While it may be the 'biggest' weekend in wrestling I'm looking ahead to 2 weeks time and Chikara's King of Trios. April seems to always be a huge month for wrestling when you consider this weekend's multiple shows, next weekend's Best of the Best and wXw shows and then King of Trios one thing remains the same, Chikara's King or Trios goes down as one of the best weekends of wrestling all year. So with that said I'm going to look at the opening matches, predict who I think will win and who will win the overall tournament. I will also look at the mini Rey De Voladores tournament that occurs on Night 2 and 3 and possible other matches that might happen. So without further introduction let's begin.
Team Dragon Gate (Super Shisa, Akira Towaza & Kagetora) vs. The Spectral Envoy (Ultramantis Black, Frightmare & Hallowicked)
While Towaza is a regular in the US, Shisa and Kagetora are not and they will likely want to make an impact. But regardless of that fact I doubt they will beat the Spectral. There are several reasons for this. One is that the Spectral contains 3 of the biggest Chikara stars in the entire company who are probably one of the most over trios in the company, it's highly doubtful that a debuting trio will upset them. The other reason is that the Dragon Gate team would be perfect fits in the Rey De Voladores tournament, I could easily see Towaza winning it in fact. To me everything is pointing to the Spectral winning this one.
Winners: The Spectral Envoy
Team Australia (Percy, Kabel & Tama Williams) vs. FIST (Icarus, Chuck Taylor & Johnny Gargano)
Can't write a lot here as don't know a lot about Team Australia. Never heard of the guys before and seriously doubt they would beat one of Chikara's biggest trios. And since the tournament goes on for 3 nights you will very likely see members of Team Australia compete in the other 2 nights including the annual 12 team tag gauntlet. FIST have been one of the biggest heel groups that Chikara has had forever it seems and they really should advance here.
Winners: FIST
Michinoku Pro (Great Sasuke, Dick Togo & Jinsei Shinzaki) vs. Team Minnesota (Arik Cannon, Darin Corbin & 1-2-3 Kid)
The usual Team FIRST entrant had to be changed after Ryan Cruz retired so one of the biggest stars in wrestling got added but this being Chikara there was a funny twist and it will be the 1-2-3 Kid and not Sean Waltman. While this would be a big thing they have the tough task of facing 3 absolute legends in wrestling in Team Michinoku Pro. The team with the most hype heading towards the tournament and for good reason. I see team Michinoku doing several things over the weekend, they will either advance all the way to the semi's, go out in Night 2 to allow some dream matches on Night 3 (I'm thinking Dick Togo vs. Eddie Kingston) or they could very well win the whole thing. Either way I don't expect Team Minnesota beating them.
Winners: Michinoku Pro
The Colony (Fire, Solider & Green Ant) vs. Kizarny & The Batiri (Obariyan & Kodama)
The 2010 King or Trios finalist will face off with the new group that are quickly becoming the top Rudo team in Chikara, taking the BDK's spot in my view. The Colony remains one of the biggest Techinos team in Chikara and this should be one of the hottest matches on Night 1. While I haven't seen much of Kizarny to judge how good he is in the ring, I have to assume he's pretty good since Chikara are using him, I know the Batiri are an incredible tag team who will likely carry the load during the trio matches. While it would be easy to have the Colony move forward I think that the trios of Batiri & Kiznary could do with the win more and use it to establish themselves as top Rudos in Chikara.
Winners: Kizarny & The Batiri
BDK ( Jakob Hammermeier, Tim Donst & Delirious) vs. Da Soul Touchaz (Marshe Rockett, Acid Jazz & Willie Richardson)
Honestly this match was my pick for possible final round match. The feud between the 2 trios would have been the perfect fit to end the tournament and would of likely seen DST winning, the story for the match would have been epic. Sadly the BDK trio is a far cry from the best combination they could of got out of the group, while Donst is one of the best currently in the group Jakob has had all of one match and Delirious while good is just another cog in the BDK group. It's safe to say that my idea for the final round is gone to the waste side.
Winners: Da Soul Touchaz
Quackenbush, Jigsaw & Manami Toyota vs. The SAT (Amazing Red, Jose & Joel Maximo)
Not seen much of the Maximo's over the past few years so don't know what to expect from them. However they are not likely to beat the trio they are facing. Much like the Dragon Gate Trio, Red would be a perfect fit for the Rey De Voladores tournament. Quacksaw are the current tag champs and Toyota is a true legend who proved she can hang with the guys last time she was in Chikara. I expect that trio to get to the semi finals at the very least.
Winners: Quackenbush, Jigsaw & Toyota
3.Ole (Shane Matthews, Scott Parker & El Generico) vs. The Osirian Portal (Amasis, Ophidian & Hieracon)
An interesting trio will face off with an undefeated trio in Chikara. It seems that Chikara really wants to make the Portal a threat for this year's tournament and they sure have, since adding Hieracon they have gone from strength to strength. While it would be good to see 3.Ole advance they are better suited for other matches during the weekend, the Tag Gauntlet on night 3 and some potential dream matches in Generico's case, Generico could even be in the Rey De Voladores and win it. So I personally expect the Portal to advance.
Winners: The Osirian Portal
The Throwbacks (Matt Classic, Dasher Hatfield & Sugar Dunkerton) vs. Team Osaka Pro (Atsuhi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada & Ultimate Spider Jr.)
A trio consisting of 2 of the the current team Osaka Pro went all the way to the semi finals and made a memorable showing during the course. While there opponent were knocked out in the first round and it will likely happen again. While I like the Throwbacks this is a pure comedy team that really shouldn't advance unless they can be serious and while Dasher and Sugar can they have Matt Classic which means they will be more funny than anything else. If they were teaming with Colt Cabana instead of Matt Classic they could very well be a bit of a threat but that's not the case. Combine that with the fact Team Osaka Pro did so well last year they should advance again this year.
Winners: Team Osaka Pro
Overall Winners
I mentioned earlier the potential main event of Da Soul Touchaz vs. BDK and that not happening. My other potential main event I had thought of and could very well happen is the Spectral Envoy vs. Kizarny & The Batiri, the two trios have feud since the finale of the last season when Kizarny debuted. Ever since then Kizarny has had the upper hand in the feud, having the Spectral win the tournament by beating them would be a perfect ending for the tournament and while it may not end the feud it would advance it.
With that being said Chikara is never afraid to put over a trio for just those 3 nights, look back at the year Lince won it and the fact his 2 partners are never in Chikara any more. With that said I could easily see Team Michinoku Pro winning the entire tournament, possibly beating Quacksaw & Toyota in the finals.
Too me King of Trios is a special tournament as any trio can actually win it, with 3 nights to play with you can easily establish a new trio as the best in the world.
I love these 3 shows as not only do you get one of the best in ring tournaments all year but you get some true dream matches happen and some truly memorable moments. And while this upcoming weekend may be the 'Biggest' in wrestling to me it's just one of a few stops before King of Trios.
Nice analysis. Again, I will be there live on Night 2. But not to be a nitpicker, never let a debuting trio be the reason why a team won't win. Proof of that was last year as team Big Japan beat Team Frightning of Quack, Wicked, and Frightmare. But, I can see why you'd say that. I think Spectral will win because Kategora and Tozawa will have issues since they are former faction members
ReplyDeleteTo comment, further:
ReplyDeleteOsirian Portal vs. 3.0le: I give it to the Portal if not for the fact that they are very over as a team and have been pushed as such with Hieracon as a new entry, but I think the UnStable may make their presence felt.
Michinoku Pro vs. Team Minnesota: Michinoku Pro for the facts that a) Togo is on a retirement tour, b) Jinsei has been harshly affected by the Japan tragedy, and c) Sean Waltman might not want to do more than just one night, as the 1-2-3 Kid. I see him fighting The Band on Night 2 (with Scott Hall or Nash in his corner) or taking part in Rey de Voladores.
The Colony vs. The Dark Army: This is all Dark Army to further the story between them and the Spectral Envoy. Like you said, they are the new major heel faction.
BDK vs. Da Soul Touchaz: A tough call, but I give it to the BDK because they are still remotely relevant, if not for the fact that they will use their typical BDK tactics to win. I say this because of what happened at Creatures from the Tar Swamp.
CHIKARA Sekigun, #2 vs. S.A.T.: I give it to the Sekigun b/c it's not quite the same S.A.T. It's Wil Maximo, not Jose Maximo. So, I doubt the chemistry will be there. Also, Red would do wonders in RdV.
Team Australia vs. Team F.I.S.T.: This is your comedy match of the night. If I had to choose, I'd go F.I.S.T. only to see Percy T and Tama Williams in Rey De Voladores. Plus, F.I.S.T. may pull the Colony card from last year and go all the way to lose.
Throwbacks vs. Osaka Pro: After last year's showing, I say Osaka Pro does it again. Expect Ultimate Spider, Jr. to be the big star on the team
Those are my thoughts on Night 1. I'll tell you all about night 2.