A Giant Bug, a Nightmare and a Ball of Kinetic Energy walk into a bar...

The Spectral Envoy: Ultramantis Black, Hallowicked and Frightmare

         The masses have spoken and you chose for me to recap the year of 2012 for the most devious man in Chikara, Ultramantis Black. As you might have been able to surmise from looking above though, I am not just going to cover Ultramantis. This is because of one of my favourite aspects of Chikara, their use of smaller stables. Most people in Chikara travel in a small pack, usually a trio (this is the company who runs King of Trios, the largest tournament around every year!). Since these three are stale partners, I am going to include all members of the Spectral Envoy together. So let us jump right into the stories that were for the “Nightmare Warrior” Hallowicked, the “Frenetic Ball of Energy” Frightmare and the most devious man in all of Chikara, Ultramantis Black.

Ultramantis Black

CHIKARA Debut - The Renaissance Dawns, May 25th 2002
Affiliations:  Ultra Zero (w/Mr. Zero)
                  The Dark Breed (w/Hallowicked, Blind Rage)
                  The Order of the Neo Solar Temple (w/Hydra, Crossbones, Tim Donst, Vodoker)
                  The Spectral Envoy (w/Hallowicked, Frightmare, Crossbones, Blind Rage)

Hallowicked 
CHIKARA Debut - The Renaissance Dawns, May 25th 2002
Affiliations -  The Night Shift (w/Blind Rage, Ichabod Slayne)
                   The Dark Breed (w/Ultramantis Black, Blind Rage)
                   Incoherence (w/Delirious, Frightmare)
                   The Spectral Envoy (w/Ultramantis Black, Frightmare, Crossbones, Blind Rage)

Frightmare 
CHIKARA Debut - Armdrags to Riches, November 16th 2008

Affiliations -  Incoherence - (w/Hallowicked, Delirious)

                   The Spectral Envoy (w/Ultramantis Black, Hallowicked, Crossbones, Blind Rage)

      Season 11 for the Envoy had a particularly fascinating start. After retaking the Eye of Tyr from Ares at the Season 10 finale, Ultramantis Black was back in control of his most precious item. However, Mantis wasn't the same bug-man hybrid who possessed the mysterious trinket before. Walking into a cave before the season 11 debut show, Ultramantis Black and Hallowicked were taking the Eye back to Delirious, who it had been enslaved for the last 2 years by it. Trying to make amends, Mantis presented it to Delirious  who took the Eye and smashed it, possibly fearing further captivity under its control. In a shocking twist, as he fled from his former partners/captors he screamed, “I remember everything!” Quite the powerful moment, since Delirious had not spoken a coherent word in Chikara.
        Coming out of season 10, Mantis and Hallowicked had obtained the precious golden tickets of Chikara, three points to challenge for the tag belts. At the second show of the year, A Death Worse than Fate, the Spectral Envoy were poised to do battle with Johnny Gargano and the “Kentucky Gentlemen” Chuck Taylor. The only problem was, Gargano suffered a back injury earlier in the year. So the question arose, would the Nightmare Warrior and his captain be able to do battle for the belts? In all of his brilliance (sarcasm!) the Director of Fun decided that it would be okay for Icarus, the third member of F.I.S.T. and the man with a back tattoo that could make you cry blood, to sub in for Gargano. As the match got underway, the will to win was evident in the Envoy. Moments into the match Hallowicked and Mantis were employing double-team tactics, such as their Sidewinder leg drop. Through ill means, F.I.S.T were able to capture the first fall, but the long leg of Hallowicked secured the second for the Nightmare Warrior with a mighty yakuza kick. When the match seemed all but won for the Envoy, someone appeared. Delirious had made his way back to Chikara. Drilling Mantis on the crown of his head with a vicious Preying Mantis Driver, the Envoy had the belts stolen from them. It was clear, Delirious had emerged from the darkness to seek retribution.
        Stopping by on Long Island NY, Delirious decided it was time to let the world in on his intentions for Ultramantis Black. While Frightmare, who was still injured from the previous year, and Hallowicked were absent, Mantis was in attendance to hear Delirious's sobering claim. Delirious said that Mantis had stolen two years of his life, so he intended to take two years of Mantis'. A bold claim, but one he was intent of keeping.
        Chikara ventured into the frozen north for their first tour of Canada. Both shows had booked the tandem of Ultramantis and Hallowicked, and unknown to the duo, Delirious decided to follow along. On the Saturday evening, the Envoy were to be part of a tag team elimination match. This would benefit the duo who had been knocked down to zero points after being cost the CdP. During the match, Mantis and Hallowicked were distracted by Delirious who appeared on a balcony with a microphone. Chanting “bah bah bah” Delirious aided in the elimination of the Envoy, via knee to Hallowicked's skull by the Batiri. The next day in Ottawa, again the Envoy were attempting to gain some traction in the tag team race. This time however it was a single team format against the new rudo squad, Gekido. Fighting for the pride of Chikara, the Envoy were in control of the mysterious 17 and powerful Shard. For the second time on the Canadian tour, skulking near ringside, Delirious appeared. He did not however directly involve himself in this match. Instead, Tim Donst and Ophidian interjected themselves. Tim was attempting to take the Young Lions Cup that had been won by Hallowicked in the first ever tournament. He was chased off by Ultramantis and his peculiar staff. That would have been enough to cost anyone a match, but then Ophidian than came and misted Mantis in the eyes with his serpents venom. Stealing Mantis's staff, Ophidian made his retreat to the obvious pleasure of Delirious.
        Furious with the loss of his staff, Ultramantis challenged Ophidian at I'll be a Mummy's Uncle to regain what was rightfully his. Again, Mantis would be thwarted by the venomous mists of Ophidian who was desperate to keep the staff to use it to resurrect Osiris and ascend to another form. The most Great & Devious Ultramantis was beginning to mass a few enemies, and it was only the fourth month of season 11.

        Somehow, Tim Donst got the notion in his head that he was the greatest Young Lions Cup winner in the history of Chikara. That degree of title would be impossible to place on any one of the previous cup winners with such greats as Arik Cannon, Fire Ant and Chuck Taylor. Hallowicked was the first though, and that title comes with a great prestige. Not to Mr. Donst though. Tim had spent much of 2012 proving that he was “the man” by choking out his opponents with a shoelace. He had defeated many of the cups winners from the past, and he had set his delusional eyes on Hallowicked. During the intermission of Hot off the Griddle, Chikara and Ring of Honor's fusion event, Tim attacked Hallowicked while posing as another masked wrestler. The two were booked to face each other in a tag team eliminator that evening, but Tim couldn't wait to jump Hallowicked. Tim payed the price later  during the eliminator, when he believed Hallowicked to be injured. The Nightmare Warrior attacked Donst, and chased him from the ring.

        It would appear as though a grand stage would need to be givento play out all of the drama that had been building between Ultramantis and Ophidian, as well as Tim and Hallowicked. June 6th came and Chikara returned to the world stage on IPPV for Chikarasaurus Rex: How to Hatch a Dinosaur. This was the perfect venue for the two warring factions to settle what had been building. Ultramantis Black would have his opportunity first, as his match with Ophidian was the opening contest of the evening. When Ophidian appeared from behind the curtain, he had transformed for the second time in season 11. Whatever sorcery he had needed Mantis's staff for, he had achieved it. His new form did not intimidate the most devious Ultramantis, and the contest came to heavy blows. Even though Ophidian attempted to blind Mantis again with his vile venom, Mantis dropped him on his head and took the victory.
        Later in the evening, after intermission, it was time for Donst and Hallowicked to settle the title of Greatest Young Lions Cup Champion. This match stood for so much more than a simple title as the stipulation had been placed that the match would be Hair vs Mask. If Tim lost he would be shaved bald, but if Hallowicked lost he would be stripped of his mask. For those who are unaware, to lose your mask in Lucha Libre is the ultimate in shame. After a grueling physical dual, neither combatant appeared weary. Concerned, Donst pulled out the shoelace he had use to choke out so many others. Laying lifeless on the mat, Hallowicked's arm dropped three times and it would appear as though he would be shamed live on IPPV by the conniving Donst. It would not be though as fortune stood with Hallowicked. Tim raised his arm in victory and the shoelace that he had hidden under his arm fell out. There was only one thing for senior official Bryce Remsburg to do: he restarted the match. Using the same boot on Tim that he had Chuck Taylor earlier in the season, he put Donst on the mat and made him submit. Donst was shaved, and Hallowicked had claimed the title of Greatest Young Lions Cup Champion.
        It had been nearly a year since Frightmare had competed in a Chikara ring competitively. He did make an appearance at Aniversario: the Ogg and I, but his ring time was limited since he was still injured. Returning, Frightmare would have to contend with the vile serpent who had battled with his trios mate Ultramantis. Frightmare proved to Ophidian at The Great Escape that his knee was healed, and that the Frenetic Ball of Energy could once again bounce around. His effort however would result in a loss, as Ophidian contained him and forced him to submit. The Envoy spent the remainder of the summer honing their strengths, and developing new tag team offense to take into King of Trios 2012. Delirious, who had recruited Ophidian and the Batiri to his cause at Chikarasaurus Rex, spent his summer scheming how he could further humiliate and torture Ultramantis.
        September was upon us and the largest wrestling tournament in America was set to begin. This years King of Trios promised to be a interesting one with so many Wink created trios. In the first round of the tournament the Envoy were set to battle with The Submission Squad. Unfortunately, the Squad were unable to make it, so the trusty hat was brought out and names were drawn. Instead of the Submission Squad, the Envoy did battle with the very Mysterious and Handsome Stranger, Mihara visiting with Osaka Pro, and the legend Tito Santana. While the mismatched trio from the hat fought well, the summer conditioning of the Spectral Envoy was too much, and they were overcome. Night two came, and the Envoy stood across the ring from their familiar nemesis, the Batiri. Many believed that this match would be the finals, but the tournament brackets brought them together for a clash in the quarter-finals. As expected the battle was grueling and the demons fought the Envoy with great tenacity. A roll up proved to be the fate of the Batiri, and the Envoy advanced. It would not be so simple. The field general of the new Dark Army, Ophidian, was waiting for the matches conclusion. Causing mayhem and misting Mantis yet again, he assisted Kobald in landing a Demon's Toilet on the previously injured leg of Frightmare.
        The final evening of King of Trios would not be an easy one for the Spectral Envoy. To reach the finals they would have to defeat F.I.S.T, the most dangerous trio. Without any interference from Ophidian or the Batiri, the Envoy triumphed over F.I.S.T in one of the best matches of the tournament. With this victory, the finals were set, the Envoy would face off against the outsiders from ROH. Team ROH had been cocky throughout the tournament, but a match with Team Sendai Girls had snapped them back into reality. The Envoy employed the same moves that had brought them victory all tournament. Unfortunately, they had two things against them: the meddling Batiri and a distracting Maria Kanellis. The Batiri were the first to interfere. What the Batiri could not know was that Crossbones, always faithful friend to Ultramantis was in the building. Tossing Delirious off the entrance ramp into a ring post, he set up Ultramantis to dispatch with the rest, landing one of the Jackson brothers outside the ring with a superplex. Using the Chikara Special, Hallowicked secured the victory for the Envoy. It took ten years, but Ultramantis Black final had won a major title in Chikara.

       The celebration was short lived however as on the very next show, Deep Freeze in Chikara's Piedmont, Alabama debut, Frightmare was again put on the shelf with injury at the hands...or behind rather...of Kobald, courtesy of a crushing Demon's Toilet. For the second time in three shows, the goblin's finishing maneuver was the chosen weapon in trying to eliminate Frightmare from the war between the Envoy and Delirious' Army. Frightmare was out of action for over a month returning to fight for Team CHIKARA at The Cibernetico Rises.       

           Back in the title race, and hot off their victory as King of Trios, Ultramantis Black and Hallowicked had attained three points for the second time in a year. In Chicago, they were brought face to face with the Young Bucks who they had defeated two months ago in the finals of King of Trios. Matt and Nick had not forgotten their bitter defeat at the hands of the Envoy, and intended to keep their belts. They would do so, but not by their own skill and ring knowledge. Again, Delirious would cost Ultramantis his title belts. This time it was indirect, as he sent his general Ophidian to lead his Batiri against the Envoy.

        Blows had been suffered by both contingents, so their feud was set be settled on IPPV at the season finale Under the Hood. The Dark Army stood as five; Delirious, Ophidian, Kodama, Obariyon and Kobald. If the Envoy were to compete, they would need to dig into their reserves. Coming to their aid were Crossbones and his opponent form the very first Chikara show, Blind Rage. With five apiece, the teams were ready, and the battle field awaited. In the Match of the Night, the Batiri and Envoy clashed like monolithic titans. Punches were thrown, and moves not seen in years were utilized in an attempt to win. One by one, both teams lost members outside the ring, leaving Delirious and Ultramantis to wage their war uninterrupted. In their first major battle, Ultramantis would drop Delirious with his powerful Cosmic Doom for the victory. As the saying goes, Mantis had won the battle, but has he won the war?

        2012 will stand as a amazing year of the Spectral Envoy. Winners of King of Trios, and two title opportunities leaves them the most successful team of 2012. Next time in the Dark Match I will be covering the Batiri, and their year that was 2012. As always, tell your friends about the Dark Match, and give me a follow on twitter @MurrayDarkMatch. Until next time, I hope you are all making good on those New Years Resolutions!

A League of His Own

Chikara debut: A Death Worse Than Fate 2/25/12

        This likely won't come as a major shock to any of my readers but...I am a nerd. I actually bought my Nintendo DS just so I could play the most recent set of Pokemon games. Growing up as a nerd, I got the treatment you might have expected from the “athletic” types. I never got a swirlee, thank goodness, although I did however once come into the locker room to discover my shoes had been put over shower heads and filled with water. Fast forward several years and who do I see on my screen at The Thirteenth Hat, the Chikara season 11 debut show? It was the exact same type of nerd hating roid rager, “Mr. Touchdown” Mark Angelosetti that had filled my shoes with water all those years back. What spiked my blood even more, he sure seemed to have a vendetta against nerds too. I will now recount the landmark 2012 of Mark Angelosetti (who somehow got over looked by PWI as rookie of the year).

             

          Mr. Touchdown made his official in ring debut against the Colony in February of 2012. He did so with his step cousin in law, Dasher Hatfield. From the bell, it was obvious that Mark had spent a few more reps on the football practice field than in a wrestling ring. However, his in ring abilities were not minimal. Mr. Touchdown and Dasher pulled out some highly athletic double team maneuvers considering it was their first time tagging together. I will honestly never forget seeing Bo Jackson performed for the first time on Fire Ant. Mark was very confident in his abilities, and constantly refused to tag in Dasher. At one point during the match, he even stole Dasher's opportunity to do the baseball slide! The match was won by disqualification when Green Ant came out and shoved Dasher from the top rope. His first ten minutes in a Chikara ring resulted in a victory for the pig-skin player.
        The next evening in Long Island, the match of the New Throwbacks came against Scott Parker and Shane Matthews of 3.0. Coming in with one point already earned, the rookie squad was hoping for an upset over the ten year veterans. It wasn't the day for the Throwbacks, however and Mr. Touchdown took his first pin fall of 2012. This was the match that granted 3.0 their ticket into the Promised Land. On his way out of the ring, and backstage, Mark was brought face to face with “The Beautiful One” of Chikara, Veronica. While Veronica was making her way out to the ring with the reeling Archibald Peck, she and Mr. Touchdown met eyes. The quarterback had met his cheerleader queen, the only problem being Veronica was a majorette. Well that and she was with Archie, who was desperately trying to regain her affections. Archie pulled Veronica away from Mr. Touchdown, but it was clear that Veronica had noted the physique and bulky thigh pads of Mark.
        On night 2 of the Canadian invasion, Mr. Touchdown faced off against Jigsaw in an impromptu singles meeting, since Mike Quackenbush had been injured the prior evening. It took no time at all for word to reach the boys, and particular lady, in the back that Mark was putting on an excellent match against Jigsaw. Veronica came out to ringside to see her new interest in all his sweaty glory. She tried to appear disinterested, looking at T-shirts and weaving around her baton. When she did make it to ringside, Mark was giddier than a fifteen year old on his first date. A few hip swivels from Jon Barber though, prompted on by Jigsaw, and Veronica dashed to the locker room. But the sparks where even more evident between the majorette and her muscle clad all-star. It wasn't just Veronica who had noticed Mr. Touchdown. Archie knew what was happening, the leader of the band could see he was losing his love.
        Archibald Peck is not a man to stand by and allow the love of this life to cross over the field and go from the half-time show to the main event. Archie decided it was time for a change. When Archie and Mark met in the ring for the first time in Rahway, Mark stood across from a very different man. Instead of adorning himself in his usual sash and purple, Archie had visited a dojo and picked up a few Davey Richards moves. Mixed Martial Archie brought Mr. Touchdown his toughest fight yet. The Gridiron grappler had never faced a band leading MMA specialist before. But Archie's anger grew too much for him though and Mr. Touchdown was granted the win by Excesivo de Castigo (excessive violence).
        Taking a break from torturing poor Mixed Martial Archie, Dasher and Mark stood together for the first time as a tag team in a few months during the Synergy event. In their way of climbing the tag team ladder were the Batiri, who are always conniving and dangerous. As usual, Mr. Touchdown wanted to call all the plays, and audibles, without the help of his offensive coach Dasher. After refusing to tag Dasher in on multiple occasions, Dasher went and sat on the guard rail with the fans. After taking a beating from the Batiri for a few minutes, the crowd let Mr. Touchdown know what he had to do, as a chant of “say your sorry” rang through Chicago. Weighing the options of making the winning drive on his own or taking the loss for his team, Mark reconciled with Dasher. Dasher came in with fists of fury. After taking a flying DDT onto the apron however, Mr. Touchdown was left in the ring alone. While Dasher lay on the floor in agony, Mr. Touchdown decided if he was going to make it to the end zone for the Throwbacks, he was going to have to resort to cheating. Taking his helmet he struck Kodama with it and made the cover. The very next evening in Lafayette, seeking a critical second point, the Throwbacks faced off against the dynamic Minnesota tandem of Darin Corbin and Arik Cannon. The match seemed all but won after Dasher pasted Darin with his Suicide Squeeze. Darin might have kicked out, but Mr. Touchdown held his leg. The Throwbacks exited the weekend with two points earned by Mark's cheating.
        Night one of Chikara's Anniversario weekend came, and avid CHIKARMY members came out to support the colourful cast they love. At A Horse of Another Colour, Mark squared off against the crafty ring veteran, Colt Cabana. Colt's shenanigans irritated Mark, and using a painful Chicago Skyline, Colt picked up the victory. The next evening in New York, Colt squared off against Dasher. During the match Colt descended to the top rope. Before he could leap off, Mr. Touchdown ran out and pulled him down. This set up Dasher's victory. Again, Dasher did not see Mark's cheating, confused as to why Colt would be so upset with him. In four short months in Chikara, Mr. Touchdown had infuriated two beloved technicos in Marchie Archie and Colt. Chikara's upcoming IPPV would prove to be the playing field for the Throwbacks and team Tapout to settle their differences. To spice up the confrontation, the member of the team who took the fall had to leave town! Shortly after the match began Mixed Martial Archie took a brutal spinebuster on the ramp from Mark, and left for the locker room. This left Colt in the ring to defend himself. When things seemed most dire, and that Colt may never return to Chikara, Archie returned from the back. Not as the mixed martial artist he had become, but as the band leading bad boy we first grew to love. At this point, it should have come as no surprise that Veronica, the love of both competitors, would interject herself. Leaving her majorette baton in the ring, it seemed that the first man to use it would win her love. Distracted by Dasher, Archie took a baton shot to the temple. Dasher made the cover and Mark had eliminated Archie from Veronica's life. Archie had to leave town, and Mr. Touchdown won his sweetheart.
        The summer brought new prospects for Mark, mainly his entrance into the Young Lions Cup.  In Syracuse, New York, Mark competed in his first YLC match. He bested his competition and compelled himself into the semi-final round after giving Ryan Rush one of the highest elevated spinebusters you'll ever see. In between his first round match of the YLC, on the evening that held the fourth YLC qualifier, the Throwbacks faced the newly crowned CdP, the Young Bucks. Before the match began, Dasher told Mr. Touchdown that he saw him cheat to defeat Green Ant at a recent Wrestling is Fun show. Dasher told him that he didn't want to believe that he was a cheater, but now that he saw it with his own eyes, he was unhappy. Mr. Touchdown was fed the rough news, if he cheated to win against the Young Bucks, Dasher would send him packing. The match was well fought, and Mr. Touchdown actually stressed team work with Dasher, attempting to win the tag belts. Even with their fantastic team work, and brutal tandem offense, the Throwbacks weren't able to defeat the Bucks. This loss allowed Mr. Touchdown to focus on the YLC.

        Come August, the pig-skin player had his eyes on winning the 2012 YLC. In the semi-final round Mark wrestled the talented New Englander, Anthony Stone. On his lonesome, Stone was proving to be a tougher challenge than his first set of YLC competitors. Even after bringing Mark off the turnbuckles with a Stones Throw, Mr. Touchdown bested his competitor. It would come down to a match later that evening to decide who Mr. Touchdown would battle the next afternoon in the YLC finals. As it would turn out, Mr. Touchdown would combat the rising star, Young Simba, ACH. The next evening came, and anticipation filled The Old National Centre in Indianapolis. The swift and agile ACH stood prepared to face the brawny Mark Angelosetti. From the bell Dasher seemed uncomfortable with Veronica, who now never left Mr. Touchdown's side, being at ringside. Part way through the match, after she proved she had no right being there, Dasher removed Veronica, leaving Mark to win on his own. The contest was fierce, but Mr. Touchdown, as he says, was good. Mark Angelosetti won the 2012 Young Lions Cup.

        September this year was more exciting than most as it brought the 2012 King of Trios. The Throwbacks have entered KOT the past two years albeit with different members (Dasher, Matt Classic and Sugar Dunkerton). Not surprisingly, coming off the high of his YLC victory, Mr. Touchdown named himself captain of the Throwbacks trio. In the first round they contested against the joshi veterans of team JWP. Mark's YLC did not help him in KOT and the Throwbacks were eliminated in round one by a very impressive Argentinian Backbreaker by the powerful Tsubasa Kuragaki. This time, it was Mr. Touchdown's turn to sweat out his lady staring down a different man. On his entrance, the Mysterious and Handsome took the eye of Veronica. Who could blame her? He is mysterious and handsome, two pretty sexy traits in a man.
        A short month after claiming his YLC victory, Mark made his first defense against the submission specialist, Green Ant. This was not the type of match with high flying spots, but a blow for blow battle. Mark and Green Ant went back and forth for twenty minutes. While Bryce was distracted, and Mark saw his opportunity, he struck Green Ant with his helmet. Mark gained his first defense win through ill means. He might get away with these actions in a wrestling ring, but if he was on the football field there would be little yellow flags everywhere.
        In November at Zelda the Great, the Throwbacks were part of a four way tag elimination match. It had been some time again since the Throwbacks were in the hunt for tag points. Mark hadn't forgotten the way Veronica had looked at TMAHS during his entrance at KOT. The Stranger was tagging with his feral pigeon, Sapphire, that evening in Chicago. The Stranger and the bird were putting together some fantastically stiff tandem offense. This was until Sapphire attempted to pin Angelosetti. Taking his advantage, Mark stuffed Sapphire back into her falconers bag. Twisting the top of the bag, Mark smashed the defenseless bird against the mat! The Stranger finally interjected, but it was too late. Sapphire had suffered fatal injuries. The crowd was appalled, calling Mr. Touchdown a monster.
        The next evening, in the AIW home arena, there was a ten bell salute for the fallen Sapphire. Mark's opponent for the evening couldn't make it, so names were drawn from the hat. As luck would have it, The Stranger's name was pulled! Mark received the the beating he deserved. It was also on that night that Mark and Veronica began collecting ballots for the Chikara Homecoming King and Queen. The king and queen would be crowned at the season finale. On the evening of the finale, Mr. Touchdown had a rematch with ACH for his YLC. These two put on another sporting contest. This time however, Dasher wasn't available to remove Veronica from ringside. Holding onto a baton, Mark was able to successfully pin ACH for a second time. After his victory, Mark brought out Veronica for their crowing ceremony. She was crowned queen, but he wasn't crowned king! Who was? The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger! Mark was given a stiff lariat, leaving him on the floor. This gave the Stranger his opportunity during a very touching slow dance to slop Veronica, and reveal that he was Marchie Archie! Who knew?!?!
        This third blog concludes the Chikara champions series for 2012. Who should I cover next? Well, vote below and you can decide! As always, remember to tell your friends about The Dark Match, and give me a follow on twitter @MurrayDarkMatch. Until next time CHIKARMY, I hope you are all getting as pumped for February as I am.

New Age Rockers

Welcome back to The Dark Match my friends! I hope everyone had a safe holiday, and a exciting New Years Eve. I listen to a lot of complaining about wrestling, I mean a lot. Most of my friends are ignorant to the joys of independent wrestling. They say to me, “What has happened to the tag division in the WWE...” Well, I don't really have much of an answer on that subject, because I don't rightfully know. All I tell them is, there is a place on this Earth where the tag division gets more respect than anywhere else ever has. I remind them that there are alternatives to main stream professional wrestling. The place I speak of is obviously my true love, Chikaratown. Chikara has a beautiful tag division, spiced up by the need to gain three points before challenging for the belts. The current holders of the Campeonatos de Parejas are Matt and Nick Jackson, the Young Bucks.

The Young Bucks

 CHIKARA Debut: March 27, 2009 (KOT 2009 as part of Team PWG with El Generico)

         The Young Bucks are no strangers to Chikara. They have been company regulars since their debut at King of Trios 2009. In fact, the Young Bucks wrestled in Chikara thirteen times in 2012, more than they wrestled in any other promotion. These rock and roll wild childs have been dominating tag team wrestling since they began their in ring careers back in 2004. Over confident, cocky and narcissistic, the Jackson brothers have proven that they deserve to hold any belt, in any company. The Young Bucks closed out their time with Chikara in 2011 by falling to Fire Ant and Soldier Ant at the IPPV debut High Noon. After suffering this defeat at the hands of The Colony, the boys from sunny California took some time away from Chikara.
        The YB made their return in April of 2012 at the merger event between Chikara and Ring of Honor, Hot Off the Griddle. The brothers took on the “Anarchist” Arik Cannon and Darin Corbin. While Cannon proved his nimble ability, and Corbin showed his ability to adapt to in ring adversity, the Minnesota tandem fell to the Young Bucks. The next evening, at Chikara's debut event in Lafayette, the brother team joined a Chikara hallmark 4-way tag team elimination match. These types of matches can earn a team the necessary three points to challenge for tag gold, or send teams holding two points back to the starting gate. This particular event saw the Bucks standing across from the formidable Ultramantis Black and Hallowicked, Tim Donst and Jakob Hammermeier and Kodama and Kobald of The Batiri. All seasoned members of the Chikara roster and each team looking to begin the crawl up the tag ladder. Luck was in the corner of the Young Bucks however, and they didn't lose their point earned from the prior evening. In fact, pinning both Kodama and Jakob earned the Bucks two more points. With their win at Chicago Ridge, coupled with the two points earned from the elimination match, the Young Bucks were ready for their first chance at the CdP with three points.
        Chikara returned to the world stage at Chikarasaurus Rex: How to Hatch a Dinosaur, their second IPPV. Coming off their win over Scott Parker and Shane Matthews, F.I.S.T were prepared to make their first title defense as the only two time reigning CdP. In front of the hundreds in attendance, and thousands at home, these two tag team specialists squared off in a memorable main event. Johnny Gargano and Chuck Taylor took the boys from the south to their limits. Pulling out tandem offense on both sides, neither team looked as though they were going to give any less than their lives. After splitting the first two falls, the Bucks set up their tag team masterpiece, More Bang for your Buck. F.I.S.T lost the third fall of the match, and as quickly as they had gained the belts, dropped them to Matt and Nick. The Bucks promised that now the CdP would gain credibility in their hands.
        Chikara would not have to wait long to see the Bucks tested, as they squared off against the troubled Throwbacks, Dasher Hatfield and Mr. Touchdown Mark Angelosetti. The Throwbacks had gained three points towards title contention, but Dasher and Mr. TD hadn't been seeings eye to eye, or helmet to helmet as it would be. The newly reforming Mr. Touchdown was stressing team work that night, and he and Dasher would need it if they intended to strip the newly crowned kings of the CdP. Giving the good college try, the Throwbacks threw, ran, vaulted and slid everything into the path of the Young Bucks that they could. After a Grandslam and Bo Jackson it would appear as though the Throwbacks were in a position to take the belts. It was not to be however, and in the third fall of the match Matt and Nick did what they do so well, and defeated Dasher and Mr. Touchdown.
        The Young Bucks would go on hiatus from Chikara for a few months, allowing teams to gather up the necessary nectar, three points. The boys made their return not to defend their titles, but to compete in the largest tournament around, King of Trios 2012. They brought along with them Mike Bennett, an equally narcissistic gentlemen from the ranks of Ring of Honor. Bennett's size and power complimented Matt and Nick's high flying ability. In the first two rounds of the tournament, team Ring of Honor were faced by two trios of great wrestling experience. First the Powers of Pain were soothed by the Bucks quickness, and then the Extreme Trio were rated PG by More Bang for Your Buck. It was in the semi-final round of the tournament that team Ring of Honor were truly tested. On night 3, team Sendai Girls brought the Bucks and Bennett a beating they won't soon forget. The fan favourites fought with a puro spirit that can always be admired. With some outside interference by Bennett's girlfriend Maria Kanellis, team Ring of Honor were able to tame the wild girls from the East.
        Reaching the finals is no easy task for any trio. Matt, Nick and Mike had done so with relative ease. The trio they were about to face, had not. The Spectral Envoy joined team Ring of  Honor in the finals of King of Trios 2012. This clash would prove to be foreshadowing for the coming conflict between the Bucks and Envoy for the CdP. Again, Maria attempted some outside interference, but received a super-kick for her troubles. The Spectral Envoy came out on top, and crumpled the Ring of Honor representatives. After taking October to sooth their wounds, the Young Bucks met Ultramantis Black and Hallowicked for the CdP. This would make the second time the Spectral Envoy would challenge for the belts in 2012. Though the champs were different, they were the only team to earn two separate title shots. Ridiculing the Envoy and calling them the “Special Envoy,” the Bucks seemed confident going into their second title defense. Being no strangers to each other, due to their meeting at KOT, both teams snatched up a fall a piece. While the fight was fair for Matt and Nick, the Batiri were lurking outside the ring. After causing their usual havoc, the Batiri aided the Young Bucks in retaining their belts.
        The final two matches of the Bucks year came at two large events. Matt and Nick were part of Team Steen at the 2012 Torneo Cibernetico. Both were eliminated late from the match by Scott Parker and Shane Matthews of 3.0. It was then on to December 2nd, at the second IPPV of the year, where they made their third defense against the 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty. Jannetty is a man from the Young Bucks past, and his plan was to put the boys back in their places. However, his intentions went the same place so many others do, and the veterans of high flying fell to the Bucks. After three successful title defenses against three strong pairings, the Young Bucks exited 2012 looking poised to defeat any challengers.

       This brings us to the end of another chapter of The Dark Match. Next I bring you 2012 history of one Mr. Touchdown, Mark Angelosetti. Take time to vote below for who YOU want me to cover after Mr. Touchdown. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MurrayDarkMatch, and always pass on the good word of The Dark Match. Until next time, I'm going to rewatch Under the Hood for about the tenth time.