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Post by jeezus2002 on Jun 10, 2020 23:05:13 GMT -5
The surfer Ray Oddesy
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Post by XaviersSS2015hair on Jun 11, 2020 4:09:53 GMT -5
I miss Prince Nana and Jimmy Rave/Outkast Killaz. They were a fun stable to hate back in the early days of ROH. You just reminded me that Nana returned to ROH within the last few years and managed Donovan Dijak. He was part of an angle where Nana had some mysterious envelopes and as far as I know the angle never got a blow off and we never found out what was in those damn envelopes. 😡 Nana or Dijak left ROH and it was never mentioned again. I do remember Nana getting a name drop from Matt Striker on SD in 2010. Striker said something like, "Kofi can't wait to take the Intercontinental title back to Ghana, where Prince Nana will be waiting!" I thought that was a great line that would probably cost him his job.
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Post by Viking Hall on Jun 11, 2020 4:36:39 GMT -5
Dirt Bike Kid! There's a name I've not thought of in a while. Such an odd career, not sure if had a bit of money behind him because I think he trained in America and possibly paid his way onto his international tours too. Had some kind of link to Sabu if I remember rightly and even got a couple of shots in ECW. But as you say, it seemed to be all over as quickly as it started, maybe the money ran out. I mean, a flight from London to Philadelphia was like $300. I saw one of his ECW Arena matches. Even if Heyman only gave him $50, that's only $250 more he needs to make on the trip to break even. If it was an extended trip past that one ECW Arena show I saw him at, I'm sure he made a few other $50 paydays along the way, too. It was "getting his name out there." There's a lot more to it than his ECW appearances though. He was someone who wasn't much more talented than your average backyard wrestler, had no real look and was by all accounts despised wherever he went. Yet despite this he made multiple trips to the States at a time when no UK wrestlers were going over, even making an extended trip to train which can't have come cheap. Booked his own promotion and brought over Sabu and RVD when they were two of the most in demand wrestlers in the world on shows that apparently failed to break even and managed to gain links to Japan, again at a time when very few were managing to do so. To put in perspective this is at a time when respected veterans in their peak years like Robbie Brookside, Doc Dean and Danny Boy Collins were having to work WWF 'Tribute' shows just to make ends meet and here's a relative nobody, barely out of wrestling school travelling the world burning one bridge at a time.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Jun 11, 2020 4:52:14 GMT -5
Dirt Bike Kid is the guy that Great Sasuke beat the shit out of for being booked for some masked tournament and immediately ditching his own mask because he wasn't booked to win, right? Sounds like someone who probably fell off due to burning bridges with attitude problems. Like even if he has/had money, that only does so much to get you booked if you kill your good will by shitting up shows, so even if you can fly in on your dime, guys still have to want to wrestle them, and you still need to sell tickets, so having a guy known mostly for being a proto-Teddy Hart but without the surname significance or the talent is probably not worth it.
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Post by autisticgeordie on Jun 11, 2020 7:11:57 GMT -5
I thought Jody Fleisch was going to be the UK's Rey Mysterio when I first heard of him in about '99. I keep bringing up WOW Magazine but they really were a great resource to hear about non-mainstream wrestlers at a time when you couldn't just look them up on YouTube or whatever and Fleisch was someone they were really high on. I think injuries caught up with him pretty fast because he seemed all but done by the time the UK boom happened. He's made a comeback since I know but I'm not sure he's ever wrestled full time since that initial buzz started building around him. I remember him being considered the absolute best British wrestling had to offer at the time. In hindsight it said a lot about how poor the UK scene was at the time, because going back and watching him and Jonny Storm they were the archetypal indy spot monkeys. Fleisch was very good at taking nasty-looking bumps and could do impressive gymnastic spots - which is probably what made him take time off in the mid-2000s - but didn't really do much in the way of selling. I've heard somewhat mixed things about modern work. His style was at least a bit more contemporary than most wrestlers on the UK scene at the time, though.
Talking of British cruiserweights, I was reminded a couple of days ago of the Dirtbike Kid, now most notorious for getting walloped by the Great Sasuke. Fleisch was on the tour during which that match happened, as was Jason Cross I think. He seemed to disappear from the business around 2000, I think just because he had such an enormous ego and had pissed so many people off that no one would book him anymore. I think I heard somewhere that he works on the Tube now.
You mentioned Jason Cross, he was the dude who did the Shooting Star Leg Drop, right?
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Post by Jaws the Shark on Jun 11, 2020 7:29:56 GMT -5
You mentioned Jason Cross, he was the dude who did the Shooting Star Leg Drop, right? That was another Jason Cross, the American one from the early years of TNA, this one was on the British and European indy circuit in the late nineties and the noughties. He was a decentish junior/cruiserweight who did a tour of Michinoku Pro in the late nineties and had a TV match in the short-lived UWA over here with Tiger Mask IV that found its way onto the internet, but had a terrible body and was somewhat lacking in finesse. He'd attempt spots he wasn't quite good enough to do and looked like injuring himself and occasionally others; I watched the whole of the UWA recently and he falls on his arse attempting a Liger Bomb against Tiger Mask, and almost brains himself on the floor doing a somersault plancha off the apron onto I think Kerry Cabrero. He appears to still be around taking the occasional booking for Ricky Knight's WAW.
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Post by Awesome Andy on Jun 11, 2020 9:00:33 GMT -5
Does Amazing Red count? It seems like he really should have gotten a big break in either WWE or even AEW, to my knowledge, he still wrestles, same with UK indy stars Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch. I thought Jody Fleisch was going to be the UK's Rey Mysterio when I first heard of him in about '99. I keep bringing up WOW Magazine but they really were a great resource to hear about non-mainstream wrestlers at a time when you couldn't just look them up on YouTube or whatever and Fleisch was someone they were really high on. I think injuries caught up with him pretty fast because he seemed all but done by the time the UK boom happened. He's made a comeback since I know but I'm not sure he's ever wrestled full time since that initial buzz started building around him. I saw Fleisch vs Storm like three or four years ago in Oberhausen, Germany. Didn't know much about them before, but they were awesome. Had a great match, not like spot monkey stuff, but a really good match with some high spots.
And the UK's Rey Mysterio clearly is El Ligero.
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Ultimo Gallos
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 11, 2020 13:55:06 GMT -5
Thought of a few I haven't seen mentioned.
Lord Zoltan-Pretty sure he is a Pittsburgh legend. But saw his name for years in PWI.
Kevin Northcutt-One time tag team partner of John Saxon. Appears drug issues killed his career.
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Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]
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Post by Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] on Jun 11, 2020 18:26:53 GMT -5
Hydra from CHIKARA had a very simple gimmick of "Skinny Monster that thinks he's the strongest monster in the world" and it was white hot over at one point. Unfortunately like right at the peak it seemed he retired due to injuries.
There are quite a few CHIKARA guys or guys who showed up a lot in CHIKARA you could mention on this list when they were at their apex who seem to have retired or work a much lighter schedule. Shane Storm, Gran Akuma, Aries, Tursas, Roschach, Crossbones, Blind Rage, Ryan Cruz, Max Boyer, Vin Gerard, Amasis, Dragonfly, Mr. Zero, Saturyne, Devastation Corporation, among others.
Loved the Japan imports they brought in too like Tadasuke. Always thought I'd see that dude a lot more he was amazing at King of Trios 2012.
And of course, Ultramantis Black, who honestly I still wanna see show up in AEW somehow, I know he still works but not really in CHIKARA anymore but PA Indies and various others. But him as a manager or commentator SHOULD happen... he deserves it.
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Post by Psicofreak667 on Jun 11, 2020 22:48:00 GMT -5
I haven't seen B-Boy's name come up but back in the early 2000s he was something of a star, and then he just kind of vanished.
This is going really far back, but in the late 90s, APW was one of the few indies that got press in the Apter mags, partly because it produced Blitkrieg (who went on to be a flash-in-the-pan star) and Super Dragon. There was another APW guy named Hellblazer who was also supposed to be a major prospect for pro wrestling in general. And it seems he fell out of the business sometime in the 90s or early 2000s because even mentions of him on the internet are really scarce.
There was also a lady on the indies named Strawberry Fields who managed to get an entire profile of her written up in WOW Magazine. She got injured and had to retire in the early 2000s though. I think she also had a hand in training some of the women of Cheerleader Melissa's generation.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Jun 12, 2020 4:18:55 GMT -5
Hydra from CHIKARA had a very simple gimmick of "Skinny Monster that thinks he's the strongest monster in the world" and it was white hot over at one point. Unfortunately like right at the peak it seemed he retired due to injuries. There are quite a few CHIKARA guys or guys who showed up a lot in CHIKARA you could mention on this list when they were at their apex who seem to have retired or work a much lighter schedule. Shane Storm, Gran Akuma, Aries, Tursas, Roschach, Crossbones, Blind Rage, Ryan Cruz, Max Boyer, Vin Gerard, Amasis, Dragonfly, Mr. Zero, Saturyne, Devastation Corporation, among others. Loved the Japan imports they brought in too like Tadasuke. Always thought I'd see that dude a lot more he was amazing at King of Trios 2012. And of course, Ultramantis Black, who honestly I still wanna see show up in AEW somehow, I know he still works but not really in CHIKARA anymore but PA Indies and various others. But him as a manager or commentator SHOULD happen... he deserves it. with Boyer didn't he more or less retire due to the whole Benoit situation? since his whole gimmick was sorta based on him (And Dynamite Kid). CHIKARA Hallowicked as well... he's still going but my understanding is that Wrestling is his side gig and never wanted it to be his main one.... but still. I mean if you wanted to you could probably have a pretty big thread just talking about people in CHIKARA...
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Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]
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Post by Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] on Jun 12, 2020 8:06:26 GMT -5
Hydra from CHIKARA had a very simple gimmick of "Skinny Monster that thinks he's the strongest monster in the world" and it was white hot over at one point. Unfortunately like right at the peak it seemed he retired due to injuries. There are quite a few CHIKARA guys or guys who showed up a lot in CHIKARA you could mention on this list when they were at their apex who seem to have retired or work a much lighter schedule. Shane Storm, Gran Akuma, Aries, Tursas, Roschach, Crossbones, Blind Rage, Ryan Cruz, Max Boyer, Vin Gerard, Amasis, Dragonfly, Mr. Zero, Saturyne, Devastation Corporation, among others. Loved the Japan imports they brought in too like Tadasuke. Always thought I'd see that dude a lot more he was amazing at King of Trios 2012. And of course, Ultramantis Black, who honestly I still wanna see show up in AEW somehow, I know he still works but not really in CHIKARA anymore but PA Indies and various others. But him as a manager or commentator SHOULD happen... he deserves it. with Boyer didn't he more or less retire due to the whole Benoit situation? since his whole gimmick was sorta based on him (And Dynamite Kid). CHIKARA Hallowicked as well... he's still going but my understanding is that Wrestling is his side gig and never wanted it to be his main one.... but still. I mean if you wanted to you could probably have a pretty big thread just talking about people in CHIKARA... That's because a large majority of them were really good workers and gimmicks that got a big cult following despite mainly staying in Philly Territory. Their influence was great and had an impact however, because you can see a lot of CHIKARA Alumni and people who competed on CHIKARA Shows a lot, on mainstream TV even now. Gargano, Owens, Gulak, Cesaro and The Young Bucks being some big ones. Then there are others who I feel like should have been signed or should have gone on to bigger heights but are still kind of floating in the indies. Tim Donst, Dasher Hatfield, and Ophidian being big ones off the top of my head... Shocked Tracey Williams (The original Green Ant) also hasn't gotten that mainstay show yet and it feels like he's been close, being a fixture on both EVOLVE and Beyond. A more current name of CHIKARA's that's finding Indie success is Tony Deppen as well. He was a local PA guy so to see him competing on grand Indipendant Wrestling stages is super cool for me honestly.
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Post by kingoftheindies on Jun 12, 2020 9:40:39 GMT -5
with Boyer didn't he more or less retire due to the whole Benoit situation? since his whole gimmick was sorta based on him (And Dynamite Kid). CHIKARA Hallowicked as well... he's still going but my understanding is that Wrestling is his side gig and never wanted it to be his main one.... but still. I mean if you wanted to you could probably have a pretty big thread just talking about people in CHIKARA... That's because a large majority of them were really good workers and gimmicks that got a big cult following despite mainly staying in Philly Territory. Their influence was great and had an impact however, because you can see a lot of CHIKARA Alumni and people who competed on CHIKARA Shows a lot, on mainstream TV even now. Gargano, Owens, Gulak, Cesaro and The Young Bucks being some big ones. Then there are others who I feel like should have been signed or should have gone on to bigger heights but are still kind of floating in the indies. Tim Donst, Dasher Hatfield, and Ophidian being big ones off the top of my head... Shocked Tracey Williams (The original Green Ant) also hasn't gotten that mainstay show yet and it feels like he's been close, being a fixture on both EVOLVE and Beyond. A more current name of CHIKARA's that's finding Indie success is Tony Deppen as well. He was a local PA guy so to see him competing on grand Indipendant Wrestling stages is super cool for me honestly. This is my understanding for each Donst people wouldn't touch right away due to medical concerns but once he was healthy they wanted him to get back in shape and at least initially he hasn't done that. Dasher and Ophidian both have commitments to training schools or did... I've also heard Ophidian has a lot of heat with some people... dunno if thats true or not but ive heard people call him Mini Quack Tracy Williams is close which is why he left Chikara. WwE wanted to see him more as himself. The ROH contract had just been a disaster for him so far. Deppen is an interesting case. I think he needs to get out of the Chikara bubbleq
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alexm
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Post by alexm on Jun 12, 2020 11:00:05 GMT -5
What I heard about Boyer was that he had too many concussions.
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Post by Jaws the Shark on Jun 12, 2020 11:24:20 GMT -5
Boyer retired around 2008, but made a bit of a comeback in the early 2010s before retiring again. I had also heard that the Benoit incident had either blown his gimmick or disillusioned him, but he carried on working for another year after it, so who knows.
It's a shame, I was a fan of his when I first saw his Chikara stuff around 2006. It was interesting having a straight man like that in that wacky environment.
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El Pollo Guerrera
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Post by El Pollo Guerrera on Jun 12, 2020 11:39:22 GMT -5
I remember hearing nothing but praise about the tag team of Joey Mercury and Christian York, they even made it into ECW during their dying days. Mercury moved into the WWE eventually but York just kind of faded away.
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 12, 2020 12:32:09 GMT -5
York had major drug issues. He semi retired. Then came back about 5 years ago.
Lots of the Chikara guys got Quack stink on them. Quack has many enemies and lots of them dont use anyone Quack trained.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Jun 12, 2020 13:04:59 GMT -5
Their influence was great and had an impact however, because you can see a lot of CHIKARA Alumni and people who competed on CHIKARA Shows a lot, on mainstream TV even now. Gargano, Owens, Gulak, Cesaro and The Young Bucks being some big ones. Sara Del Rey being one of the big trainers for the WWE as well. I can think of at least one more popular member of the AEW roster that was in CHIKARA... Chuck Taylor! ... oh and some other guy that is using a different gimmick but whatever >_>
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Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]
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Post by Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] on Jun 12, 2020 18:53:58 GMT -5
York had major drug issues. He semi retired. Then came back about 5 years ago. Lots of the Chikara guys got Quack stink on them. Quack has many enemies and lots of them dont use anyone Quack trained. Crazy to think about Quack having so many enemies when CHIKARA used to have so many connections before. DragonGate, ROH, Shared a training school with CZW at one point, numerous Japan promotions like Osaka Pro, Ice Ribbon, Sendai Girls, Big Japan, etc. Even the first National Pro Wrestling Day. I guess the story for those ended badly though. I know hiw dealings with Skyade did.
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Post by Mozenrath on Jun 12, 2020 19:29:01 GMT -5
Thought of a few I haven't seen mentioned. Lord Zoltan-Pretty sure he is a Pittsburgh legend. But saw his name for years in PWI. Kevin Northcutt-One time tag team partner of John Saxon. Appears drug issues killed his career. Lord Zoltan, I mostly remember for him working I think a show made to benefit Brian Hildebrand and raise money for his medical fees before he succumbed to stomach cancer that Foley coves in Foley is Good. He had a "legend versus legend" match again Dominic DeNucci, with Foley opining that they were playing a bit fast and loose with that term for Zoltan without outright being a dick about it. Also notable was this being where Shane Douglas pranked DeNucci in similar fashion to Bryan with Regal. In DeNucci's day, entrance music wasn't a universal thing, and he hadn't had any. So, when he made his entrance, music kicked in... and Shane had given him "Tequila", so he had to make his entrance to that without any warning.
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