BANKIE'S HOT TAKE #103 - FROM THE VAULT: Dave Kalypso vs Chris Banks, 2.8.07, South River, NJ
Here on Hardway HQ, we hold Mr. Dave Castaldo in high regard.
My earliest memory of Dave was as a referee for American Championship Entertainment in 2013. Without realizing it, Castaldo was a part of one of my all-time favorite ACE storylines - Dan Murdoch vs Dickie Rodz for the Diamond Division Championship.
In two straight matches, Castaldo missed a foot on the rope for both Murdoch and Rodz, accidentally costing them matches. In the third and final match, the fans were apprehensive about his side-peripheral vision, but he came through and made the count for Rodz to regain his lost title.
To this day, it is still one of my favorite angles in independent wrestling history.
Dave has become a great referee for multiple promotions over the past decade, including Game Changer Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Magic, ETU, and countless others. In fact, to many that remember Project: Diverge, Dave was the #1 official for the event on April 21, 2018, and his efficient referee work helped maintain a clean Operation New Wave Tournament.
He is a quality referee, as well as a solid human being.
So when I came across a match where Dave actually WRESTLED in, I knew I had to cover it here in the Hot Take in a segment I like to call FROM THE VAULT.
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The truth on how I procured this match was by complete accident.
I was going through my old Google Chrome bookmarks and I came across a link that said “The W.O.W debut of Chris Banks vs Dave Kalypso 2/8/07”.
Knowing that I’ve saved countless links over the years, I used the limited memory bank in my noggin and finally remembered why. For a short time, Dave had a short-lived blog on Hardway HQ in the early days called Kalypso’s Korner. During conversations, I learned that he actually was a pro wrestler at one point.
Being the indy wrestling sleuth that I was, I went searching through YouTube (this is 2014, mind you) and came across this match. I bookmarked it and meant to show Dave; ultimately I never did.
About a week ago, I mentioned to Dave, who I hadn’t talked to in awhile, that I found that particular match. He popped and made mention to me that it was his SECOND EVER match. I asked if I could write about it and he said to go for it.
FROM THE VAULT: Chris Banks vs Dave Kalypso, February 8, 2007, South River VFW, South River, NJ
First, I have to say I LOVE grainy footage. For 2007, it was probably two handycams and definitely pre-high definition. But regardless, I love the content.
Second, the event “COLDFURY” was run at the South River VFW in my hometown of South River, NJ.
The stomping grounds for Johnny Dapper and Geno Moore’s National Wrestling Superstars and the current home for UWA Elite, the VFW had such a unique vibe to it in 2007. The intimacy of the venue, from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the closeness of fans to wrestlers without guardrails, is the epitome of what local independent wrestling is all about. Warriors of Wrestling running this venue instantly brought back hometown vibes to the days I would venture to the corner of Prospect and Reid St for events.
With that said, watching this match was a complete mindblower. For starters, the names Chris Banks and Vinny Gambles were such throwback names to the New York/New Jersey independent scene. I remember Banks was a high-profile name for Warriors of Wrestling back in the day. His reputation in WoW became one of solid ground, as he became a five-time WoW No Limits Champion in the 2010s. Gambles, on the other end, was a despicable manager that was hated at every WoW event in the 2000s.
Dave Kalypso made his way out with his white Under Armour shirt and black track pants and got a favorable reaction from the crowd.
The match itself is secondary. Of course, two young talents like Banks and Kalypso were literally in the early stages of their careers and were going to throw caution to the wind. It was 50/50 the entire way through, but in the end, Kalypso nailed Banks with the Tomikaze, a move created by Tommy Rogers and perfected today by Christian Cage and Chelsea Green, and PICKED UP THE WIN! I truly consider that an upset…almost twenty years later.
Good for Dave.
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I’m so happy to see Dave Castaldo come as far as he did with the world of wrestling. The fact he was able to live his dream on two fronts, both wrestling and refereeing, is inspiring to say the very least. If you put the work in, you will succeed.
This match is prime proof. The work is always in the cards - it’s always about growing and evolving as a performer and entertainer. Dave is the man.
Plus, you have to respect a man that reps Under Armour properly.
Bankie Bruce
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