InYourCase Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 I was told to make this thread. PWO isn't the sort of crowd that would get into Dragon Gate, but some people have expressed interest in the product since a handful of their guys received really high individual votes in the GWE poll (Mochizuki had two Top 10 votes, CIMA, Yoshino, Tozawa, etc.) Dead or Alive, one of their five big shows, just wrapped up. My review on VOW should be up shortly and Open the Voice Gate will have a review in audio form very soon. If you're looking to get into DG, I suggest these, http://rutube.ru/video/7e4656d19e8dec2413c23eaf705565f2/?pl_type=user&pl_id=1067514 http://rutube.ru/video/34010a2262fba497e67618fbf26e5dba/?pl_type=user&pl_id=1067514 http://rutube.ru/video/29653fb4b58cab7dfb172cec0f4a8f89/?pl_type=user&pl_id=1067514 The main event is the craziest match in wrestling. Six-way cage match, loser has to stay bald for a year, delegates are on the outside, JUGS Guns are used - it's wild. I'll link it, but if you're getting your feet wet in the Dragon System, then this might not be the match to check out. If anything, you'll see how amazing YAMATO is, as he puts on one of his best performances ever, but there is a good chance that other than that, you won't understand what is going on. http://rutube.ru/video/0c4d6e2e662d91b48f36d84a947a2ac0/?pl_type=user&pl_id=1067514 Please feel free to ask me any questions in the thread. I'll try to check this as much as possible. IHeartDG.com is the place for all DG translations. Jae lives in Japan and has followed the company since the early days of Toryumon. He knows all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Case, can you provide a quick link to the losing group must disband match your recommended in the 2016 MOTY thread. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InYourCase Posted May 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Case, can you provide a quick link to the losing group must disband match your recommended in the 2016 MOTY thread. Thanks. http://rutube.ru/video/4bd7a33e0c9ba66037c04aa744a39cf6/?pl_type=user&pl_id=1067514 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luchaundead Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 I was really impressed by the Brave Gate match from DOA Yosuke is filling the role as "workrate" champion very well and even had be buying Ryu falsies when I knew there was no way he was going to win the title. Great stuff hope they keep Yosuke as a semi-serious character from now on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InYourCase Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I was really impressed by the Brave Gate match from DOA Yosuke is filling the role as "workrate" champion very well and even had be buying Ryu falsies when I knew there was no way he was going to win the title. Great stuff hope they keep Yosuke as a semi-serious character from now on She has been outstanding. My frontrunner for Most Improved in the WON Awards. Great match with Mochizuki in December, that outstanding match with Kotoka when she won the belt, and then that great performance against Ryu. Really enjoying her work. She has a formula that works for her and her underdog role and I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luchaundead Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Need to see the Mochi match, I remember really liking the title win but was a little shocked by the win I should probably rewatch that as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingedEagle Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 A few thoughts on the show which I watched on Sunday afternoon. The delegate matches were fun sprints, with Kzy vs. Mochizui and Tozawa vs. Yoshino the standouts. I really enjoy how most wrestlers on the roster has a clearly defined personality that fits into each match. There's nothing bland about the product. These 2 bouts kept a great pace with hot finishing sequences and didn't overstay their welcome nor raise the bar too high for the main event. Just a solid undercard for any show. The tag title match featured some cool spots and athleticism, but I can't say it really clicked at all. T-Hawk & Eita seem rather lifeless by comparison to others on the roster and that match was the only one on the night that really dragged. It was as if they didn't want to go full throttle with the house style but also didn't want to mix in any real selling which didn't leave them with much. I enjoyed the main event so much more than I ever thought possible. There were way too many shenanigans involving people on the outside getting mixed up in the match with various gimmicks, but the flag capturing bit was well done and produced some decent drama, but the real highlight was how the entire Shingo/YAMATO storyline was so clear throughout the match and pushed hard without distraction. No idea what the booking plans are, but presumably YAMATO now has to go through Doi before the Shingo title match? For such a long match and a show this was a real breeze to watch when you can skip from match to match. Not sure I'll ever see this style as something where I rate any of the workers as among my favorites, but between the speed, athleticism, characters and booking it certainly stands apart from other promotions and I can easily see this being a fun addition to the current wrestling I regularly keep up with, at least for the big shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luchaundead Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Finally finished the DOA match and wow it was great as always I think a lot of the problem with it is that while it's always impressive and a fun watch the match losing something if you are not familiar one with the format and two with the back stories. That being said WTF was CIMA doing with that ball launcher, he almost killed Cyber Kong. The new unit that I will be referring to as "The Coolest" until they get a proper name is probably the best group of underdog faces you could possibly put together right now but, I do think they need a heater and if Fuji unaffiliated combined with his friendship with Maria I would love him acting as their muscle. All in all great show and I'm super excited for King of Gate can't imagine anyone but Yamato winning it after this and I just saw a down right nasty main event for the show on the 15th, Cyber, Doi, and Shingo vs T-Hawk & Strong BJ? I don't know if they make the DG rings strong enough for this match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InYourCase Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Additional Kzy recs, since they were requested The follow-up from his heroic performance in Korakuen the month prior http://rutube.ru/video/8c90e1df35a8c8cb9e9c6f38bd317cf9/?ref=search Hot little tag match from a few weeks ago. He and Eita are great here http://rutube.ru/video/4bd187ce23b288da54fe506a98a46647/?ref=search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Masaaki Mochizuki, Dragon Kid, Big R Shimizu, & Kzy vs. Akira Tozawa, Masato Yoshino, T-Hawk, & Shachihoko BOY vs. YAMATO, Shingo Takagi, Naruki Doi, & Kotoka: Dragon Gate 2/4 The past few years have been difficult for me with Dragon Gate. I compare it with Chikara in my mind in that I think the storytelling and angle development is usually done well with intimate attention to details. It is the actual in ring actual and execution that feels foreign and souless to me in many ways. I have watched the highest rated stuff from the past couple of years that guys like Case, RIch and Lanza recommend and usually come out really cold. An exception is that I did like the Ricochet stuff from the Spring of 2014. This was on another level though. This had a great pace but also had immaculate execution. This may sound like blasphemy but it did feel like the Dragon Gate version of the 1984 New Japan Gauntlet match. There were so many intricate parts in this match that shined. My history with Dragon Gate is pretty dated but it does seem naive and fun to see guys like Yoshino and Doi interact with each other given their partnership for many years. The dive trains and brawling aspects were perfectly timed and the personalities were on point. Mochizuki's face when he gets eliminated is aces and Shingo getting pinned by Shachihoko was the perfect moment for an underdog to obtain. The match really shines from having that defiant heel stable. LIke in the Kaientai days of 1996, Yamato, Doi, and Shingo work as a well oiled unit in this match and dish out complete destruction on their foes. Combining stiff strikes, power moves, and cohesion, they really felt like a unit that was not going to be stopped. That is until Kzy keeps getting enough offense on them and keeps kicking out on the arsenal of Yamato that the glimmer of hope emerges. He even essentially neutralizes Doi. The resistance is too much against him though and he falls pray to Yamato making his unit disband. This was an amazing match that really conveyed the consequences of the stipulation. This was the most I have been invigorated and invested in a Dragon Gate match in a decade. ****1/2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Shingo/Naoki/Cyber Kong/Mondai Ryu/Kotoka vs. Tozawa/T-Hawk/Big R/Shachihoko/KZYGood match but I couldnt help but think it felt a little B-squad after the stuff the month before. Shingo needed one more really huge bully on his side to really make the odds go against the opponents. Kong tries but fails in ways were Yamato and even Doi exceeded the month before. We do get the KZY segment at the end again which once again was well done. It isn't like KZY is a nonfactor leading up to the finish but much like the previous month, he isn't overpowering and it becomes an integral storyline that he is going to have to go at it alone in the end. ***1/2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InYourCase Posted May 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Glad you liked the Unit Disbands match. At this point, that's either my #2 or #3 match of the year. I liked it more than you, which I expected, but the comparison to a great MPro match is completely fair. I think there are even better examples of DG matches feeling like 80's New Japan multi-man matches. The Mad Blankey vs. Jimmyz Unit Disbands match from August of last year and the 6/8/11 Blood Warriors vs. J3 tag match are two of the more heated matches in DG history. They feel very similar to the New Japan glory days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Dog Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I was a big fan until they cracked down on DVD sales in the States when DGUSA started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Yeah the unit disband match is my #3 MOTY currently so I don't want to down play how much I really enjoyed it. Giving something the same ranking as These Days is something that I deliberated with before making the post. Hoping to watch Dead or Alive in full before the next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InYourCase Posted May 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2016 http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2016/05/20/dragon-gate-king-gate-may-8-review/ http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2016/05/17/dragon-gate-king-gate-may-11-review/ Links to my reviews of the first two King of Gate shows that have aired. Lots of good matches, one noticeably bad one in Korakuen. Tozawa and CIMA finally had a good match together on the 8th. That was nice to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Watched the highly rated stuff from both shows. CIMA vs. Tozawa was really great. It was a short, compact match but it had a really good pace without going into a ridiculous sequence of nearfalls. I also appreciated the character work of CIMA and liked how he played a dickish veteran character that was protecting his spark. Tozawa was made to look like his equal here and the results were well done.**** Watching that had my psyched for Tozawa vs. Eita and I was completely let down. I don't require a whole lot for selling but when Eita really tears up your arm and you cant be bothered to even hold it mimicking pain, then I check out. To add insult to injury, Tozawa insisted on using that arm as the basis for almost all his offense in the match. T-Hawk vs. Mochi also disappointed me. I didn't get the sense of the violence that Case talks about in his review, but I don't think T-Hawk brings much to the table overall. I would like to see Eita and Mochi given the chance to deliver. The Jimmy's vs. Monster Express match was a really fun six man. I especially liked Punch being in there in the final segments. I continue to prefer the Dragon Gate style of more guys in there helps hide the flaws that I have with the singles matches. ***1/2 Yamato vs. Shingo showed some good restraint and I was thankful for that. I was weary of this match so soon after Dead or Alive as it looked like the one slam dunk match DG has in their back pocket. The interference was kept to the end and a minimum and it didn't detract for me wanting to see these two in a big time match later down the road. *** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingedEagle Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 This thread slipped my mind but glad to see it bumped again. I watched the King of Gate show with Shingo vs. Yamato as following DOA I was very interested to see where they took things. Generally a fun, breezy show with a couple matches I could skip over but enjoyed those I sat through. I'd like a bit more variety up & down the card but I'm sure they know what works. Shingo vs. Yamato was enjoyable with just enough opportunities for Yamato to look strong without delivering too much and providing a finish that left you wanting more. I could've done with a few less bodies getting involved before the finish, but it was a solid checkpoint in the feud. ***1/4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soup23 Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 The June 2nd show was the best show I have seen since rewatching Dragon Gate semi-regularly. I even liked it better than Dead or Alive. No stinkers on the card and a lot of stuff falling into place with the Yamato/YSM/Hulk/KZY unit gelling, Brother Yasshi getting into the groove and Peter Kaasa debuting. The real standout was the Eita vs. Jimmy Susumu match which was worked awesomely and told a really cohesive story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingedEagle Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Thanks for the update. Will at least try to catch Eita/Susumu this weekend as time may make it difficult to check out the full show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InYourCase Posted June 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Eita, who will be representing DG in the Super J Cup, has had a very good year. He's finally found some footing since his team with T-Hawk disbanded and he's changed his in-ring style from the traditional DG junior style to the llave style, which is something that rarely anyone does anymore and something that I am covering for Voices of Wrestling in my T2P rewatch project. Keep an eye on Eita. Check out the matches with Susumu and Tozawa. He's been great. Shingo vs. YAMATO is the Kobe World main event, as it should be. That will be outstanding. Mochizuki & Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Don Fujii & Masakatsu Funaki has also been announced, so that will be just all sorts of great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingedEagle Posted June 29, 2016 Report Share Posted June 29, 2016 How was the close of King of Gate? Anything I need to check out from the end of the series? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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