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Anyone who follows my Twitter knows that I'm a wrestling fan, and I'm a big fan of independent promotion Chikara Pro, a Pennsylvania-based company with a big lucha libre influence. Chikara's known for promoting a family-friendly atmosphere-- banning foul language and keeping their matches as blood-free as possible-- and bringing in international talent.
Their biggest weekend of the year is their annual "King of Trios" tournament, a three-day event wherein teams of three compete for the titular title, and frequently features some of the aforementioned talent. Previous years have seen trios from Japan, Mexico, England, Australia, and other countries, as well as teams based around nostalgia, as semi-retired or retired wrestlers will lace up the boots for a night or two to give the fans a treat.
This year's tournament was delayed (it's normally held in April) when the usual venue, the Asylum Arena (aka the former ECW Arena) in south Philadlephia, was sold and the new owner decided not to run wrestling shows there anymore. It's being held this year in Easton, PA, on September 14-15-16.
King of Trios weekend also sees the annual Fan Conclave on Saturday afternoon, when the venue opens early to let the fans in to interact with the wrestlers, get autographs, pose for pictures, and a number of other attractions, which varies from year to year. 2009 gave fans the chance to cut a promo with the wrestlers. 2010 let fans pose for "school photos" with wrestlers, and 2011 let fans do commentary on a match.
More about Chikara can be found on their website, Chikara Pro, and they frequently update their YouTube Channel with event info, highlights, and full matches from prior shows.
Night 1 Confirmed Matches
All matches are King of Trios Opening Round Matches
- 3.0 & Akuma (Scott 'Jagged' Parker & Shane Matthews & Gran Akuma) vs The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama & Kobald)
The story here is the 3.0/Akuma trio was put together by Chikara authority figure ("Director of Fun") Wink Vavasseur, an oblivious milksop, using his nonsensical "Chikarabermetrics" system. Although the team has won matches, they are not very cohesive, as 3.0 would prefer to have previous trio partner El Generico in their corner, or just have tag team matches so they can earn their way to a tag title shot. By contrast, the Batiri-- consisting of face-painted demonic warriors Obariyon & Kodama and 'Prince of All Goblins' Kobald-- are a functioning unit, obsessed with dark, controversial humor and claiming credit for everything wrong with the world today. - Quack, Jig & Toyota ('Lightning' Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw & Manami Toyota) vs The Swarm (combatANT & deviANT & Soldier Ant)
The story here deals with a group called GEKIDO-- of which Swarm members combatANT, deviANT, and assailANT are members-- who have infiltrated Chikara to expose its dark side and unmask its heroes. Mike Quackenbush, as Chikara's founder and head trainer, has taken exception to this, especially after GEKIDO leader 17 tried to end his career by breaking his wrist. Quack has already done his best to end 17's career, breaking his fingers and hitting him with all four variants of his "QuackenDriver" finisher. There's no telling what he'll do against the Swarm, or whether Chikara stalwart and Colony member Soldier Ant (stuck in the Swarm due to Vavasseur's "Chikarabermetrics" system) will get caught in the crossfire. - The Colony (Fire Ant & Green Ant & assailANT) vs Team SENDAI Girls (Meiko Satomura & DASH Chisako & Sendai Sachiko)
More of "Chikarabermetrics" in this match, as Swarm member assailANT is teaming with the rest of the Colony, who want nothing to do with him. assailANT and his fellow Swarm members have tried to unmask the Colony at almost every opportunity, which is not merely a violation of Chikara's rules, but a deep offense in lucha libre tradition. SENDAI Girls is a Japanese joshi (female wrestling) promotion, founded by Satomura-san, who is also its head trainer. Sachiko & Chisako-- who are sisters-- are two of her proteges. SENDAI Girls came over to Chikara back in May and while the sisters are still somewhat green, they were welcomed and hope to win honor and prestige for their company back home. - F.I.S.T. (Icarus & Chuck Taylor & Johnny Gargano) vs Team Osaka Pro (Kikutaro & Ebessan & Takoyakida)
F.I.S.T. (which allegedly stands for "Friends In Similar Tights") is one of Chikara's mainstays, billed as "Chikara's Most Dangerous Trio." They are prior KOT winners, back in 2009, and have come up short in the years since, although last year they made it to the finals before losing to the Colony. Icarus is notorious for his heelish nature and moreso for his hideous back tattoo, Taylor is a child-hating well-rounded heel (and calls himself 'The Kentucky Gentleman'), and Gargano is one of the rising stars of the indie circuit, calling himself 'The Whole Shebang.' Osaka Pro has fielded trios in previous years, and the company's light-hearted and often comedic style fits well with Chikara. Kikutaro is well-known to American indie fans, as he's done tours in the US before, and his clownish antics are often highlights of the show. Ebessan is his protege, being bestowed with Kikutaro's prior mask and gimmick name. Takoyakida is a newer wrestler, and like Ebessan, is making his US debut. They all have a tall order ahead with F.I.S.T. - Team JWP (Commando Bolshoi & Tsubasa Kuragaki & Kaori Yoneyama) vs The Throwbacks ('Mr. Touchdown' Mark Angelosetti & Dasher Hatfield & Matt Classic)
The Throwbacks are no strangers to KOT competition, as both Dasher and Classic have competed in it before, alongside now-former Throwback Sugar Dunkerton. The advent of Mr. Touchdown during a hiatus by Sugar led to the arrogant gridiron grappler's takeover of the Throwbacks, with Dasher forced to go along with it due to familial relationships. (Mr. TD is Dasher's step-cousin-in-law.) Classic, the old school wrestler's old school wrestler, has little patience for the modern spectacle of pro wrestling, and has a great deal of "old-fashioned" views, particularly when it comes to wrestlers of another race (like Dunkerton) or women. At 2011's KOT weekend, during the Tag Team Gauntlet, Classic assumed the female wrestlers he had to face were ring valets, there to take his jacket and towel. There's no telling how he'll react to a team of women, all of whom are capable wrestlers. Kuragaki, in particular, combines both power and aerial grace into a fearsome combination. - The Spectral Envoy (Hallowicked & Frightmare & UltraMantis Black) vs The Submission Squad ('Pistol Danger' Evan Gelistico, 'Barn Owl' Gary Jay, 'Elegant Assassin' Pierre Abernathy, 'Brainwashed' Davey Vega)
That is no error, the Submission Squad does indeed consist of four men. The four-- Gelistico, Abernathy, Barn Owl, and Vega-- were last seen in Chikara at KOT 2009, in a showcase match for their company LWA. The match was... underwhelming, to say the least, and on a weekend that had already seen a number of entertaining and dream matches, the Chikara fans were merciless, booing them and chanting "Don't Come Back" after their match. Furious, the Submission Squad have been training to try to get back at the fans for the reaction they received, deceiving Wink Vavasseur into believing them to be French to fulfill his desire for more "international flavor" for the tournament. When this was pointed out, as well as the group having four members, rather than admit an error, Vavasseur claimed it was all part of his "vision" of the first-ever trios "quattro" team. Facing them are the Spectral Envoy, who have their own issues to worry about besides the match. Hallowicked is still riding high after defeating Tim Donst at the "Chikarasaurus Rex" iPPV, and Frightmare is returning from a several-month absence while rehabbing a knee injury. UltraMantis Black has reason to celebrate as well, as he defeated the slithering Ophidian to cement his status as the most devious creature in Chikara. But Delirious, still seeking revenge on Mantis Black, is still lurking, and he has recruited Ophidian and Mantis' would-have-been 'dark army' the Batiri to his side as a sort of spiritual leader. As if it weren't enough that the Envoy has to overcome a four-on-three disadvantage, Delirious is sure to be around to watch what transpires.
- The Faces of Pain (The Warlord & The Barbarian & Meng) vs Team Ring of Honor (Matt & Nick Jackson & Mike Bennett) (w/ Maria Kanellis)
Matt & Nick Jackson-- collectively known as the Young Bucks-- are one of the premier tag teams on the indie circuit. Wrestling a flashy aerial style that critics have compared to a young Hardy Boyz, the YBs are extremely talented and accomplished in the ring. Unfortunately, they know this. They had a brief run in TNA Wrestling as Generation ME (Max & Jeremy Buck), but returned to the indies to continue their dominance with a new found arrogance that have turned fans against them. Although the YBs primarily wrestle in their home promotion of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in southern California, they have identified strongly with Ring of Honor Wrestling in recent months, especially when they won the Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas off of F.I.S.T. in June, declaring they would take it to "a real wrestling company like Ring of Honor." Mike Bennett, styled "The Prodigy," is another talented up-and-comer on the indie scene, often accompanied in ROH by his trainer, "Brutal" Bob Evans, and will be accompanied this weekend by his girlfriend, Maria Kanellis. If ROH's trio hopes to win King of Trios, however, they have to get past three fearsome warriors from yesteryear. The Warlord & The Barbarian-- longtime tag partners in WWF and WCW-- and the man they call Meng, the deadly Tongan warrior. Although the Faces of Pain have been largely retired, they have come out of retirement for one weekend only to show the world just how dangerous they still are. - Team WWF (The 1-2-3 Kid & Aldo Montoya & Tatanka) vs The Extreme Trio (Tommy Dreamer & Jerry Lynn & Too Cold Scorpio)
Once again, nostalgia plays a factor here as Sean Waltman once more dons the mantle of The 1-2-3 Kid to come to Chikara. Accompanying him this year is the Native American wrestler Tatanka, and the 'Portuguese Man o'War' Aldo Montoya. It has been some time since Montoya has been seen in a wrestling ring, and Tatanka was last in the public spotlight several years ago on a brief return to WWE. On the other side of the ring from them is Tommy Dreamer's Extreme Trio, representing the legacy of ECW. Joining the 'Innovator of Violence' are Too Cold Scorpio-- who codified much of the modern high-flying style, and some of his moves still haven't been duplicated-- and Jerry Lynn, former ECW TV Champion and ROH World Champion, on a retirement tour. While none of the people in this match are in their prime anymore, it should still be a great bit of nostalgia for wrestling fans.
Fifth Annual Fan Conclave
Saturday afternoon, before Night 2!
- Filsinger Games presents the Chikara collectible card game!
Filsinger Games produces collectible card games, some of which feature wrestling, such as Champions of the Galaxy, and have also produced the Legends of Wrestling card game, featuring actual wrestlers using the same system. Filsinger has produced cards for indie wrestlers as well, and Chikara is among the companies that has been featured. Many of the Chikara roster have been featured. Filsinger will be on hand to sell copies of the game and cards, and the wrestlers will also be on hand so fans can play against them. - The Batiri Kissing Booth!
Not for the faint of heart! The Batiri are demonic, evil, soulless, disgusting creatures, and fairly misogynistic. They've antagonized female wrestlers via Facebook and their Twitter account. Kobald is known as the 'Demon of the Septic Tank' (and his finisher is called the Demon's Toilet), so fans would be advised to pay for a kiss at their own risk. - The Throwbacks Competition Station!
Overseen by Dasher Hatfield & Mr. Touchdown, this will likely be a series of contests for fans to show off their athleticism by doing sit-ups, push-ups, running drills, and whatever else comes into the mind of Mr. Touchdown and Dasher Hatfield. Also likely to feature belittling commentary by Matt Classic, the disdainful old school wrestler that he is. - Quiz Crisis Present Battle -- Superfan Edition!
At Chikara shows in the last year, it has been typical for fans to be greeted by Billy Kumohara outside as he presents the Quiz Crisis Present Battle, a Chikara trivia contest wherein fans can win prizes and often early entry into the shows. The questions can be pretty tough and obscure, and the KOT "Superfan" edition is sure to be no different. No word yet on what sort of prizes will be in store. - Make Your Own Lucha Mask!
Chikara has a heavy lucha libre influence (even if their ties to Mexico are strained now with the falling out Chikara had with Jorge 'Skayde' Rivera), and many of its wrestlers wear masks proudly. Now fans will get the chance to design and make their own lucha mask! Will you be a new member of the Colony? Perhaps a goblin like Kobald? Or will you become a devout clone follower of UltraMantis Black? Design your own lucha mask and wear it with pride! - Photo ops with the wrestlers
- Autograph signings
- More to be announced!
Night 2 Confirmed Matches
- King of Trios Quarterfinal Match #1
- King of Trios Quarterfinal Match #2
- King of Trios Quarterfinal Match #3
- King of Trios Quarterfinal Match #4
- Grand Championship of Chikara - Tadasuke vs Eddie Kingston (champion)
Eddie Kingston won the title last year to become Chikara's first Grand Champion, after a months-long round-robin tournament, defeating Mike Quackenbush in the finals to take home the gold. Kingston has tremendous heart and absolutely refuses to quit, and that extends to his title reign. Despite nursing very painful knee injuries, he refuses to rest on his laurels, defending his title every month since February. September will see him defend against Osaka Pro's Tadasuke. Tadasuke is a former KOT participant (in 2010), and returned in 2011 to claim Chikara's Young Lions Cup trophy, winning the YLC IX tournament and taking the Cup back to Japan, where he defended it and held it for an entire year before retiring it earlier this month. Tadasuke is a hard-hitting competitor and not afraid to bend the rules, which he may have to do if he has a hope of beating Kingston.
Night 3 Confirmed Matches
- King of Trios Semifinal Match #1
- King of Trios Semifinal Match #2
- King of Trios Finals
- The Annual 10-Team Winner-Stays-On Overly Long Over the Budget Tag Team Gauntlet Match - Knight Eye for the Pirate Guy (Lance Steel & Jolly Roger) vs BDK (Tim Donst & Jakob Hammermeier) vs Teams TBA
A staple of KOT weekend, the annual Tag Team Gauntlet Match sees two teams enter. When a team is defeated, the winner stays on and faces the next team in the gauntlet, and so on until the end. In Chikara, tag team title shots are only granted when a team has three points, and points are awarded by scoring wins (pinfalls or submissions) in tag matches, but a loss resets the score to zero. Thus, a team can rack up a lot of points in one of these matches, but also lose everything. It's common to see teams from eliminated trios pop up here, and while the gauntlet can go long, it's always a fan-favorite. The first team to be confirmed for the Gauntlet are the "time-traveling noble knight" Lance Steel and the pirate Jolly Roger, collectively known as Knight Eye for the Pirate Guy. Neither is a part of the active roster, but they're sure to get a nostalgia pop. The second team confirmed are the remnants of the BDK faction, Tim Donst and Jakob Hammermeier, but relations within that tandem are strained now. Donst has been battling a crippling depression since losing at "Chikarasaurus Rex" this year, and has actively sabotaged Jakob's quest to become Young Lions Cup champion, costing Jakob his slot in the finals, claiming that Jakob isn't ready for the pressures of being YLC champion. A blog posted recently on Chikara Pro's website has intimated that Donst may be on the verge of quitting Chikara. - Saturyne vs Ophidian
The "Intergalactic Luchadora" Saturyne debuted during Chikara's post-season "JoshiMania" extravaganza last year, and since joining the roster has proven herself a never-say-die competitor, squaring up with men as well as women, even getting the chance to both team with and challenge her idol, Sara Del Rey, before her departure for the big leagues. She has a tall order ahead of her, however, in Ophidian. The slithering "Serpent from the Nile" has a new vicious streak to go with his recent transformation by the 'snake spirit,' espousing his "Snake Style" to be superior to all others. Complicating matters is Ophidian's new alliance with the deranged Delirious, as well as Delirious' followers the Batiri, who have had their own encounters with Saturyne in the past. Will this remain a one-on-one match, or might Saturyne be facing a major uphill battle? - Yoneru Sanders vs TBA
Osaka Pro's Yoneru Sanders-- a masked wrestler who resembles Colonel Sanders-- will be in action on Night 3 of King of Trios 2012, although his opponent has yet to be announced.
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