I first noticed The Anarchist Arik Cannon while reviewing the 3XWrestling DVD High Octane. While his total look threw me, there was something about his work that made me want to see more. I chose this particular two-disc set because I heard it had some great action but I had no idea what impressive names would be facing him.
The set opens with a promo by Ian Rotten regarding the beginnings of Arik Cannon, who is billed from Chicago, Illinois.
Match 1: The Anarchist vs. Delirious (IWA)
For the first time I see Anarchist sans the spike hairdo and he has issues with the fans, even the ones who are wearing Anarchist t-shirts. Delirious chews on the ropes before the bell rings. I have seen Delirious numerous times and must admit I am a fan. There is great technical work from both throughout the match. The fans have obviously seen Delirious before because when Cannon ends up on the floor, they get up and move out of the line of fire in anticipation of a suicide dive. There was a little bit of flying but not too much and the wrestling holds and counters were something to see!
Winner: Delirious with the Chemical Imbalance.
Match 2: The Anarchist vs. Hired Assassin Dan Maff (CZW)
I have only seen Maff work once and didn’t really form an opinion but he looks like a bull against the Anarchist. Maff delivered chops to the chest that took my breath away. While Cannon spends considerable time working on Maff’s arm and wrist, delivering a low blow helps considerably. The Anarchist’s tactics dealing with a larger opponent are methodical and precise. There were numerous back and forth close pins, enough for me to start yelling “STAY DOWN!†to Cannon.
Winner: Dan Maff with a Burning Hammer (inverted Death Valley Driver).
Match 3: The Anarchist vs. Samoa Joe (IWA)
I have seen Samoa Joe many times and am most familiar with his TNA work. I have this “Joe’s gonna kill you!†feeling before the match begins. When an exchange of chops finds Cannon on the losing end, he has no problem poking the eyes to get the upper hand. The Anarchist delivers a killer chop that vibrates throughout the auditorium and his dissection of an opponent so much larger is awe-inspiring. Cannon becomes personally acquainted with most of the chairs in the seating area, scattering fans far and wide.
Winner: Samoa Joe with a kick to the head.
Match 4: The Anarchist vs. The Phenomenal AJ Styles (MPW)
As much as I have enjoyed Cannon’s work in the previous matches, he doesn’t possess the speed to keep up with Styles in a fast-paced contest. If he can keep Styles on the mat, he has a much better chance. The crowd is as good as the match as they actually appreciate the many holds and the counter-wrestling maneuvers. There are several near-falls that will make you hold your breath. Cannon rolls outside! Why the Anarchist would leave the ring when he’s so far been able to keep up with Styles move for move is beyond me. The next time Cannon exits the ring, it is courtesy of his opponent and the match moves outside. The Anarchist has some great stretching holds that make his opponent look like a pretzel. This was a long and physically grueling contest that fits the description of a classic wrestling match.
Winner: AJ Styles with a lariat.
Match 5: The Anarchist vs. Chris Hero (NWA)
I’m not a big fan of Chris Hero but the height difference between these two alone was enough to make me want to see this match. Hero is a full head taller than Cannon making it difficult for him to pull off some of his best moves. This match not only reinforced my opinion of the Anarchist’s work but showed me a grappling side of Hero I have not seen before.
Winner: Arik Cannon with a roll up and a hand full of tights.
Match 6: The Anarchist vs. CM Punk (NLW)
This match is 2 out of 3 falls. It is taking all my self-control to resist chanting “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!†And that is just what the fans are doing. I’m reviewing an Anarchist DVD and Punk has me on the edge of my seat. I consider CM Punk one of the best in the business. The announcer tells us that this was a last minute match and neither worker had time to prepare. Cannon is tenacious until a shoulder block sends him to the mat and it’s roll out time. The Anarchist does a little more hair pulling than in previous matches but Punk has the hair to pull. I am used to seeing Punk use more kicks and flying maneuvers but he’s doing some great mat work here. The holds and counters are awesome and Cannon needs to bail out for a second time. The Anarchist taps to a rack to lose the first fall. Cannon continues to show off his vast array of stretch holds and he has a killer spine buster, which looks and sounds as if he throws his entire body into it. The Anarchist picks up the second fall with a Glimmering Warlock (an enzugiri to the back of the head) and a pinfall. With only a couple of seconds left, Punk delivers the Pepsi Plunge, covers and gets three.
Winner: CM Punk.
Match 7: The Anarchist vs. American Dragon Bryan Danielson (IWA)
I am very familiar with Danielson’s work and I went into this match with a “Cannon doesn’t stand a chance†attitude. Anarchist goes for the eyes early on and that is a big mistake as Danielson unloads with some spectacular offense. To my surprise, Cannon comes back with some great legal offense of his own before going for a few illegal moves to keep his momentum going. The match moves outside and wise fans clear out of their seats as the Anarchist meets a few of the chairs and then returns the favor, tossing Dragon into the crowd as well. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Danielson as twisted around as he was during some of Cannon’s stretch holds. Danielson delivers an airplane spin that makes me dizzy.
Winner: Arik Cannon with two Glimmering Warlocks.
Match 8: The Anarchist vs. Super Dragon (IWA)
I have seen Super Dragon in a few PWG matches and again Cannon is much smaller than his opponent, which is often the case. This match begins with some great grappling but quickly goes to stiff shots by both. Dragon has a nifty move called the Curb Stop which consists of locking up the legs and stomping his opponent’s face into the mat but the Anarchist turns around and uses the same move on Dragon. The match moves outside and although the fans scatter out of the way, it doesn’t involve the chairs this time.
Winner: Arik Cannon with a Glimmering Warlock
Match 9: IWA Mid-South Championship – The Anarchist vs. Petey Williams © (IWA)
Williams is the first opponent Cannon has faced on this set that is close to his own height. You won’t see Williams doing this type of awesome wrestling in TNA, which is a bad thing because his mat skills are excellent. The Anarchist’s elevation neck breaker (placing his opponent’s legs on the top rope) looks painful and he generally follows it up with a well-timed snapmare. This match gets to near falls that keep everyone, including me, on the edge of our seats. Cannon cheated a bit more in this match but Williams matched him move for move.
Winner and new IWA Mid-South Champion: Arik Cannon with a Glimmering Warlock
Match 10: The Anarchist vs. Kid Krazy vs. Joey Envy (MPW)
For the first time on this DVD, I do not know Cannon’s opponents but it sounds as though Krazy and Anarchist are crowd favorites with Envy being the true heel. There is a title belt hanging over the ring and while it began with a bit of technical wrestling, it quickly became a tables, ladders and chairs match. Cannon dished out a lot of punishment and used some hardcore smarts by staying out of the line of fire as much as possible but he did take some major hits including two outstanding “HOLY SHIT!†moments.
Winner: Joey Envy by retrieving the belt above the ring.
The Wrap-Up: Although the video quality is awesome, don’t expect much in the way of sound quality or perfect camera angles.
I was a little hesitant to purchase this DVD set when I saw the $20 price tag but after I watched the first match, I was hooked and it only got better. I was under the assumption I would see a series of wins by the Anarchist and was shocked when the first few matches ended with him losing. Several of the talents involved and even Jimmy Jacobs who was not in a match on this set had things to say about Cannon and while some consisted of wanting to beat him in the ring, they were positive reinforcements of his talent. The only one not saying much was the Anarchist himself. He’s all action and every match on the set was entertaining. Cannon is rather short, has a solid build and has some of the best wrestling skills I have seen. I truly enjoyed these 10 matches and I don’t understand why a man with his ability is still in the indies. He could take on the entire TNA X-Division and still have talent and energy to spare. Now that I have seen Total Anarchy Vol. 3, I have added the rest of the Total Anarchy series to my wish list. For more information on the Anarchist Arik Cannon, including how to get your own copy of Total Anarchy Vol. 3, visit Arick Cannon on MySpace.
