Chikara Pro Wrestling

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CHIKARA also known as Chikara Pro is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They utilize an array of progressive concepts that have garnered them critical acclaim and a solid cult following, although virtually no commercial success along the way.

Contents

[edit] History

Chikara Wrestle Factory was founded as a wrestling school in January of 2002 in Allentown, Pennsylvania by Mike Quackenbush and Tom "Reckless Youth" Carter. After five months, the school started CHIKARA, the wrestling promotion. The name CHIKARA is actually the Japanese word for "strength" or "power."

The first class of students featured Mister ZERO, UltraMantis, Hallowicked, Ichabod Slayne (now known as Icarus), and Dragonfly. Shortly after the debut of their first class, Carter parted ways with the company.

In 2004, Chris Hero became a co-trainer at the Wrestle Factory. In 2005, he was joined by Jorge "Skayde" Rivera as the third trainer (along with Quackenbush). In March of 2005, the school moved from Allentown to the New Alhambra Arena, better known as "The ECW Arena", in Philadelphia. They have since taken over the training for Combat Zone Wrestling, leading to the school's new name of "CZW/Chikara Wrestle Factory."

The promotion has produced a large catalog of DVD and VHS titles through Smart Mark Video, as well as countless other bits of collectible merchandise since its inception. Shirts, buttons, books, masks, hats, and posters are regularly available through their website. It also has a weekly podcast entitled "CHIKARA Podcast-A-Go-Go" which serves as sort of a recap show. The show is hosted by "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush and Wiggly, sometimes with special guest hosts joining Quackenbush. The podcast also shows clips of CHIKARA matches.

CHIKARA events are reminiscent of several other promotions, notably CMLL, Michinoku Pro, Japan's Big Battle, and Toryumon 2000 Project (Japan) and the classic British "World of Sport" program. Live events are geared toward fans of all ages, and often feature wrestlers from other countries. Their signpost events each year include the "Tag World Grand Prix" in February, "Aniversario Weekend" in May, "Young Lions Cup" in July and the "Torneo de Cibernetico" in October.

[edit] Roster

The CHIKARA Roster of 2005
The CHIKARA Roster of 2005

[edit] Teams and stables

  • F.I.S.T. - Gran Akuma and Icarus (Current CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas)
  • Prescription Thugs - Darkness Crabtree and Dr. Cheung
  • Kings of Wrestling - Chris Hero, Gran Akuma, and Icarus
  • ShaneSaw - Shane Storm and Jigsaw
  • Up In Smoke - Cheech and Cloudy
  • BLKOUT - Sabian, Joker, and Eddie Kingston
  • The Order of the Neo Solar Temple - Ultramantis Black, Hydra, Crossbones, and Blind Rage
  • The Colony - Soldier Ant, Fire Ant, and Worker Ant
  • Triple Dragon - Dragon Dragon and Retail Dragon
  • Los Ice Creams - El Hijo Del Ice Cream and Ice Cream Jr.
  • Incoherence - Hallowicked and Delirious
  • Team World Wildlife Fund - CP Munk and Colt Cabunny
  • North Star Express - Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz

[edit] Retired/Former Stars

[edit] Tournament Winners

  • Young Lions Cup I - Hallowicked
  • Young Lions Cup II - Larry Sweeney
  • Young Lions Cup III - Shane Storm
  • Young Lions Cup IV - Arik Cannon
  • Tag World Grand Prix 2003 - Hallowicked & Blind Rage
  • Tag World Grand Prix 2005 - Claudio Castagnoli & Arik Cannon
  • Tag World Grand Prix 2006 - Claudio Castagnoli & Chris Hero
  • Torneo Cibernetico 2004 - Jigsaw
  • Torneo Cibernetico 2005 - Gran Akuma
  • Torneo Cibernetico 2006 - Icarus

[edit] Current Champions

[edit] Authority figureheads

  • Commissioner - Bob Saget
  • Director Of Fun - Leonard F. Chikarason

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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