Mike Quackenbush Discusses Johnny Kidd Invitational Tournament

Mike Quackenbush is one of the most gifted technical wrestlers in the world. Recently, he spoke with Daily DDT about a tournament honoring another great technical wrestler — Johnny Kidd.

On Saturday June 9, CHIKARA will host the second annual Johnny Kidd Invitational tournament from the Wrestle Factory in Philadelphia. The tournament is a celebration of technical wrestling, and is named for Johnny Kidd himself. A star of the old World of Sport television program in England, Kidd retired from active competition in 2016, wrestling to a draw in his farewell match against Mike Quackenbush.

Quackenbush founded CHIKARA back in 2002, and the promotion has established itself as one of the most entertaining independent promotions around. CHIKARA’s motto and core belief is that wrestling is for everyone. As such, all shows are family-friendly, with no foul language but plenty of colorful characters. A lucha-styled promotion, there are masks and aerial moves aplenty — but maybe not so many aerial moves for the Johnny Kidd Invitational.

The JKI features eight wrestlers known for their technical skill — CHIKARA bills them as “eight of the planet’s most scientifically sound grapplers.” Last year, Rory Gulak won the tournament with a quick victory over current CHIKARA Grand Champion Juan Francisco de Cornado (this guy). The tournament also featured appearances by Matt Riddle, Zack Sabre Jr., and Mike Quackenbush himself.

Recently, Daily DDT reached out to Quackenbush, who is also head trainer at the Wrestle Factory and a former guest coach at the WWE Performance Center, for some of his thoughts on Johnny Kidd and this year’s tournament. He was gracious enough to oblige, so here’s what he had to say:

How did you first discover Johnny Kidd?

MQ: While watching World of Sport VHS tapes at Claudio Castagnoli’s chalet in Switzerland… autumn of 2003. Same afternoon I first saw Ken Joyce, as well as Tony Costas.

What is it about World of Sport and Kidd’s wrestling style that got you hooked?

MQ: It was very elegant. I liked how it contrasted against the smash-mouth style of the American independents at the time. It was a fascinating counterpoint.

Is there a wrestler today who reminds you of Kidd?

MQ: Travis Huckabee. He’s got a lot of finesse at a young age, just like those first televised bouts Kidd had against the likes of Johnny Saint and Clive Myers.

Which opening round contest are you most looking forward to this year?

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MQ: Ophidian and Solo Darling. Ophidian is gifted with superhuman body control and dexterity. Solo is not just a powerhouse, but maybe the most-improved member of the CHIKARA roster over the last 12 months. Both have strong submission games. I think it could steal the show.

Not about the tournament, but how did it feel getting a chance to wrestle Ultimo Dragon last week?

MQ: There is a quintet of extremely influential masked men that, to me, defined Japanese wrestling in the 90s, an era that captured my imagination and heart. I’ll never wrestle the late Hayabusa. But I have wrestled Jushin Liger, the Great Sasuke, and now Ultimo Dragon. That’s something very special to me, and there’s a reason why I’m smiling in probably every single photo you’ll find from that match. Now… who can coax Super Delfin out of hiding?

As a quick editorial here, I too am looking forward to the Ophidian vs. Solo Darling match, but for admittedly selfish reasons. I’m currently training with Ophidian at the Wrestle Factory (streaming live Friday nights!), and I can absolutely verify Mike Quackenbush’s statement that he’s got superhuman body control. And Solo is an unbelievable competitor, and I’m really hyped not only for the whole tournament, but for that match in particular.

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This year’s tournament features the CHIKARA return of Colt Cabana, who’s been in the news recently. He faces Green Ant in the first round. Other first round matches are returning champion Rory Gulak vs. Travis Huckabee, Jigsaw vs. Thomas Santell, and the aforementioned Ophidian vs. Solo Darling. The show gets started on June 9 at 3 p.m. ET, streaming live on CHIKARAtopia.