CHIKARA:  The Thirteenth Hat

1/28/12

Opening Match:  Mike Quackenbush vs. Green Ant

***

Match #2:  Jigsaw vs. Kobald

**½

Match #3:  Gran Akuma vs. Icarus

*

Match #4:  Scott Parker and Shane Matthews vs. Tim Donst and Jakob Hammermeier

**¼

Match #5:  Hallowicked vs. Archibald Peck

***

Match #6:  Hieracon vs. Ophidian

**¾

Match #7:  Fire Ant and Soldier Ant vs. Obariyon and Kodama

**½

Overall:  The Thirteenth Hat was a disappointing way for CHIKARA to start 2012.  The card was moving along nicely until the two main events.  Ophidian and Hieracon had their moments in the ring but the match itself was entirely too long and quickly lost the crowd’s interest down the stretch.  Speaking of losing the crowd’s interest down the stretch, the main event suffered from some sloppiness by the Batiri which is unfortunate as I would have liked to see them step up and take advantage of their opportunity in the main event.  With that said, this show wasn’t all bad – the opener elevated Green Ant in a huge way, Hallowicked and Peck delivered a solid contest, and there was an excellent segment between Eddie Kingston and Vin Gerard before the main event.  However, this was a show that could have benefited from finishing strong and it failed to do that.  Thus, I cannot give The Thirteenth Hat a recommendation.