CHIKARA's 'Tomorrow Never Dies' results and observations
For the very first time, I stepped into the whimsical world of CHIKARA Pro Wrestling Saturday for the promotion's season finale titled "Tomorrow Never Dies."
I must admit, before stepping into the 2300 Arena in south Philadelphia for the show, I was not an avid follower of CHIKARA Pro Wrestling.
I've known of it for years, and had caught matches here and there when I could. But after catching an entire show and immersing myself into its universe, I will definitely increase my intake for the product.
Is it what I've grown up watching all my life? No, but it's fun. Lots of fun, and that's what I really want when I venture out to a wrestling show.
Not only did I have a good time but I loved the organization of the promotion. I've been to my share of independent wrestling shows to know that organization and punctuality isn't always the top priority, but I can tell that CHIKARA has that on the surface at least.
I'm going to change up the format a little bit for this post. Instead of posting my observations separate from the results, I will slide them in between the results since I have thoughts on every match that occurred on the card.
Before I jump into that, CHIKARA announced during the show that its season opener for 2015 titled "A New Start" will take place at the 2300 Arena on the afternoon of Jan. 25. The main event will be Icarus defending the Grand Championship against Chuck Taylor.
Yes, that is the same day as the Royal Rumble not too far away at the Wells Fargo Center, which is the reason why the opening bell time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
It should be a very entertaining day of wrestling in Philadelphia.
- Young Lions Cup XI Finals – Heidi Lovelace def. Missile Assault Ant
My thoughts: I'm not too keen on man versus woman matches. I just don't like the idea of a man beating on a woman or the idea of a woman fighting underneath to eventually defeat the man.
I think it would make some uncomfortable and it's somewhat unbelievable, even for CHIKARA.
With that said, I think the two combatants worked hard to put on an entertaining match. It's nothing against the talent. Inter-gender matches just aren't my cup of tea.
- German Suplex Challenge – Ashley Remington def. Juan Francisco de Coronado
My thoughts: This was another good match, but that was secondary to the shenanigans from the characters involved, especially Remington.
Remington is hilarious as the smooth sailor and seems quite comfortable with the role.
- Eddie Kingston def. Jimmy Jacobs
My thoughts: I've seen Kingston and Jacobs wrestle countless times, but I don't think I've ever seen them work against each other before.
Regardless, this was yet another good match. With the win, Kingston scored his third point, which now makes him eligible to challenge for the CHIKARA Grand Championship, currently held by Icarus.
- Campeones de Parejas – The Devastation Corporation (Blaster McMassive & Max Smashmaster) def. The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield & Mr. Touchdown)
My thoughts: Since I interviewed Dasher Hatfield of The Throwbacks before the event, I guess I kind of cheered for him and his partner Mr. Touchdown to win.
Unfortunately, they came up short, but it was until they had a great match with The Devastation Corporation, who seem eerily similar to Demolition. Maybe it's just me, I don't know.
Regardless, these two teams put on an awesome match. The highlight for me was seeing Blaster McMassive, who every bit of 6 feet, 8 inches, clear over the top rope for a dive to the outside.
Kudos must go to both teams for their effort. I thought this was the best match of the night.
- Loser Leaves Town Match – Ultra Mantis Black def. Delirious
My thoughts: Ultra Mantis was over like rover in the 2300 Arena and Delirious had some awesome body paint that covered what looked like was his entire body.
- Soldier Ant wins Cibernetico Royale
My thoughts: This match was essentially all about The Colony and that fact that Soldier Ant is no longer a part of it.
Almost all of the ants were involved in this match. On one side was Fire Ant, Silver Ant and Worker Ant and on the other Solider Ant all by his lonesome.
It eventually came down to Soldier Ant and Fire Ant squaring off with Soldier Ant coming out on top.
They tried to play up the drama by having Silver Ant plea with Soldier Ant, but it was pretty tough to really get caught up in it as he was yelling from underneath his mask, which made him hard to hear.
With that said, the story came across pretty well, in my opinion.
- Steel Cage Match – Icarus def. Deucalion
My thoughts: The Grand Championship wasn't on the line in this one. This was about Icarus taking down the killer known as Deucalion. Yes, in CHIKARA, characters can die and Deucalion has killed quite a few.
Although the idea of a character dying may sound silly in other forms of wrestling, it actually fits in perfectly to the types of stories CHIKARA tells every season.
As for the match, I thought it was really good. I like the drama that was played up during the match with the babyfaces come out to ringside to cheer on Icarus, as Deucalion had been such a terror to the entire locker room.
That's something you don't see in the WWE — the wrestlers actually care about other things that are happening on the show.
In the end, Icarus defeated Deucalion and killed him with Thunderfrog's hammer, ending his reign of terror. It was a nice way to wrap up the season and wrap up the story as well.