We are back in Korakuen Hall with an actual crowd and it is blissful. Who knows how long this will last considering the situation in Tokyo, so let’s take in all of this lively pro-wrestling while we can. Thoughts and prayers.
Genki Horiguchi vs. Punch Tominaga
A decisive battle between Dragon Gate’s two most dominant receding hairlines. The use of the sweet CORNER CRANE CAM ANGLE in this match was absolutely outstanding and the wrestling was allright. They kept it mercifully short and it was nice to hear a crowd reacting to Genki’s H-A-G-E calls. Horiguchi’s bright blue contact lenses and shaved head/pony tail combo make him look like he just walked out of a massive rave thrown by Satan himself. A far cry from the wholesome Toryumon surfer look, but the quality of his MDMA must be second to none. Respect. *3/4
Masaaki Mochizuki, Yasushi Kanda & Gamma vs. Kzy, Jason Lee & Kota Minoura
Oh man, this really worked for me. Kzy made a big deal of Minoura’s recent pin over BxB Hulk in his pre-match promo and then the match itself followed suit by keeping the spotlight firmly on him. The guy looked badass bringing the fight to Mochi, impressed with his graceful suplex variations and then brought it home in spectacular fashion with his dope Package Bowerbomb finish. He was one of my highlights on the Captain Lou Returns to Dragon Gate show at KBS Hall and the intellectuals on the Dragon Gate booking team seem to be sharing my high opinion of him. The rest of the match was faster, more vibrant and just more ‘’classic Dragon Gate’’ than anything on the aforementioned KBS Hall show. A real good time! ***
Yosuke Santa Maria vs. Big R Shimizu
As efficient as midcard professional wrestling gets. Crystal clear dynamic: Santa Maria the happy go lucky babyface against Shimizu the big burly bad bro. A bunch of great-looking, crowd popping comebacks and high spots from Santa Maria and constant lariat cutoffs from Shimizu, with the bonus subplot of Yosuke continuously attempting to avoid the dreaded running choke slam. All wrapped up in 5 minutes. Very pleasing. **1/4
Ultimo Dragon, Don Fujii & Kagetora vs. Takashi Yoshida, Diamante & KAZMA SAKAMOTO
I know I’m probably in the minority, but I’m still weirdly fascinated by Ultimo wrestling in Dragon Gate. He’s clearly an old man now, but he also tries a lot more than he was during the last few years of his closed fist/opened fist war with Masanobu Fuchi in AJPW. Diamante was a good base for him here and made all of his lucha spots look super clean. The R.E.D. heel beatdown was kept short and the match moved along nicely with Kagetora standing out, as he usually does. That motion on his flying elbowdrop was beautiful enough to pop Genki Horiguchi on commentary. **3/4
Dragon Dia & Keisuke Okuda vs. Kaito Ishida & H.Y.O.
The Ishida/Okuda Dragon Gate Shooter Boyz Brave Gate feud is where it’s at. I’ve been gravitating towards these guys ever since the KBS Hall show because who doesn’t love a good soccer kick to the back or a MMA-gloved punch to the face? To me, these lads are the direct descendants of the Buko Dojo/Toryumon heritage, bringing the ass whooping balance to the Dragon Gate house style. Meanwhile, I can’t seem to form an opinion on the man called H.Y.O? He is definitely a heel but not much else stands out about him? At least he didn’t get in the way too much. Dragon Dia played a great babyface in peril and Okuda came off as a real killer with that choke sleeper finish. ***
Naruki Doi & Ryo Saito vs. Eita & BxB Hulk
More of a comedy match than a gritty grudge match between R.E.D. and Team Toryumon, but the comedy was of extremely high quality. The main hook here was Saito eagerly wanting to do DoiYoshi double-teams with Doi, resulting in growing irritation from the Dream Gate champ. Ryo’s comedic chops are undeniable, so it made for a pleasant subplot amidst the heelish ninja kicks from Hulk and whatever it is that Eita does. I have not yet figured out Eita so please bear with me. The plan seems to be to get him in the title picture with Doi, thus perhaps the upcoming singles match will enlighten me. **1/4
Masato Yoshino, Shuji Kondo, Dragon Kid & Susumu Yokosuka vs. YAMATO, KAI, Ben-K & Strong Machine J
Not quite the must see Return to Korakuen Dragon Gate Multiman Sprinty Banger I wanted, but pretty good nonetheless. They got the pacing right and everyone got as over as one can get in this restricted clapping-only environment. Save for that botched Original, Kondo looked even better than he did in his return match. Dug the continuation of his Beef War with Ben-K, who looked pretty darn solid himself. Strong Machine J was a lot better here than he was on that first KBS Hall show, botching lucha armdrags with old man Ultimo. Also, who’s the New Japan nerd on the booking committee that forced this gimmick on this poor kid? That’s what I really need to know. I’m not the biggest fan of 3-way variants, but the big 6-way put together by Matchmaking Referee Yagi after the match could lead to some fun storyline development. ***1/4
