CHIKARA CHIKARA ( sometimes erroneously referred to as CHIKARA Pro ) is an American independent wrestling promotion based in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The company was founded by " Lightning " Mike Quackenbush and " Reckless Youth " Tom Carter in 2002 , and ownership has shifted solely to Quakenbush today . CHIKARA presents itself as " wrestling done right " , and features a mix of many traditional wrestling styles with a lucha libre influence . CHIKARA has become one of the premiere independent wrestling promotions in the United States , and holds several major tournament that attract talent from around the world - mostly notably the King of Trios and Young Lions Cup tournaments . History . 2002 . The Chikara promotion grew out of the Chikara Wrestle Factory , founded on January 7 , 2002 in Allentown , Pennsylvania by Mike Quackenbush and Reckless Youth . The first class included UltraMantis , Mr . ZERO , Dragonfly , Hallowicked , and Ichabod Slayne ( later Icarus ) . In May of the same year , Chikara expanded into a wrestling promotion with the intent of showcasing its students . The first show featured not only the Wrestle Factory students and head trainers but several other independent wrestlers , including Don Montoya , CM Punk , Colt Cabana , Chris Hero , Love Bug , Marshal Law , and Blind Rage . The main event of the first show featured Quackenbush and Youth joined by Don Montoya as the Black T - shirt Squad defeat the Gold Bond Mafia of Chris Hero , CM Punk , and Colt Cabana . In the early days , Blind Rage , Hallowicked , and Ichabod Slayne formed a stable known as the Night Shift , which became the top group of rudos ( or heels ) in the company . They frequently feuded with tecnicos ( faces ) Quackenbush , Youth , and UltraMantis . Notable events of 2002 included an appearance by former WCW star La Parka , who joined Mr . ZERO against Quackenbush and Youth , and the opening of the sister promotion Kiryoku Pro , which highlighted female wrestling ( Kiryoku soon ended in June ) . 2002 was also marked by a lawsuit against Chikara for promotion shows out of the Wrestle Factory . Neighborhood activists claimed that the building was not properly zoned for assembly , and that the shows detracted from the " complexion of the community " . It was eventually ruled that Chikara provided inadequate parking for their shows , and would not be allowed to promote out of the Wrestle Factory any longer . This deterred Chikara from holding any more shows until October . During the Chikara hiatus , they released tapes of their early shows , titled “ The Renaissance Dawns ” and “ Baila , Parka , Baila ” , and the wrestlers worked showcase matches in other promotions , such as IWA - MS . Chikara soon reached an agreement with St . John ’ s Lutheran Church in Allentown to hold shows there , only 8 blocks from the Wrestle Factory . Chikara also began a second Wrestle Factory class , but lost trained Reckless Youth at the beginning of the class , as he left the business . The first show in St . John ' s saw the Wildcards ( Eddie Kingston and BlackJack Marciano ) , Gran Akuma , DJ Skittlez , Melvin Snodgrass and Lester Crabtree debut , and shortly after , they were joined by Wrestle Factory graduates Jigsaw and Bryce Remsburg ( a referee ) . Chikara soon debuted a concept that lasts to this day in their promotion - the Young Lions Cup . Commonly abbreviated as the YLC , the tournament was designed to showcase the best of the Wrestle Factory graduates . It continues to be a showcase of young talent from the independent circuit . Hallowicked defeated Mr . ZERO to win the first tournament , via top rope fisherman buster . During the YLC , Ichabod Slayne turned on Blind Rage and Hallowicked , leading to a Hair vs Mask match between Slayne and Rage . At Chikara ' s final 2002 show , Rage defeated Slayne , forcing the latter to unmask . He would later return as Icarus , the name he wrestles under today . Also during the tournament , Mr . ZERO turned tecnico after a match with UltraMantis . Chikara took a two - week break during Christmas before returning in 2003 , establishing a tradition of " seasons " that they maintain today . CHIKARA Wrestle Factory was founded as a wrestling school in Allentown , Pennsylvania by Mike Quackenbush & Reckless Youth . After five months , the school started CHIKARA . In 2004 , Chris Hero became a co - trainer at CHIKARA Wrestle Factory . In 2005 , Jorge Rivera joined as the third trainer . In March 2005 , the school moved from Allentown to the New Alhambra Arena , in Philadelphia . They then took over the training for Combat Zone Wrestling , leading to the school ' s new name of CZW / CHIKARA Wrestle Factory . The schools split in 2007 . The training center is once again simply known as CHIKARA Wrestle Factory . In 2007 , Claudio Castagnoli took over Chris Hero ' s training duties . The company ' s catalog of events ( on both VHS & DVD ) are available through Smart Mark Video . CHIKARA drew their biggest crowd ever of over 550 at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia to see the finals of the King Of Trios event on March 2 , 2008 . CHIKARA also makes Internet Pay - Per - Views by the name of Pod - Per - View . CHIKARA also have a weekly Internet show by the name of Podcast - A - Go - Go which contains CHIKARA matches and interviews . Chikara Wrestle Factory . Chikara currently runs a wrestling school by the name of the Chikara Wrestle Factory . It offers training to prospective professional wrestlers and referees , and is based in The Arena in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The head trainers are currently Mike Quackenbush and Claudio Castagnoli , who are assisted by guest instructors like Jorge Rivera . It offers training in all styles of pro wrestling , and claims to be the only such training center in the United States . The Wrestle Factory , founded in 2002 , was the foundation for the beginning of the main Chikara promotion .