A ''torneo cibernetico'' is a multi-man

professional wrestling Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...

elimination match that was created and primarily used in Mexican ''

lucha libre Lucha libre (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term used in Latin America for professional wrestling. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form ...

professional wrestling promotion A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling that has little relationship to the rules of the amateur olympic form. "Promotion" also describes a role which entails man ...

s, especially in

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Co., Ltd. (CMLL; , "World Wrestling Council") is a ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City. The promotion was previously known as ''Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre'' (''EMLL'') (''Mexi ...

(CMLL). The match format sees two teams of varying sizes face off against each other. It uses standard ''lucha libre'' tag team rules with elimination occurring with a pinfall, submission, disqualification and count out and allows a wrestler to enter the match when their tag team partner exits the ring as well as when they tag out. A special 'batting' order system is used in which the wrestlers are given a specific order and may only tag in and out in this order. If two or more men from the same team remain, they must face each other to determine one individual winner.

History in the United States

Chikara

The ''lucha libre''-inspired,

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

-based Chikara promotion holds an annual show with a ''torneo cibernetico'' as their main event. The Chikara ''Torneo Cibernetico'' has always been a 16-man match with teams of eight facing off. The first Chikara ''Torneo Cibernetico'' took place on October 30, 2004, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and featured "Sweet 'n' Sour International" (

Larry Sweeney Alexander K. Whybrow (February 18, 1981April 11, 2011) was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name Larry Sweeney. He performed primarily on the American independent circuit, but also competed in Canada, Mexico, ...

(captain), Crossbones,

Hallowicked Robert Goodwin (born November 1, 1981) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Hallowicked. He performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion, where he started his career in May 2002. His accomplis ...

, Mano Metalico, Rorschach, ShareCropper, Spyrazul and

UltraMantis Black UltraMantis Black (born July 17, 1975) is a professional wrestler and musician, who performs primarily in the Chikara professional wrestling promotion. He is a former one-time Chikara Grand Champion and winner of the 2012 King of Trios tourname ...

) wrestling against the team of

Jigsaw Jigsaw may refer to: * Jigsaw (tool), a tool used for cutting arbitrary curves * Jigsaw puzzle, a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of interlocking pieces Arts and media Comics * Jigsaw (Marvel Comics), a supervillain and arch-enemy of ...

(captain), D. J. Skittlez,

Gran Akuma Gran Akuma (born December 20, 1974) is a retired professional wrestler, best known for his work in Chikara. He has also worked for Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Dragon Gate USA and Full Impact Pro (FIP). In Chikara, he was a member of The Kings ...

Icarus In Greek mythology, Icarus (; grc, Ἴκαρος, Íkaros, ) was the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, the architect of the labyrinth of Crete. After Theseus, king of Athens and enemy of Minos, escaped from the labyrinth, King Minos suspe ...

, Jolly Roger, Mister Zero, Private Eye and Shane Storm. Spyrazul unmasked himself as

Mike Quackenbush Michael Spillane (born March 18, 1976), is an American podcaster, author, professional wrestling trainer, professional wrestling promoter, and retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Mike Quackenbush. He has hosted several p ...

and helped Jigsaw pick up the win over Sweeney. The second annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' took place on October 22, 2005, in

Hellertown, Pennsylvania Hellertown is a borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Its population was 6,132 at the 2020 census. Hellertown is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which had a population of 861,899 and was the 68th most populous metropolitan area ...

, and featured

Chris Hero Chris Spradlin (born December 24, 1979), better known by his ring name Chris Hero, is an American professional wrestler and trainer. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor as a producer. Hero has worked for a number of independent wrestling pr ...

(captain), Blind Rage,

Arik Cannon Arik Cannon (born December 23, 1981) is an American professional wrestler known for competing in companies such as Chikara, Dragon Gate USA, IWA Mid-South, All American Wrestling and Wrestling Society X. He also runs the Minneapolis-based wr ...

Claudio Castagnoli Claudio Castagnoli ( ; born 27 December 1980) is a Swiss professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and is a member of the Blackpool Combat Club stable. Castagnoli also performs for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Ho ...

, Gran Akuma, Hallowicked, Icarus and UltraMantis Black wrestling against Mike Quackenbush (captain), Jigsaw,

Eddie Kingston Edward Moore (born December 12, 1981), better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Kingston started his wrestling career in 2002, and has wrestled for numerous ...

, Milano Collection A.T., Sabian,

Skayde Jorge Rivera Soriano (born September 2, 1964) is a Mexican luchador (Spanish for "professional wrestler") who is best known as a trainer. He has been a ''tecnico'' throughout his wrestling career. He is currently training wrestlers at Arena Xalap ...

, Shane Storm and Mister ZERO. Gran Akuma was victorious, lastly eliminating Shane Storm. Chikara held their third annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' on October 28, 2006, in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. This edition featured Larry Sweeney (captain), Gran Akuma, Claudio Castagnoli, Chris Hero, Icarus, and

The Thomaselli Brothers The Thomaselli Brothers are the professional wrestling stable that consists of real life brothers Pauly Thomaselli (Brandon Thomas), Vito Thomaselli (Kent Thomas), and storyline brother Sal Thomaselli (Sal Takavoli). Kent Thomas and Sal Takavoli ...

(Sal, Vito and Brandon) taking on the team of Eddie Kingston (captain), Cheech, Cloudy, Darin Corbin, Ryan Cruz, Hallowicked, Mike Quackenbush, and Shane Storm. Icarus emerged victorious, lastly eliminating Kingston. Chikara's fourth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' was held on September 22, 2007, in Philadelphia and pitted

The Kings of Wrestling The Kings of Wrestling was a professional wrestling stable that worked on the independent circuit. It was formed in Chikara as a large stable, but also appeared in numerous promotions mainly as a tag team of Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. ...

(Mitch Ryder (captain), Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli,

, Gran Akuma, Chuck Taylor, Icarus and Shayne Hawke) against Team Mega Mucha Lucha (

Lince Dorado José Cordero (born May 11, 1987) is an American professional wrestler of Puerto Rican descent currently signed to Major League Wrestling, where he competes under the ring name Lince Dorado (Spanish for Golden Lynx), and is the current MLW Middl ...

(captain),

Incognito Incognito is an English adjective meaning "in disguise", "having taken steps to conceal one's identity". Incognito may also refer to: Film and television * ''Incognito'' (1937 film), a Danish film * ''Incognito'' (1997 film), an American crime ...

, Magno,

Equinox A solar equinox is a moment in time when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator, which is to say, appears directly above the equator, rather than north or south of the equator. On the day of the equinox, the Sun appears to rise "due east" and se ...

, El Hijo del Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Jr., Chiva III and

Chiva IV Andrew Everett Wenkel (born July 9, 1992) better known by the ring name Andrew Everett, is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in Impact Wrestling, where he was a former Impact World Tag Team Champion. He's also wrestli ...

), in which Claudio Castagnoli would emerge victorious, lastly eliminating his own team captain, Mitch Ryder. Chikara's fifth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' was held on November 15, 2008, in

Framingham, Massachusetts Framingham () is a city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. Incorporated in 1700, it is located in Middlesex County and the MetroWest subregion of the Greater Boston metropolitan area. The city proper covers with a popu ...

, and saw "Team Equinox" ( Jimmy "Equinox" Olsen (captain), Mike Quackenbush,

Tim Donst Michael Hopes (born October 17, 1987) is an American professional wrestler, better known under the ring name Tim Donst. He is performing primarily in Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), Chikara and Dragon Gate USA. He is known for his amateur ...

, Hydra,

Helios In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, Helios (; grc, , , Sun; Homeric Greek: ) is the deity, god and personification of the Sun (Solar deity). His name is also Latinized as Helius, and he is often given the epithets Hyper ...

, Fire Ant, Soldier Ant, and Worker Ant) taking on "Team Gerard" (

Vin Gerard Vince Gerard Durling (born February 4, 1986) is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Chikara, where he was a one time Young Lions Cup Champion. Currently he is the owner/operator of Indiewrestling.tv. Pro ...

(captain), Lince Dorado, Stigma, Eddie Kingston, Amasis, Ophidian, UltraMantis Black, and Crossbones). The winner was Jimmy Olsen lastly eliminating Ophidian. Chikara's sixth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' was held on October 18, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was contested under '' parejas increibles'' rules, which meant that regular tag teams were broken up and the partners would be divided to opposing teams. The match saw "Team Hot Property" (Fire Ant (captain), Jigsaw, Frightmare, Green Ant,

Player Dos Marc Dionne (born January 25, 1989), better known by the ring name Stu Grayson, is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he was a member of the Dark Order stable. Formerly known as St ...

, Matt Jackson, Helios and KC "Cloudy" Day) taking on "Soldier's Army" (Soldier Ant (captain), Mike Quackenbush, Hallowicked,

Carpenter Ant Carpenter ants (''Camponotus'' spp.) are large () ants indigenous to many forested parts of the world. They build nests inside wood consisting of galleries chewed out with their mandibles or jaws, preferably in dead, damp wood. However, unlik ...

Player Uno Player may refer to: Role or adjective * Player (game), a participant in a game or sport ** Gamer, a player in video and tabletop games ** Athlete, a player in sports ** Player character, a character in a video game or role playing game who is ...

Nick Jackson Nick may refer to: * Nick (given name) * A cricket term for a slight deviation of the ball off the edge of the bat * British slang for being arrested * British slang for a police station * British slang for stealing * Short for nickname Pla ...

, Lince Dorado and Cheech Hernandez). Carpenter Ant won the match, lastly eliminating his own team captain, Soldier Ant. Chikara's seventh annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' was held on October 23, 2010, in Easton, PA, and saw "Team Chikara" (UltraMantis Black (captain), Hallowicked, Icarus, Jigsaw, Eddie Kingston, Mike Quackenbush, STIGMA, and Vökoder) taking on " Der Bruderschaft des Kreuzes" (

Ares Ares (; grc, Ἄρης, ''Árēs'' ) is the Greek god of war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him. He embodies the physical valor necessary for success in war b ...

(captain), Claudio Castagnoli,

Sara Del Rey Sara Ann Amato (born November 13, 1980) is an American professional wrestling trainer and retired professional wrestler, best known by her ring name Sara Del Rey. She was a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer, but also appeared for many other ind ...

Delirious Delirious may refer to: * A state of delirium Film and television * Delirious (1991 film), ''Delirious'' (1991 film), an American comedy directed by Tom Mankiewicz, starring John Candy * Delirious (2006 film), ''Delirious'' (2006 film), an Americ ...

, Tim Donst,

Daizee Haze Emily Sharp (born May 11, 1983) is an American former professional wrestler known under the ring name Daizee Haze. She is best known for her time on the independent circuit, where she performed for numerous promotions such as Chikara, Ring of Hon ...

, Pinkie Sanchez, and Tursas). Eddie Kingston won the match, lastly eliminating Tursas. Chikara's eighth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' was held on November 12, 2011, in Easton, PA, and saw "Team Hallowicked" (Hallowicked (captain), Sara Del Rey, Sugar Dunkerton, Green Ant,

Dasher Hatfield A Very Good Professional Wrestler (born 1983 or 1982), formerly known by his ring name Dasher Hatfield, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in Chikara and its sister promotion Wrestling is Fun!. Professional wrest ...

, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and UltraMantis Black) taking on "Team Donst" (Tim Donst (captain), Ares, Delirious, Jakob Hammermeier, Kobald, Kodama, Obariyon and Tursas). Sara Del Rey won the match, lastly eliminating Tim Donst. Chikara's ninth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' took place November 18, 2012, in

Manhattan, NY Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

, and saw "Team Kingston" (Eddie Kingston (captain), 3.0 ''(Scott Parker and Shane Matthews)'', Tim Donst, Gran Akuma, and The Spectral Envoy (Frightmare, Hallowicked, and UltraMantis Black)) take on "Team Steen" (

Kevin Steen Kevin Steen (born May 7, 1984) is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Kevin Owens. Steen began his career in 2000, at the age of 16. Prior to joining WWE in lat ...

(captain), Harlem Bravado, Lancelot Bravado, Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and

Jimmy Jacobs Christopher Scoville (born February 17, 1984) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Jimmy Jacobs. He was recently signed to Impact Wrestling as a member of the creative team and producer. He is best known for his 1 ...

). Tim Donst won the match, lastly eliminating Eddie Kingston. Chikara's tenth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' took place on December 6, 2014, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the

Tomorrow Never Dies ''Tomorrow Never Dies'' is a 1997 spy film, the eighteenth in the ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions and the second to star Pierce Brosnan as fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode from a screenplay ...

internet

pay-per-view Pay-per-view (PPV) is a type of pay television or webcast service that enables a viewer to pay to watch individual events via private telecast. Events can be purchased through a multichannel television platform using their electronic program guid ...

and saw "The Chikara Squad" (Worker Ant II (captain), Amasis,

Jervis Cottonbelly Jervis Cottonbelly is a professional wrestling gimmick that originates from Chikara. He has appeared in several independent promotions including Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. The masked persona was originally portrayed in the 2000s by T ...

, Fire Ant, Kodama, Obariyon, Ophidian, and Silver Ant) take on "The Flood Squad" (Jakob Hammermeier (captain), Sir Oliver Grimsly, Jaka, Nøkken, Oleg the Usurper, Flex Rumblecrunch, Soldier Ant, and Volgar). Soldier Ant won the match, lastly eliminating Fire Ant. Chikara's eleventh annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' took place on December 5, 2015, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and saw "Dasher's Squad" (

(captain), Amasis, the Estonian FarmerFrog,

Heidi Lovelace Dori Elizabeth Prange ( ; born January 9, 1991) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to orld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where she performs under the ring name Ruby Riot. Prange has also worked in World Wonder Ring Stardom (a ...

, N_R_G ''(Race Jaxon and Hype Rockwell)'', Oleg the Usurper, and Worker Ant II) take on "Juan Francisco's Squad" (Juan Francisco de Coronado (captain), "Mr. Touchdown" Mark Angelosetti, Jakob Hammermeier, Mr. Azerbaijan, the Proletariat Boar of Moldova, Prakash Sabar, Pinkie Sanchez, and Wani). Juan Francisco de Coronado won the match, lastly eliminating Mr. Touchdown. Chikara's twelfth annual ''Torneo Cibernetico'' took place on December 3, 2016, in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

. The team of Hallowicked (captain), Mark Angelosetti, the Batiri (Obariyon, Kodama, and Kobald), Jigsaw, Icarus, and Frightmare took on Dasher Hatfield (captain), Ophidian, Fire Ant, Oleg the Usurper, Heidi Lovelace, Missile Assault Man, Thunderfrog, and

Princess KimberLee Kimberly Ann Frankele (born June 27, 1990), better known by her ring name Kimber Lee, is an American professional wrestler who is currently a free agent. She is known for her work on both the American and international independent circuits, most ...

. Hatfield won the match, lastly eliminating Hallowicked, the first time since the first Chikara Cibernetico that the opposing team captains were the final two participants in the match.

History in the United Kingdom

The UK the Wrestling promotion Grand Pro Wrestling has held a Cibernetico as an annual tradition ever since the promotion held the first ever Cibernetico match in the UK.

References

{{Chikara Lucha libre Chikara (professional wrestling) events Professional wrestling tournaments Recurring events established in 2004