Here at Pro Wrestling Ponderings, CHIKARA’s King of Trios 2011 is an exciting time for all of us. Heck, three of our writers (including yours truly) will be in att
endance for this years edition. So far we’ve had podcasts with Johnny Gargano and Bryce Remsburg discussing King of Trios (and much more), but this time around we have the man responsible for CHIKARA and King of Trios altogether: Mike Quackenbush. As you can imagine during a time like this, Mike and everyone us involved in CHIKARA are quite busy at the moment. Luckily for us, Mike took some time out to answer some brief questions regarding King of Trios and his career as a whole. For that, we say thank you.
This is the 5th King of Trios tournament in CHIKARA’s history. When you first planned the tournament back in 2007, did you imagine that over time it would become CHIKARA’s annual landmark event?
Mike: It was designed as a natural replacement for the Tag World Grand Prix, so that was certainly a case of “if the shoe fits, wear it.” Or a case of “don’t grab too many pickles all at once.” I’m not all that good with idioms, actually.
Is there something in particular about King of Trios that you look forward to, or possibly dread?
Mike: Oh yes. Yes there is. To present an event of this size, there must be equal parts joy and dread. Sometimes one outweighs the other. And especially with the tendency of this event to grow larger and larger each year…the anticipation and the dread grow proportionally.
It’s no secret that Michinoku Pro was a “spiritual predecessor” to CHIKARA. As a fan of their product, what’s it like to bring over three huge stars of the company for King of Trios?
Mike: It’s thrilling, really. If not for them, and what they created and trailblazed in the 90’s, CHIKARA as we know it simply would not exist.
Manami Toyota is one of your partners for the tournament. Toyota had two incredible performances earlier this year in CHIKARA, one of them being in a tag team match with you as her partner. What were your thoughts on this match, and on Toyota overall?
Mike: I’m a tremendous fan of hers. Have been since I got my first Japanese wrestling tape from a trader years ago. For her to say how inspired she felt CHIKARA was – specifically because the men and women compete against each other – that was very moving to me. But then, after she was here, she gave interview after interview back in Japan championing the CHIKARA cause, and saying the most flattering things about us. I was genuinely touched by this. So you can imagine when I heard from her and the first thing she says is “When are we teaming up again?” Well, the rest is history.
Your first round opponents are The Amazing Red and the Maximos. I know you faced Amazing Red a few times in the early 2000s, and it’s easy to see that you have both progressed immensely since those days. Are you looking forward to the opportunity to face Red yet again?
Mike: Very much so. I think we last wrestled each other in 2001. We are both very different wrestlers then we were ten years ago. It will be a challenge, but a fun challenge, the kind you look forward to.
This past winter, you got the opportunity to face your idol Jushin “Thunder” Liger. What were your thoughts when you first got the call to do this match, and how did you feel the match was overall?
Mike:It was all quite surreal. Much like wrestling Johnny Saint, or teaming with Manami Toyota, or any of the wonderful things I’ve gotten to do in recent years as it relates to my personal wrestling idols. And you know what they say, right? You shouldn’t try to meet your idols. They will only let you down.
News broke recently that CHIKARA alum Larry Sweeney had passed away. Do you have a fond memory of Sweeney, personally or professionally, that you would like to share?
Mike: That’s a very fresh wound right now, I am sorry to say. It’s hard to think of him right now without choking up. I’ve been helping cobble something together we want to present on Friday at King of Trios, and right now, it’s just a bit too much to bear.
With all the things you have accomplished this past year (and moving forward in 2011), what’s left on your “bucket list” in terms of your professional wrestling career?
Mike: Not much, to be honest. And if my doctor has his way, I don’t have long to finish crossing things off that list anyway. It would be fitting, in my mind, to perhaps wear this new championship title that is coming to CHIKARA at least once.
You co-host several weekly podcasts like The Grizzly Bear Egg Cafe. What opportunities have these two podcasts brought you?
Mike: It’s been a pleasant surprise, really. For example, it was through the Grizz that I befriended Stan Bush, and look where that lead. It can be a lot of work, more than some realize I’m sure, but more times than not, it’s good fun with my friend Clayton Morris, and it provides me a forum to talk about more than just wrestling, which at times is a welcome relief.
Which television shows do you keep up with?
Mike: Not much these days, really. I’m trying to get into The Wire, on Bryce’s recommendation, but it’s been a slow-go so far. I realize that’s not current, that’s just what’s current in my Netflix queue. I’d love to watch the complete Twin Peaks from the 90’s, if I could get my hands on it. I did cave last week and watched a whole episode of Monday Night Raw. That’s a mistake I won’t soon make again. Yeesh! I do watch Tosh.0 more than I should. Probably the only thing other than 30 Rock I’m all caught up on.
Just how bad does Transformers: Dark of the Moon look?
Mike: Woof. Stay away, Michael Bay. Makes me want to claw my eyes out.
Once again, I’d like to thank Mike Quackenbush for taking time out to answer these questions. If you’re interested in King of Trios, or Mike’s body of work, here’s some links to help guide your way:
Follow Mike on Twitter
Listen to Mike on The Grizzly Bear egg Cafe and on the Daddy on Board podcasts.
Get all the news, matches, ticket info, and more on CHIKARA and King of Trios at CHIKARA’s official website. If you want all the details of Trios in one fell swoop (including the Fan Conclave), check out the King of Trios website.
We’ll be tweeting results and tidbits from Trios all weekend long, so be sure to follow us on Twitter as well!
A special thank you to Mike & Tom Present for some of the photos above.
Thank you everyone for following our King of Trios coverage over the past few days and the continued support! We’ll see you at King of Trios this weekend!