Chikara (professional wrestling)

Chikara

Founded	2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Defunct	2020; 4 years ago (2020)
Style	Professional wrestling Lucha libre Sports entertainment
Headquarters	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founder(s)	Mike Quackenbush Reckless Youth
Owner(s)	Mike Quackebush and Reckless Youth (2002) Mike Quackenbush (2002–2020)
Sister	Kiryoku Pro (2002–2003) Wrestling is Fun! (2011–2020)
Successor	Camp Leapfrog
Website	Official website

Chikara (stylized in all capital letters and sometimes referred to as Chikara Pro) was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company took both its name and logo from the Japanese kanji meaning 'strength' (力). It was founded in 2002 by professional wrestlers Mike Quackenbush and Reckless Youth, who also served as trainers and in-ring performers.

The promotion held multiple live events per month, with the majority taking place at the Chikara Wrestle Factory school. Two of their major events, September's King of Trios, the promotion's premiere event, and April's Tag World Grand Prix were centered on tag team and trios matches. Their other major events included Aniversario, held in May, and the Young Lions Cup tournament, held between June and August. In 2011, Chikara introduced the Grand Championship, the promotion's primary singles championship.

Influenced by the lucha libre tradition, Chikara performers were grouped into técnicos and rudos (the lucha libre terms for faces and heels respectively). Just as in lucha libre, many performers in the promotion performed under masks and with unique gimmicks.

The promotion closed in June 2020, after several allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct were made against individuals within it during the Speaking Out movement.

Despite the promotion's closure, the Wrestle Factory school continues to operate in Allentown, Pennsylvania.