Jolly Roger vs Darkness Crabtree
This is the best I’ve seen Roger look so far, and he takes a
nasty bump to the unpadded floor to further impress. Crabtree’s old man gimmick
actually enhances the match as it means he has to use basic heel offence.
Rather than hitting a load of moves like the terrible Rorschach match the
previous month, Crabtree uses chokes and back rakes, giving Roger something to
fight back from. A rana ends a quick bout for Roger, and I didn’t hate this.
Ash vs Cady 45
These two are from the Squared Circle promotion from Canada.
Unlike the previous month, where Sabian and Joker came in and totally stole the
show, these two are a bit less impressive. They kick off with a competently
worked series of counters and armdrags, which suggests these two work together
regularly. Cady seems to botch a flip dropkick in the corner, and Ash, to his
credit, instantly pounces to take control. Ash’s heel control is pretty decent,
liked his running punt to the ribs and little touches like grinding his forearm
into the back of Cady’s head. Cady doesn’t offer much, apart from jumping really
high on a Rough Ryder. Ash rolls through a crossbody and grabs a handful of
tights for the win.
Sabian & Joker vs Ultramantis & Mr ZERO
Joker and ZERO kick this off with a really fun mat section,
and I dug them battling for superiority for a headlock. Ultramantis and Sabian
were a bit less smooth, with some move chaining looking a little clunky. The
key story point of the match sees Ultramantis put a submission hold on Sabian,
but ZERO comes in to show him something in a newspaper, which costs Ultramantis
the submission. The CZW boys attack and take over on ZERO. Some nasty looking
running kicks in the corner. There are a couple of moments of miscommunication,
but the heat on ZERO is suitably nasty. Just horrible little touches like Joker
trying to bite ZERO’s mask off, or Sabian picking his nose and rubbing it on
the painted mouth of ZERO. Just stuff that makes you want to see ZERO make the
hot tag. He finally gets it….only for Ultramantis to turn on him with a
snapmere driver and leave him prone for a Sabian senton for the win. This was
the birth of Ultramantis Black and, though the turn was obvious given the
tension between the two, it was still well executed.
Hallowicked vs Shane Storm
This is the weakest match on the show, and it took me 3 goes
not to fall asleep when watching it. Hallowicked tries, but Storm is really
green (think this was his second match). His timing is off on a corner charge
and though Hallowicked hits a nice big boot to the head, this isn’t great. The
end sees Hallowicked miss a swanton and Storm hits a shitty Emerald Frosion to
win.
Hornet vs Extremo
Two more Squared Circle guys. Extremo is in decent shape,
but Hornet looks so bushleague, even down to his stupid tights. This is just a
match, nothing terrible but nothing great either. I liked Extremo ducking a
crossbody by arching backwards and Hornet did an interesting hiptoss into an
armbar. On the other hand, Hornet takes a terribly rehearsed tumble over the
top on a missed corner charge, and Extremo barely touches Hornet on a
moonsault. The end sees Extremo win with a victory roll.
The Wildcards vs Gran Akuma & Icarus
This is no DQ, triggered by the Wildcards stealing Akuma’s
mask previously. This doesn’t go long, but is plenty of fun. Kingston throws
some meaty looking forearms, and I love the fact they unmask Akuma for the
second time, which leaves him on the floor covering his face. This means the
Wildcards can isolate Icarus in the ring, beating him 2-on-1. Mike Quackenbush
rushes out to bring Akuma another mask, and he returns to the ring a house on
fire. This doesn’t last long, before Kingston kicks him in the back as he tries
a suplex, causing Marciano to land on top for the Wildcards win. This in turn
triggers another huge brawl that goes all around the venue and sees the
Wildcards thrown out through the side door. Fun stuff all round.
Phantasmo vs DJ Skittlez
This was pretty rough, as neither guy is much cop in the
ring. Phantasmo is billed as a luchador, but is so totally unlucha, bar his
wearing a mask. Skittlez does seem to be incredibly strong, but doesn’t do
anything with it. I did like Skittlez hitting a big suicide dive, but the most
memorable thing about the match is Phantasmo somehow losing his mask as he
tries to put Skittlez on the top rope, and the match awkwardly stopping as he puts
it back on. The end sees Phantasmo casually walk out of the way of a corner
charge, but get caught with a Skittlez backslide for the win.
Mike Quackenbush vs Jigsaw
This is a lumberjack match, with 5 of Quack’s titles on the
line. Really enjoyed this, thought Quack was terrific and worked a really good
match with a guy who’s decent but still green. For his part, Jigsaw held up his
end well, but you know he probably wouldn’t be able to have a match this good
with someone who isn’t on Quack’s level. Loved the early mat stuff, with Quack
finding quirky new ways to apply a headlock, just to show his superiority. Nice
to see Jigsaw not looking outclassed as Quackenbush starts to up the pace.
Jigsaw has looked a step above the other CHIKARA students in previous shows,
and you suspect the others wouldn’t be able to keep this looking competitive.
Dug the fun use of the lumberjack stip, as Jigsaw pushes Quack off the apron,
only for the lumberjacks to catch him and bounce him back into the ring ready
to fight. Quack logically shouldn’t be giving up large parts of a match to a
rookie wrestler he’s trained, so him clotheslining the ringpost gives a
realistic opening for Jigsaw to attack and take control. All Jigsaw’s armwork
looks good too, and it plays into his control as he uses it as a shortcut to
stop Quack’s comebacks, and it helps him escape when Quack can’t support his
weight on lifts. The end sees Quack finally lift Jigsaw and hit a cross-legged
tombstone, only for the Wildcards to return and cause a DQ. Really good match,
and real proof of how good Quack was as a wrestler.
