The Defending Champions Are IN

The first native Chikara trio to be announced for this year's King of Trios tournament are the three men who won the damn thing last year. Max Smashmaster, Blaster McMassive, and Flex Rumblecrunch, known collectively as the Devastation Corporation under Sidney Bakabella's tutelage, will attempt to do what no other trio has ever done - repeat as KOT medalists. Even as their larger force last year, the Flood, was flagging, they tore through the field last year en route to their emphatic victory. Since then, Smashmaster and McMassive have collected Los Campeonatos de Parejas, and the three as members of The Wrecking Crew in the Challenge of the Immortals, are leading the pack. They're still riding high as one of the most protected groups in all of wrestling.

Of course, while picking them to win a second tournament in a row is tantalizing, but my guess is they will lose at some critical juncture to help put over a new team in the pecking order. The most satisfying choice would be to have a Crown and Court-related team featuring Jervis Cottonbelly, Princess Kimber Lee, and a third wrestler, but sacrificing the trio to the altar of the Bullet Club is equally on the table. Either way, it's good to see a team of Chikara natives added to the fray after five straight guest trios. Of course, the aforementioned Bullet Club, the bWo, the Lucha Underground squad, and the two British teams are all tremendously amazing teams to be in the tournament, but the Chikara roster has some pretty nifty teams as well.