New to Chikara

[LCR, Formerly Blue Nova]

I need an assist picking out some good Chikara shows for a person just getting into Chikara.

I have seen and own the Best of Chikara DVD, seen a lot of the Podcast-A-Go-Go's and really enjoy what they have to offer.

If I was going to pick about 5 shows, what 5 should I start my Chikara collection off with as the best shows?

[MGH]

Rey de Voladores was my favorite show to this point in their year, so that one for sure. Cibernetico & Robin was also fantastic.

[Tea & Crumpets]

5 best DVDs in order of quality (IMO):
1) Rey de Voladores
2) Crushing Weight of Mainstream Ignorance
3) TWGP 2006 Night 3
4) Best of 2005
5) Your choice of Cibernetico and Robin or Maximum Overdraft

Other good shows are Negative Balance, Running in the Red, TWGP06 Night 1, and all of King of Trios. However, you may not want to get Negative Balance or Running in the Red if you get Best of 2005, as 2 of the best 3 matches from each show(Claudio/Quack + Hero/Kingston, and Wicked/Jigaw + Storm/Akuma respectively) are on the Best of 05 DVD. I'd still recommend all 3 DVDs however- there's other good stuff on Negative Balance and Running in the Red, plus Best of 2005 has 10 other great matches.

There's a lot of shows to pick from, it all comes down to personal taste. What type of wrestling do you prefer-
Comedy, Lucha, Puroresu, WWE-style, technical, brawling, hardcore, or a mixed bunch?
Based on that I'll try and PM you a list of 5 shows that IMO are good related to that type of wrestling. You're best asking Spank though, he's the CHIKARA expert.

[Spankymac is sick of the swiss]

Here we go....

1)Crushing Weight of Mainstream Ignorance.(Best show of 2006, bar none.)

2) Rey De Voladores(May be the best show of 07, really)

3) From Zero to Hero(And Castagnoli) (Like tag team wrestling, but don't wanna buy all three TWGP DVDs? This is the show for you)

4) Cibernetico and Robin (Brilliant show)

5. Anything Tag World Grand Prix or King of Trios (Honestly, there's a lot of DVD to buy here, so I just lump them in one category)

[LCR, Formerly Blue Nova]

I am getting to a mark for Los Ice Creams.

I like comedy wrestling a lot and also the strong style (stuff that looks like it really hurts either because it actually does or, if done well, doesn't). Hardcore is entertainment to me only if it is part of a good, enthralling feud that it becomes a logical conclusion (see Whitmer/Jacobs at SoH II or the ROH/CZW Cage of Death)

So, I hope that helps in the further suggestions. I appreciate all those that have been given so far.

[SSP]

If you want lucha MADNESS get either Rey de Voladores or Cibernetico and Robin. You will not be dissapointed.

I also recommened the new DVD Bruised if you want stiff strong-style (Donst/Kingston) and great comedy (USApe, MosCow, and Dragon Dragon vs the Neo Solar Temple + Chuck Taylor/Claudio).

EDIT: Highlight videos for all three events

Cibernetico & Robin

Bruised

Rey De Voladores

[YouStayClassy]

I'm also quite new to Chikara myself. I became a fan after watching all three nights of the Young Lions Cup 5.

Based off a lot of research I did, the next batch of shows I went with were:

Chikara DVD "Rey de Voladores" April 22, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA (one of the best rated shows of 2007)

Chikara DVD May 26, 2007 "Anniversario ?" - Hellertown, PA (Mike Quackenbush vs. Chris Hero EPIC)

Chikara DVD July 21, 2007 "Showdown In Crisisland" - Wallingford, CT (another stacked card)

Chikara DVD August 5, 2007 "Maximum Overdraft" - Philadelphia, PA (many places I've read have this as the best show Chikara's ever done)

Chikara DVD September 22, 2007 "Cibernetico & Robin" - Philadelphia, PA (featuring the Cheech/Cloudy vs. Olsen Twins MOTYC)

Chikara DVD October 26, 2007 "Bruised" - Reading, PA

Chikara DVD October 27, 2007 "New Star Navigation" - Barnesville, PA

[SSP]

youstayclassy said:

Chikara DVD October 27, 2007 "New Star Navigation" - Barnesville, PA

I really want to get New Star Navigation, if only for this.

[invaderdave]

I really don't think you can go wrong when you buy Rey de Voladores. Good tournament action, but I personally think the semi-main and main event more or less outshine the actual tournament, Hero vs. Claudio especially.

[Panda Bear]

Get Rey de Voladores, Showndown in Crissland and Tag World Grand Prix Night Two.

and New Star Navigation, just for the Greatness that is Donst vs. Icarus.

[Jeff]

Negative Balance

[Tea & Crumpets]

youstayclassy said:

Chikara DVD August 5, 2007 "Maximum Overdraft" - Philadelphia, PA (many places I've read have this as the best show Chikara's ever done)

It's a good show, but IMo is no way near their best ever. Cibernetico and Robin, TWGP06 Night 3 and Rey de Voaldores are all IMO much better, and TWGP06 Night 1 is abotu the same level. Maximum Overdraft is still a good show, and Taylor/Younger, KOW/Gatos, Quack/Black Tiger, FIST/Briscoes, and Tres Deliriouses/Colony are all very good matches, and the dark match, Haze/Del Ray and IceCreams/2.0 are pretty solid too. For some reason however, the show just doesn't quite click for me the same as the others I listed (which I don't understand, as it has a lot of good stuff). It is still very good and worth buying, however.

I've yet to get round to watching the entirety of my Crushing Weight DVD so I can't fully comment on that, but what I've seen so far has been very good.