Contemplating CHIKARA 8.29.09: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Posted by Kevin Ford on 08.29.2009
Forget the matches I said last week; CHIKARA has made some funky changes to their New England cards! We'll talk those shows, some blogs, and...Bryan Danielson? Returning to CHIKARA? Oh it be so!
It's Saturday, which means it's time once again for Contemplating CHIKARA. Some changes have been made to the September 12th card, as well as new matches being announced for both the 12th and 13th. We also got other miscellaneous news strewn about, so let's get going.
Before we begin though, I want to just say I am very happy with the news that Bryan Danielson will be heading to WWE in the near future. I will be attending the Ring of Honor show on September 26th in the Manhattan Center to see his supposed final encounter with the company. Myself and my peers have written about Bryan's many endeavors in pro wrestling at to Pro Wrestling Ponderings, as well as myself, Jerome Cusson, and Ari Berenstein (who wrote to a fantastic piece on Bryan Danielson and Ring of Honor) in our latest podcast discuss Bryan's departing from the independent wrestling world and what this all means. I strongly encourage you to check it out at Pro Wrestling Ponderings dot com.
Aside from all that, what does this have to do with CHIKARA? Well…
News regarding CHIKARA's return to New England on September 12th and 13th!
Teased on the CHIKARA Twitter was that Danielson wants to make on last stop in CHIKARA before heading North and has requested a very special match. Signed for "Hiding in Plain Sight" on September 13th is Bryan Danielson's final match in CHIKARA, as he teams with Claudio Castagnoli to reform Team Uppercut to take on Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw. Danielson made his CHIKARA debut back at King of Trios 2009 teaming with Claudio and Dave Taylor. Team Uppercut made their way to the finals, before Chuck Taylor forced Danielson to submit to a Cross Crab after Danielson's leg had been demolished in the three previous matches he competed in over the weekend. In the quarter-finals on night two, Mike Quackenbush and Danielson had quite the intense battle with one another during the match which saw both men battle for supremacy. In the end, it was Team Uppercut who won the battle after Claudio landed a super Ricola Bomb onto Quackenbush (who had a hurt back from the night before) in the middle of the ring. This time around, Quackenbush has enlisted his trusty sidekick Jigsaw to help potentially gain a measure of revenge for the Master of a Thousand Holds. In what should truly be a special tag team match, Danielson will make his final stop in CHIKARA to avenge his loss in the King of Trios finals in some facet, and what better way to do it then by facing a man he has defeated in no less than three singles bouts in Mike Quackenbush? Mike no doubt also has his eye on Claudio, who pinned him at the King of Trios tournament, and Jigsaw no doubt would love to make a splash by pinning the Swiss Aristocrat or the Best in the World. Needless to say, this is a very appropriate match for Danielson to make his final mark in CHIKARA before heading North.
Also, with F.I.S.T. getting their tag title shot, they have posted a video online talking to their opponents The Osirian Portal:
As originally posted last week, scheduled for "Man Makes Plans, and God Laughs" was a tag team match pitting Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw against Incoherence of Hallowicked & Frightmare. Earlier this week, a blog from Mike Quackenbush surfaced on CHIKARA's website:
8/24/2009: There isn't a person to pass through Chikara Wrestle Factory that hasn't trained under me for some length of time. Some might spend more time in Claudio's session than mine, some might prefer to learn from Jorge (no palm strikes in that class, after all,) but all in all, each is a student of mine. That means the vast majority of the CHIKARA roster has learned from me to some degree.
But at a recent event called "Never Kneel at the Altar of Conformity," I was taught a lesson by two of my most renowned pupils. Icarus and Gran Akuma, tag team experts of long tenure at CHIKARA, reminded me what a mistake pride can be when you're in the squared circle. Maybe as wrestlers, we like to tell ourselves "toughing it out" isn't really a euphemism for "stubborn" or "stupid." I should not have stepped in the ring at Dragon Gate USA, but my heart overrode the protests of my body. A week later, I certainly should have known better than to chance my health against a combination the caliber of F.I.S.T. I know all too well just how dangerous they can be. I know the guy that trained them.
So these days, while I should be back at 100% from my recent back surgery, and resuming my full work load at the Wrestle Factory, instead, I still have my bi-weekly post-op visit to my surgeon's office, while Claudio tackles training duties for both my group and his own. I set back my recovery quite a bit at Dragon Gate USA, and it was made exponentially worse thanks to the punishment suffered at the hands of Akuma and Icarus. And Jigsaw and I are no closer to three points or the Campeonatosthan we were back in January.
To the rest of the boys in the back - don't think I'm deaf. I hear everything. Guys talking about me like I'm a wounded animal ripe for the kill. There's a lot of guys that think they could make their reputations by taking a win over me. Maybe there's some truth to that. While I might not be 100% in the near future, those of you that spent any time in the ring training under me already know. Even at 50%, I'm twice as dangerous as most wrestlers are on their best day. You want to try me? Good. I'm too stubborn to back down from a match anyway. And it'll be fun watching you try to squirm out of the knot I tie you in.
LMQ
So with that being said, it's apparent why Quackenbush has seemingly stepped down from the September 12th show, and may have stayed out of the September 13th show if the special circumstance regarding Danielson had not arisen. While Jigsaw has yet to be re-booked, both members of Incoherence have been. Except now, they're competing in singles action.
Brendan Michael Thomas shocked the CHIKARMY when he defeated Frightmare in the first round of the Young Lions Cup tournament, thus destroying my personal bracket for the tournament. BMT lost in the semi-finals, but nonetheless had made a lasting impression on the CHIKARA office. So much so, that when CHIKARA returns to BMT's homeland of New England, he will once again square off with the same man he defeated in the opening round of the Young Lions Cup; Frightmare. Frightmare is simply the best rookie CHIKARA has had since The Osirian Portal, amazing fans wherever he goes. Frightmare no doubt wants to avenge his loss and kick start his all but spotty rookie year back into the W column. Perhaps Frightmare took the rookie for granted, perhaps BMT just has Frightmare's number. Whatever the case is remains to be seen and we'll find out for sure come September 12th.
Hallowicked is also re-booked, this time taking on the "Swiss Stalwart" Claudio Castagnoli. This match was supposed to occur back at "Showdown in Crisisland" in July of 2007, but got bumped for an NWA World Championship tournament bout that Claudio was involved in. Over two years later, the match finally comes to fruition. These two are two of the top guys in CHIKARA and will put on a hell of contest vying for the victory. They have actually squared off in Ring of Honor at "Glory By Honor VI, Night One" in November of 2007 where Claudio defeated Hallowicked. CHIKARA is a whole different ballpark however, and Hallowicked would love to avenge that loss as well. Considering Eddie Kingston is currently feuding with Claudio and had an epic rivalry with Hallowicked, don't be so surprised if he pokes his nose into this match. Regardsless, this match should be something else.
Also booked for September 12th is a rematch of sorts from the Young Lions Cup. The final two men in the semi-finals elimination match on Night One of the Young Lions Cup tournament were Dasher Hatfield and Colin Delaney. Dasher, the former Create-A-Wrestler, had his best showing in his career by kicking out of Colin's big moves and showing more passion than ever before. Although Colin got the victory, Dasher impressed the CHIKARA fans throughout the entire weekend. Dasher will get his chance for vengeance when he meets The Big League Superstar one-on-one. Will Dasher hit one out of the park, or with Colin adjust his attitude?
We then have a first time meeting between Frightmare and Chuck Taylor. Chuck, winner of the 2007 Rey de Voladores, former Young Lions Cup champion, and winner of 2009 King of Trios competes in his first CHIKARA singles match for the first time in over a year. He returns against rookie Frightmare, who hasn't even been in CHIKARA for the span of a year! With all the credentials under Chuck's belt, it would be a major coo for Frightmare to win this bout. With Icarus and Akuma off doing their tag team thing, it might be in Chuck's best interest to pursue singles action. To kick start his career by halting the most impressive rookie in the company would be a positive for him. Frightmare is kind of small, and Chuck hates children, so it could be a weird pseudo-fantasy of his. It will be intriguing to see who comes out on top.
Finally, Tim Donst has recently posted a blog speaking out on just why he turned on his former partner Hydra, and the Tecnicos locker room, at the Young Lions Cup
8/27/2009: I learned more than just who sold the counter to the CHIKARA Special during my time spent with The Order of the Neo Solar Temple. Somewhere between the tofu and the face-paint, I learned what my true place was inCHIKARA. With a 6-match winning streak, I realized that I'm not another mid-card throwaway like Create-A-Wrestler, and I realized the importance of real friendship.
Once my role as an inside man with the Temple was revealed, things were never the same for me. Guys like Lince Doradoand the Super Smash Brothers were offended that I didn't end their worries about my condition with a simple phone call. And that underachiever Worker Ant never did forgive me for going after his injured leg at "Café Culture". And it all resulted in what? The main event match of our season finale - "Duel and Duality". You know what's funny? I would have never imagined that all it would take for me to get my head on straight was to get knocked out.
You'd think as my friend and teammate, that Mike Quackenbush would immediately check on my condition after a horrific fall like the one I took back in December. But when I came to in the backstage area, he was nowhere in sight. That is, until I saw the projection on the giant screen, and found he was too busy reuniting with Jigsaw to pay me a visit, or offer me any comfort. I watched through gritted teeth as another so-called ally was too busy celebrating in the ring with my REPLACEMENT. It was in that moment I realized something...I'm never going to be Jigsaw. I'm never going to reach that level. I'm never going to be the "ace." I'm never going to be the favored student. And I started to wonder if I would ever hold that Young Lions Cup.
I all but forgot how low I felt on that night...until you reminded me, Hydra. When you - you amphibious joke - pinned MY shoulders to the mat on the first night of the Young Lions Cup. It was bad enough that you cost me the Campeonatos de Parejas last year. Then, my golden dream was crushed, worst of all, by the laughing stock of the CHIKARA lockerroom. When will you get it? You were nothing but comic relief with the Temple, and as a Sea Donster you made me nothing more than a joke! Well come September, no one is going to be laughing when I tear you limb from limb. First, I'm going to have my revenge for YLC: Night 1, and then I'm going take the Cup. By any means necessary.
Your BFF,
TD
And with that, Tim Donst and Hydra will square off one on one on September 12th in West Springfield in a rematch from the second night of the Young Lions Cup tournament. Hydra upset his partner be defeating him on Night Two, and then was pinned in a six-man tag in which Donst was his partner in that match as well. As said in Donst's column, Donst was fed up and turned his back on the Man Monster. As we have seen with the Order of the Neo-Solar Temple, Hydra does not take kindly to being treated poorly, so don't think he'll allow Donst to walk all over him. Although they met last month, Hydra and Donst's attitudes and goals have drastically changed. We'll see what happens when former air band mates collide.
Dragon Gate USA news!
Well folks, since we last spoke, the entire card for the September 6th Chicago DGUSA show, "Open the Untouchable Gate", has been completed. Let's take a glance at the entire card:
Main Event #1 - Japan Ace vs. United States Ace
Open The Dream Gate Champion Naruki Doi vs. Bryan Danielson
Main Event #2 - Battle Of The Hard-Hitters
Shingo vs. Davey Richards
Main Event #3 - Did You Ever Think This Would Happen?
CIMA vs. Brian Kendrick
Rematch from Open The Historic Gate
Dragon Kid vs. Masato Yoshino
Open The Twin Gate Champions Ryo Saito & Genki Horiguchi vs. The Young Bucks of Nick & Matt Jackson
Tag Team Grudge Match
Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. YAMATO & Gran Akuma
FRAY! featuring Hallowicked, Mustafa Ali, Johnny Gargano, The Great Malaki, Louis Lyndon, Shiima Xion, Flip Kendrick, and Arik Cannon
WWE Hall Of Famers Jim Ross & Jerry "The King" Lawler will be signing autographs before the live event.
This card looks absolutely stacked and looks to be a show you don't want to miss. Also, the tickets for this show will be commemorative Bryan Danielson collector's items.
I'd also like to mention that the night before the Dragon Gate Chicago show in Berwyn, IL, AAW (All American Wrestling) will be holding a special show apply titled "Us vs. Them". Bryan Danielson will make his AAW debut to take on Chicagoland independent wrestling star Silas Young. In addition, DGUSA and CHIKARA talents Jigsaw, Hallowicked, and Gran Akuma will team up to face Arik Cannon and The Northstar Express (who should be familiar to any true CHIKARA fan). Also, The Young Bucks will make their AAW debut and their opponents have yet to be named.
This should be another fabulous show where you can see the DGUSA stars for a fraction of the price you could see them for at the DGUSA show the night after (though if you're in the area, you should go to both). Make sure to check AAW's homepage for more details.
Absolutely shameless shills!
Everyone, go to Pro Wrestling Ponderings. As most of you know, I actually came here to 411 because of my work over at the now defunct Cool Kids Table website. Most of the staff there is now here. We've added three new people from the Cool Kids Table to our writing staff (all three are former 411 writers as well): Jason Sterlacci, former Cool Kids founder Jake Ziegler, and former Cool Kids founder Brad Garoon! A second podcast, aside from the Bryan Danielson one, is posted where Jerome and I discuss the PWG "Speed of Sound" card, the WWE Summerslam show, and more! So please check it out, as well as all the other great stuff at Pro Wrestling Ponderings.PWP is becoming the new home for independent pro wrestling on the web.
YouTube Fun!
Here we have the 176th episode of CHIKARA's Podcast-A-Go-Go, where clips from the show "King of Trios 2009: Night One"are shown. Matches covered are The Future Is Now vs. Team DDT and F.I.S.T. taking on The Death Match Kings. Be sure to check out my review of the show, by clicking the show name in a sentence or two above!
Thanks so much again everyone for checking out this weeks Contemplating CHIKARA! Make sure to check out my DVD reviews and all the other fine articles here on the website, and please leave feedback! I love reading feedback and e-mails so keep em' coming. Thanks so much again for reading, and I will see you in seven!
