Views from the Hawke’s Nest: Review of the Free Matches from Chikara Part 1

Many pro wrestling companies provide free matches online as a way of advertising their product. All the matches are available to watch here, and they will be reviewed individually. After that, there will be an assessment of the matches as a group to determine if they are a good advertisement of the promotion. This time, I look at Chikara.

For all your Chikara needs, go to their
Website
Chikara Twitter
Chikara Facebook
Chikara Youtube (with a ton of free matches on the Chikara Podcast-A-Go-Go)

411’s Kevin Ford also has two great Chikara resources that you should check out: The Chikara Special and a Chikara Tumblr

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brodie Lee from Passion & Persistence 2008

Claudio’s gear is terrible. Brodie’s hair is terrible. Apparently Brodie had not lost a singles match in Chikara in over a year. The guys trade some power moves early on. Brodie eventually got the advantage and started getting the heat on the Swiss Man. Claudio was able to come back with a snap powerslam. Claudio blocked some punches and hit a series of European Uppercuts. Spinning X-Factor from Claudio: 1…2…NO! Claudio went for the Ricola Bomb, but Brodie was able to avoid it. Brodie went for a superlex, but Claudio punched him down. Brodie runs back up the rope and hits a Butterfly Superplex: 1…2…NO! Brodie went for a big boot, but Claudio hit a springboard European Uppercut. Claudio went for a Brogue Kick, but Derek Sabao ate the kick by accident. Leonard F. Chikarason left the commentating station to find a referee to finish the match. Claudio hit the Giant Swing on Brodie! Impressive. RICOLA BOMB: 1…2…3! WAIT! Bryce Remsburg ran in to count the pin, but at the same time Derek Sabato called for a Disqualification. BIG BOOT FROM BRODIE ON CLAUDIO! Sabato had the final say and he ruled that Brodie won by disqualification.

This was a good big man battle, but they probably could have done better today (too bad it won’t happen now). Still though, it is definitely worth watching.
Match Rating: ***1/4

El Generico vs. Kota Ibushi vs. Jigsaw vs. Nick Jackson from King of Trios 2009 Night 2

This is one of the most fun matches you will ever see but the match loses momentum at the end. The main reason for that is that the highlight of the match by far is the sequence between Ibushi and Generico but that results in the first elimination. Everything after that sequence could not truly follow. Still though, this match is pretty damn great and it should be watched by everyone.
Match Rating: ***3/4

Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. The Young Bucks from King of Trios Night 3 2010

This was an awesome tag match. The Bucks were in their TNA Superstar mode here to get some heat, and Quack and Jig were their usual great babyface tag team. While some will argue that this match was “spotty,” I would say that it worked for this match and this crowd. A big part of the spots working was that the spots gradually got more and more spectacular with the most impressive one being the finish: a top rope double stomp into the Jig-in-Tonic. Check this match out.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, & Manami Toyota vs. Amazing Red & Los Maximos from King of Trios Night 1 2011

Jig and Quack have matching green gear for this show…Jig screams, “This is for you Sweeney” right before the match starts…Quack and Red had incredible chemistry; they need to have a singles match…Red is the cousin of the Maximos…Toyota was brought back after a great weekend last Fall…Quack & Jig did a Larry Sweeney tribute to finish off one of the Maximos which got another “Sweet ‘n’ Sour” chant from the crowd…this match was crazy-fast and super fun to watch…I couldn’t even try to recap the action…check this match out!
Match Rating: ***3/4

Archibald Peck vs. UltraMantis Black from Small But Mighty 2011

Peck went for a suicide dive early, but he decided that MARCHING would be a more useful tactic before going through with the dive. Veronica distracted Black, which allowed Peck to get the heat. Black came back and was going for a Praying Mantis bomb on the apron, but Colt Cabunny distracted him. Black escaped and then did a rolling senton onto Peck to the floor. They ended up on the top rope and Black gave him a Super Finlay Roll: 1…2….NO! Peck decided it was time for his finisher, but Black avoided the top rope headbutt. Black then pounced and hit a Michinoku Driver: 1…2…3!

Wow! So much fun! Everyone watch this match right now.
Match Rating: SO MUCH FUN!

The Throwbacks (Sugar Dunkerton & Dasher Hatfield) vs. The Batiri from Odyssey Of The Twelfth Talisman 2011

Big brawl with all 4 men to start the match. The Throwbacks were in complete control early on. Sugar dribbling Kodama’s head on the mat is a top contender for spot of the year. Dasher went for a BASEBALL slide on the Batiri, but they caught his legs and gave him a wishbone. Batiri took control and worked over Dasher after that. Dasher looked to have made a tag to Sugar, but Bryce Remsburg ruled the tag to not be legal for reasons that were not made clear to me. Dasher double suplexed the Batiri and made a hot tag to Sugar who ran wild on the rudos. Kizarny tried to interfere, but Sugar threw Kodama onto him. Dasherr gave Obariyon a DVD variation, and Sugar followed that up with a top rope elbow: 1…2…3!

Fantastic opener! These two teams are very over with the crowd and they played their roles to perfection. Every Chikara show should have an opener like this.
Match Rating: ***

Thanks everybody for reading! You can send feedback to Twitter or at my email address: [email protected]. If you are a wrestling personality who would like to be interviewed by 411mania, you can also contact me in either of those ways.

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At my blog, I did an overview of the last four months in pro wrestling . I talk about all the promotions that I am following, and I give out various “awards” for the best performances over the last four months.

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Kevin Steen Part 1 & Part 2
Eddie Edwards
Johnny Gargano
Mike Quackenbush
Nigel McGuinness
Lance Hoyt/Vance Archer/Lance Archer
Adam Cole
Gran Akuma

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Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Lose.

The 411: These matches are an excellent representation of Chikara. Chikara has a lot more free matches, and I will hopefully be posting them soon. Chikara is one of the best wrestling companies going today and they deserve your support.
Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]