The Tag Gauntlet Is Official, and Guess Who the First Team Announced Is...

They're baaaaack Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

One of the grand traditions of King of Trios weekend is the massive, ten-team tag gauntlet that usually closes the first half of the show on the third night. In years past, the gauntlet has been used to give teams a catapult into contention for los Campeonatos de Parejas (points are in play). Wrestlers like Dragon Dragon and Demolition have entered into the fray as surprises for the crowd. As expected, the big gauntlet will be back, and so will 3.0. The team of rowdy Quebecois have not been seen in Chikara since November of last year, and their presence at King of Trios in 2014 was booed lustily by a crowd that might have cheered them had it not been for Shane Matthews' misogynist bent on Twitter.

It remains to be seen whether the lapse in booking had anything to do with said Twitter antics, but it appears that Matthews has calmed down in the last year. He even has attempted an olive branch to those offended by his comments, although it remains to be seen whether or not the fans will accept it. Of course, Matthews and Scott "Jagged" Parker could always come back as rudos, which would be a savvy bit of booking on Chikara's behalf. Whether one boos or cheers them, however, the team has always provided enjoyable in-ring shenanigans and perfectly cromulent double team synchronicity.

In addition to the gauntlet, some other talent announcements have been made for King of Trios weekend. Firstly, NRG, the "high-energy" rookie tag team consisting of Race Jaxon and Hype Rockwell, will be in action during the festivities. I assume they will also be in the tag gauntlet, although their participation has not been officially announced.

Secondly, while Princess Kimber Lee and Los Ice Creams will be participating in the actual King of Trios tournament, Jervis Cottonbelly, the fourth member of Crown and Court, will wait to be in action until night three. Cottonbelly is a welcome addition to any card, and I am tickled pink to be able to see him in action.

Finally, Sean "X-Pac/1-2-3 Kid" Waltman will be making his return to Chikara, although whatever capacity he'll be filling is a mystery thus far. Chikara has announced him for night one, which is the only show consisting solely of tournament matches. My guess is he'll be a host and may even have an interaction with his doppelganger and non-Trios member of the United Nations, Prakash Sabar. It bears noting that Waltman is a former Rey de Voladores finalist; he lost to El Generico in one of the most fantastic matches I've ever seen in 2011. He may not be up to wrestling this year, but he always adds something to his Chikara visits.

King of Trios is THIS WEEKEND. Most of the slate is announced, but half of the Rey de Voladores field still needs illumination, which is about the most major thing left to unveil. Even if you can only get to Easton for one day, do it. Trios is a tremendous experience, whether for the whole weekend or just for one show.