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Alright, I've FINALLY gotten to the first show of this season, so here's my thoughts...
The Colony (Fire Ant & assailANT) vs. The Swarm (Soldier Ant & deviANT)
A pretty good opener that seemed to be more about angle development than anything else. assailANT continues to work well with the other Colony members (there was a nice double-team move to finish it) while deviANT seems only interested in personal gain. There was a funny bit near the beginning when Soldier and Fire were in together and sat down in protest, probably over Wink's machinations. The crowd seemed to be into assailANT's attempts to work with the other Colony members and chanted that they accepted him after it was over. Nice start. **1/2
Dasher Hatfield vs. Delirious
More angle development I guess, since this match never really got going. Delirious hit some of his crazy offense before Dasher won out of nowhere with an O'Connor roll. After the match Delirious went nuts, beating on Dasher until Kobald came in and joined the mayhem. Dasher won, but he took a hell of a beating for that victory and he seemed dumbfounded while being carried away from the ring. NR
Los Ice Creams vs. The Batiri
Have I mentioned before how much I hate Los Ice Creams? I just don't like their comedy schtick and honestly think they're pretty poor in the ring as well. So it was with great delight that I watched Obariyon & Kodama pretty much wipe the ring with them from beginning to end. Maybe they're better at being jobbers than I thought, because they sold pretty well and made The Batiri look really clean and crisp. There was a great finishing sequence and The Batiri looked a lot better than in recent matches. Hopefully this is the start of big things for them this season. Kobald was on commentary for this match and had me in stitches while talking about how he has YouTube and Twitter in his crystal ball...this man needs to be on commentary more often! **1/2
Frightmare vs. Ophidian
Ophidian continues to be totally batshit crazy, freaking out on fans in the audience for wearing Amasis masks and even trying to rip one off a female at one point. Once the action starts properly the match flowed pretty well but it was over nearly before it began. Unfortunately I think they were already concerned about the time constraints for the next few matches, but they really should have given this one a little more. I liked the angle with Ophidian being thrown off his game, so hopefully they continue that even though I have no idea where he's going at this point. **3/4
Jigsaw & The Shard vs. F.I.S.T. (Icarus & Sugar Dunkerton)
Before the match there's a hilarious video with Sugar singing "Roxanne" by The Police before Icarus interrupts and gets mad at him for singing it. Icarus is pretty intense and says he went to a clinic hosted by Marty Jannetty and that he learned partners need to watch each other's backs. Sugar says he'll watch Icarus' ugly back during the match.
:
This was more of a showcase for Jigsaw's new attitude and his teaming abilities with The Shard than anything else, and it really worked. Sugar and Icarus are unsung performers and really did a good job getting their asses kicked by the deadly duo. Jigsaw and The Shard looked really fluid for a team that hasn't been together long and I'm pretty sure they're going to be major players in the tag scene throughout this season. Great match to kick off the second half of the show. ***
Eddie Kingston vs. Green Ant
This one was pretty great as well, though a little slower than some people might be used to. Green Ant continues to impress while Kingston is obviously superb. The only trouble I had with this match was that I feel they cheapened Green Ant's win by involving Steen. I get that he's a distraction for Kingston, but it would have been better if Ant had gotten a more decisive win to set up their title match. Either way though, that match is going to be awesome when it happens and I'll be cheering for Green Ant even though I doubt he has much of a shot at winning. Afterwards, Wink gets in the ring after Kingston accidentally knocked him down and tells Kingston tomorrow's match with Steen is now for the title. Oh snap. ***1/4
3.0 & Gran Akuma vs. Kevin Steen & The Young Bucks
Right from the beginning Steen is on fire, stealing one of the Buck's tag belts and claiming it for himself. Once the action starts things go from good to great in a hurry, as all of these dudes have wicked chemistry together. Akuma does a really good face in peril while the Bucks and Steen just rule by being total dicks. The end comes with a sick combination of Steen's package piledriver into More Bang For Your Buck. Solid match and the best of the night so far. ***1/2
Hallowicked vs. Chuck Taylor
After the last match I was a little worried this one would be a letdown. How wrong I was though, as these two just went out and had a great little contest. Although I felt the outcome was never in doubt, I was still happy to see just how hungry these two were to impress, especially Taylor, who I feel is destined for big things down the road. Meanwhile, Hallowicked just kicks all kinds of ass and really should get a shot against Kingston at some point soon. Anyhow, a great little match that showcased both men's skills and passion. ***1/2
Before the main, Tim Donst and Jakob Hammermeier come out. Donst is pissed, cuts off Hammermeier's Tim Donst t-shirt and then CUTS HIS HAIR!! Donst has lost his fucking mind and I'm perfectly fine with that.
Archibald Peck vs. "Mr. Touchdown" Mark Angelosetti
Anyone who follows Chikara knows what a huge deal this match was and boy did it ever deliver when it needed to. Archie played through all his personas, from Marchie to Mixed Martial to the Mysterious and Handsome Stranger. The use of weapons really added to the whole thing and the weapons themselves actually made sense, from Angelosetti's shoulderpad's to Archie's band hat. The end was just great too, as Angelosetti pulled out the Sapphire falconer bag to reveal a fake Sapphire which he planned to use on Archie. Just then a male nurse wheeled out the REAL SAPPHIRE complete with a neckbrace which not only popped the crowd but had me out of my chair! Peck then uses Sapphire and hits a Go 2 Tweet but only gets a two. Veronica hits the ring and asks Archie not to hit Angelosetti again while he sets up a spear, but Archie ducks out of the way and he nails Veronica instead. Archie takes the opportunity to smash his bass drum over Angelosetti's head and then hits a hat-assisted top rope headbutt for the win. The crowd goes nuts as Archie has his redemption and I have one of Chikara's top 5 matches of all time to remember. Just fantastic storytelling and an excellent end to the feud. ****
So overall it was a rousing success, a great start to the season and now I can't wait for the next show. Luckily I've also got that one and will be watching it in the next couple of days, so I'll have my thoughts on it shortly.
The Colony (Fire Ant & assailANT) vs. The Swarm (Soldier Ant & deviANT)
A pretty good opener that seemed to be more about angle development than anything else. assailANT continues to work well with the other Colony members (there was a nice double-team move to finish it) while deviANT seems only interested in personal gain. There was a funny bit near the beginning when Soldier and Fire were in together and sat down in protest, probably over Wink's machinations. The crowd seemed to be into assailANT's attempts to work with the other Colony members and chanted that they accepted him after it was over. Nice start. **1/2
Dasher Hatfield vs. Delirious
More angle development I guess, since this match never really got going. Delirious hit some of his crazy offense before Dasher won out of nowhere with an O'Connor roll. After the match Delirious went nuts, beating on Dasher until Kobald came in and joined the mayhem. Dasher won, but he took a hell of a beating for that victory and he seemed dumbfounded while being carried away from the ring. NR
Los Ice Creams vs. The Batiri
Have I mentioned before how much I hate Los Ice Creams? I just don't like their comedy schtick and honestly think they're pretty poor in the ring as well. So it was with great delight that I watched Obariyon & Kodama pretty much wipe the ring with them from beginning to end. Maybe they're better at being jobbers than I thought, because they sold pretty well and made The Batiri look really clean and crisp. There was a great finishing sequence and The Batiri looked a lot better than in recent matches. Hopefully this is the start of big things for them this season. Kobald was on commentary for this match and had me in stitches while talking about how he has YouTube and Twitter in his crystal ball...this man needs to be on commentary more often! **1/2
Frightmare vs. Ophidian
Ophidian continues to be totally batshit crazy, freaking out on fans in the audience for wearing Amasis masks and even trying to rip one off a female at one point. Once the action starts properly the match flowed pretty well but it was over nearly before it began. Unfortunately I think they were already concerned about the time constraints for the next few matches, but they really should have given this one a little more. I liked the angle with Ophidian being thrown off his game, so hopefully they continue that even though I have no idea where he's going at this point. **3/4
Jigsaw & The Shard vs. F.I.S.T. (Icarus & Sugar Dunkerton)
Before the match there's a hilarious video with Sugar singing "Roxanne" by The Police before Icarus interrupts and gets mad at him for singing it. Icarus is pretty intense and says he went to a clinic hosted by Marty Jannetty and that he learned partners need to watch each other's backs. Sugar says he'll watch Icarus' ugly back during the match.
:This was more of a showcase for Jigsaw's new attitude and his teaming abilities with The Shard than anything else, and it really worked. Sugar and Icarus are unsung performers and really did a good job getting their asses kicked by the deadly duo. Jigsaw and The Shard looked really fluid for a team that hasn't been together long and I'm pretty sure they're going to be major players in the tag scene throughout this season. Great match to kick off the second half of the show. ***
Eddie Kingston vs. Green Ant
This one was pretty great as well, though a little slower than some people might be used to. Green Ant continues to impress while Kingston is obviously superb. The only trouble I had with this match was that I feel they cheapened Green Ant's win by involving Steen. I get that he's a distraction for Kingston, but it would have been better if Ant had gotten a more decisive win to set up their title match. Either way though, that match is going to be awesome when it happens and I'll be cheering for Green Ant even though I doubt he has much of a shot at winning. Afterwards, Wink gets in the ring after Kingston accidentally knocked him down and tells Kingston tomorrow's match with Steen is now for the title. Oh snap. ***1/4
3.0 & Gran Akuma vs. Kevin Steen & The Young Bucks
Right from the beginning Steen is on fire, stealing one of the Buck's tag belts and claiming it for himself. Once the action starts things go from good to great in a hurry, as all of these dudes have wicked chemistry together. Akuma does a really good face in peril while the Bucks and Steen just rule by being total dicks. The end comes with a sick combination of Steen's package piledriver into More Bang For Your Buck. Solid match and the best of the night so far. ***1/2
Hallowicked vs. Chuck Taylor
After the last match I was a little worried this one would be a letdown. How wrong I was though, as these two just went out and had a great little contest. Although I felt the outcome was never in doubt, I was still happy to see just how hungry these two were to impress, especially Taylor, who I feel is destined for big things down the road. Meanwhile, Hallowicked just kicks all kinds of ass and really should get a shot against Kingston at some point soon. Anyhow, a great little match that showcased both men's skills and passion. ***1/2
Before the main, Tim Donst and Jakob Hammermeier come out. Donst is pissed, cuts off Hammermeier's Tim Donst t-shirt and then CUTS HIS HAIR!! Donst has lost his fucking mind and I'm perfectly fine with that.
Archibald Peck vs. "Mr. Touchdown" Mark Angelosetti
Anyone who follows Chikara knows what a huge deal this match was and boy did it ever deliver when it needed to. Archie played through all his personas, from Marchie to Mixed Martial to the Mysterious and Handsome Stranger. The use of weapons really added to the whole thing and the weapons themselves actually made sense, from Angelosetti's shoulderpad's to Archie's band hat. The end was just great too, as Angelosetti pulled out the Sapphire falconer bag to reveal a fake Sapphire which he planned to use on Archie. Just then a male nurse wheeled out the REAL SAPPHIRE complete with a neckbrace which not only popped the crowd but had me out of my chair! Peck then uses Sapphire and hits a Go 2 Tweet but only gets a two. Veronica hits the ring and asks Archie not to hit Angelosetti again while he sets up a spear, but Archie ducks out of the way and he nails Veronica instead. Archie takes the opportunity to smash his bass drum over Angelosetti's head and then hits a hat-assisted top rope headbutt for the win. The crowd goes nuts as Archie has his redemption and I have one of Chikara's top 5 matches of all time to remember. Just fantastic storytelling and an excellent end to the feud. ****
So overall it was a rousing success, a great start to the season and now I can't wait for the next show. Luckily I've also got that one and will be watching it in the next couple of days, so I'll have my thoughts on it shortly.
