CHIKARA Under The Hood Review

Eddie Kingston defends his Grand Championship against Tim Donst and someone comes out from "Underneath Their Hood"

CHIKARA Under The Hood

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 12/2/12

1.) F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor & Johnny Gargano) vs. 3.0: ***1/4

Both teams have two points and are looking for their third so they can challenge for the Campeonatos de Parejas. Solid Opener. Both teams wrestled a great match-up 

2.) Icarus vs. Dasher Hatfield: ***

This is a rematch from The Cibernetico Rises, but with Sugar Dunkerton in tow. A better match than their one from New York two weeks prior. Dunkerton with FIST is another Wink Vavasseur creation. They did a great job with the story between Hatfield, Dunkerton & Icarus. Good stuff. 

3.) Jigsaw, The Shard, Soldier Ant & deviant vs. Mike Quackenbush, Fire Ant, Green Ant & assailANT: ***1/2

So Director of Fun Wink Vavasseur's creations are finally coming to a head as his version of the Colony (with Assailant) are taking on the reconfigured swarm (with POW Solider Ant & Jigsaw). A good match with A LOT of story behind it. We even had an original colony reunion of sorts. assailANT is trying to get accepted as one of the good guys and eventually is, even by Quackenbush following something he did during the match. Story-wise....good stuff. Match was good as well.

  

4.) Young Lions Cup - “Mr Touchdown” Mark Angelosetti vs. ACH: ***3/4

This is a rematch from the finals of the Young Lions Cup Tournament. Very Good Match. Appears that ACH & Touchdown are two guys that just mesh really well. 

After the match it's time to announce the Homecoming King & Queen. Veronica obviously wins Queen. Touchdown claims to be Kings, but Gavin Loudspeaker announced the true winner as the Mysterious & Handsome Stranger. He has a slow dance with Veronica, then surprises her by dumping Pig Slob on her!! He then surprises everyone by revealing himself to be ARCHIBALD PECK!!! Security comes out and ejects Peck (following the stipulation of the Chikarasaurus Rex Match).

After intermission, Sidney Bakabella comes out, taking about how his team is one match away from three points. He brings out Los Ice Creams to face their doom.

5.) The Devastation Corporation vs. Los Ice Creams: DUD

Basically a squash for The Devastation Corporation. Not much else.

6.) Delirious, Ophidian & The Batiri vs. The Spectral Envoy, Crossbones & Blind Rage: ****

So basically, long story short, Delirious returned in early 2012, saying he remember everything from his imprisonment by UltraMantis Black (and subsequently the BDK) via the Eye of Tyr, and has since declared war on him, recruiting Ophidian & The Batiri. UltraMantis brings his usual suspects with some familiar allies. During the match, AMASIS appeared in the crowd, causing Ophidian to freak out. The match was good & entertaining in the context of the story. 

7.) Campeonatos de Parejas – The Young Bucks vs. The 1-2-3 Kid & Marty Jannetty: **3/4

A fairly decent match, though you can't expect too much from Kid and especially Jannetty in their older years (Kid can still go, Jannetty......eh). Still a fair tag team affair. The Buck retain their titles.

8.) CHIKARA Grand Championship – Eddie Kingston vs. Tim Donst: ***1/2

This is another feud that got its start year's prior. Another very good match, but for the main event I felt like it was lacking. I'm actually going to go out there and say that part of me strongly believes Donst should have won the belt here. IDK but I think it would have provided something different, plus Donst's new character is pretty good. Still, the match was very entertaining.

Overall: 8.0/10

CHIKARA is now 3 for 3 when it comes to solid iPPV performances, though this iPPV was a little different, as the first half is a bit more appealing than the second half (not to say the second half had any bad matches). Great wrestling and the continuation of various top stories make this a good way to close out 2012 for CHIKARA.