He is great. He is devious. UltraMantis Black comes in at the number five spot on the Top 10 Wrestlers of 2012 list. The Chikara Generation One original is a ten year veteran of the promotion, but it wasn’t until 2012 that he finally made his mark with a huge win.
In 2001, UltraMantis debuted as a babyface, a heroic combination of Japanese characters Ultraman and Kamen Rider. It would be just over a year before he transformed in to Ultramantis Black, the great and devious leader of the Order of the Neo Solar Temple.
For years, the Neo Solar Temple would be one of the most dangerous forces in Chikara, but they never quite made the mark of contemporaries FIST or the Kings of Wrestling. Ultimately the unit fell to just UltraMantis and his most loyal ally, Crossbones. Using the mind-altered Eye of Tyr, UltraMantis would recruit Delirious, a decision that started the group on the path of success.
Ultimately, the arrival of the BDK cost UltraMantis Black his chance at the Campeones de Parejas, but it would also lead to UltraMantis’ return to babyface status. He realigned with his old foe Hallowicked and his ally Frightmare as the Spectral Envoy.
After leading the war against the BDK, 2012 became the year where UltraMantis could lead his allies to victory. His storyline dominated much of Chikara programming for the year, leading up to his new unit entering the King of Trios tournament in September. The Spectral Envoy would walk away as champions.
At the same time, Delirious declared a two year vendetta against UltraMantis and his allies. The Chikara season finale brought the first major shot in the war as The Spectral Envoy (including Crossbones & old ally Blind Rage) beat Delirious, Ophidian and the Batiri.
With his war against Delirious continuing for more than another year, it seems certain that UltraMantis will remain a major player in Chikara for many months to come.
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