CHIKARA Pro Best of 2007 DVD Review: Part 1, 23/3/08

Reviews, Wrestling DVDs

CHIKARA Pro: Best of CHIKARA 2007: Part 1

Welcome all. For the past month or so, post King of Trios, I’ve been working on a big CHIproject – the Best of 2007 3 disc set. Due to how big this thing is, we’re gonna do it in 2 parts – the first part (here) with Disc 1 and half of Disc 2 covered, and the second part (in the coming weeks) with the rest of Disc 2 and Disc 3 covered.

This set has pretty much everything from CHIKARA greatness in 2007, so if you wanna get into CHIKARA I recommend it right off the bat.

Also, check out Glazer and Wiswell’s great columns.

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Disc 1:

1. Team TNA vs. BLK Out (2/17/07) King of Trios, Nt. 2: First round in the King of Trios here. Team TNA (MCMG/Sonjay Dutt)’s Chikara debut.

Match: We start with Shelley and Ruckus on the mat. Shelley starts to work over Ruckus’ arm, but he makes a comeback with a twisting armdrag and tags Joker. The pace picks up as Joker and Sabin do some fast reversal sequences, with Sabian and Sonjay following them.

Team TNA get control and work over Sabian. Standard work over with more submissions than slams/power moves, thanks to Shelley. Sabian makes the hot tag via diving out of the ring. Joker and Ruckus slam Sabin, while holding him in position for a dropkick from Sabian. Things don’t break down however, as BLKOUT slow it down and work over Shelley.

Shelley comes back with a dropkick and enziguiri, then makes the hot tag. Sabin hits his enziguiri/DDT combo. Ruckus hits his flip-flip-flippy-di-do kick and his Fame-Asser on Shelley. Everyone hits their stuff and the fans are pretty into this. Ruckus misses a top rope flip on Shelley and the MCMG nail him with their double team kick combos. Sonjay hits a 619, then Sabin finishes it with The Cradle Shock.
Winners: Team TNA.

Good match, but went too long. This was 20 minutes with overly long workover stages and things; a 10 minute sprint from these guys would have been a lot funner. Still, this was a cool, crisp Trios match, marred by the length and lack of story combined.
***.

2. Quack/Jig/Storm vs. Pantera/Lince/Sicodelico (2/18/07) King of Trios, Nt. 3: This is a semi-final match in the King of Trios tournament. Judging by the participants, this’ll be luchariffic.

Match: Jigsaw and El Pantera start. We get a very Mexican-stretch heavy feeling out process. Storm and Sico tag in and also feel each other out. Quack and Lince tag in and the match gets a little faster. Both exchange arm drags and holds but no-one comes out on top.

Mucha Lucha gains control and starts to work over Storm. We see a very different type of work over period than normal, as instead of just having one person in the ring working down their opponent, Mucha Lucha have all 3 members of their team in the ring working over Shane. Sico superkicks him out of the ring and hits a dive, while Quack enters the ring.

Mucha Lucha double and triple team Quack. He gets out of the ring and Jiggy enters, but is soon cut off by Mucha Lucha. They hit loads of double teams and things while the fans are really into this. Quack makes a comeback for his team, and the match stays the same structure (with loads of people in the ring) while both teams are equal on offence.

Jigsaw and Lince have an awesome Lucha sequence with Lince coming out on top with a nasty DDT. The finishing stretch sees loads of wild 6 man sequences, including the ‘make a wish’ circle rana and a 3 way powerbomb spot. It comes down to Quack and Pantera alone in the ring, where Quack gets an arm drag into a rollup for the 3!
Winners: QuackenShaneSaw.

Awesome match. It was probably the closest thing you’re gonna get on the Indies to a genuine Lucha match, which was really cool to see. This was 15 minutes of non-stop action with tons of Lucha and double/triple teams, that was a total blast to watch. One of my favourite matches on this set.
***3/4.

3. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricochet (2/18/07) King of Trios, Nt. 3: Claudio has gone back to his old Swiss Money holding costume, working the fun rudo style that’s popular with them. Ricochet isn’t very great at this point in time, but in there with Double C it should be good.

Match: We start with the normal flippy-guy running wild. Ricochet’s flipping ability combined with working lucha makes for some crazy armdrags. Ricochet gets a bit too much for Claudio so he has to bust out a dropkick to stop Ricochet’s offence. He works Ricochet down with the usual work-over small guy offence. Lots of back clubbing and wear down holds. Ricochet pretty much dies off a knee lift/back club combo; landing on his face/head at a nasty angle. He makes a sweet comeback though, hitting a multiple rotation Déjà vu and another wild headscissors variation.

Both men exchange some nearfalls. Ricochet hits a flip dive, then back in the ring a Dragonrana for 2! A Tornado DDT and Phoenix splash gets an anticlimactic nearfall. He goes off the ropes, but CC throws him TO THE SKY and uppercuts him on the way down for the 3!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli.

Great match. If you like Claudio vs high flier matches, this is one of the best ones you’re gonna get. Ricochet looked great throughout, although the Phoenix splash after the Dragonrana (the ultimate highspot aside from the double moonsault) wasn’t needed at all. Overall, super fun stuff!
***3/4.

4. BLK Out vs. Hallowicked/Colony (3/24/2007) Time Will Prove Everything: Special 8 man attraction match. Chuck Taylor is on commentary for this, and he’s hilarious.

Match: BLKOUT jump the Colony while Bryce goes for the bell. We start with some super fast lucha-ish sequences; loads of bouncing off the ropes. Soldier Ant hits a Bullet Tope out of nowhere and everyone goes crazy. Ruckus and Hallowicked have some cool exchanges. Sabian hits a Flatliner on Soldier and the BLKOUT start to isolate him.

For the next 10 or so minutes, the BLKOUT systematically destroy the poor ant. Tons of Dragon Gate like double/triple/quadruple team moves/sequences. Chuck Taylor claims the BLKOUT are a group of thieves. Soldier nearly makes a comeback, but every time he tries he’s cut off. He finally does when Sabian misses some top rope flip.

HOT PROPERTY Fire Ant comes in and cleans house. There is an AWESOME sequence of running attacks in the corner, with everyone hitting their stuff while the fans gradually lose it. Soldier and Worker hit Sabian with the ‘Ants Go Marching’ Neckbreaker, then all 3 of them with Ant Hill for 2! It breaks down with everyone hitting their signature stuff in succession, with Fire hitting Sabian with a nasty Burning Hammer. Wicked and King square off, and Wicked gets a school boy for 3!
Winners: The Colony and Hallowicked.

Straight-up awesome Dragon Gate style 6 man. The super-rudo BLKOUT were on top form here, heeling it up great and killing Soldier Ant to make for an awesome face-in-peril period. My favourite thing about this was how fast it was – they did things at light speed while we still had the strong heel/face dynamic to care about. One of the funnest matches of the year.
****.

5. Cheech/Cloudy vs. F.I.S.T. (4/22/2007) Rey de Voladores: Cheech and Cloudy have worked their way up to the 3 point zone, and this is their title shot.

Match: Both teams feel each other out to start. FIST go for a double team, but Cloudy avoids it and Cheech rolls up Akuma for the first fall! UIS control most of the early part of the second fall, with some bright double team orientated stuff. FIST finally get control and isolate Cloudy. Akuma gives him some kicks to the chest, and he vomits! FIST continue to work him down. Akuma hits a Lightning Spiral and Icarus hits a Pedigree. He slaps on the Wings of Icarus submission and Cloudy eventually taps. 1 a piece on falls.

FIST rest for a while, then go straight back to their opponents. Somehow, Cloudy gets some energy, and fakes out FIST before making the HOT tag to Cheech! The finishing sequence is awesome, with the fans mega behind UIS. Cheech and Cloudy hit their Shining Wizard/Powerbomb onto Knee combo for 2 on Icarus! Cheech hits Akuma with a Shiriniu, then Cloudy hits the Yoshi Tonic! 1…2…NO! Akuma Lightning Spirals Cheech on his head, and Icarus follows it with his Shiriniu. 1…2…NO! The fans pop big for the kickout. Both teams hit each other with giant kick to the head variations. Akuma hits Cloudy with a Superbomb, and it gets 3. =(
Winners, and still CDP: FIST.

Great match. The epic story of the underdog challengers vs the dominant champions was done really well, and Cloudy vomiting actually added to the match, as the fans got more behind UIS through it. The finishing sequence with Cheech and Cloudy coming so close was awesome, and the fans REALLY believed they were gonna take it. Some sloppiness and UIS controlling too much of the early parts take this down, but it’s still excellent.
****.

6. PAC vs. Ricochet vs. Retail Dragon vs. Chuck Taylor (4/22/07) Rey de Voladores: First round Elimination 4 way in the Rey de Voladores (King of high fliers) tourny.

Match: PAC and Retail start with very a slow feeling out process. The pace picks up as Retail hits an arm drag and a headscissors. Chuck goes after everyone, so Ricochet and PAC team up against him. Ricochet hits a standing SSP while PAC follows it up with a lovely standing moonsault.

PAC and Ricochet exchange some cool stuff. Retail comes in and hits moves on everyone, but Ricochet arm drags him and rolls him up (as he’s going for a dive) for the first elimination. He then hits a twisting moonsault OVER the ropes to PAC and Chuck on the outside! Back in PAC slams him down and goes up top. Chuck tries to stop him but is caught with a boot to the face. PAC then does an SSP onto Ricochet – hitting Chuck in the head with his FEET on way down to eliminate Ricochet!

PAC continues his momentum with a top rope twisting SSP to Chuck on the outside! The fans are big time into this. Back in Chuck grounds PAC and works him down. As the fans are ready, PAC makes his comeback, hitting an awesome snap rana. Both hit some big moves for nearfalls. PAC goes for his flip-flip-flippy-dy-do DDT, but Chuck catches him and NAILS him the Omega Driver for the win!
Winner: Chuck Taylor.

Very good match. It was great how Retail, PAC and Ricochet were trying all they could to win (ie loads of big flippy offence) while Chuck Taylor would try to ground all of them at every change he got. In the end it worked, as PAC was grounded for the final time with the Omega Driver. Less action and more formula than you’d expect from the match, but still very fun with lots of crowd heat. It was awesome hearing Quack mark out for the young guys so much too.
***1/2.

7. Mike Quackenbush vs. Chris Hero (5/26/07) Aniversario?:

Massive rivalry here. Back in early 2005, these 2 were best of friends. They formed a tag team called ‘The Super-friends’ and went all the way to the final of Chikara’s Tag World Grand Prix 2005.

Match: The bell rings. Intense staredown. Hero prods Quack’s chest. DISRESPECT. Quack then does the most awesome thing ever. grabs hero’s arms, ties him up in some weird stuff, drags him down, flips over and ROLLS HIS SHOULDERS DOWN! 1…2…NO! That was great. Quack taunts Hero with a ‘2’ sign on his fingers, Hero gets pissed and forearms Quack hard in the face. Quack responds with his own forearm! They go into some lucha, as Quack runs wild with some stuff I’ve never seen him do before. Quack goes for all kind of nice looking pin attempts of submissions, but none are successful.

Quack goes for his patented bulldog out of the corner, but Hero catches it, and drives Quack ass first to the mat. Hero starts working over Quack. He hits some kicks to the face and some slams. He goes for his usual moonsault into twisting senton, but Quack moves! Senton! Gets 2. Hero quickly cuts off Quack’s momentum with a sick roaring elbow. Hero works over Quack some more, but Quack shows he has fight left in him, getting a neat victory roll off of hero’s shoulders. Again though, as Quack gains momentum hero cuts him off, this time with a dropkick to the head. Hero whips Quack into the corner. He hits his dropkick there, then takes himself to the apron. He flip/rolls back in, but Quack has that move scouted, and NAILS him with the Palm Strike!

Quack is back in this, and the fans are loving this. Quack takes Hero to the corner…WINDMILL CHOPS! He destroys Hero’s chest for roughly a minute with those. He hits the clothesline…this time he hits the bulldog out of the corner! TOP ROPE SWANTON! 1…2…NO! Hero regains control with a neckbreaker, and puts Quack up top. He puts the cravate on, tries to slam Quack to the mat from there, but Quack gets out of it. Spike Rana puts Hero right on his head! 1…2…NO! Man that was close! They trade some more hot nearfalls, with hero hitting a sick reverse suplex, and Quack hitting a high angle reverse Brainbuster.

Quack grabs Hero…motions for it…QUACKEN DRIVER #3! 1…2…NO! How did Hero kick out of that? Quack tries for another palm strike, but hero sees it coming, and puts Quack on his shoulders. Hero’s Welcome Championship edition! 1…2…NO! Hero gets pissed, and starts head butting Quack. Quack surely isn’t one for strikes, but he fires back with his own headbutts! Hero takes Quack out with a big one, and quickly places him up top. He applies the cravate. Quack KNOWS it though, and moves out of it, knocking Hero off the top with a headbutt to the chest/throat. They both avoid each other’s attacks with some lucha flips, until Quack takes Hero down with the Double knees. Quack wraps his leg around Hero’s head and arm, grabs the other arm, grabs Hero’s far leg and lock his hand in with Hero’s! What a submission! The crowd wants Hero to tap! Their wish is fulfilled, as he does! Everyone goes crazy. Quack has done it!
Winner: Mike Quackenbush.

Phenomenal match. It was mostly made on the atmosphere in the building, and the story built that atmosphere. Needless to say, that atmosphere of everyone wanting to see Quack pull it out was incredible, and had me marking out for every single move.

The story was basic in reality. Two guys in a heated rivalry, both know each other VERY WELL. But what separated this match from every other match with that story, is the fact that story was played off with EVERY single spot here. Both men changed up their regular offence to start, but when they had nothing new they used their usual moves, and that’s where their opponent would get the advantage.

Hero’s workover period was really excellent, because it showcased the story so well. Hero would work over Quack’s injured back, wear him down and just plain disrespect Mister Mike. Whenever Hero used a move he normally uses, Quack would immediately counter it and get his hope spots in. Hero would have to keep changing his offence, but in the end he couldn’t change it fast enough and Quack made the awesome comeback with that palm strike. In the end Hero brought back a move that was previously popular with him, but Quack knew it all too well, reversed it and tied Hero up in a brand new hold (CHIKARA special) to get the win. Awesome.

The wrestling was some of the crispest you’ll ever see. The selling was pretty much to perfection. The emotion was certainly there. The finish fit the match superbly. I think I could go on all day about how great this match was, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a match which used its surrounding circumstances so well. Match of the DVD, easily.
****3/4.

End of Disc 1.

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Disc 2:

8. Lince Dorado vs. Mitch Ryder (6/24/07) YLC V, Nt. 3: In a 6 man back at Aniversario!, Mitch got his team disqualified via hitting Dorado with a low blow. In Chikara, that’s SRS stuff, so this singles match between them was made.

Match: We start with Mitch trying to clothesline Lince with Lince rolling through. He hits some arm drags and hip tosses and Mitch bails. The fans are loving Lince, much to the distaste of Mitch. Back in Lince runs wild some more and puts on an armbar. Mitch escapes, and catches Lince running with a back elbow.

He hits a slam and works over the Dorito. He stops every now and then to pose, while the fans boo and Sweeney (on commentary) tells Mitch he looks fantastic. The Dorito nearly comes back with a Sunset flip, but is cut off by Mitch. The Dorito risortes out of a backdrop attempt, and hits a standing crossbody for 2.

He hits the Lynx-sault moonsault and a top rope moonsault for a nearfall. Both get some nearfalls before Lince gets a Crucifix out of nowhere for 3!
Winner: Lince Dorado.

*Post match, Mitch is pissed and beats the hell outta Lince. He takes him from the ring and throws him over the ropes to the concrete floor! He continues to stomp on him. He brings him back in the ring and goes to leave, but comes back. He attacks security and continues to beat on the Dorito. Throughout this, Sweeney is fully supporting him on commentary saying how Lince cheated in the match and disgraced the whole of wrestling. It’s hilarious. Anyhow, poor Lince.

Good match. Mitch hating Lince due to the fans liking him despite him being an ‘illegal immigrant’ was awesome, as the fans were super into Lince here so it only pissed Mitch off more and made him angrier towards Lince. Lince looked really good with Mitch selling like a champ, and all the beatings Lince took were great. Basic match, but still very good.
***1/4.

9. Los Ice Creams vs. Olsen Twins (7/21/07) Showdown in CrisisLand: Both teams have 1 point here. Pre-match, Colin gets on the mic and says to Bryce he can’t compete in the match against Los Ice Creams due to him being ‘lactose intolerant’. He has a doctor’s note (written on a paper plate) too. Bryce doesn’t buy it though, and rips up the doctor’s note!

Match: Los Ice Creams get a huge pop when they come out, which is great stuff. A fan has a NWA Heavyweight title belt, and temporarily donates it to El Hijo Del Ice Cream, who makes this match for the NWA Heavyweight title! We start the match and Colin runs away from Jr. He’s faking his fear though, as he hits Jr. with a knee lift to the gut and a club to the back.

Jr. backs him into his corner, where Hijo ties Colin’s leg tassels together. He can’t run at all, so Jr. Irish whips him and he falls on his face! Colin learns he can jump to move around, but can’t get high enough to leap frog Jr. He tells Jr. to go under saying “c’mon, you gotta work with me here!”. Jr. does, but catches Colin on his shoulders and slams him to the mat!

El Hijo tags in and faces off with Jimmy. Jimmy chops him and El Hijo starts to cry, but his him with a stiff kick to the leg. The Olsens start to work over El Hijo. There’s a hilarious sequence where Colin keeps getting knocked off the apron, and eventually, he tells El Hijo to stop running, says “I know the deal” and jumps off the apron himself!

Jr. takes a work over period too, until Jimmy starts eating from his tub of ice cream and accidentally shoves the spoon into Colin’s mouth. Colin is like, numb after it, and the Ice Creams take advantage, double teaming him with everything. Jimmy comes in and eats a Cold Stone Stunner from Hijo and a Jack & Jill Hammer from Jr., and the Ice Creams get the 3!
Winners: Los Ice Creams.

Awesome match. Colin’s lactose intolerance was HILLARIOUS, combined with the usual Los Ice Creams antics and you have one of the funniest matches of the year. The wrestling was more than solid too; one of the most entertaining matches I’ve ever seen!
****.

10. Tim Donst vs. Eddie Kingston (7/21/07) Showdown in CrisisLand: Kingston has been on a mean streak recently, being highly annoyed at Chikara due to him not being booked in a match with Hallowicked. Donst is a strapping young lad looking to make his name in a big opportunity like this. He may have caught King at the wrong time though…

Match: Kingston is pissed as he comes out. Donst makes his entrance and as he tries to enter the ring King kicks him down to the floor. King beats him around ringside area and chokes him with his ring jacket. King outs him in the ring and beats on him some more. Loads of chops. Donst starts fighting back with his own chops, but he can’t strike with Kingston!

The next 5 or so minutes is King plainly beating the sh*t out of Donst. Loads of chops and slaps. Donst tries to comeback but whenever he does Kingston takes a shortcut by going to the throat or eyes. King hits a HARD slap which has Bryce screaming on commentary.

Donst makes a comeback, hitting an STO! Both go to the outside, and King ruins Tim’s comeback with a HYOOGE lariat on the floor! Back in King beats Donst some more, but Donst makes a big comeback, hitting a leg trip which plants King face first on the mat. He gets an amateur style roll-up for a close 2. Out of nowhere, Kingston hits the Backfist and gets the 3 count.
Winner: Eddie Kingston.

Wow. What a match. The beauty of this is, going in, no one cared about Donst. Then Eddie Kingston, first, established himself as the ultimate badass heel, then sold accordingly and put Donst up to his level, making EVERYONE care for the kid. The beating Donst took was awesome, the story of the rookie trying to make his name off the vet was done perfectly, Donst’s comeback was super – everything was done amazingly here. The art of wrestling is to suspend disbelief, and when watching this, I believed everything done as real; ie Kingston being actually that pissed off. This can’t score very high due to it only being an extended squash, but it’s phenomenal for suspending disbelief so well. My favourite match from anywhere in 2007.
***1/4.

11. The Colony vs. Tres Deliriosos (8/5/07) Maximum Overdraft: Los Tres Deliriosos are Delirious, Cheech and Cloudy (in Delirious outfits). This should be lots of fun.

Match: The bell rings and everyone goes crazy. Everyone. Bryce gets order and we start the match with Soldier and Delirious. They feel each other out. Soldier hits a roaring salute and makes the tag to Worker. Worker and Deliriouscitoer (Cloudy) feel each other out. Deliriouscitoer hits a high angle mare and tags Deliriouscito (Cheech). Fire Ant hits a nice headscissors on him.

Things break down a bit and Worker winds up getting worked over. Los Tres Deliriosos hit him with LOTS of repeated elbows to the neck. He makes a comeback with an enziguiri on Deliriouscito and makes the HOT tag to Fire Ant.

Fire hits everyone (including Bryce!) with Fireman’s carries. The Colony start hitting loads of dives, including the Ant vaultron. Fire fireman’s carries Deliriouscito off the top rope onto everyone else. Back in the ring everyone gets their nearfalls. Los Tres Deliriosos hit Fire with a Giant trio of moves ending in Shadows Over Hell, but he kicks out! Chemical Imbalance #2 moments later from Delirious gets the 3!
Winners: Los Tres Deliriosos.

Really fun match. The thing I like most about these guys, and Chikara as a whole is they can mix comedy and wrestling so well, that the end result is just a ton of fun had by all. We had your good formula Trios from all involved, only flawed by some sloppy sequences here and there.
***1/4.

12. F.I.S.T. vs. Briscoe Brothers (8/5/07) Maximum Overdraft: CHIKARA thought FIST could have a test, so they called up their buddies at Ring of Honor and got the Briscoes in for a one-night-only vs FIST.

Match: The Briscoes are wild over. We start with Akuma and Mark. They feel each other out. Jay and Icarus tag in and do the same. The Briscoes start running wild hitting loads of cool stuff. Mark hits his ‘I’m gonna f*cking kill myself’ over the rope suicide dive on Akuma. They continue to own FIST, hitting loads of stuff on Icarus.

We go into a proper workover period on Icarus. Because he’s a heel, the fans aren’t really reacting. FIST gain control themselves and work over Jay. Icarus seems out of it, he might have been knocked out earlier. Him and Jay get into a stiff slap battle, with jay coming out on top hitting a Yakuza kick.

Jay makes the hot tag to Mark and he makes an awesome hot tag with his Kung-Fu thrusts on Icarus and a superkick on Akuma. FIST get some big nearfalls off a top rope rana  frog splash combo and a super exploder moonsault combo, while the Briscoes hit some of their signature stuff too. Jay takes a nasty bump off a reverse rana from Icarus. Akuma and Mark trade rollups in the ring. Akuma gets one with the tights and he gets the 3! FIST defeat the Briscoes!
Winners: Team FIST.

Very good match. We had our underlying story of FIST trying to prove themselves against the big guns, while it was FIST using their intelligence and cunning to combat the Briscoes’ power and toughness. Icarus doing a face-in-peril part really didn’t work, but it kinda fit in with the Briscoes being a stronger team etc. Overall the match had its moments and never got boring, good times.
***1/2.

Overall: This was mostly fun for me re-watching all the great matches from 2007 CHIKARA, but if you’re new to CHIKARA and are willing to get into it, I really recommend this set. The only negative in part 1 was opening it with a full 20 minute match which can tire some people out, but overall this is an awesome collection.