In 2008 Gabe Sapolsky was removed from his position as booker for Ring of Honor and was fired form the company. To this day some debate the move as good thing or bad thing. My view Gabe needed to get off the book his work by 2007 was awful some his planned ideas included potentially putting the world title on the Necro Butcher and and I quit match ending when a guy quit to prove his love to a woman that had already left him for another guy. I highly recommend watching the Kayfab Commentaries DVD Gabe's Book of Secrets or readying Ryan Porzl's great review of it. Now you may draw a different conclusion but when I watch that I tired burned out guy that had run out of ideas for ROH. But wrestling is like the mob you never really leave it and it wasn't long before Gabe was back running not one but two companies EVOLVE witch we get to someday and Dragon Gate USA. Dragon Gate a company in Japan had a working deal with ROH but they had a falling out over money so Dragon Gate started a us based group with Gabe being named president. Early on DGUA would film every show for PPV and than release a DVD with bonus matches that never aired on TV like the ROH PPV tapings. I watched the first few DGUSA shows and they were very flawed it didn't help that weeks could pass between shows and since they had no TV or even a web show you would lose that connection to the story lines. Plus it felt like you had to follow Dragon Gate since guys would turn heel new factions would form there and that stuff would come to DGUSA. Finally the company shifted to IPPV's and they started crossing storminess over with EVOVLE.
You might think "Nick you just want to bitch about Gabe's booking again you made it clear it 2007 he was done." But I can attest to the fact that burn out can be taken care off by chaining something. I was badly burned out on the old site and starting my own site with my own rules got me back into wresting like I haven't been in a while. So maybe the shift to a new company helped Gabe out. To be honest with you since I follow DGUSA in passing at best I can't recall many of the story lines they were doing at this stage. I will try to included what I can remember and what they tell me on the DVD but i might screw it up. Feel free to let me know if I mess something. Art O Kell and Bryce Remsberg are Commentary team. They are ok they get way to goofy at times though it kind of comes off like they are doing MST3K style ripping when it gets really bad.
As we open the show we set a note taking about the than recent Hurricane Sandy that deviated that East Coat. The company could have canceled the shows that weekend but made the call to run them anyway and they thank the fans and staff that made it happen. And we right to first match. I like this since i'm not a big fan of talking on wrestling shows to start anyway.
The CHIKARA Sekigun Jigsaw and Fire Ant vs The D.U.F Arik Cannon and Pinkie Sanchez- Actually all four of these guys have been in CHIKARA. DUG stood for Dirty Ugly Fuckers. Cannon and Fire Ant start us off. Wrist lock by Fire counted by Cannon. Abdominal stretching by Fire Ant. Fire runs the ropes and gets an Arm drag. Jigsaw into the ring and dumbs Cannon to the floor in comes Sanchez. Sanchez calls for test of strength but than lands a kick. Wrist lock by Jigsaw. Single leg by Sanchez. Jigsaw kicks free off ankle pick. Figure four by Sanchez but Jigsaw escapes. Forearm by Jigsaw into the gory stretch. Pin by Jigsaw gets two. Tag to Fire Ant. Back Senton than standing flip by the Ant. Tag to Jigsaw who hits a big chop. Up and over in the corner by Sanchez than a moonsault press off the second rope but the spot misses I don't know if Jigsaw was to close or what but Sanchez actually went right over him. Jig sends Sanchez out of the ring and in comes Cannon who hits a neck breaker. Tag back to Sanchez double team by DUF and double hip toss. Cannon Death Valley Drivers Sanchez onto Jigsaw. Straight jacket by Cannon tag back to Sanchez. Weak chop by Sanchez. Sanchez whips Jigsaw into the ropes. Jig holds on and bails to the floor for the Lucha tag. Kick from the apron by Fire Ant than he climbs the ropes and hits a crosssbody on Cannon. Tilta Whirl DDT by Fire Ant. Flip dive by Fire Ant to the floor takes out Cannon. Jigsaw in with a missile dropkick. Fire back in with burring down the house. German with a bridge by Jigsaw. Cannon and Fire back and the Ant goes for a cross body. Cannon catches him and hits a brain buster. Sanchez ducks a kick by Fire Ant and hits a burning hammer that only gets two. See that is Bull given how dangerous the burning hammer really is it should only be used rarely and it should not be kicked out of. Sanchez misses a double stomp off the top and takes the same move from Jigsaw. Huge lariat by Cannon on Jigsaw gets two. Running kick the face by Fire Ant. Superkick by Jigsaw on Sanchez than he sets up for the Jig N Tonic as Fire Ant hits the double stomp for the win. A solid opener that classic get the fans going style you want. It did have some rough spots but still pretty good.
Post match The Faction known as the Scene made up of Scott Reed, Caleb Konley and Larry Dallas with there valet Trina Michael's jump DUF. Sanchez taken out after getting a Yakuza kick when his head is right next to the ring post. Marti Bell a female wrestler who had a grudge with Larry Dallas runs out and checks on Sanchez. Cannon picks up his beer and partner and heads to the back.
Rich Swan cuts a promo about a his match teaming with Ricochet taking the Super Smash Brother. Swan also talks about this up coming match with Chuck Taylor. Swan mentions since Chuck got himself DQ'ed last time there next match is no DQ. Swans promos was bad he used this strange voice and seemed like he wasn't sure where to look instead of being hyped for a grudge match he just came off as goofy. We than get a highlight video from the Heat show and it's very well done and give you the impression if you haven't seen it check it out.
Samuray Del Sol vs Akira Tozawa- Del Sol is a masked man that's really become one of the top guys on the indy scene the last few years. Tozawa was a younger guy who has been Dragon Gate for years. Tozawa slips on the steps climbing into the ring. Go behind and takedown by Del Sol. Del Sol ties up the legs and twist Tozawa around. Tozawa goes for the arm and Del So gets the ropes. Big slap by Tozawa than a spin kick by Del Sol. Head scissors by Del Sol followed by the dropkick. Slingshot flip splash by Del Sol gets two. Butterfly suplex into an am bar by Del Sol. Big boots by Del Sol. Cross body attempt by Del Sol but Tozawa jumps up and drives the knees to the gut. Del Sol sent to the outside. Tozawa rams Del Sol into the ring post. Running corner forearm by Tozawa gets two. Power slam than a back Senton connect for Tozawa. No ropes Sliced Break by Del Sol amazing move. Dragon Suplex with a bridge by Del Sol for a two count. Tozawa hits a brain buster. Tozawa climbs the ropes but Del Sol hits a kick. Top Rope victory roll by Del Sol gets two. Tozawa with a german suplex on the apron. Suicide dive and again by Tozawa. Each man exchanges kick s and than land a bicycle kick at the same time both men are down. Rising Sun Inverted Rana by Del Sol but Tozawa kicks at two. Running Yakuza and a back drop driver for Tozawa than a delayed German . Arms crossed delay German suplex for the win by Tozawa another very good match. Some awesome exchange. O'Kell mention Tozawa has picked up a big win going into his four way for the open the freedom gate tomorrow.
We get a video setting up for the Jon Davis and Johnny Gargano match. Starting with Gargano offering a Davis title shot at previous show. We see highlights of a back and forth match that Gargano won. Than we see Davis snapping and attacking the Open the Freedom gate champion after it and power bombing Gargano through a table. Its a very good video. Damn good video the kind of thing that simply explains what is going on with these two. And a simple story I love Johnny gave Davis a chance but when Davis couldn't get the job done he snapped.
Davis makes his way to the ring in street clothes we are told he requested time in the ring. Bryce and Art O'Kell explain that Davis had attacked Gargano the night before and Bryce mentions another attack had taken place at an EVOLVE show and there is speculation the match won't happen tonight. Davis is slow to the ring and keeps locking eyes with the fans looking like a crazy man. Davis says last night he took Gargano out. Davis says Gargano must vacate his title and he must quit. Gargano's music starts to play and Davis turns to the entrance ramp. Gargano comes out with a referee we see Gargano has tapped ribs and the match is one
Non Title Anything Goes
Open the Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano vs Jon Davis- The Freedom Gate was the top title in DGUSA. Davis knocks Gargano off the apron and than drives the champion into the apron. The commentators are shocked Gargano took this match. Short arm lariat by Davis and than a second one. In a nice touch Remsberg explains Gargano was dealing with back injury even before the Davis feud. Running lariat by Davis and he cover Gargano for the win. Davis isn't done and start getting chairs and sets up a table outside the ring. Bryce and O'Kell plead that they get Gargano out of the ring. We see the referees pulls Gargano out and rush him to the ring. As Davis is walking to the bak Gargano dives off of something back through it. The two men start to brawl. Rapid fire punches by the champion but he is still in pain. Davis back into the ring. Gargano struggles to live with his back. Low blow by Davis shuts Gargano down. Davis picks Gargano up but Gargano escapes. Davis to the apron but Gargano nails a super kick to send him through a table. The referees come out to help Gargano who smiles seeing Davis on the ground. The refers help Gargano to the back and than return to help Davis. Davis stands on his own and walks back on his own power. Davis shoves the referees away. Way to blow an effect short match. You Davis beat the champion in less than a minute but instead of letting that sink in you have Gargano go John Cena on Davis. Yeah Davis walked out on his own why the champ was helped to the back but still you really damaged an effective moment. And I don't want to hear "You gotta keep the champion strong." Gargano had a long title run witch I believe was already the longest in company history and the next night he beat four other guys he could take a weak night and be fine.
In the locker room Arik Cannon tells us Pinkie Sanchez has a concussion and it out for tomorrow than strangely he says "Normally it's ok when Pinkie has a concussion as a DUF we can beat him up." I get that may be the gimmick that Cannon doesn't really care about Sanchez but really why would care at all than hell why would he be in the faction?
The Super Smash Brothers Player Uno and Player Dos vs Ricochet and Rich Swan - Ricochet cuts a promo before the match saying he and Swan will show CIMA and AR Fox what a great team looks like. Player Uno starts for his team since he is the first player and Ricochet starts for his team. Uno backs Ricochet into the corner and breaks clean. We see Swan is more concerned with dancing on the outside and Ricochet doing lots of stalling to start. Test of strength to start into a Ricochet arm wringer. Reversed by Player Uno but a stomp to the foot by Ricochet. Player Uno powers free from a side head lock. Clothesline followed by the step up rana by Player Uno. Head scissors for Ricochet but the spin kick misses. Tag to the partners and in comes Dos and Swan. Headlock by Swan and Dos escape with an arm snap into a head lock of his own. Flip over Dos who he goes for a move with the leg but than does side sweeps the Swan dropkick. Back breaker by Dos. Tag to Uno. Drop toe hold by Uno allowing Dos to drop the knee. Power slam by Uno and he tags Dos who back flips in. Belly to back Suplex by Dos. Sawn rammed into Uno's boot. Uno tags in. Standing moonsault by Dos and a fist drop by Uno. Drop kick by Swan and tag in my Ricochet Double team as Ricochet hits a knee drop off the ropes with a flip and Swan hits a senton. Low Ki style kick by Ricochet. Flying forearm by Ricochet than a standing moonsault. Ricochet with some double stomps and than he runs on the back of Uno. Uno with head buts to the stomach and it hurts him for some reason. Tag to Swan who hits a big kick to the ribs. Uno runs into a big boot. Tag back to Ricochet who comes in with a I'm not sure if was a stomp or a knee that didn't land right. Back to back stretch by Ricochet. Dos makes the save and breaks it up back to Swan. Double team by Swan and Ricochet and it's an bad looking double hip toss that almost plants Uno on his neck. Than a double basement drop kick. Cover by Ricochet gets two. Elevated STO by Uno puts Ricochet down and Uno tags Do in come Swan. Clotheslines and spin kick by Dos. Hook kick by Swan lands. Each man hits a big boot. Suddenly Dos and Swan dive to the outside with Dos taking out Ricochet and and Swan hitting Uno. Someone explain that logic in that spot other than "looks cool." Back in the ring Dos hits a Dragon Suplex that gets two. Ricochet in and goes afar Dos. Dos fight off a double team Uno spears Swan on the apron. Ricochet dives over Dos to take out Uno. Big cross body off the top by Ricochet but Dos rolls through and hits a face buster like move. I hate the roll through spot on a cross body it's just make no sense. Swan makes the save of the cover. Uno back in. Uno has Swan in a airplane spin and gives Ricochet the giant swing. Dropkick by Dos into Ricochet. Double stunner by Swan than one by Ricochet. Series of kick and strikes put everyone down. Ricochet gives Uno a belly to back but Dos hits rights him with a frog splash right after. Ricochet hits a series of awful looking strikes on Dos. Double Pelle by Dos. Uno with his legs Powers Ricochet up at Dos who hits a over head belly to belly that sends him crashing into Swan. Swan makes the save on the cover. More awful "punches" by Swan. Shoot star press by Ricochet on Uno only gets two. Swan and Ricochet climbs to the top by Dos takes out Swan. Dos and Ricochet fight on the top rope. Uno than puts his partner in the electric chair allowing him to hit a fall away slam off the top on Ricochet. Moonsault by Uno than into the gory special as Dos comes off with a double stomp for the win. I really struggled to get into this match. Part of it was Swan was so annoying he would bark and strut at strange times. Also it would feel like they would rush though a series of high spots instead of actually having a match. Another factor I think Swan and Ricochet were supposed to be heels but they sure didn't work like it.
AR Fox was was feuding with Ricochet came out and and mocked him. It seems like it was a tit for tat since they talked about Ricochet disrespecting him the night before. Swan appears to walk out on his partner but they were trying to sell Ricochet was in shock after the loss.
The Gentlemen's Club Chuck Taylor, Drew Gulak, and Orange Cassidy with Doctor Cornel Angles and the Sea Monster vs The Scene Scott Reed, Caleb Konley, and Cheech Hernandez with Larry Dallas and Trina Michaels- Agnes was in a wheel chair the sea monster is a guy in that cameo outfit hunters use so I don't know why he is a sea monster. Cheech wasn't a normal member of The Scene he was billed as a mystery partner. Gulak and Reed start us off. A lock up goes no where so Reed ties in Konley than a tag to Cheech than a tag back to Konley more damn stalling and stag to Reed. Finally someone hits a move as Reed hits a kick. Gulak counters a crap into a roll up and than he does it again. Running corner dropkick and a head but to the gut by Gulak. Tag to Konley. Tag to Cassidy. Art O'kell is suddenly going heel on the Gentleman's club. Cassidy with an invested atomic drop. Delayed vertical suplex by Konley and a tag to Cheech. Cassidy acts like he is about to throw up. Tag to Taylor. Chops by Cheech. Taylor with a double ax handle. Tag to Gulak double back elbows by Gulak and Taylor. Cassidy in who just falls to Cheech. Triple splash by the Club and the Monster into the ring with a cartwheel kick while the referee isn't looking. Taylor clubs to the back of Cheech. In comes Konley who winds up in the corner. The referee isn't looking so Dallas jumps in but Taylor trips him so he goes head fist into the crotch of Konley than he trips Reed who lands on Dallas. On the outside the swamp monster humps Trina. Back in the ring Reed with a sit-down power bomb on Gulak. Tag to Konley who hits a headbutt than drops a knee followed up by the chin lock. Tag to Cheech who comes in with the gory stretch. Cassidy in but misses a drop kick so Cheech puts him in a post crab while still holding on to the gory. Triple team by the scene. Suplex by Reed. Tag back to Cheech who stand on Gulak's throat and than pulls him up to clap the ears. Tag to Konley Cheech nailed Konley by mistake and gets shoved. Tag to Cassidy who is asleep in the corner. Taylor lucy tag and he's a house of fire. Flip dive by Gulak on Cheech cutting off Taylor who wanted to do it. Cassidy with a osi leg drop again cutting off Taylor who was going to dive on Konley. Cassidy's legs hit the guard rail hard. Swamp monster next to cut Taylor with a dive off the apron. Taylor climbs the top rope but gets distracted by Trina allowing Dallas to knock him off. Cheech to the as the Cornel stands up to distract the referee. Cassidy with some kind of mist to Cheech's face. Awful waffle by Taylor for the win. I'm very confused. I think a lot out has to do with not knowing the gimmick in DGUSA well enough to get some of the jokes in this comedy match. I do think it should have been a little shorter.
Reed and Konley have left as Dallas yells at Cheech. Marti Bell comes out and Trina slips her. The worst ever Thez press by Bell than face buster on Trina. Dallas runs to the back as Bell chases him. Give how sloppy Bell is in every match I have ever seen in I'm actually worried Trina Michaels got hurt. Backstage the Super Smash Brother. Dos in French Uno in English. Uno hypes there match with Jigsaw and Fire Ant. Dos Jokes he hates fire. Decent Comedy promo.
Two out of three Falls-
Sami Callihan vs El Generico- Both these guys are now in WWE NXT Callihan as Solomon Crowe and Generico as Sami Zayn. Generico had beat Callihan at EVOLVE 13 and Callihan had attacked him. The night before Callihan had used Generico's trademark Brain Buster off the Top Rope to win a match. Bell rings and the two men just stare down. Callihan puts the bad mouth on Generico and than shoves him. Running Yakuza for Generico in reposing. Inside cradle by Callihan best a shocking quick three count to go up 1-0 nothing. Nice little twist to start the match as I'm sure no one thought that would get a three. Big slam by Generico than some punches followed by a chin lock. Callihan powers free. Front face lock into a slam by Callihan. Knee bar by Callihan than he stomps on the knee. Series of headbutts by Callihan than a chin lock with a the ropes. Front chancery by El Generico. Callihan goes for an inside cradle but this time only gets two. Generico whipped into the corner. Knee drop by Callihan onto Generico's leg and than he slams it onto the apron. Generico sent into the guard guar than a shin breaker onto the ring steps. Back in the ring inverted figure four by Callihan the he goes the ankle lock. Generico gets to the ropes. Slam by Callihan and Generico's legs hit the ropes. Generico stands up but drops. Ground and pound by Callihan than he tosses Generico to the floor. Generico climbs back in the ring so Callihan sends him out again and hits a a suicide dive. Generico back into the ring and Callihan tosses him out again and than follow him out punches on the floor and a chop by Callihan. Generico blocks the exploder and hits on of his own and Callihan lands on the time keepers table. Generico climbs back in the ring. Callihan dives back in just before he is counted out. Generico Goes for the Yakuza but doesn't have the speed and Callihan moves and puts Generico in the corner and hits a an Ole kick like Samoa Joe would. Another Ole kick cracks Generico. Generico tries for an exploder but Callihan rolls through and gets two. Exploder into the buckle by Generico. Generico with brain buster having to rase his bad leg to get the second fall tie us at one one. Side headlock by Callihan and he hits some elbow shots. Blue Thunder bomb by Generico. Stretch muffler by Callihan but Generico fights free but Callihan gets a figure four. Generico gets the ropes. Callihan climbs the ropes but Generico meets him up there. Generico shoved off but than lands the Yakuza sending Callihan to the floor. Top rope cross body to the floor. Callihan grabs at his leg. Generico sends Callihan back to the ring. Generico back to the ropes but Callihan with a kick. Callihan goes for top rope Brain Buster. Generico counters. Generico goes for the sunset bomb but Callihan holds on to the ropes. Running Yakuza to the leg. Generico uses Callihan's stretch muffler. Counted into one of his own my Callihan he than adds a body scissors and Generico taps out. Good match but the logic lacks at time. Generico hurts his leg and still does moves like the Yakuza or the Brain Buster. Think about how a Yakuza works you have to stand on one leg at some point so if your not standing on the bad leg that means your kicking with it.
Callihan gets a microphone and says he's been waiting a long time for that win. He talks about his recent suspension and how he is back better than ever. Callihan says this was the first step him becoming a champion. "I'm not the biggest dog int he fight but I'm the scariest." Good promo by Callihan .Backstage the Gentlemen's Club Celebrate there win. Taylor say Rich Swan may have beat him last night and he will whip tomorrow. Ok promo but now I think I have it wrong and Swan is supposed to be the face while Taylor is a heel. To be honesty the announcers didn't do a good job of making things clear for newer fans.
Open The United Gate Championships
CIMA and AR Fox © vs Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito- Big problem I have with both Dragon Gate and DGUSA every title has to be ______ Gate title. Horiguchi and Saito had eared there title shot beating the Super Smash Brothers the night before. Horiguchi and CIMA starts us off. Arm drag by Horiguchi but Cima gets a crucifix for two. Shoulder tackle by CIMA but leg lariat by Horiguchi. Arm drag and a drop kick by CIMA tag to Saito. Tag to Fox who gets a hammer lock but Saito takes him down and ties up the legs. Dropkick by Fox sends Saito to the floor. Moonsault press to the floor by Fox. Tag to CIMA. Double drop kick by the champions. School boy by CIMA gets two. Saito cat he the kick and tags in Genki who drives an elbow on the leg than gets a abdominal stretch. CIMA grabs at the very little amount of hair Horiguchi has left and hair maires him. Tag to AR Fox. Elbow to the head by Fox and split legged tumble weed by Fox. Abdominal stretch by Fox but Horiguchi gets the rips tag to CIMA who kick at the back of the leg than a dragon screw. Tag to Fox who drop kicks the leg as CIMA holds it. Leg drop by Fox. Another abdominal stretch by Fox but Horiguchi hip tosses free. CIMA steals a big elastic band from Saito and uses it to snap Genki in the face than than he does it again Than they go to do it to Saito. Apparently this is a spot Horigucihio and Saito have done this spot in the past. Tag back to CIMA who gets a drop toe hold into a surfboard on Horiguchi and again his pulls the hair. Leg drop to the back of the head by CIMA. Double hip toss onto the ropes so Horguciho bounces back than double dropkick by CIMA and Fox. Forearm exchange with Fox and Horiguchi. Genki with a drop kick to knee and in comes Saito. Cannon ball on Fox's leg by Saito. Saito holds the leg so Horiguchi can hit a running drop kick. Horiguchi wraps the leg of Fox around the ring post. Splash to the leg than grapevine by Horiguchi. Saito in with a double stomp to the gut of Fox while he is still in the knee bar. Double team sequence of moves by the challengers. Slice break than leaping cutter by Fox put Saito and Horiguchi down. CIMA tags in. Horiguchi hung back exposed in the corner. Saito goes for a drop kick that CIMA avoids so he hits his partner by mistake than the back stabber by CIMA. Saito suplexed onto his partner. CIMA sends the challengers to the floor and Fox off the top with a spring board back senton. CIMA sends Saito back to the ring and kicks him in the face a few times. Back senton by CIMA. Double stomp by CIMA gets two. Over head belly to belly by Saito into the Fishermen's express gets two. Cross toss by Cima and Fox off the top with a swanton gets two. Missile drop kick by Horiguchi on Fox. Fox with a death valley driver on Horiguchi. Saito with a stalling german gets two. Double team on CIMA. Suplex by Horiguchi and Saito off the top with a splash gets two. Dragon suplex by Saito than tornado DDT by Horiguchi than another Dragon Suplex by Saito on CIMA gets two. Superkick into the air raid crash by CIMA. CIMA directs Fox to the top and hold Saito on his knee. 450 by Fox but Horiguchi makes the save. Double team on Horiguchi flipping cannonball and a spanish fly by Fox. Saito taken out by a flip dive over the top to the floor by Fox. Double knees off the top by CIMA for the win. Good match worthy of the main event spot .
Post match CIMA and Fox celebrate there win. CIMA gets a microphone and thanks New Jersey. CIMA declares they are the best tag team in the world and says Fox will win the Freedom Gate to go along with CIMA open the dream gate title. Sami Callihan comes out takes the microphone and says he will beat CIMA tomorrow night and make him just another step in the road. Fox takes the microphone from Callihan and tells Sami any title road will go through him. Sami leaves. CIMA says he can't understand Callihan is talking about. CIMA gives the microphone to Fox who does CIMA "Did you Enjoy Show" bit and than does the Dragon Gate USA chant. Ok segment I though they were setting up for Callihan to return and attack to hook fans to buy the IPPV for the next day. Instead we just see CIMA and Fox shake hands and leaving.
This was the second show of a triple shot that November a lot of times during weekends like that one show suffers for the other two and it sure wasn't this one. The matches are pretty good and I think a lot of my issues could have been addressed by having a better knowledge of DGUSA in general and the stories going on at the time. This show actually encourages me to check out some more of the company going foreword so yes a show I would recommend it and it's pretty clear Gabe was booking much better in 2012 than he was 06-08.
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