Pick Three: Chikara, Defy, RevPro

The Grand Champion faces a huge challenge Saturday
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

It's the weekend, baby! You know what that means, time to drink precisely one beer and dial 911 wrestling is happening, and it's happening all around this great world. I'm going to highlight three shows which I think will be of most interest. Of course, I'm only one person. You can check out which shows are coming up possibly in your area via Cagematch. Anyway, go to, if you can, these great shows that may be happening in your area, on television/YouTube/streaming, or for later consumption via VOD, DVD, or whatever other means one uses to consume wrestling at a later date:

Defy Wrestling 8: Kings Among Men 8 PM PDT tonight (Friday, 9/29), Washington Hall, Seattle, WA - Defy Wrestling has been taking the Pacific Northwest by storm, creating a buzz for indie wrestling on the American side of the border not seen since the days of Don Owen's Portland Wrestling. Tonight's card features two big title matches. The Defy Championship AND the Combat Zone Wrestling Championship will be on the line as Shane Strickland, aka Killshot from Lucha Underground, will take on The King of Bros himself, Matt Riddle. People say contrasts in styles make matches, and Strickland and Riddle definitely have contrast. The former likes to throw caution to the wind with big high spots, while the latter has made his name on hybrid MMA/English grappling. Either way, it should be a fine co-main event. In another contrast of styles, John Hennigan/Morrison/Mundo/Impact will also be defending a Championship — his Pacific Coast Wrestling Championship — against the big Guamanian powerhouse Jeff Cobb. Similarly to the other main event, it's high-flyer vs. grappler, but Cobb also brings some heft behind his punches and takedowns. Another marquee match for national fans features three prominent women clashing: Nicole Matthews, Taya Valkyrie, and Christine von Eerie. If you're in the Seattle area, you should make it a point to get to this show. If not, check back to Highspots Network to see when it goes up.

Chikara Tooth and Claw 3 PM EDT tomorrow (Saturday, 9/30), Chikara Wrestle Factory, Philadelphia, PA - Chikara returns to the Wrestle Factory with a huge school show that features two huge singles matches. While Juan Francisco de Coronado defending the Grand Championship against Mr. Touchdown might garner the most attention because of the title and the history between the two, don't sleep on the grudge match between Ashley Vox and Merlok. The vile sea monster Merlok has been terrorizing the Sea Stars all season with vicious attacks and sucker punches for pretty much the whole season. Vox must fight for her team's honor and her own inner struggle. Coronado/Touchdown should be a dandy as well, as I'm sure the wounds from the last two seasons, when the former nearly destroyed the latter's relationship with Dasher Hatfield, haven't completely healed. Also on the card, Rory Gulak and Hallowicked will square off in what should be a technical masterpiece, and Oleg the Usurper will clash with the Proletariat Boar of Moldova in a certified HOSS FIGHT. Also, you'll see a bunch of fun tag matches of varying providence. Remember, Wrestle Factory tickets are cheap if you're an adult, and they're FREE if you're a child under the age of 12. Bring your kids! If you can't make it, either check out Chikara's video shop, or get yourself a subscription to Chikaratopia.

Revolution Pro Wrestling Live at the Cockpit 21 5:30 GMT Sunday (10/1), Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone, Greater London, England - While RevPro made big waves announcing the HOSS FIGHT TO END ALL HOSS FIGHTS, Tomohiro Ishii vs. Keith Lee to happen on November 10, it has a strong offering for Live at the Cockpit 21 on Sunday. The big match will feature Zack Gibson taking on Canadian martial arts-inspired high flyer and BANNED IN THE USA "Speedball" Mike Bailey. That match ought to turn a few heads. Also on the show, CCK, Chris Brookes and Travis Banks (subbing for the injured Kid Lykos/Freebird-ruling that shit) will defend the RevPro Tag Team Championships against the team of Aussie Open, Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher. Other marquee matches on the show feature Jinny Couture battling Veda Scott, and Josh Bodom taking on Flash Morgan Webster. David Starr will also be on the show. If you're not in the London area and want to watch this, however, please keep your eyes peeled for RPW On Demand.

OTHER SHOWS TO WATCH:

• Scottish Wrestling Alliance Live in Paisley (Friday, Paisley, Scotland)
• The Crash Lucha Libre (Friday, Mazatlán, Mexico)
• Westside Xtreme Wrestling Fight Forever Tour (Saturday, Frankfurt, Germany)
• SWA Live in Motherwell (Saturday, Motherwell, Scotland)
• Alternative Wrestling Show Lethal Lottery #4 (Saturday, South Gate, CA)
• Maryland Championship Wrestling Tribute to the Legends (Saturday, Joppa, MD)
• New York Wrestling Connection 'Til I Collapse (Saturday, Deer Park, NY)
• BATTLEWAR 48 (Sunday, Montreal, QC)
• Insane Championship Wrestling television tapings (Sunday, Glasgow, Scotland)