Opinion

Cook: Two Strikes, CHIKARA’s Out

In the wake of allegations against Mike Quackenbush, CHIKARA has been shut down. Steve Cook offers his perspective on wrestling’s (former) fun zone.

Published

5 years ago

June 25, 2020

Steve Cook

In the wake of allegations against Mike Quackenbush, CHIKARA has been shut down. Steve Cook offers his perspective on wrestling’s (former) fun zone.

CHIKARA was supposed to be a different world from pro wrestling.

It was many things to many different people. For parents, it was a family friendly show that they could feel comfortable taking their children to. There wasn’t blood & guts or offensive language or stories to deal with. For kids, it was a fun world of outlandish characters, many with colorful costumes & cool masks. As for people in their 20s without kids, as I was during the time CHIKARA became an Internet favorite, it featured some really fun wrestling matches with some interesting storylines.

I have some very fond memories of CHIKARA. When they finally came close enough to my residence in 2012, I went to a show with a fellow offtheteam.com poster. It was a great time, and an opportunity to see some of my favorite wrestlers that I hadn’t seen live before. The wrestlers were very friendly, I even remember striking up a conversation with Dasher Hatfield due to my Reds hat. I also remember the venue being nice enough to serve mixed drinks. It was a good night of wrestling.

I also remember hearing Larry Csonka’s stories about his daughter’s love of CHIKARA. She wasn’t much into the other five hundred wrestling promotions that Larry would review for 411, but CHIKARA really struck her fancy. If only I had a car capable of making the trip down to Kingsport, Tennessee, my first meeting with the Csonkas could have been at a CHIKARA show. Sadly, I did not. I still don’t, as wrestling writing isn’t the most lucrative of careers unless you’re Matt Brock or Elizabeth Hunter and have written for the same magazine for fifty years.

Unlike most wrestling promotions during the late 2000s & early 2010s, CHIKARA was steadily growing. Their events were getting bigger with each “season”. More and more of pro wrestling’s best made their way to the fed. The King of Trios events were full of wrestlers you never would have expected to see in a CHIKARA ring when Quackenbush & Reckless Youth opened a wrestling school in 2002. Whatever Quackenbush was doing, it was working. He seemed like he had his finger on the pulse of his audience more than any other independent wrestling booker/promoter out there.

Then it all ended. The first time.

June 2, 2013 saw CHIKARA’s fourth iPPV, and their last event for nearly a year. The main event saw CHIKARA’s “Director of Fun” Wink Vavasseur shut down the show, and that was it. No more CHIKARA. Well…kinda. Suddenly, all these “Wrestling Is” promotions popped up. Wrestling Is Cool. Wrestling is Heart. It continued with Intense, Art, Respect, Awesome & Fun. They featured various CHIKARA wrestlers along with local wrestlers from the areas where the feds were promoted.

I can’t tell you a lot about what happened there because I didn’t watch any of them. A large part of it was laziness. Who had the time to follow all of these new promotions? I sure didn’t. I liked CHIKARA, but quite honestly it was easier to fill that void with something other than seven independent wrestling feds.

And as it turns out, once that void gets filled, the previous owner can’t take it back. When CHIKARA came back, I was happy that people had somewhere to work. Did I get back into it? Not really. I had other stuff going on. A lot of us did. It wasn’t out of a place of hate, though I must admit that the circumstances behind CHIKARA’s disappearance seemed a little fishy. I must also admit that I didn’t buy the story fed to wrestling media that it was a big storyline, and felt somewhat insulted by Mike Quackenbush’s insistence at the time that the people that didn’t get it and tuned out weren’t a big loss.

I’ve interacted with Mike Quackenbush a number of times via social media. Can’t say anything bad about the guy from my personal dealings. Very insistent on kayfabe. I was a huge fan of his in-ring work. Dude was as solid a wrestler as there was back in the day. I can’t personally speak on anything past that, but have I heard some weird stories? You betcha.

There were some interesting rumors floating around back in 2013 when CHIKARA closed the first time. Reasons there wasn’t as much money available to CHIKARA. Nothing that was ever confirmed, but, as it turns out, pretty similar to the type of stuff we’re talking about here in 2020. And, to be honest, those stories seem more plausible now as we’re able to connect more dots.

One trend that keeps popping up in this movement: the people that professed to be the most in favor of equality, fairness & inclusiveness keep being revealed as the opposite. CHIKARA was all about Equal Rights & Equal Fights. Kimber Lee even won their Grand Championship at one point. CHIKARA helped influence women to get into the business, gave women a platform, and trained a number of women.

Now, we find out that CHIKARA wasn’t as different from the rest of pro wrestling as we thought. On-screen, it was a magical world where the strangest things could happen in a pro wrestling ring and it all made sense to its audience. Off-screen…well, things were strange, but not in a magical way. A lot of the same things we’ve been hearing about the past few days happened there, and the owner was either the cause or part of the problem. No matter how well-spoken or knowledgeable Mike Quackenbush may be, it’s going to be tough for him to squirm his way out of this one.

CHIKARA is dead. Presumably for good this time.

While its creator & some of his students may have been bad actors, the company still produced a lot of great talent. Hopefully that great talent will be able to produce something better for the wrestling business going forward. Now that people are Speaking Out and being heard, hopefully CHIKARA’s demise can lead to something like what Mike Quackenbush claimed his promotion to be all along.

Wrestling needs a fun place.

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1