CHIKARA The Renaissance Dawns was an event produced by CHIKARA which took place on May 25, 2002 at the Chikara Wrestle Factory in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Tickets were 5 dollars.
Background[]
This was the debut show of the CHIKARA promotion and was mainly an event to showcase the their first graduating class: Mister ZERO, Dragonfly, Hallowicked, Ichabod Slayne (later known for wrestling as Icarus), Zane Madrox, and UltraMantis (later UltraMantis Black). Their trainers, Mike Quackenbush & Reckless Youth, also take part in the show.
Location[]
The Chikara Wrestle Factory was a training facility located in the back room of a shop called Carson's Pro Wrestling Room. The first six Chikara shows took place until they were notified of being in violation of city zoning ordinances.
The wrestling ring was set at "pony height" of 18 inches off the ground. It was constructed by 911. The bleachers were built by Marshall Law.
Due to the lack of air conditioning, a rolling metal gate was opened a crack. Neighborhood kids learned they could sneak in a watch the show for free.
Storylines[]
As this was the first show, there were no established storylines. Quackenbush, Reckless Youth, and Don Montoya were locally known as The Black T-Shirt Society. After the first match, Quackenbush gave an interview where he introduced the Gold Bond Mafia (CM Punk, Colt Cabana, & Chris Hero) who were known from mid-west promotions like Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and the Chicago area. The Gold Bond Mafia attacked Quackenbush who was saved by Youth & Montoya. This created a regional rivalry to set up the main event later on.
Release[]
This show was retroactively titled with the name "The Renaissance Dawns". It did not have a name when it originally was advertised.
The show was originally available on VHS cassette with no commentary. Instead it had Pop-up information happen during matches. In 2012, the DVD for the show was re-issued with commentary by Quackenbush and Bryce Remsburg. It is package in a DVD together with CHIKARA Second Show.
Results[]
- Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.
- Mister ZERO defeated Dragonfly (11:29)
- The Beauty And The Beast (Love Bug & Marshall Law) defeated The Nightshift (Hallowicked & Ichabod Slayne) (12:34)
- Kid Kruel defeated Zane Madrox (10:17)
- Blind Rage defeated Ultramantis (10:31)
- The Black T-Shirt Squad (Mike Quackenbush, Reckless Youth, & Don Montoya) defeated the Gold Bond Mafia (CM Punk, Colt Cabana, & Chris Hero) (30:52)
Other on-screen talent[]
- Commentators
- Ring announcer
- Referees
- Mike Allred
External links[]
| 2002 CHIKARA Events |
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The Renaissance Dawns • Second Show • Third Show • Fourth Show • Fifth Show • Chikara/Kiryoku Pro • Seventh Show • Eighth Show • Young Lions Cup I (Night One) • Young Lions Cup I (Night Two) • Eleventh Show • Twelfth Show |