CHIKARA High Noon Review

Little bit of a back story...I really started to hear about CHIKARA around the time this iPPV took place. Didn't know much about them, but I heard their iPPV was good. Then I started to really look into CHIKARA after their involvement in ROH's Homecoming show in Philly this past January. I found it to be pretty interesting, and entertaining. They have a great host of characters and intriguing storylines (some of which were years long). Finally I decided to pick up some of their stuff. I got their 2 iPPV's as well as the show that was part of Synergy Weekend with ROH. I'll be doing the three in order by date

CHIKARA High Noon

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 11/13/11

Pre-Show

1.) Jigsaw vs. El Generico: ***

Since El Generico was an ROH Regular, he wasn't allowed to be on the iPPV (I presume...), so he's wrestling here on the Pre-Show against Jigsaw. This was a pretty good match (for a pre-show match). Entertaining and got the crowd hyped for the iPPV.

iPPV

1.) The Young Bucks vs. The Colony (Fire Ant & Soldier Ant): ***1/2

So if the Young Bucks had a 1-Year Contract (apparently) with ROH (which I guess started in October of 2011), how come they were allowed to compete on the iPPV when El Generico couldn't?....hm....Anyway, the opening match puts The Young Bucks up against The Colony, being represented by Fire Ant & Soldier Ant. This was a very solid opener for CHIKARA's first iPPV, a very enjoyable contest.

2.) Sara Del Rey vs. Jakob Hammermeier: *1/2

Hammermeier really annoys me for some reason. Would have preferred if Sara Del Rey killed him in under a minute, but Sara still kicked the poop (gotta keep it kid friendly folks, it's CHIKARA) out of Jakob and won the match so I'm happy.

The Osirian Portal come out to discuss the future of the team, since Amasis can no longer wrestle after suffering severe injuries in a car accident earlier in the year. This leads to Ophidian turning Rudo (or Heel) by spitting mist in his long time parter's face and later removed his mask in the ultimate sign of disrespect. I liked the segment. It effectively ended the Osirian Portal, and started the singles rise for Ophidian.

3.) Green Ant vs. Tursas: ***

This is the conclusion of the story within the story of the BDK vs. CHIKARA feud, which rehashes the Lex Lugar/Yokozuna storyline from 1993/4 with Green Ant & Tursas playing their respective roles. I gotta say...Tursas is huge!! The match was a pretty decent one. Nothing outstanding, but the story was more important here.

4) Colt Cabana vs. Archibald Peck: **3/4

This is another story driven match, with Colt Cabana trying to free Colt Cabunny from the clutches of Archibald Peck. This was a decent comedy match, but again, this match was story driven, with added more to the match. Both guys are great...they certainly have their moments.

5.) Gregory Iron vs. Icarus: **1/4

Icarus, a CHIKARA original and leader of F.I.S.T. (That's Friends In Similar Tights), takes on the Handicapped Hero of Wrestling, Gregory Iron. I gotta say this was probably the worst match on the show, and it was just ok. I think it was a time thing. The match went I think 12 Minutes (which was too long for this anyway) but it felt like 20 when I watched it....it just dragged. After the match, Gran Akuma comes out and tries to attack his former partner, but accidentally hits Ion instead.

6.) Lucha de Apuesta – No Disqualification - 
The Spectral Envoy (UltraMantis Black & Hallowicked) vs. Die Brüderschaft des Kreuzes (Ares & Tim Donst): ***1/2

This is the conclusion of the UltraMantis Black/Aries portion of the BDK/CHIKARA feud, with their respective right-hand men by their side in this match. If Mantis/Hallowicked get pinned, the one pinned loses their mask while if Aries/Donst get pinned they lose the Eye of Tyr/Hair respectively. This was a pretty entertaining No DQ Match. With the BDK falling apart it was clear from the start that Donst wasn't very high on following Aries' orders. This comes to a head when Donst bails on his partner, leaving him to be pinned by UltraMantis Black who regained control of the Eye of Tyr. Again, a very entertaining match and a good way to end the feud.

7.) CHIKARA Grand Championship – Eddie Kingston (with Tommy Dreamer) vs. Mike Quackenbush: ****1/4

This is the finals of the 12-Large Summit Tournament. Kingston comes out with Tommy Dreamer in his corner, but is wrestling with an injured knee. This was a great match. You had the Founder of CHIKARA taking on one of the Toughest Guys in Indy Wrestling. The whole vibe surrounding the match just made it that much bigger. The whole roster coming out and the friends & family of Larry Sweeney (who committed suicide earlier in the year & whom the Tournament was named after) presenting the belt to Kingston, who was a friend of Sweeney's. Everything just came off perfect.

Overall: 8.0/10

If you're going to do your first ever iPPV, this a great way to do it. All of the matches were good to great (with the exception of one), with the storylines only adding to the action. Everything was just awesome. CHIKARA definitely won me over with this show. I'd say definitely get this, especially if you're new to CHIKARA