_logo.svg){kind=logo} | |
| Founded | 2002; 23 years ago (2002) |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 2020; 5 years ago (2020) |
| Style | |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Founders | |
| Owners |
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| Sister | Kiryoku Pro (2002–2003) Wrestling is Fun! (2011–2020) |
| Successor | Camp Leapfrog Power Pro Lucha |
| Website | Official website |
Chikara (stylized in all capital letters and sometimes referred to asChikara Pro) was an Americanprofessional wrestling promotion based inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. The company took both its name and logo from the Japanesekanji meaning 'strength' (力). It was founded in 2002 by professional wrestlersMike Quackenbush andReckless Youth, who also served as trainers and in-ring performers.
The promotion held multiplelive events per month, with the majority taking place at theChikara Wrestle Factory school. Two of their major events, September'sKing of Trios, the promotion's premiere event, and April'sTag World Grand Prix were centered ontag team andtrios matches. Their other major events included Aniversario, held in May, and theYoung Lions Cup tournament, held between June and August. In 2011, Chikara introduced theGrand Championship, the promotion's primary singles championship.
Influenced by thelucha libre tradition, Chikara performers were grouped intotécnicos andrudos (thelucha libre terms forfaces andheels respectively). Just as inlucha libre, many performers in the promotion performed undermasks and with uniquegimmicks.
The promotion closed in June 2020, after several allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct were made against individuals within it during theSpeaking Out movement.
Despite the promotion's closure, the Wrestle Factory school continues to operate inAllentown, Pennsylvania.
In the summer of 2000, after"Reckless Youth" Tom Carter had been released from hisWorld Wrestling Federation developmental deal, he,Mike Quackenbush and Don Montoya started talking about starting awrestling school, which would teach professional wrestling in various international styles. Originally, the school was to be called "Impact Wrestling" (not to be confused with the laterpromotion of the same name), but when Montoya decided not to put up money for its foundation and left the project, Carter and Quackenbush decided they needed a new name.[1] The Wrestle Factory was founded by Carter and Quackenbush inAllentown, Pennsylvania on January 7, 2002. The first class includedUltraMantis, Mister Zero, Dragonfly,Hallowicked, andIchabod Slayne. In May of the same year, Chikara expanded into a wrestling promotion with the intent of showcasing its students. The first show on May 25, 2002, featured not only the Wrestle Factory students and head trainers, but several other independent wrestlers, including Don Montoya,CM Punk,Colt Cabana,Chris Hero, Love Bug, Marshal Law, and Blind Rage. The main event of the first show featured Quackenbush and Youth joined by Don Montoya as the Black T-shirt Squad defeat the Gold Bond Mafia of Chris Hero, CM Punk, and Colt Cabana. In the early days, Blind Rage, Hallowicked, and Ichabod Slayne formed a stable known as the Night Shift, which became the top group ofrudos (or heels) in the promotion. They frequently feuded withtecnicos (faces) Quackenbush, Youth, and UltraMantis. Notable events of 2002 included an appearance by formerWorld Championship Wrestling starLa Parka, who joined Mister Zero against Quackenbush and Youth, and the opening of the short-lived sister promotion Kiryoku Pro, which highlighted female wrestling.
2002 was also marked by a lawsuit against Chikara for promoting shows at the Wrestle Factory. Neighborhood activists claimed that the building was not properly zoned for assembly, and that the shows detracted from the "complexion of the community". It was eventually ruled that Chikara provided inadequate parking for their shows, and would not be allowed to promote out of the Wrestle Factory any longer. This deterred Chikara from holding any more shows until October. During the Chikara hiatus, they released tapes of their early shows, titled "The Renaissance Dawns" and "Baila, Parka, Baila", and the wrestlers worked showcase matches in other promotions, such asIWA Mid-South. Chikara soon reached an agreement with St. John's Lutheran Church in Allentown to hold shows there, only eight blocks from the Wrestle Factory. Chikara also began a second Wrestle Factory class, but lost trainer Reckless Youth at the beginning of the class, as he left the wrestling business. The first show in St. John's saw the Wildcards (Eddie Kingston and BlackJack Marciano),Gran Akuma, D. J. Skittlez, Melvin Snodgrass and Lester Crabtree debut, and shortly after, they were joined by Wrestle Factory graduatesJigsaw andBryce Remsburg. Soon after Chikara debuted theYoung Lions Cup tournament, a concept still used by the promotion. Commonly abbreviated as the YLC, the tournament was designed to showcase the best of the Wrestle Factory graduates. Hallowicked defeated Mister Zero to win the inaugural tournament, becoming the first-ever Young Lions Cup Champion in the process. In December 2002, Chikara took a two-week break during Christmastime before returning in 2003, establishing a tradition of "seasons" that they maintain today.
In 2004, Chris Hero became a co-trainer at the Chikara Wrestle Factory, replacing Carter. In 2005,Jorge "Skayde" Rivera joined as the third trainer. In March 2005, the school moved from Allentown to theNew Alhambra Arena, in Philadelphia.[2] They then took over the training forCombat Zone Wrestling, leading to the school's new name of CZW/Chikara Wrestle Factory.[2] After the schools split in 2007, the training center became once again simply known as the Chikara Wrestle Factory.[2] In 2007,Claudio Castagnoli took over Chris Hero's training duties.[2]
On March 2, 2008, Chikara drew their biggest crowd ever of over 550 people during the King of Trios finals. That record was broken on January 31, 2010, when their first show of season nine, A Touch of Class, drew over 600 fans. Later that year, on July 25, the record was broken once again at Chikarasaurus Rex: King of Show, which drew 755 fans.[3] The show was released by Smart Mark Video on DVD less than 24 hours after its conclusion.[3]
On April 26, 2009, Chikara announced a working agreement withDragon Gate USA, which saw Chikara wrestlers take part in Dragon Gate USA events.[4] Throughout the years, Chikara has also worked with severalJapanese promotions in bringing their talent over to the United States, includingDragon Gate,[5]Ice Ribbon,[6]JWP Joshi Puroresu,[7] andSendai Girls' Pro Wrestling.[8] In 2010, Chikara established a close working relationship with theOsaka Pro Wrestling promotion.[9] In December 2011, Chikara partnered with numerous Japanese promotion to hold the three-day-longJoshiMania event, which featured some of the biggest names injoshi puroresu.[7] Wrestlers such asAja Kong,Dick Togo,The Great Sasuke,Jinsei Shinzaki,Kana,Kaori Yoneyama,Kota Ibushi,Manami Toyota, andMayumi Ozaki have made rare American appearances for Chikara.[10]
On April 25, 2010, Chikara announced the release of a video game, titledRudo Resurrection, for multiple gaming platforms later in the year.[11] After not being heard of again for four years, it was announced on May 2, 2014, that a new developer, Rotary Games, had picked up the rights to the game.[12]
On August 1, 2011, Chikara announced that their first ever live Internet pay-per-view (iPPV), titledHigh Noon, would take place November 13, 2011, and would feature the crowning of the first everChikara Grand Champion.[13] The event would again break Chikara's attendance record, drawing 864 fans.[14] During 2012, High Noon was followed by theChikarasaurus Rex: How to Hatch a Dinosaur andUnder the Hood Internet pay-per-views.[15][16]
In February 2012, Chikara launched their first ever web comic, written by Joey Esposito and drawn by Alex Cormack, telling the secret origin ofFrightmare. On April 6, 2013, Chikara took part inWrestleCon, held during theWrestleMania 29 weekend inSecaucus, New Jersey, holding an event, which again broke the promotion's attendance record.[17]
On June 2, 2013, Chikara ran anangle at the conclusion of their fourth iPPV,Aniversario: Never Compromise, where the event was shut down byDirector of Fun Wink Vavasseur.[18] Following the event, Chikara went inactive, "canceling" all upcoming events, though in reality these events were never scheduled to take place.[19] Chikara held no official events for the rest of 2013,[20] though wrestlers from the promotion did hold a small event on November 2 in Philadelphia'sFDR Skatepark with the storyline that they were trying to revive the promotion.[21][22][23] In October 2013,Viz Media acquired rights to 26 Chikara events, which would start airing on theirNeon Alley digital service on Sundays as part of the new fall lineup.[24] On February 1, 2014, it was announced that Chikara would be returning on May 25.[25] On February 10, 2014, it was announced that The Wrestle Factory would start a new training class at the 2300 Arena on March 1.[26]
In April 2015, Chikara made its debut in theUnited Kingdom with a four-show tour held acrossEngland andWales[27] and launchedChikaratopia, a streaming service featuring past events.[28] That same year on July 29, the promotion launched a new weekly program, entitledJourney Into Chikara, which would air live on both Chikaratopia andYouTube.[29] In December 2016, Chikara concluded its 16th season.[30] However, when the promotion returned in February 2017, it was announced as the start of season 18. Season 17 had been taped during the break and would be streamed on Chikaratopia.[31]
On August 7, 2019, Chikara announced a working relationship withMichinoku Pro Wrestling.[32]
On June 24, 2020, Quackenbush announced Chikara was shutting down amidallegations of misconduct within the company.[33]
On January 7, 2002, "Reckless Youth" Tom Carter and Mike Quackenbush founded the Chikara Wrestle Factory, a wrestling school based inAllentown, Pennsylvania.[1] Following the start of the Wrestle Factory's second class, Carter departed from Chikara and ultimately left the wrestling industry. In 2004, Chris Hero became a co-trainer at the Wrestle Factory, filling the vacancy left by Carter's departure. In 2005, MexicanluchadorJorge "Skayde" Rivera became the school's third trainer. In March 2005, the school moved from Allentown to theNew Alhambra Arena, in Philadelphia.[2] In 2007, Chris Hero left Chikara and the Wrestle Factory, withClaudio Castagnoli taking over Hero's training duties.[2] In August 2011, Castagnoli signed withWWE, and departed the Wrestle Factory. Former guest instructors includedEl Pantera,Terry Funk, CM Punk,Marty Jannetty, and many others.[2]
At the time of June 2020, head trainer Mike Quackenbush was assisted by trainersOrange Cassidy (the former Fire Ant), Hallowicked, andOphidian.[34] As of now, training to prospective professional wrestlers, managers, valets, and referees in Northeastern Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[2] is offered in all styles ofpro wrestling, includinglucha libre,puroresu,Lancashire, andcatch, among others.
At the end of 2022, The Wrestle Factory moved to a new location in Allentown.[35]
| Championship | Final champion(s) | Previous champion(s) | Date won | Days held | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chikara Grand Championship | Dasher Hatfield | "Mr. Touchdown" Mark Angelosetti | April 5, 2019 | 446 | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas | The Bird and The Bee (Solo Darling andWillow Nightingale) | F.I.S.T. (Tony Deppen and Travis Huckabee) | November 9, 2019 | 228 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Chikara Young Lions Cup | Ricky South | Still Life with Apricots and Pears | January 18, 2020 | 158 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Accomplishment | Last winner(s) | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| King of Trios | The Crucible (Ophidian,Princess KimberLee, and Lance Steel) | October 6, 2019 |
| Rey de Voladores | The Whisper | October 6, 2019 |
| Tag World Grand Prix | The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield and "Mr. Touchdown" Mark Angelosetti) | April 14, 2018 |
| Torneo Cibernetico | The Whisper | June 20, 2020 |
| Infinite Gauntlet | Ophidian | May 11, 2019 |
| The Johnny Kidd Invitational | Ophidian | September 7, 2019 |
Big Vision Entertainment releases
| Name | Release date | Region | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best of Chikara | November 6, 2007 | Global | Contains 9 matches from 2005 and 2006. |
