexes Hallowicked four times, bridging the final suplex for a two count. She goes for another German suplex. Hallowicked kicks out her knee to block. He hits Go 2 Sleepy Hollow but hurts his knee in doing so. He takes too much time to recover and only earns a two count. He goes for Never Wake Up. Kimberlee counters with an inside cradle for two. She also gets two with a crucifix pin. She goes for the Alligator Clutch but Hallowicked scoots out. She bicycle kicks Hallowicked in the back of the head into the turnbuckles for two. He gets the better of her in the corner and takes her off the top with a super snapmare. Hallowicked then lands a Swanton Bomb onto her leg for two. In disbelief, Hallowicked cracks her with a yakuza kick, and again Kimberlee gets her shoulder up. Hallowicked tells Kimberlee to stay down as he drops her with a Rydeen Bomb, although Kimberlee does not listen and again gets her shoulder up. He misses an elbow in the corner. Kimberlee throws some kicks and tries spinning Hallowicked down into the CHIKARA Special. Hallowicked stops her with a Stretch Muffler. She converts that into the CHIKARA Special, but Frightmare is distracting Bryce, who misses Hallowicked tapping out. Kimberlee disposes of Frightmare with a kick. Hallowicked cracks Kimberlee with a yakuza kick and hits Never Wake Up for the pin and the championship at 18:57.
The story told was easy and effective; Hallowicked went after Kimberlee’s leg, his own leg got hurt and he got a taste of his own medicine, and he avoided the CHIKARA Special like the plague since it’s how he lost to Kimberlee in the first place. So why the distraction? Sure, it gives Kimberlee an “out” and makes Hallowicked seem more detestable. But isn’t a hurt leg a built-in out? Aren’t we conditioned to dislike Hallowicked already? Did these goals need to be reached in a main event championship match where a title change was going to occur? The one thing it did accomplish was show that the CHIKARA Special is indeed Hallowicked’s Achilles’ heel, but I think they did an effective job portraying that even before the visual submission. Despite my disliking for the distraction finish, the story was strong, the wrestling was good, and the crowd was hot, so I’d consider it a success. ***½
The rest of the Nightmare Warriors celebrate with Hallowicked as Los Ice Creams and Heidi Lovelace help Princess Kimberlee to the back.
Encore Match
“This Is” Howie Dewitt vs. Orange Cassidy
Howie Dewitt is the former Slim Perkins who is the former Rich Mahogany who is the former Stewie Scrivens who is the former Karate Durling who is the former Trent Baretta who is the former Benny Figg who is the former Touch Phillips who is the former Bugg Nevans who is the former Rick Beanbag who is the former Scoot Tatum who is the former Chuck Taylor.
Dewitt has his music back, so I guess he got that issue sorted out between yesterday and today. Chuck Taylor™ is in Cassidy’s corner. Cassidy doesn’t recognize Dewitt. Taylor™ looks Dewitt in the eyes and tells him that he is Chuck. Taylor™ tells Cassidy to get Dewitt. Cassidy puts on a lazy side headlock. Dewitt mocks Cassidy by pretending like it’s effective. His arm drops twice, but then he easily shoves Cassidy to the ropes. Cassidy comes at him with a lazy shoulder block, and Dewitt knocks him down with a real version. He runs the ropes over Cassidy as Cassidy just lays there. Cassidy rolls up from the apron into a headscissors! Cassidy goes for the Soul Train splash but Dewitt moves out of the way. He airplane spins Cassidy into dizziness. He thinks about tapping out, but doesn’t. Dewitt spins him around again. Cassidy looks like he’s going to puke, but doesn’t. After a third airplane spin, Taylor™ passes Cassidy his orange juice bottle. Cassidy spits it into Dewitt’s face, then chokeslams him. Taylor™ hands Cassidy his sunglasses to put on. He calls for a Rock Bottom, but then just elbow drops Dewitt for one. Dewitt cuts off a corner attack with the Brodie Knee. Dewitt almost hits Sole Food, but Taylor™ reminds him that he owns that move now. Cassidy tries sneaking in a sunset flip. Taylor™ pulls back the ropes so Dewitt can’t grab them. However, Dewitt simply sits down on Cassidy’s chest and pins him in 5:28. Taylor™ carries Cassidy to the back. That was exactly what I wanted from these three. I firmly believe this is the best feud in wrestling today. *½
