Chikara Grand Championship
Encyclopedia
The Chikara Grand Championship is a professional wrestling
championship
owned by the Chikara promotion
. The first champion was crowned on November 13, 2011, at the High Noon
pay-per-view
, when Eddie Kingston
defeated Mike Quackenbush at the conclusion of a six-month long, twelve-person tournament.
Like most professional wrestling championships, the title is won via the result of a scripted match
. Since the founding of the promotion in 2002 and before the Chikara Grand Championship was created, Chikara promoted only the Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas
, a tag team
championship, and the Chikara Young Lions Cup
, a championship for rookies, but did not have a major singles championship until an announcement regarding the creation of the Grand Championship was made in February 2011.
, UltraMantis Black
, Green Ant
, Brodie Lee
and Icarus
pleaded for votes on Chikara's official website. While most of Chikara's top rudo
(villainous) stable Bruderschaft des Kreuzes
(BDK) seemed united behind their leader Claudio Castagnoli
, who had ordered his stablemates to vote for him, BDK member Sara Del Rey
also asked for votes for herself.
On April 21, Vavasseur announced the result of the vote. Castagnoli had received the most votes, getting five votes from his seven stablemates. The others qualified were Jigsaw
with three votes and Amasis
, Brodie Lee, Eddie Kingston
, Fire Ant
, Hallowicked
, Icarus, Mike Quackenbush, Sara Del Rey, UltraMantis Black and Vin Gerard, all with two votes. Vavasseur then revealed that the twelve wrestlers would then be divided into two blocks in a round-robin tournament
, starting on May 21. On April 11, Chikara Wrestle Factory graduate and former Chikara Young Lions Cup Champion
Larry Sweeney
committed suicide. On April 29, Chikara announced that the tournament to determine the promotion's first ever singles champion would be named 12 Large: Summit, after Sweeney's catchphrase and finishing maneuver. On May 10, Chikara revealed the tournament's block structure and rules; each match in the tournament had a 60 minute time limit, a win was worth two points and a draw one point. The top wrestler from each block would then face each other on November 13 to determine the first ever Chikara singles champion.
On May 16, Vavasseur announced that Amasis had suffered an injury, which would force him out of the tournament. He then gave Chikara's fans the right to vote one of his Osirian Portal
stablemates, Hieracon or Ophidian, to take his place. On June 18, Vavasseur announced that Ophidian had won the vote and would get the vacant spot in the tournament. Meanwhile, also Brodie Lee was sidelined with an injury and was forced to pull out of his match with Eddie Kingston on June 26, giving Kingston two points via forfeit. Lee was, however, given the opportunity to rejoin the tournament later, but never did make his return, forfeiting the rest of his matches. Jigsaw started the tournament on the sidelines, but returned at the July 30 event. On July 25, Ophidian announced that he had broken his jaw and would be forced to forfeit his match with Icarus on July 31. On August 27, Claudio Castagnoli became the first person eliminated from contention in the tournament, after being defeated by Icarus. Following the event, Castagnoli signed a contract with WWE and was forced to forfeit his final match against Ophidian. On August 1, Chikara announced that the finals on November 13 would take place on the promotion's first ever live internet pay-per-view
High Noon
. When the event's poster was revealed on August 29, the championship's name was at the same time revealed as the Chikara Grand Championship. On October 7, Mike Quackenbush secured the top spot in Block A with a win over Sara Del Rey. The following day, Eddie Kingston won Block B, when Jigsaw defeated the only man who could have threatened his number one spot, UltraMantis Black. On November 13 at High Noon, Kingston defeated Quackenbush to win the 12 Large: Summit and become the inaugural Chikara Grand Champion.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
championship
Championship (professional wrestling)
A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...
owned by the Chikara promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
. The first champion was crowned on November 13, 2011, at the High Noon
Chikara High Noon
High Noon was a professional wrestling internet pay-per-view event produced by the Chikara promotion, that took place on November 13, 2011 at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event marked Chikara's first ever live pay-per-view and it was headlined by the finals of a tournament...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
, when Eddie Kingston
Eddie Kingston
Edward "Eddie" Moore is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston. He is best known for competing in Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and Ring of Honor...
defeated Mike Quackenbush at the conclusion of a six-month long, twelve-person tournament.
Like most professional wrestling championships, the title is won via the result of a scripted match
Mock combat
Mock combat involves the execution of combative actions without intent to harm. Participants can engage in such sparring for ritual, training, recreational or performance reasons...
. Since the founding of the promotion in 2002 and before the Chikara Grand Championship was created, Chikara promoted only the Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas
Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas
The Campeonatos de Parejas is a professional wrestling tag team championship contested for in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based promotion Chikara.-History:The Campeonatos de Parejas were introduced in February 2006...
, a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
championship, and the Chikara Young Lions Cup
Chikara Young Lions Cup
The Young Lions Cup is a professional wrestling championship contested for in the American professional wrestling promotion Chikara.-History:...
, a championship for rookies, but did not have a major singles championship until an announcement regarding the creation of the Grand Championship was made in February 2011.
12 Large: Summit
On February 3, 2011, Chikara's new Director of Fun Wink Vavasseur announced that the promotion would be determining their first ever singles champion, nine years after the promotion was originally founded in 2002. Being new in his job, Vavasseur asked the Chikara roster to cast their vote on who should get to compete for the title with the only provision being that a wrestler cannot vote for themselves. For the next two months wrestlers such as Vin GerardVin Gerard
Vince "Vin" Gerard Durling is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the American-based promotion Chikara.-Equinox:...
, UltraMantis Black
UltraMantis Black
UltraMantis Black is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is the leader of the Order of the Neo–Solar Temple, while also regularly commentating on matches in which he is not competing...
, Green Ant
The Colony (professional wrestling)
The Colony is a professional wrestling stable wrestling for Chikara. Their gimmick is, as their name suggests, a colony of ants.-Debut:After being trained by both Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant debuted as Team Colony at the 2006 Tag World Grand Prix, where they lost in...
, Brodie Lee
Brodie Lee
Jon Huber is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brodie Lee, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling professional wrestling promotions...
and Icarus
Icarus (wrestler)
Icarus is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is a former Campeon de Parejas and King of Trios winner...
pleaded for votes on Chikara's official website. While most of Chikara's top rudo
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
(villainous) stable Bruderschaft des Kreuzes
Bruderschaft des Kreuzes
Die Bruderschaft des Kreuzes is a professional wrestling stable in the Chikara promotion.-Background :...
(BDK) seemed united behind their leader Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, working in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Antonio Cesaro...
, who had ordered his stablemates to vote for him, BDK member Sara Del Rey
Sara Del Rey
Sara Amato is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Sara Del Rey. She is a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared for many other independent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South, All Pro Wrestling, as...
also asked for votes for herself.
On April 21, Vavasseur announced the result of the vote. Castagnoli had received the most votes, getting five votes from his seven stablemates. The others qualified were Jigsaw
Jigsaw (wrestler)
Jigsaw is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the Chikara and Dragon Gate USA professional wrestling promotions...
with three votes and Amasis
The Osirian Portal
The Osirian Portal was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Amasis and Ophidian. The team mainly competed in Chikara, where they held the Campeonatos de Parejas, and Combat Zone Wrestling . They have also made appearances in Ring of Honor and several other independent promotions based...
, Brodie Lee, Eddie Kingston
Eddie Kingston
Edward "Eddie" Moore is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston. He is best known for competing in Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and Ring of Honor...
, Fire Ant
The Colony (professional wrestling)
The Colony is a professional wrestling stable wrestling for Chikara. Their gimmick is, as their name suggests, a colony of ants.-Debut:After being trained by both Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant debuted as Team Colony at the 2006 Tag World Grand Prix, where they lost in...
, Hallowicked
Hallowicked
Hallowicked is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate USA and Evolve Wrestling professional wrestling promotions. Throughout his career he has also worked for promotions such as Combat Zone Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling...
, Icarus, Mike Quackenbush, Sara Del Rey, UltraMantis Black and Vin Gerard, all with two votes. Vavasseur then revealed that the twelve wrestlers would then be divided into two blocks in a round-robin tournament
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
, starting on May 21. On April 11, Chikara Wrestle Factory graduate and former Chikara Young Lions Cup Champion
Chikara Young Lions Cup
The Young Lions Cup is a professional wrestling championship contested for in the American professional wrestling promotion Chikara.-History:...
Larry Sweeney
Larry Sweeney
Alexander K. Whybrow was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name Larry Sweeney...
committed suicide. On April 29, Chikara announced that the tournament to determine the promotion's first ever singles champion would be named 12 Large: Summit, after Sweeney's catchphrase and finishing maneuver. On May 10, Chikara revealed the tournament's block structure and rules; each match in the tournament had a 60 minute time limit, a win was worth two points and a draw one point. The top wrestler from each block would then face each other on November 13 to determine the first ever Chikara singles champion.
On May 16, Vavasseur announced that Amasis had suffered an injury, which would force him out of the tournament. He then gave Chikara's fans the right to vote one of his Osirian Portal
The Osirian Portal
The Osirian Portal was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Amasis and Ophidian. The team mainly competed in Chikara, where they held the Campeonatos de Parejas, and Combat Zone Wrestling . They have also made appearances in Ring of Honor and several other independent promotions based...
stablemates, Hieracon or Ophidian, to take his place. On June 18, Vavasseur announced that Ophidian had won the vote and would get the vacant spot in the tournament. Meanwhile, also Brodie Lee was sidelined with an injury and was forced to pull out of his match with Eddie Kingston on June 26, giving Kingston two points via forfeit. Lee was, however, given the opportunity to rejoin the tournament later, but never did make his return, forfeiting the rest of his matches. Jigsaw started the tournament on the sidelines, but returned at the July 30 event. On July 25, Ophidian announced that he had broken his jaw and would be forced to forfeit his match with Icarus on July 31. On August 27, Claudio Castagnoli became the first person eliminated from contention in the tournament, after being defeated by Icarus. Following the event, Castagnoli signed a contract with WWE and was forced to forfeit his final match against Ophidian. On August 1, Chikara announced that the finals on November 13 would take place on the promotion's first ever live internet pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
High Noon
Chikara High Noon
High Noon was a professional wrestling internet pay-per-view event produced by the Chikara promotion, that took place on November 13, 2011 at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event marked Chikara's first ever live pay-per-view and it was headlined by the finals of a tournament...
. When the event's poster was revealed on August 29, the championship's name was at the same time revealed as the Chikara Grand Championship. On October 7, Mike Quackenbush secured the top spot in Block A with a win over Sara Del Rey. The following day, Eddie Kingston won Block B, when Jigsaw defeated the only man who could have threatened his number one spot, UltraMantis Black. On November 13 at High Noon, Kingston defeated Quackenbush to win the 12 Large: Summit and become the inaugural Chikara Grand Champion.
| Block A | | Block B | |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Quackenbush | 8 !! Eddie Kingston Eddie Kingston Edward "Eddie" Moore is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston. He is best known for competing in Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and Ring of Honor... |
8 |
| Icarus Icarus (wrestler) Icarus is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is a former Campeon de Parejas and King of Trios winner... |
6 !! Fire Ant The Colony (professional wrestling) The Colony is a professional wrestling stable wrestling for Chikara. Their gimmick is, as their name suggests, a colony of ants.-Debut:After being trained by both Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant debuted as Team Colony at the 2006 Tag World Grand Prix, where they lost in... |
6 |
| Hallowicked Hallowicked Hallowicked is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate USA and Evolve Wrestling professional wrestling promotions. Throughout his career he has also worked for promotions such as Combat Zone Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling... |
6 !! Jigsaw Jigsaw (wrestler) Jigsaw is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the Chikara and Dragon Gate USA professional wrestling promotions... |
6 |
| Sara Del Rey Sara Del Rey Sara Amato is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Sara Del Rey. She is a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared for many other independent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South, All Pro Wrestling, as... |
6 !! UltraMantis Black UltraMantis Black UltraMantis Black is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is the leader of the Order of the Neo–Solar Temple, while also regularly commentating on matches in which he is not competing... |
6 |
| Ophidian The Osirian Portal The Osirian Portal was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Amasis and Ophidian. The team mainly competed in Chikara, where they held the Campeonatos de Parejas, and Combat Zone Wrestling . They have also made appearances in Ring of Honor and several other independent promotions based... |
2 !! Vin Gerard Vin Gerard Vince "Vin" Gerard Durling is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the American-based promotion Chikara.-Equinox:... |
4 |
| Claudio Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, working in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Antonio Cesaro... |
2 !! Brodie Lee Brodie Lee Jon Huber is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brodie Lee, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling professional wrestling promotions... |
0 |
| Block A | Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, working in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Antonio Cesaro... | Del Rey Sara Del Rey Sara Amato is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Sara Del Rey. She is a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared for many other independent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South, All Pro Wrestling, as... | Hallowicked Hallowicked Hallowicked is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate USA and Evolve Wrestling professional wrestling promotions. Throughout his career he has also worked for promotions such as Combat Zone Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling... | Icarus Icarus (wrestler) Icarus is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is a former Campeon de Parejas and King of Trios winner... | Ophidian The Osirian Portal The Osirian Portal was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Amasis and Ophidian. The team mainly competed in Chikara, where they held the Campeonatos de Parejas, and Combat Zone Wrestling . They have also made appearances in Ring of Honor and several other independent promotions based... | Quackenbush |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, working in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Antonio Cesaro... |
X | Del Rey (13:15) |
Castagnoli (14:34) |
Icarus (12:45) |
Ophidian (forfeit) |
Quackenbush (19:59) |
| Del Rey Sara Del Rey Sara Amato is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Sara Del Rey. She is a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared for many other independent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South, All Pro Wrestling, as... |
Del Rey (13:15) |
X | Hallowicked (11:56) |
Del Rey (13:56) |
Del Rey (13:59) |
Quackenbush (15:00) |
| Hallowicked Hallowicked Hallowicked is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate USA and Evolve Wrestling professional wrestling promotions. Throughout his career he has also worked for promotions such as Combat Zone Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling... |
Castagnoli (14:34) |
Hallowicked (11:56) |
X | Icarus (15:16) |
Hallowicked (14:28) |
Hallowicked (18:50) |
| Icarus Icarus (wrestler) Icarus is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is a former Campeon de Parejas and King of Trios winner... |
Icarus (12:45) |
Del Rey (13:56) |
Icarus (15:16) |
X | Icarus (forfeit) |
Quackenbush (6:59) |
| Ophidian The Osirian Portal The Osirian Portal was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Amasis and Ophidian. The team mainly competed in Chikara, where they held the Campeonatos de Parejas, and Combat Zone Wrestling . They have also made appearances in Ring of Honor and several other independent promotions based... |
Ophidian (forfeit) |
Del Rey (13:59) |
Hallowicked (14:28) |
Icarus (forfeit) |
X | Quackenbush (17:31) |
| Quackenbush | Quackenbush (19:59) |
Quackenbush (15:00) |
Hallowicked (18:50) |
Quackenbush (6:59) |
Quackenbush (17:31) |
X |
| Block B | Fire Ant The Colony (professional wrestling) The Colony is a professional wrestling stable wrestling for Chikara. Their gimmick is, as their name suggests, a colony of ants.-Debut:After being trained by both Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant debuted as Team Colony at the 2006 Tag World Grand Prix, where they lost in... | Gerard Vin Gerard Vince "Vin" Gerard Durling is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the American-based promotion Chikara.-Equinox:... | Jigsaw Jigsaw (wrestler) Jigsaw is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the Chikara and Dragon Gate USA professional wrestling promotions... | Kingston Eddie Kingston Edward "Eddie" Moore is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston. He is best known for competing in Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and Ring of Honor... | Lee Brodie Lee Jon Huber is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brodie Lee, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling professional wrestling promotions... | UltraMantis UltraMantis Black UltraMantis Black is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is the leader of the Order of the Neo–Solar Temple, while also regularly commentating on matches in which he is not competing... |
| Fire Ant The Colony (professional wrestling) The Colony is a professional wrestling stable wrestling for Chikara. Their gimmick is, as their name suggests, a colony of ants.-Debut:After being trained by both Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant debuted as Team Colony at the 2006 Tag World Grand Prix, where they lost in... |
X | Fire Ant (11:45) |
Fire Ant (11:40) |
Kingston (22:27) |
Fire Ant (forfeit) |
UltraMantis (12:46) |
| Gerard Vin Gerard Vince "Vin" Gerard Durling is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the American-based promotion Chikara.-Equinox:... |
Fire Ant (11:45) |
X | Jigsaw (12:48) |
Gerard (9:47) |
Gerard (7:15) |
UltraMantis (forfeit) |
| Jigsaw Jigsaw (wrestler) Jigsaw is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the Chikara and Dragon Gate USA professional wrestling promotions... |
Fire Ant (11:40) |
Jigsaw (12:48) |
X | Kingston (19:43) |
Jigsaw (forfeit) |
Jigsaw (12:13) |
| Kingston Eddie Kingston Edward "Eddie" Moore is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston. He is best known for competing in Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and Ring of Honor... |
Kingston (22:27) |
Gerard (9:47) |
Kingston (19:43) |
X | Kingston (forfeit) |
Kingston (11:56) |
| Lee Brodie Lee Jon Huber is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brodie Lee, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling professional wrestling promotions... |
Fire Ant (forfeit) |
Gerard (7:15) |
Jigsaw (forfeit) |
Kingston (forfeit) |
X | UltraMantis (forfeit) |
| UltraMantis UltraMantis Black UltraMantis Black is a professional wrestler, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he is the leader of the Order of the Neo–Solar Temple, while also regularly commentating on matches in which he is not competing... |
UltraMantis (12:46) |
UltraMantis (forfeit) |
Jigsaw (12:13) |
Kingston (11:56) |
UltraMantis (forfeit) |
X |
Title history
| # | Order in reign history |
| Reign | The reign number for the specific wrestler listed |
| Event | The event in which the title was won |
| Successful defenses | The number of successful defenses the champion had during his reign |
| — | Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign |
| N/A | The information is not available or is unknown |
| + | Indicates the current reign is changing daily |
| # | Wrestler | Reign | Date | Days held |
Successful defences |
Location | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| + | Defeated Mike Quackenbush in the finals of a 12-person tournament to become the inaugural champion. | |||||||