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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.
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."
Shortly after the debut of their first class of students (Mister ZERO, UltraMantis, Hallowicked, Ichabod Slayne (now known as Icarus), Dragonfly), 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 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, plaques, buttons, books, masks, hats, posters are regularly available through their website.
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.
Chikara's Commisioner in kayfabe is Bob Saget.
Roster
- Arik Cannon (Current CHIKARA Young Lions Cup Holder)
- Allison Danger
- Cheech
- Claudio Castagnoli (Current CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas)
- Cloudy
- Crossbones
- Darkness Crabtree
- Dr. Cheung
- Dragon Dragon
- Eddie Kingston
- Equinox
- Fire Ant
- Gran Akuma
- Hallowicked
- Chris Hero (Current CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas)
- Icarus
- Jigsaw
- Lance Steel
- "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush
- Milano Collection AT
- Retail Dragon
- Rorschach
- Sabian
- Shane Storm
- Skayde
- Soldier Ant
- "Sweet And Sour" Larry Sweeney (Current ICW-ICWA Tex-Arkana Television Champion)
- Sumie Sakai
- Ultramantis Black
Teams and stables
- F.I.S.T. - Gran Akuma and Icarus
- Prescription Thugs - Darkness Crabtree and Dr. Cheung
- Dark Breed - Hallowicked, Ultramantis / Ultramantis Black and Blind Rage
- Kings of Pro-Wrestling - Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli (Current CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas)
- Men@Work - Mister ZERO and Shane Storm
- Up In Smoke - Cheech and Cloudy
- BLKOUT - Sabian, Joker and Eddie Kingston
- Lancelot - Lance Steel and Lance Steel
- The Colony - Soldier Ant and Fire Ant
- Triple Dragon - Dragon Dragon and Retail Dragon
- Team World Wildlife Fund - CP Munk and Colt Cabunny (parody of CM Punk and Colt Cabana)
Retired/Former Stars
- BlackJack Marciano
- DJ Skittlez
- Don Montoya
- Dragonfly
- Jolly Roger
- Mano Metalico
- Melvin Snodgrass
- Mister ZERO
- Private Eye
- ShareCropper
- Reckless Youth (Tom Carter)
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
Authority figureheads
- Commisioner - Bob Saget
- Director Of Fun - Leonard F. Chikarason
References
- Quackenbush, Mike (2004). CHIKARA Yearbook: 2002 - 2004.
- CHIKARA Pro (FAQ page)
External links
"Chikara Pro Wrestling"