What’s up, David Wells back again with another installment of the Independent Run Down. This week I have a very special edition lined up for you guys because I will be focusing on Chikara’s Young Lions Cup VI tournament.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Chikara, it’s a promotion which is primarily run out of eastern Pennsylvania. However, they have run shows in Massachusetts and Connecticut in the past. The Chikara product is a unique one and different from anything else you’ll see in the States. The product heavily revolves around comedy and family fun (no swearing is allowed by the wrestlers). But, don’t let Chikara’s facade fool you because they are known for putting on very good wrestling matches and with the talent pool which they have it’s pretty tough not to.
Now, I just mentioned Chikara’s talent pool and it’s ability to put very good matches. Here are a few names just to give you readers an idea of the talent which Chikara possesses, Chris Hero, Mike Quackenbush, Claudio Castagnoli, Hallowicked, Delirious, Chuck Taylor, Team FIST (Gran Akuma & Icarus), and Eddie Kingston. Now, those are the most recognizable names in the promotion but Chikara also has several lesser known talents which are note worthy and those wrestlers are, Tim Donst, Lince Dorado, Brodie Lee, Jimmy Olsen, UltraMantis Black, and the Osirian Portal (Amasis & Ophidian).
Another thing which makes Chikara unique is its lack of championship belts. Right now, the only championship belts which Chikara has is the Campeonatos de Parejas which are Chikara’s tag team championships and they are currently held by Incoherence (Delirious & Hallowicked). But, the Young Lions Cup is also defended as a championship.
Now, before we get onto the tournament talk, there are few things you need to know regarding the tournament if you aren’t familiar with the product. Firstly, in order to be eligible for the tournament, you must 25 years old or younger. Secondly, once you win the tournament, you have a year to defend the cup because a new cup holder is crowned each year. Thirdly, once you win the tournament, you can’t compete in the tournament or for the cup again. A few of the previous cup holders include Hallowicked, Jigsaw, Larry Sweeney, and Shane Storm among others.
It’s tournament talk time now. The tournament will be held on June 13, 14, and 15. This year’s tournament consists on 24 men, the first two nights will feature 6 qualifying matches which the winners of will advance to a six way elimination main event to determine who goes to night three to challenge for the cup. Along with tournament action, non-tournament matches will be featured as well. Without further ado here are the cards and my tournament predictions…
Night 1
-Create-A-Wrestler vs. Amasis (Qualifier)
-Drake Younger vs. James Ross (Qualifier)
-Pelle Primeau vs. Ethan Page (Qualifier)
-Pinkie Sanchez vs. Alex Payne (Qualifier)
-Sami Callihan vs. Vin Gerard (Qualifier)
-Stupified vs. Jimmy Olsen (Qualifier)
-Fire, Worker, and Solider Ant vs. Mitch Ryder, Shayne Hawk, and Larry Sweeney
-UltraMantis Black, Tim Donst, and Hydra vs. Gran Akuma, Icarus, and Chuck Taylor
-Plus a six-man elimination featuring the qualifier winners to see who advances to the finals on night three
Night 2
-Worker Ant vs. Chip Day (Qualifier)
-Bobby Dempsey vs. Shayne Hawk (Qualifier)
-Lince Dorado vs. Kyle Matthews (Qualifier)
-Marshe Rockett vs. Johnny Gargano (Qualifier)
-Tim Donst vs. Jason Blade (Qualifier)
-“The Turtle” Weiner vs. Ophidian (Qualifier)
-Da Soul Touchaz vs. UltraMantis Black and Cross Bones
-Mike Quackenbush and Shane Storm vs. Player Uno and Stupified
-Plus a six-man elimination featuring the qualifier winners to see who advances to the finals on night three
Night 3
-Young Lions Cup VI Finals
-Da Soul Touchaz vs. Mitch Ryder and Larry Sweeney
-Mike Quackenbush and Shane Storm vs. Eddie Kingston and Ruckus
-Hydra vs. ???
-Brodie Lee vs. ???
-Also, Incoherence, Team FIST, and The Colony will be in action
The time has now come for my Young Lions Cup VI predictions. On night one, I see Amasis, Drake Younger, Pelle Primeau, Pinkie Sanchez, Vin Gerard, and Jimmy Olsen advancing to the main event with Jimmy Olsen advancing to the finals on night three. On night two, I believe Worker Ant, Shayne Hawk, Lince Dorado, Marshe Rockett, Tim Donst, and Ophidian advancing to the main event with Tim Donst advancing to face Jimmy Olsen on night three. And finally, on night three, Tim Donst will become the ninth man to hold the Young Lions Cup title.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Chikara product and want to purchase their DVDs or if you’re just a general fan of the promotion, head over to SmartMarkVideo.com for all you Chikara DVD needs. 4 brand new Chikara shows were just released this past week and those shows include, Cafe Culture, Grit & Glory, AniversarioCT, and AniversarioMA.
Well that appears to be all for this week’s edition of the Run Down and as always I thank you for taking the time to read and your feedback is greatly appreciated. Next week will be a treat for you death match fans out there as I will be spotlighting IWA-MS’ Royal Death Match Weekend which consists of the King of the Death Match tournament and the Queen of the Death Match tournament.
