Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Chikara Does iPPV and Metro Pro Announces Wrestlers

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ACH will show ya his moves at the Turner Rec for Metro Pro's return show
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

Indie wrestling news is in the air today. Two companies returning this spring/summer have made big announcements for their return shows, one regarding distribution and the other regarding the lineup.

First, Chikara announced that the company's return on May 25 in Easton, PA, You Live Only Twice, will be broadcast on Internet pay-per-view via Smart Mark Video. The company's Twitter made the announcement today that it made improvements to the Internet capabilities on the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township (aka the Easton Funplex), and it has added a line dedicated for iPPV broadcasts. While I was there live for National Pro Wrestling Day and saw the event uninterrupted (because my eyes are in good enough working condition and my programming is patched and up to date), I saw rumblings on Twitter that those watching the free feed at home had rough sailing somewhere between the Baltic Siege/Bloc Party and Hallowicked/Mike Bennett matches. With so many companies failing on iPPV, Chikara really needs this upgrade to work for it and perhaps save what could be a viable yet flagging medium for indie wrestling in the present and future.

Secondly, Metro Pro Wrestling's return show, The Movie, The Matches, has a list of wrestlers scheduled to appear at the show, posted via its Facebook page. The headliners are obviously Metro Pro Champ Jeremy Wyatt and Central States Champion and burgeoning indie wrestling phenomenon ACH. The rest of the talent announced include Davey Vega, Evan Gelistico, Pierre Abernathy, Mat Fitchett, SBC, Mark Sterling, the Hooligans, Ace Steel, and "Rock 'n Roll" Mike Sydal. No matches have been announced yet, but with that collection of wrestlers, the combinations should be impressive as well. The show takes place June 14 at the Turner Recreation Center in Kansas City, KS.