wrestling / Columns
The CHIKARA Special 07.24.10: Open the Challenge Gate
Whimmy wham wham wazzle! It’s another CHIKARA Special!
Dragon Gate USA launched in April of 2009. Although the focus from the get-go was to bring the stars of Dragon Gate over to the United States on a regular basis, DGUSA also made it known that it was looking to showcase some of the best talent on the American independent wrestling scene as well. DGUSA slowly built relationships all over the country to improve the strength of its brand name in the United States. One of the earliest, and what has proven to be the most fruitful partnerships that DGUSA established was with CHIKARA.
Even back then the choice seemed obvious and very wise. If any American company has a style that comes closest to Dragon Gate, CHIKARA is it. Not only is the wrestling style most similar, but the focal point being on teams and factions rather than individuals is a mindset that both companies share as well. Dragon Gate USA vice president Gabe Sapolsky had also worked with both Mike Quackenbush and CIMA in the past (as part of Ring of Honor). Jorge “Skayde” Rivera also had a hand in Quackenbush’s training, and trained the members of the Toryumon X school (CIMA is a product of the original Toryumon school of Ultimo Dragon), adding yet another connection between the two. Dragon Gate students m.c. Kzy (now known as Kzy) and Go (who never competed in Dragon Gate, but was trained by them) also appeared as part of CHIKARA’s King of Trios 2008 weekend. The partnership seemed flawless, and fans of both organizations were gleaming with anticipation for the first DGUSA event. What would CHIKARA’s role be at The Arena in South Philadelphia?
As it turns out, CHIKARA received a showcase Atomicos (eight-man tag) match pitting some of its top competitors. Of course, Mike Quackenbush captained the Tecnicos team with Jigsaw, Fire Ant, and Soldier Ant to take on the Rudos squadron of Icarus, Gran Akuma, Amasis, & Hallowicked (Ophidian was originally supposed to be in the match, but an injury prevented him from doing so. A random lottery placed Hallowicked, a Tecnico, on their side). Arguments could be made that CHIKARA stole the show, putting on an unbelievable performance that the crowd going absolutely nuts. CHIKARA had succeeded in a major way on this first show, and seemingly cemented their spot in DGUSA. Immediately following the match, Mike Quackenbush laid out a challenge based solely on the spirit of competition to pit the best CHIKARA had to offer against the best Dragon Gate had to offer. Kamikaze member YAMATO answered, but put down Quackenbush and kicked him right in the groin. CHIKARA students and roster members Jigsaw and Gran Akuma came out. Jigsaw attacked YAMATO, looking to help his mentor and trainer. Gran Akuma had other ideas, attack Jigsaw and Quack as well. YAMATO and Akuma were able to fend off a few other CHIKARA roster members, until the numbers became too overwhelming and YAMATO and Akuma bailed. The reasoning behind Akuma’s decision to join YAMATO and ditch his fellow CHIKARAites was puzzling, but needless to say Quack and Jigsaw weren’t pleased.
They would get their revenge the following month at Dragon Gates’ Chicago debut, when Quack and Jigsaw took on YAMATO and Gran Akuma in a tag bout. Even whilst battling a knee injury, Quackenbush and Jigsaw would score the win. Although they won the match, YAMATO choked out Quack after the match. The challenge originally initiated by friendly competition had now become personal.
The members of this feud were preoccupied at DGUSA’s second Philadelphia show, as they were vying to become the first ever “Open the Freedom Gate” Champion. At “Fearless” however, things would break down between Kamikaze USA and CHIKARA as the show came to a close:
Quack was able to get his hands on YAMATO for the first time in months. Although it was for a short period of time, it made Quack and Jigsaw want their revenge even more. In Phoenix, Kamikaze and the CHIKARA Sekigun were both in attendance but kept their distance from one another. However, Kamikaze grew stronger by adding American independent standout Jon Moxley to their ranks. At the moment, Moxley is the current FIP, CZW, and IPW Heavyweight Champion, as well as one half of the wXw Tag Team champions with Sami Callihan. With the charisma and talent Moxley poises, as well as his utter disdain for just about everyone else, it was an obvious choice for him to align himself with other sleazy, good-for-nothin’s. Moxley became the face of what was now Kamikaze USA.
When Dragon Gate USA debuted in Canada, Kamikaze member Akira Tozawa made his North American debut. He and Gran Akuma teamed up at “Open The Northern Gate”, only to lose to Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw. Quack and Jigsaw would put up a valiant effort the following night against Naruki Doi and PAC of World-1, but ultimately end up on the losing side of the equation. After that match, Quackenbush would call out YAMATO, only to get jumped by Tozawa, Akuma, and then by Shingo Takagi and YAMATO.
Later that night, Quack and Jigsaw made it known that they wanted the issue between the CHIKARA Sekigun and Kamikaze USA to come to an end. What better place for this feud that’s been happening since the beginning to wrap-up at the one year anniversary of Dragon Gate USA at “Enter The Dragon II” tonight? When the date was set, we needed to know which key players in the feud would be involved in the climax. The fans got the opportunity to speak their voice on what match they wanted to see on the official DGUSA website. Once all was said and done, it was announced that an Elimination Match pitting teams of four against one another would be the way for this feud to conclude. This seems fitting; elimination matches are quite common in Dragon Gate, and they put on an amazing eight-man tag elimination match back at “Dead or Alive 2010” pitting the WARRIORS against World-1. It’s also fitting because it was an eight-man tag (though non-elimination) in which the CHIKARA crew made their DGUSA debut. So which eight men were going to take place?
The Kamikaze USA team was easy to fill out, as there are five members currently in DGUSA and only four spots to fill. Since Shingo will be busy facing Bryan Danielson, the four spots went to the remaining members of DGUSA: YAMATO, Akira Tozawa, Jon Moxley, and Gran Akuma. The CHIKARA Sekigun was somewhat easy to fill out as well. Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw were the easy choices. Hallowicked was fairly easy too. Although he hasn’t been as mired in this feud as Quack and Jigsaw, he is a first generation CHIKARA student who has been with the company since day one. Any disrespect shown towards CHIKARA, or his trainer in Mike Quackenbush can be viewed as a sign of disrespect. The fourth slot was tough to call. The first though to spring to mind was Jimmy Jacobs. Sure, Jacobs may not be a CHIKARA regular, but he has had his issues with Kamikaze USA as well, especially Jon Moxley. However, he will be taking on Sami Callihan in the pre-show. Frightmare was another wrestler taken into consideration. Frightmare is Hallowicked’s friend, and has teamed (and been successful) with Quackenbush, Jigsaw, and Hallowicked in eight-man tags twice. Heck, Frightmare scored the pinfall in both matches. While he seemingly was right for the choosing, Mike Quackenbush had something else up his sleeve. In fact, Quackenbush asked until the Dragon Gate “Kobe World Festival 2010” event were over before announcing his team.
This seemed like an odd request. Quackenbush, nor any CHIKARA wrestler s for that matter had any stake in this event. So why would Quack need to wait for that event to finish before constructing his team? Quackenbush explains in this blog:
You know what to expect from CHIKARA Sekigun. Jigsaw and Hallowicked are two of the very best I’ve ever trained, and more than that, they are simply two of the best. Picking those two as my partners was a no-brainer. An obvious move, really. But I know the value of a good curve ball.
And so, I am appealing to the Dragon Gate office. I want them to send me someone. Let them throw the curve ball. Because I need someone that hates you every bit as much as I do, YAMATO. And maybe it makes perfect sense to ask a guy like Frightmare to be the last member of our team. Or to recruit one of The Colony to stand with us. But they don’t hate you like I do. In a match this personal, in a match this long overdue, what I want is someone just as eager to tie you in knots and watch you scream as I am. I want someone that isn’t afraid to cut down the weeds in order to drop you on your head.
Go on, stick your tongue out on July 24th. Jigsaw will superkick it into the cheap seats. Or maybe Hallowicked will jam his boot down your throat the second you open your mouth. Prepare all you want. Try to be ready. Then get ready to lose. Your 15 minutes are up.
It was then revealed a day or two later that the CHIKARA Sekigun would be joined by the man who defeated YAMATO for the Open the Dream Gate championship at the Kobe World Festival, Masato Yoshino. Yoshino has never stepped foot in a CHIKARA ring, but he will be at the side of Quack, Hallowicked, and Jigsaw to fend off YAMATO and the rest of the Kamikaze crew. Yoshino adds a whole new dynamic to the match, being one of the few people to take down YAMATO on more than one occasion this year.
Jon Moxley shared some of his thoughts on this match, as well as Jimmy Jacobs:
The stage is set: The Arena in South Philadelphia TONIGHT (July 24th, 2010) will house the conclusion of the CHIKARA Sekigun vs. Kamikaze USA feud when Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, Hallowicked, & Masato Yoshino take on YAMATO, Akira Tozawa, Jon Moxley, & Gran Akuma in an eight-man elimination tag team match. Will CHIKARA be able to prove their worth the night before the biggest show in the company’s history?
It’s finally here. What is literally the largest show in CHIKARA history (in terms of number of fans attending, if the pre-sale projections are accurate) occurs this Sunday at The Arena in South Philadelphia. Be sure to check out my past two CHIKARA Special’s for all the intricacies of those two cards, but here’s the rundown of the card once again with new stuff posted under them:
The Colony (Fire Ant, Soldier Ant, & Green Ant) & Frightmare vs. The Brüderschaft des Kreuzes (Lince Dorado, Tim Donst, Pinkie “Pink Ant” Sanchez, & Tursas)
The Osirian Portal (Amasis & Ophidian) & Drake Younger vs. The UnStable (Vin Gerard, STIGMA, & Colin Delaney
Drake Younger’s blog
Colin Delaney’s blog
Sara Del Rey & Daizee Haze vs. Amazing Kong & Raisha Saeed
Sara Del Rey podcast update
CIMA, Masaaki Mochizuki, & Super Shenlong vs. Team F.I.S.T. (Icarus, Gran Akuma, & Chuck Taylor)
Chuck Taylor’s blog
Johnny Gargano’s blog
Chuck Taylor’s 2nd blog
Gran Akuma’s blog
Icarus’ blog
Johnny Gargano’s 2nd blog
CHIKARA Sekigun (Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, & Hallowicked) vs. World-1 (Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino, & BxB Hulk)
Eddie Kingston & Tommy Dreamer vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Ares
Claudio Castagnoli Podcast Update
The final Chikarasaurus Rex Update, covering the build-up for this match.
In addition to all that excitement, CHIKARA posted this message on CHIKARA 101: In addition to the 6 advertised matches you already know about… since a guy we’re quite fond of happens to be in town this weekend, we are adding a 7th match to the card! We won’t tell you any more than that – it’s a surprise for those in attendance on Sunday. Looks like this show might just be the “Best in the World.” Eh? Eh?
“Chikarasaurus Rex: King of Show” takes place this Sunday, July 25th from The Arena in South Philadelphia. Tickets are $25 in advance (and I THINK they will be on sale at tonight’s Dragon Gate USA show as well) and $30 at the door. If ever a CHIKARA show was ever in danger of selling out, this is it, so make sure to get your tickets ASAP.
I am proud to announce that The CHIKARA Special will be holding a contest this summer. Myself and one Mr. Bryce Remsburg have teamed up for the “Write Bryce’s Wrestlicious Rap” contest. What is a Wrestlicious rap you ask? In Season 1 of Wrestlicious, the ladies opened the show with a music video in which they would do a four-line rap about themselves. Here’s the video to give you a better understanding of what I am talking about:
While all these women have gotten their rightful time to shine by rapping on national television, it is a travesty that one of the most charismatic and gifted referees in all of wrestling, Bryce Remsburg, who does indeed referee for the company, has not been granted the same opportunity. Bryce himself has a few words on the matter:
“I have been very lucky in life and in my wrestling career. I have been fortunate enough to referee thousands of wrestling matches, in 4 countries and in 27 states, even on national television. Refereeing for season 1 of Wrestlicious’ TakeDown was a career highlight, nay, a life highlight. But something is missing. After seeing the finished, edited product, I see the lovely ladies get to rap in the opening! So jealous! So now, with the help of my friends at the CHIKARA Special, I want to make this dream a reality. I can spit dope rhymes with the best of them, but I need some ammo. PLEASE HELP ME, and we will all be the winners! Thanks so much!”
– Bryce
So with that said, it is now your chance to write the Wrestlicious Rap for Bryce. Who knows, perhaps he will get the opportunity to perform it!
Here are the rules:
1) Your entry must follow the same format of the original Wrestlicious rap in the video above. The two first lines must rhyme, and the last two lines must rhyme. The last word also MUST be Wrestlicious (obviously). It’s really the only way to go, as Bryce and I do not wish to tamper with the original performance, but rather to honor it.
2) One entry per person, please. We will accept both written submissions and audio submissions. You may also explain why your rap is the best off all, but in no way is that a requirement.
3) Please keep your entry “family friendly”. Keep in mind this is a televised program. If it’s clean enough for television, the more likely chance we have of actually getting Bryce’s rap on television
4) Entries will be judged on creativity, amusement, and other arbitrary categories made up on the spot. Entries will be co-judged by myself and Bryce Remsburg personally. To enter, email me by clicking the “E-Mail Kevin” button at the bottom of the column. Bryce and I will be in contact over each entry.
5) All entries must be submitted by midnight on Sunday, August 8th. Bryce and I will then announce the winner the weekend before the Young Lions Cup tournament in the August 21st edition of The CHIKARA Special.
6) Have fun! Bryce and I are both very excited to give you all the opportunity to do this and to see what you guys come up with.
7) There will be prizes for this contest. The winner of this contest will receive the 2nd Smart Mark Video sampler, which features matches that include Incoherence, Mike Quackenbush, Claudio Castagnoli, Davey Richards, Jon Moxley, and many others. Also, the winner will receive the 2009 CHIKARA Sampler DVD, featuring five of the best matches from CHIKARA during the first half of 2009. Finally, the winner will also receive the single-disc “Best of CHIKARA DVD” released by Big Vision Entertainment in 2007, featuring 9 matches from 2005 and 2006.
Bryce and I look forward to seeing what you got, so throw your entries are way!
And as a bonus, here’s Arik Cannon and the North Star Express rapping, and ending the rap with a Wrestlicious Rap!
The 222nd Podcast-A-Go-Go is live! This week, Wiggly and Gavin cover “King of Trios 2010, Night One” from Philadelphia, PA back in April. Matches covered this week include Team Frightning vs. Team Big Japan and The BDK triumvirate of Pinkie “Pink Ant” Sanchez, Tim Donst, & Lince Dorado vs. The F1RST Family.
An awesome music video cover CHIKARA’s “We Must Eat Michigan’s Brain” event.
The Osirian Portal is about to debut in CZW.
AIW has posted their Young Lions Cup qualifying match from their “Youth Gone Wild” event, where Eric Ryan took on Gregory Irons for the right to fight in this prestigious tournament.
My CHIKARA blog, The CHIKARA Special, is still going strong. I have tons of new reviews of and entire 2004 shows up there right now. Also, CHIKARA matches from other companies are getting reviewed as well. Just this week I added Quack and Jigsaw’s match from DGUSA Uprising and the two non-tournament CHIKARA matches from the second night of AIW’s “Jack of All Trios” tournament. Go there, subscribe to the blog (on the right) and continue reading my sweet CHIKARA related reviews. Subscriptions are good because: A) They let me know you’re reading and B) All my reviews get delivered directly to your inbox. Its good times, so check it out and tell your friends about The CHIKARA Special.
Pro Wrestling Ponderings posted three new podcasts this week, where we interviewed Johnny Gargano, Bryce Remsburg, and Claudio Castagnoli. Be sure to go to Pro Wrestling Ponderings and get all three. You can also subscribe via iTunes! You can find out all the details over at the website. Get yer listen on right here!
Brad Garoon’s blog, Open The Garoon Gate is all about Dragon Gate and Dragon Gate USA. He reviews every Infinity, PPV, appearance of a Dragon Gate wrestler in the U.S. and other Japanse promotions , etc. Almost daily Brad has something new added to his tremendously large archive. You owe it to yourself to check out that blog, as well as his Toryumon and dragondoor/El Dorado/Secret Base blogs which you can find links to on his Dragon Gate blog.
Jake Ziegler, another Cool Kids Table founder, writes some fantastic wrestling DVD reviews in his A 2 Z Analyzis. This guy has been working so hard, reviewing recent TNA, ROH, and DGUSA DVD’s. Be sure to check his stuff out!
If you have not begun listening, Mike Quackenbush and Clayton Morris (of FOX News & Friends) host a pop-culture podcast known as The Grizzly Bear Egg Cafe. Clayton and Mike talk about all things geek such as movies, music, television, comic books, tech stuff, and wrestling here and there. I find it wildly entertaining, as Clayton and Mike play off each other very well. It’s also really cool to hear Mike talk about non-wrestling stuff as well. So please, check out The Grizzly Bear Egg Cafe and subscribe to their podcast on iTunes.
That’s going to do it for me folks! Be sure to come back next week where we talk about the fallout from this massive weekend and more Young Lions Cup news. And please be sure to submit your entries for Bryce’s Wrestlicious Rap contest!
Links!
The CHIKARA Home Page .
The brand spankin’ new official CHIKARA message board.
Buy CHIKARA DVD’s at Smart Mark Video
Don’t like DVD’s? Stream CHIKARA shows for half the price at Hybrid Entertainment Television!
Follow CHIKARA on Facebook
Follow CHIKARA on Twitter
CHIKARA on MySpace
CHIKARA on YouTube
CHIKARA 101 on YouTube
CHIKARA Fans
