Chikara's annual King of Trios tournament will be taking place in a little less than a month (April 23rd, 24th and 25th) at The
Also on the card will be various challenge matches making use of the guests who are there and to advance Chikara storylines.
Tickets are still available, and really, there's no bad seat in the house at The Arena. After going to events all year last year and early this year, I can say this emphatically. Plus, Chikara is putting the heavy sell on for the event, so you know they're trying to deliver. As pictured above, they bought a billboard on I-95, which you can view if you're going southbound between the Packer Ave./Walt Whitman Bridge and the Broad St./Sports Complex exits in Philly. I'm gonna be there for all three nights, but even if you just go for one night, you won't regret it.
But you don't want to go into the thing cold, do you? Of course not. That's what I'm here for. Hopefully, what follows after this is an adequate enough primer for you so that when KoT rolls around, you know something about the teams who are entering the fray this year.
Trio #1 - Defending Kings of Trios
Team FIST - Chuck Taylor, Gran Akuma, Icarus
FIST won the whole shebang last year, with Chuck Taylor making Bryan Danielson (now Daniel Bryan in WWE NXT) tap out. If the year ended after the tourney, FIST would have been kings of the world as well. Instead, Taylor and Icarus lost a lucha de apuesta and their hair to the Colony and then came close but got no cigar after squandering their accumulated three points against the same Colony at this year's season premiere.
The thing you need to know about FIST is they're stiff, treacherous and not afraid to let you know how badly they're going to beat you. Akuma may have the best kicks in wrestling, while Chuck Taylor is a rising star within the indies, making his bones in both PWG and EVOLVE.
Outlook: Semifinals or bust. While it would be trendy to have the defending Champs go out in the first round, I think they could very well make it to the semis to job to either the BDK or, more likely, Team Frightning. Nothing outside of a finals appearance would surprise me with them.
The rest of the trios Trio #2
The Colony - Fire Ant, Soldier Ant, Green Ant
One of the most popular trios in all Chikara, the Colony is still reeling from the infiltration of Pinkie "Carpenter Ant" Sanchez amongst their ranks last year. They were the Campeonatos de Parejas for a healthy stretch of time until losing the straps to the BDK team of $wi$$ Money Holding (Claudio Castagnoli and Ares) last month.
The Colony is mostly known for its innovative double- and triple-team offense. They're huge fan favorites. Fire Ant is the best wrestler among them singlely, as he has kicks that rival Akuma's. He also flies with grace if he's not crashing into guardrails and bending them.
Outlook Like FIST, I see them topping out in the semifinals, although I think they may have a shot at getting to the finals. It depends on how the rest of the tourney shakes out.
Trio #3 - Prohibitive Tecnico FavoritesTeam Frightning - "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush, Hallowicked, Frightmare
With Delirious being courted to the Order of the Neo-Solar Temple and with The Future Is Now being a fully-realized trio without the need of Mike Quackenbush's guidance, Hallowicked, Quack and Frightmare joined together to compete in both EVOLVE and now, in the King of Trios. The two scary tecnicos and their mentor have huge stakes in the war Chikara Pro is engaged in with the BDK. That makes their fight in a tournament with two BDK teams that much more important.
Quack is regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the indies. His fusion of lucha libre, American indie spot-fu and puroresu makes him exciting to watch. It remains to be seen if his back injury will hamper him though. Hallowicked is as close to a big man as you'll find in Chikara outside of Tursas or Brodie Lee. He's a great powerhouse with the smaller wrestlers, and his yakuza kick is one of his signature spots. Frightmare is a frenetic ball of energy. A true treat to watch, he's one of the few guys I prefer see bump rather than perform on offense.
Outlook: The only way I don't see this team progressing to the finals is if they lose in the first round so Frightmare can enter Rey de Voladores and have the Colony represent the tecnicos and Chikara in the finals against the BDK. Other than that, I think it's safe to assume they're a lock for the finals. I think they might even win, and honestly, they should win. The first chinks in the main BDK three's armor (Claudio, Ares and Tursas) should come on a big stage, and what stage in Chikara is bigger than King of Trios?
Trio #4
The UnStable - Colin Delaney, Vin Gerard, STIGMA
The UnStable is an amalgamation of turncoats, sleazeballs and big-timers. STIGMA used to be known as Shane Storm before he sold out the reversal to the Chikara Special to Chris Hero. Vin Gerard forsook the mask of Equinox to turn on his tecnico compadres and, well, Colin Delaney is just a dude who used to be in the WWE and acts like he's better than everyone. They went from the rudo focus of the company, main eventing and defeating former WWF and WCW wrestlers D'Lo Brown, Al Snow and Glacier at night one of last year's tourney, to becoming also-rans.
In the ring, Delaney will often rip off current spots from WWE wrestlers to great effect. Other than that, these guys are pretty generic indie heels.
Outlook: The way they've been booked since Delaney lost the YLC VII final to Player Dos, I expect them to be fodder in the first round. Plus, there needs to be some rudo presence in RdV, so maybe we'll see Delaney in the tourney.
Trio #5
The Future Is Now - Jigsaw, Equinox, Helios
This is the team of flippy lucha tecnicos that prior to now were most closely associated to Quack in the pecking order of things. Jigsaw is now Quack's emissary to the group, and he's needed now more than ever since Lince Dorado defected to the BDK.
This group will provide tons of fireworks in the air, although some of them will be of the contrived variety. Helios is the biggest offender in the group. Jigsaw is actually one of the more highly regarded indie workers in America right now, so he brings some needed balance to the team.
Outlook: Another team whose projected finish is too volatile to predict. I can see them going all the way to the finals in lieu of Team Frightning to battle the BDK, and I can see them jobbing in the first round just to get Helios or Equinox in the RdV.
Trio #6 - Prohibitive Favorites
BDK Team #1 - Claudio Castagnoli, Ares, Tursas
Yes, this is the trio that is plastered on the above billboard. Given the way that the BDK has been so strongly pushed in the nascency of this new year makes this team, already containing the holders of the Campeonatos de Parejas, the one to beat. Tursas is bigger than some teams combined by himself.
You'll find that this team is the closest to being a true heavyweight-style team in the tournament. Tursas has been given the gift of no-sell from the Chikara booking braintrust due to his massive size, and the team of $wi$$ Money Holding has looked as dominant as any duo can in their run to the top.
Outlook: As I said prior, this is the team to beat. I think the results of this tournament will shed light into how long this BDK angle is going to last. If this team wins, then I'm thinking the angle will last at least two seasons with the climax point, aka Chikara's first real big win, happening towards the end of this year with either the Cibernetico or in a big match in the season finale. If Team Frightning or another tecnico team wins, then it will mark the big climax point, and the angle will most likely conclude at the season finale after more cards featuring warfare between the sides.
Trio #7
The Jackson Three - Matt Jackson/Max, Nick Jackson/Jeremy, Malachi Jackson
The Young Bucks/TNA's Generation Me and their little brother Malachi are the first true guest star team to be announced, and boy what a guest star team they are. The Bucks had a stellar 2009, making a few Chikara appearances (including one with El Generico as Team PWG at last year's KoT) as well as tearing the house down at the inaugural DGUSA card against CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka. Now they've hit the big time in TNA, but they still have time for KoT.
If you thought TFIN was going to provide fireworks, wait until you see this team go at it. The Bucks are quite possibly the most exciting tag team in the country, and their brother Malachi is cut from the same cloth.
Outlook: Methinks the Brothers Jackson were brought in to job in the first round and provide anywhere from one to three entrants into RdV.
Trio #8
The Throwbacks - Dasher Hatfield, Sugar Dunkerton, Matt Classic
Create-A-Wrestler debuted his third new persona, Dasher Hatfield, the Old-Timey King of Swing, at Young Lions Cup VII. The persona was such a hit that Sugar Dunkerton, an ABA-era basketball type gimmick, came to Chikara to team with him. After a slight identity crisis, Hatfield eschewed reverting to the CAW persona and stuck with Dasher to the delight of Chikara fans who really took to the gimmick everywhere. As a third member of the team, they reached out to Matt Classic, the masked techincal marvel from the defunct Wrestling Society X (who's really just Colt Cabana under a mask).
This team is the ultimate mix of comedy and credibility. Hatfield and Dunkerton are competant workers who are megaover with the crowds because of their abilities to work in highly theatrical amusing and entertaining spots into their matches. I didn't watch WSX, but it's Colt Cabana under the mask, so I don't doubt that he fits the theme of the team perfectly.
Outlook: I'd have picked this team to win a match if Classic's alter ego Cabana didn't have to be in Dayton and Chicago later in the weekend for ROH events. So it's out in the first round, and possibly a tag challenge match for the Throwbacks later on in the weekend.
Trio #9
BDK Team #2 - Lince Dorado, Tim Donst, Pinkie Sanchez
The BDK B-team, if you will, features three guys who feel like they've been wronged by various members of the Chikara roster. Sanchez's main target during his infiltration as Carpenter Ant was into the Colony. Donst, as Vökoder, worked his way into UltraMantis Black's good graces so he could get some revenge against him and other rudos. Lince's main beef isn't so much with the wrestlers, excepting Jigsaw, whom he felt took his stable from under his nose, but with the fans who boo him mercilessly despite him putting his body on the line for them.
This team features three distinct styles. Sanchez likes to work the lucharesu-style head dropping that you find in the indies all over the country. Donst has an amateur background, and is sort of a low grade Kurt Angle clone. Lince, like his former brethern in TFIN, is a spot machine to the highest degree.
Outlook: I get the feeling that they're going to lose in the first round if just to give the BDK presence in RdV with Lince.
Trio #10
Team Mexico - Jorge "Skayde" Rivera, Turbo, Valiente
Skayde is pretty much the godfather of Chikara, as he trained Quack, and by proxy, the rest of the Chikara roster. Last year, he entered with his protege and the ageless English wonder, Johnny Saint. This year, he heads his own team with Turbo and Valiente. Turbo appeared at YLC, most notably in his tag match teaming with Frightmare against Quack and Skayde. Valiente is a Chikara newb, but he represents well for the overweight everywhere by being a successful chubby luchador!
Basically, what you're going to get with this team are a lot of neat pinning combos, a lot of submissions, a lot of planchas to the outside and some other great high-flying stuff. Skayde and Valiente will be amazing, but I expect Turbo to be the star of this team.
Outlook: Something tells me they're going to lose in the first round just so Turbo can get into RdV.
Trio #11
F1rst Family - Arik Cannon, Darin Corbin, Ryan Cruz
This team will be representing F1rst Wrestling for the third straight year. The ever popular trio advanced one round last year, and will be looking for more. Arik Cannon is the heart of the team. He goes by the moniker of "Anarchist" and has a very punk rock theme going for him. The other two comprise the team of the North Star Express, and are your run of the mill indie spot-fu team. Very crowd pleasing.
Cannon runs a strong-style type offense, with his signature move being a step-up shining enzugiri move called the Glimmering Warlock. Reiterating, the NSE are a good spot-fu type team.
Outlook: I see these guys winning a round again this year, maybe as fodder for the BDK in round 2.
Trio #12
Perros del Mal - Alebrije, Cuije, Oriental
Requisite comedy team from the looks of it. I'm not terribly familiar with the Perros del Mal promotion, but I'm guessing that the mini Cuije is here for the lulz.
Outlook: First round job fodder for the BDK, just for the overly comical contrast in sizes between Cuije and Tursas.
Trio #13
Team Big Japan - Daisuke Sekimoto, Kankuro Hoshino, Yuji Okobayashi
Again, I'm not too familiar with these guys at all, but I know about Big Japan, which to my knowledge is one of the death match promotions over there.
Outlook: They're up against Team Frightning in the first round as announced today on Chikara101. So it's safe to assume they're going home in round 1.
Trio #14
Team Delicioso - Ice Cream, Jr., El Hijo del Ice Cream, TBA
The third member was supposed to be the cross-dressing Cassandro, but he broke his leg at ROH's The Big Bang, and thus will most likely miss the tourney. His replacement? Who knows at this point. It could be Glacier, Al Snow... really anyone. Regardless, Los Ice Creams are listed as rudos for some reason, but they're a pretty innocent sort of dairy-based tag team who is in the fed mainly for the lulz. They don't get much play, but when they do, they're sure to produce a laugh.
Outlook: So jobbing in the first round.
Trio #15
Team Osaka Pro - Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada, Tadasuke
I'm not all that familiar with Osaka Pro either, so I, like some of you, will be finding out as we go along.
Outlook: Dunno. It depends on who they go up against. I've already pegged a bunch of teams for first round exits.
Trio #16 - Jack of All Trios Winner
Absolute Intense Wrestling, based out of Cleveland, will be conducting their Jack of All Trios tourney next weekend for the final spot in the tournament. From a cursory glance of the entrants, two teams come to mind as favorites. The first are Da Soul Touchaz, a Chicago-based trio who have appeared in the tourney in the past, including last year when they scored a win on night one over Team CZW (in a match that included a dance-off to "Apache (Jump on It)" by SugarHill Gang and Beef Wellington reciting the first verse of "Ice Ice Baby"). The second are Johnny Gargano and Aeroform, both entities that are involved in various Gabe Sapolsky projects (Gargano with DGUSA, Aeroform with EVOLVE). Given Chikara's tie ins with those feds, I wouldn't be surprised to see them get the nod over DST.
Outlook: I wouldn't be surprised to see the winner of the JoAT tournament win a match in KoT.
RdV and other expected happenings Rey de Voladores
This years RdV has a whole bunch of potential entrants. IN addition to the guys already mentioned above, there are more than a few Chikara roster members not in any trios who could conceivably enter the tournament, including Player Dos, Ophidian, Amasis, KC "Cloudy" Day, Delirious, Sara del Rey and Daizee Haze. If I were a betting man, I'd probably venture to guess the eight we're going to see in the tourney would be Dos, Turbo, Dasher, Ophidian, Lince, Valiente, Malachi and Alebrije or Oriental. As for the winner? I'm not going to guess what the pairings will be, but I think that Turbo will win. Much like Kota Ibushi won last year, Turbo is the kind of jaw-dropping foreigner who makes sense to win a tourney like this. BTW, I'm pretty bummed that there's no Team DDT contingient. I quite enjoyed Ibushi and especially Michael Nakazawa and his oil-rubbing antics last year.
Other Matches
In addition to the guys mentioned above, I expect we might see UltraMantis Black, Crossbones, Brodie Lee, Eddie Kingston, Player Uno and maybe even 3.0 make appearances in special challenge matches on nights two and three. UMB and Crossbones seem especially like locks seeing as it's their fault that the whole Chikara/BDK war started in the first place.
This year's tourney is shaping up to be a great event all around. I highly recommend that people come down not only for the shows themselves, but for the Chikara Fan Conclave at The Arena on Saturday, April 24th at 2:00 PM. You'll be able to meet the wrestlers and fellow Chikara fans. All in all, it's probably the best weekend on the indie wrestling calendar, and I'm so psyched that it happens in Philly every year.
Photo Credits: (billboard) ChikaraPro.com (Team Frightning) Scott Finkelstein - Please visit his site to view the plentiful amounts of pictures he's taken for DGUSA, ROH and other indie feds: Get Lost Photography
Remember you can contact TH and ask him questions about wrestling, life or anything else. Please refer to this post for contact information. He always takes questions!
