The CHIKARA Special

It was considered an upset when Boomer Hatfield defeated Rory Gulak in the opening round of the Johnny Kidd Invitational tournament in August. After all, Gulak won the inaugural tournament in 2017, and at that time Boomer had just completed his rookie year in professional wrestling. Rory was so unhappy with the turn of events that he denied Boomer a handshake after the bout. A rematch is set for Season 20 finale on November 9th, where Rory will get the chance to prove Boomer’s win was a fluke, and Boomer will look to prove the opposite. One of them will enter the 21st season with one point in their back pocket.

“Tug of War” (Season 20 Finale) - Saturday, November 9th - Philadelphia, PA

1. Boomer Hatfield (0 Points) vs. Rory Gulak (0 Points)

2. The Creatures of the Deep (Merlok, Hermit Crab & Cajun Crawdad) vs. The Crucible (Devantes, Matt Makowski & E.M. DeMorest)

Podcast-A-Go-Go #564 ft. Rory Gulak vs. Travis Huckabee from “Summer Night City (6.7.2019)” in its entirety!

CHIKARA was birthed in Allentown, PA, and this Thursday night for the first time ever, CHIKARA takes the stage at Coca-Cola Park, home of the Allentwon IronPigs baseball team! 

Three matches have been announced thus far:

- History will be made on this evening when Still Life With Apricots and Pears makes their record setting ninth overall defense of the Young Lions Cup! Stray Kat has an upcoming Campeones de Parejas opportunity, and may just have a golden saucer by her side as well if she is successful on the 8th.

- The fourth and final quarter-final round match of this year’s Johnny Kidd Invitational has been rained out twice. Hopefully the third time is the charm as Boomer Hatfield and Rory Gulak are set to finally do battle Thursday.

- The main event sees a first time ever singles bout pitting Penelope Ford against The Whisper.

Live at Coca-Cola Park '19 - Thursday, August 8th - Allentown, PA

1. Penelope Ford (1 Point) vs. The Whisper (0 Points)

2. Johnny Kidd Invitational Quarter-Final Round: Boomer Hatfield (2 Points) vs. Rory Gulak (0 Points)

3. Young Lions Cup: Still Life With Apricots and Pears (Champion) vs. Stray Kat

The Johnny Kidd Invitational quietly kicked off last week with two opening round matches not previously announced. Green Ant defeated Tony Deppen in Harrisburg, PA, while Ophidian defeated Solo Darling in Wilmington, DE to punch their ticket to the semi-finals. Our third quarter-final round match takes place this Tuesday in Trenton, NJ as Boomer Hatfield enters the tournament for the first time to take on the 2017 JKI winner Rory Gulak! Will Rory once again be victorious in JKI action, or will Boomer have somewhat of a homefield advantage at the Trenton Thunder baseball stadium?

“Live at Arm & Hammer Park ‘19” - Tuesday, June 18th - Trenton, NJ

1. Johnny Kidd Invitational Quarter-Final Round: Boomer Hatfield vs. Rory Gulak

The Johnny Kidd Invitational tournament is just around the corner, and what better way to preview the tournament than with the winners of the 2017 and 2018 installments squaring off? For the fifth time, Rory Gulak and Travis Huckabee will go toe-to-toe, almost one year to the date from their last encounter during the 2018 JKI where Huckabee defeated Gulak in the opening round. The previous year, however, it was Rory who defeated Huckabee in the opening round and subsequently defeated him in two matches after that. Which former JKI tournament winner will come out on top this Friday night?

“Summer Night City” - Friday, June 7th - Philadelphia, PA

1. Rory Gulak (0 Points) vs. Travis Huckabee (1 Point)

2. Young Lions Cup: Still Life With Apricots and Pears (Champion) vs. Boomer Hatfield

3. Solo Darling & Xyberhawx 2000 (Razerhawk & Danjerhawk) vs. El Hijo del Ice Cream & The Creatures of the Deep (Hermit Crab & Cajun Crawdad)

The Hurricane and CHIKARA seem to be a natural pairing, one that many have clamored for years now to occur. Finally, on April 27th, the Hurricane blows into Pocono Summit, PA for a big Atomicos match!

“Fright Knight” - Saturday, April 27th - Pocono Summit, PA

1. Campeonatos de Parejas: The Whisper & Princess KimberLee (Campeones) vs. F.I.S.T. (Travis Huckabee & Tony Deppen)

2. Razerhawk, Fire Ant, Solo Darling & The Hurricane vs. Cajun Crawdad, Callux the Castigator, Rory Gulak & El Hijo del Ice Cream

3. The Patriot (0 Points) vs. Jakob Hammermeier (0 Points)

4. Young Lions Cup: Still Life With Apricots and Pears (Champion) vs. Unsocial Jordan

5. Shazza McKenzie (0 Points) vs. BLANK (2 Points)

Coming off a huge win over Juan Francisco de Coronado, Missile Assault Man will face Rory Gulak in a first time ever singles bout on March 16th!

“Young Lions Cup XV - 1st Stage” - Saturday, March 16th - Philadelphia, PA (3:00 PM EST)

Participants include: Ricky South; Blanche Babish; Jaden Való; Green Ant; Brayden Lee; Still Life With Apricots and Pears; Jaden Newman; Cam Carter

1. Missile Assault Man (1 Point) vs. Rory Gulak (0 Points)

“Young Lions Cup XV - 2nd Stage” - Saturday, March 16th - Philadelphia, PA (7:00 PM EST)

Podcast-A-Go-Go #547 ft. Ophidian vs. Rory Gulak from “Don’t Go To Sleep! (11.10.2018)” in its entirety.

Ophidian and Rory Gulak got the chance to flex their mat wrestling muscles against one another during La Lotería Letal tournament last weekend. On November 10th, they will get the chance to do so again in singles competition!

“Don’t Go To Sleep!” - Philadelphia, PA - Saturday, November 10th - 3:00 PM EST

1. Grand Championship: Dasher Hatfield (Interim Champion) vs. The Whisper

2. Ophidian (1 Point) vs. Rory Gulak (0 Points)

3. Fire Ant (1 Point) vs. Callux the Castigator (0 Points)

4. Xyberhawx 2000 (Razerhawk & Danjerhawk), Solo Darling & Boomer Hatfield vs. F.I.S.T. (Travis Huckabee & Tony Deppen), Hallowicked & Cornelius Crummels

Podcast-A-Go-Go #542 ft. Mick Moretti vs. Rory Gulak from “It Came From Beneath The Sink! (9.22.2018)” in its entirety!

Mick Moretti made it to the Finals of this year’s King of Trios tournament, ultimately losing to the Colony. However, last Spring, Moreti made a two month visit to CHIKARA which resulted in him earning two points. Over a year later, Moretti will use his momentum gained from the King of Trios to go for the coveted third point which would earn him a Grand Championship opportunity! On September 22nd, he’ll be across the ring from Rory Gulak, who has not been seen since losing in the first round of the JKI in June. Will Moretti be able to capitalize on his victories from last Spring, or will Gulak end his championship hopes and dreams?

“It Came From Beneath The Sink!” - Saturday, September 22nd - Philadelphia, PA

1. Grand Championship: Dasher Hatfield (Interim Champion) vs. Travis Huckabee

2. The Hyper Beast Warriors (Hype Rockwell, The Proletariat Boar of Moldova & Oleg the Usurper) vs.  The Regime (Juan Francisco de Coronado, Rick Roland & Sloan Caprice)

3. Officer Warren Barksdale, Mike Quackenbush, Solo Darling & Green Ant vs. Hallowicked, Frantik, Sonny Defarge & Merlok

4. The Colony (Fire Ant & Thief Ant) (0 Points) vs. The Proteus Wheel (Callux the Castigator & Volgar) (0 Points)

5. Jeremy Leary, Lucas Calhoun & Blanche Babish vs. The Nouveau Aesthetic (BLANK, Ursa Minor in the Night Sky & Still Life With Apricots and Pears)

6. Boomer Hatfield (0 Points) vs. The Whisper (1 Point)

7. Mick Moretti (2 Points) vs. Rory Gulak (0 Points)

The Johnny Kidd Invitational hits Philadelphia this Saturday!

The entire first round of the Johnny Kidd Invitational tournament has been revealed! Who do you think is winning the whole thing?

“The Johnny Kidd Invitational 2018″ - Philadelphia, PA - June 9, 2018

1. Johnny Kidd Invitational Quarter-Final Round: Green Ant vs. Colt Cabana

2. Johnny Kidd Invitational Quarter-Final Round: Jigsaw vs. Thomas Santell

3. Johnny Kidd Invitational Quarter-Final Round: Ophidian vs. Solo Darling

4. Johnny Kidd Invitational Quarter-Final Round: Travis Huckabee vs. Rory Gulak

The 10 man tag is a match that has been featured with prominence in Aniversario’s past. A ten man tag main evented the first ever Aniversario, and the most recent. The 10th Aniversario was saw the GEKIDO and the entire first Wrestle Factory class meet in a historical ten man tag match. This year, Bryce Remsburg handpicked a quintet of Tecnicos and a quintet of Rudos to compete in a 10 person elimination match at this year’s installment. Below were his rationales for choosing the people he did

Tecnicos:

The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield & Mark Angelosetti): “Best pure athletes on the roster, madd popular.

Travis Huckabee: “I have never seen anyone work so hard at training.”

Solo Darling: “Unmistakable spirit, may have offered me candy?”

Thief Ant: “Love his spunk and attitude, improves with every outing.”

Rudos:

Hallowicked: “He competed at the very first CHIKARA event 16 years ago. Despite being one of the best pro wrestlers I have shared a ring with and holding every title we have, he's criminally underrated.”

Frightmare: “He's deceptively dangerous, a former YLC champ and King of Trio, and I’m not afraid to say it: he's got a baller helmet.”

Rory Gulak:” I've always been impressed with his belief in himself, and he brings an amateur element to this contest no one else on the roster can. I respect his hairline, too. His cape is as amazing as he thinks he is.”

The Whisper: “A competitor I don't totally understand - him or his motives, but he's 2017’s Rey de Voladores, a former Young Lions Cup champ, and Infinite Gauntlet finalist. And I'm hoping he'll teach me how to walk the dog with that sweet yo-yo of his.”

Cajun Crawdad: “I must offer full disclosure. We made a bet over candlepin bowling this past weekend, and I lost. find his accent oddly charming, and I find myself somewhat intimidated by Oceanea - so uh, decision made!”

It is interesting to see Solo and Travis back together in this match after splitting up. We’ll see how their able to interact in this mammoth ten man tag!

“Aniversario: Heroes Shed No Tears” - Saturday, May 26th - Philadelphia, PA

1. Grand Championship: Juan Francisco de Coronado (Champion) vs. Mike Quackenbush

2. The Beast Warriors (Oleg the Usurper & The Proletariat Boar of Moldova) (0 Points) vs. The Closers (Rick Roland & Sloan Caprice)

3. Officer Warren Barksdale (0 Points) vs. Volgar (0 Points)

4. Xyberhawx 2000 (Razerhawk, Nytehawk & Danjerhawk) vs. The Creatures of the Deep (Oceanea, Merlok & Hermit Crab)

5. Elimination Match: Dasher Hatfield, Mark Angelosetti, Solo Darling, Travis Huckabee & Thief Ant vs. Hallowicked, Frightmare, Rory Gulak, The Whisper & Cajun Crawdad

Prove It To Me!

Joining Colt Cabana in this year’s Johnny Kidd Invitational tournament is the man who won the inaugural tournament last year - Rory Gulak!

“The Johnny Kidd Invitational 2018″ - Philadelphia, PA - June 9, 2018

During his U.S. excursion, Fight Club: Pro’s Omari, who is a finalist in the Young Lions Cup tournament next week, is hanging out in Philadelphia and training at the Wrestle Factory. Yesterday on Twitter, Rory Gulak challenged Omari in a very condescending manner, feeling while Omari impressed in the tournament, he is not the caliber of athlete Gulak is. These two will collide this Saturday on the Hour of Power, Omari’s last stop before he faces Cameron Zagami in the Young Lions Cup finals next week.

1. The Proletariat Boar of Moldova (0 Points) vs. Still Life With Apricots and Pears (0 Points)

2. Tag World Grand Prix 2018 Qualifying Match: Dez Peloton (Jasper Tippins & Donald Kluger) vs. Good Looking Steve & Jimmy Starz

3. Tag World Grand Prix 2018 Qualifying Match: Thief Ant & Green Ant vs. The Creatures of the Deep (Hermit Crab & Cajun Crawdad)

4. Omari (0 Points) vs. Rory Gulak (2 Points)