Dragon Gate 10/4/2024 The Gate of Victory 2024 Day 1

Dragon Gate 10/4/2024 The Gate of Victory 2024 Day 1

D'courage (Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta) vs. PARADOX (Dragon Kid & Naruki Doi)

Dia side headlocks Kid. Dia runs the ropes fast and armdrags him. Kid flips out of a snapmare and they stand off. MK and Doi go at it. Doi hits chops and they shoulder battle. Kikuta shoulders him over then Kid hits Kikuta from behind. Kid dropkicks Doi on accident. Kikuta wristlocks Kid then Dita hits double axe handles on Kid.

Kikuta chops Kid over. Dia rocking chairs Kid then gets a 2 count on him. Kid stunners Dia out of a suplex attempt. Doi goes after Kid and gets in. Doi running swantons Dia for 2. Kid elbow drops Dia's arm off the ropes. Kid then knee drops him and handstands into a knee drop. Dia ropebreaks.

Doi eye rakes Dia. Dia headscissors him out of the corner. Kikuta hits a double hip attack on his opponents. Dia tope con hilos outside and Kikuta puts his butt in Doi's face. Doi avoids a hip attack and makes Kikuta land on his leg. Kikuta leg lariats and legdrops him. Dia standing moonsaults Doi. Kid headscissors Dia into a sleeper for 2.

Kikuta flying hip attacks Kid and Doi dropkicks Kikuta in the knee. Doi suplexes Dia for 2. Kid jumps at an opponent but misses and ends up hugging Doi. They both get disgusted by it. Kikuta corner lariats Kid. Kid takes a double boot then pump kick + leg sweep combo. Kikuta emerald flowsions Kid for 2.

Doi and Kikuta trade forearms and chops. ikuta pump kicks Doi then Doi pulls him over the top. Dia is tripped into the 2nd rope for a Kid 619. Kikuta jumping hip attacks Doi and Kid/Dia trade pin attempts. Dia hits his end over move on Kid for 2.

Kikuta hip attacks Doi off the apron then he lariats Kid for 2. Kid crucifix bombs Kikuta for 2. Kikuta lariats Kid and the time runs out.

Thoughts: It went to a 15 minute draw. They pushed issues between Kid and Doi here. Kikuta as a mini fro now and continues to be one of the most bizarre looking guys in the business. The action was okay but the storyline work overtook the actual match.

Bosou 10 Match Series Revival #3 Match - Masaaki Mochizuki vs. Kono Mama Ichikawa

Stalker says he wants a 2 count rule for him but a 3 count rule for Mochi. Mochi accepts it but says there's no rematch if he beats him within 10 seconds. Stalker rolls up Mochi off a running kick. Mochi hits a flying kick to the face for 2. Stalker flying headscissors Mochi. Stalker tries a top rope dive on Mochi but Mochi just moves away.

Stalker's back is rammed into the apron edge. Stalker eye pokes him. Stalker wants to walk the top rope but ends up tripping and crotching himself as usual. They shove each other and trade leg kicks. Stalker tries to slam him but can't. Mochi hits Stalker in his injured back.

Mochi boots him out of the corner. Stalker pokes Mochy into the butt and sends Stalker into the ref's butt. Stalker gets a pin attempt but the ref is hurt can't count quick enough. Stalker argues with the ref and is rolled up for 2. Stalker boots the ref Yagi and tries to headscissor him but Yagi puts him down.

Stalker goes up top and is thrown down by Mochi. Stalker sunset flips him off a powerbomb attempt and they trade pin attempts. Mochi and Stalker argue with the ref and shove him. The ref kicks both then takes a double lariat. Mochi tries to get Stalker to pin Yagi but Yagi kicks out at 1. 

Stalker tries to suplex Mochi but can't. Stalker avoids a twister and hits a german on Mochi for 1. Mochi then taps him out with a single leg crab.

Thoughts: It was all comedy here with the ref being hit and Stalker trying to win but being unable to due to his back being injured. They did an okay job pushing the injury but it was not serious in any way and went a little longer than it needed to.

Mochi and Stalker both get on the mic after. Stalker is about to retire and says he only has a few matches left. They shake hands.

BIG BOSS Shimizu, Shuji Kondo & Toru Owashi vs. Daiki Yanagiuchi, Punch Tominaga & Ultimo Dragon

Punch tries to chop the other team then they triple team him with chops. Punch wants to tag out but his partners don't want to. Punch takes corner attacks and he 2nd rope flying headbutts Toru. Daiki hits a springboard dropkick then topes Boss outside.

Daiki pounds on Boss then Boss does a fallaway slam throw on him. Daiki takes a triple foot choke in the corner. Daiki hits a chop flurry on Kondo then Kondo pop-up powerslams him for 2. 

Boss slams Daiki then falling splashes him for 2. Boss stands on Daiki's gut and Toru joins in. Daiki hits chops on Toru then Toru chops him over. Daiki armdrags him out of a chokeslam and dropkicks him. Ultimo gets in. Ultimo hits kicks on Toru and pushes Boss into him. Ultimo back body drops Boss and hurts his own back off of it. Ultimo abomdinal stretches Kondo but lets it go due to his back. Kondo takes corner attacks.

Daiki top rope meteora's Kondo for 2. Boss hits a double flying shoulderblock. Toru facekicks Boss on accident and Daiki tries to pin Boss. Boss catches him and hits a big sitout powerbomb for the win.

Thoughts: The bigger guys bullied around the smaller guys here and won as expected. The smaller didn't guys didn't have a chance in this one and they pushed it as Daiki still searching for his first pro win.

Ultimo gets on the mic after and says he's going to do a world tour and doesn't know when he will be back. Ryo Saito comes in. They talk about Ultimo being away and Ryo says he needs him back for a December 3rd show. Ultimo agrees to be there for that.

Ryoya Tanaka vs. La Estrella

RT flips over Estrella. Estrella handsprings off the ropes. Estrella handstand walks then backflips into a headscissors. RT does a nice tope con hilo and stomps him outside.

RT chops him. RT puts him on the 2nd rope and superkicks him. RT does a neat nudo on Estrella. Estrella springboard back elbows him. Estrella does a neat submission with the legs and arms hooked then RT ropebreaks. They trade chops and Estrella does an octopus.

Estrella chops RT. RT hits a chop then runs up the buckles and hits a springbord crossbody. Estrella goes for a springboard and is dropkicked in the back. RT asai moonsaults him. RT goes out then Estrella does a low tope on him. Estrella springboard crossbodies him for 2. Estrella misses a Stuka splash then RT twisting neckbreakers him. RT springboard swantons him for 2.

RT superkicks him. They both handspring and RT cutters him off of it. RT does a nice headscissors into a cradle and pins him.

Thoughts: It wasn't as good as it should have been. They did do some flying but it was not a fast paced and clearly not the best they could have done against each other.

Z-Brats (ISHIN, Jason Lee & KAI) vs. Big Hug (Hyo, JACKY KAMEI & Luis Mante)

Lee runs the ropes and is dropkicked by Hyo. Jacky is sent into Luis. Luis goes to springboard but is pulled down by Lee. Kamei gets stomped on. Kamei takes kicks and then a splash from Ishin. Kai rakes Kamei's face. Kamei springboard la sillas Kai.

Ishin and Luis get in. Luis handspring back elbows Ishin. Kamei uses the buckles to bulldog Ishin. Kamei is then popped up Luis' shoulders for a splash on him. Hyo tope rope sentons Ishin. Kamei is popped up into a dropkick. Lee fights off a double team then tornado ddt's Luis off of Kamei. Hyo slingshot cutters Lee.

Hyo goes up and over Ishin. Ishin low blows him and pins him.

Thoughts: It was a fast paced match with a dirty finish. They didn't get a lot of time for this and it's a shame as what we got was good.

Natural Vibes (Kzy, Strong Machine J & U-T) vs. PARADOX (Kagetora, Susumu Yokosuka & YAMATO)

Kzy wristlocks Kage. Kage rolls through it and reverses it. Kzy does the worm out of a wristlock. Kage boots Kzy then Kzy hits a big forearm on him. Kzy headhunters Kage then J sentons Kage.

J hits a hard spinning heel kick on Kage for 2. Kzy slingshot swantons Kage. Kage hits some cops on Kzy and is forearmed down. Kzy running euros Kage then Kage flying lariats him.

Susumu gets in. He lariats UT then J back body drops him. Susumu lariats J. Yamato gets in. He forearms J then suplexes him. We get a 2v2 fast paced spot with people running and out of the corners. UT codebreakers Susumu and holds him for a J senton on the back. J fireman's carry gutbusters Susumu and Kzy euros Susumu.

UT runs the ropes and Kage slingshot kicks him. Kage shotei's him. UT takes a double enzugiri then Susumu lariats UT for 2. J powerslams Susumu.

Kzy forearms Yamato from the side and euros him. Kage then kicks Kzy in the face. UT forearms Kage. Kage shotei's him twice. UT tries pins on Kage for 2. Yamato flying facekicks UT in the corner then Kage running shotei's UT for 2. Kage hits a gurumakakari on UT and pins him.

Thoughts: It was a fast paced one that needed a bit more time and was hard to keep track of. I was surprised to see Kage get the win here. There were a lot of people coming and out of here constantly. Susumu didn't get a ton in. 

Kenoh from NOAH comes out and has words for Yamato. He says Yamato became Dream Gate champ since he last saw him. He says DG is supposed to be a young man's promotion but Yamato is old. Yamato says Ken would know a lot about being old. Ken challenges him. Yamato challenges him for a title match.

Ryo Saito comes out. He says okay and makes the match. Ken talks on the mic more after and calls Yamato an old man. Stalker Ichikawa then comes out. Stalker says Ken has to beat him if he wants a title match.

Bosou 10 Match Series Revival #4 Match - Kono Mama Ichikawa vs. Kenoh

Ken blocks an eye poke and hits chest kicks. Stalker dragon screws him. Stalker figure fours him. Ken reverses it and Stalker taps out.

Losing Unit Member Elimination Eight Man Tag Team Match - Z-Brats (Gianni Valletta, Homare, Kota Minoura & Shun Skywalker) vs. GOLD CLASS (Ben-K, BxB Hulk, Mochizuki Jr. & Riiita)

The fight starts before the bell. Everyone pairs off to fight. Gianni bites and slams Hulk. He slams Rita and everyone goes out to fight. Rita's head is banged off the wall and Hulk/Shun fight in the stands. Gianni goes into the seats with Ben. Homare superkicks Rita off the apron. Ben is sent into the post by Gianni.

Shun foot chokes Hulk in the corner. Hulk hits chops back and Shun goes for the eyes. Shun back body drops Hulk. Shun and Ben go into the stands to fight. Kota and Rita fight in the stands as well. Z-Brats gets the advantage in the ring and Gianni hits a leg drop.

Rita tries chops on Mochi Jr and Kota rakes his face. Kota elbows him down. Rita rolls Kota into a double stomp. Rita fights off a double team and flying headscissors Shun.

Gianni headbutts Ben. Gianni is crotches on the top rope and goes out. Mochi Jr hits a moonbsualt off the buckles on Gianni and Shun. Kota takes a backdrop and an axe kick. Hulk standing corkscrew moonsaults Kota for 2.

Rita does a headscissors into a spinning flatliner. Hulk hits kicks on Homare then Homare swings Hulk's leg out from under him. Ben overhead suplexes Homare. Ben is monkey flipped into Mochi. Shun is sent over the top by Rita. Kota goes to hit him with a cookie sheet but Hulk stops it.

Ben hits Kota with a sweet and Rita hits Kota with a fan. Rita code reds Kota for 2 when Kai stops the count despite not being in this. Gianni gets in and cleans house. Gianni headbutts Rita and has Mochi and Rita hanging off of him. Ben dropkicks all 3 over.

Ben spears Kota for 2. Ben is chaired by Kai while running the ropes and Shun chairs Hulk. Homare superkicks Mochi then superkicks Shun on accident. Rita flying poisonrana's Homare. Ginanni powerbombs Rita over the top onto people. Kota falcon arrows Hulk for 2.

Kota fire thunders Hulk and pins him. Hulk is now out of Gold Class.

Thoughts: It was an entertaining match. The first half was a little slow with a lot of outside brawling but it picked up as the match got back in the ring. Rita got put over well getting to make a lot of underdog comebacks.

Kota laughs on the mic after and says might is right. He tells Hulk to join Stalker in retirement and sticks the mic in his mouth. Kota rips Hulk's Gold Class shirt off and hits him with it. Kota then boots him over. Hulk bites Shun's fingers then Shun boots him over. Hulk slaps Shun around and Shun slaps back. Shun headbutts him down and Gold Class tries to break it up.

Hulk then leaves on his own and Shun mocks Hulk. Shun says you need numbers to be a good unit. Hyo's BIG HUG team comes out and takes offense with this. Ishin makes fun of Gold Class and Big Hug.

They then announce Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Stalker Ishikawa for 12/17.

Overall thoughts: The main was good but not great and helped things out here. A lot of the matches didn't get enough time due to the main and opener being long. There were also 2 comedy matches on here. I thought it was a 6 out of 10 overall, mostly for the main. I wouldn't recommend it though.

Dragon Gate 5/5/2024 Dead or Alive 2024

Dragon Gate 5/5/2024 Dead or Alive 2024

Kagetora, Susumu Yokosuka & YAMATO vs. GOLD CLASS (Ben-K, BxB Hulk & Kota Minoura)

SY = Susumu Yokosuka, Kage = Kagetora

Kage is kneed from the outside then takes a double shoulderblock. SY and Kota trade forearms. SY running knees him in the gut. Kage flying lariats Kota. Kage puts Kota on thr 2nd rope and lariats him down. Yamato chops Kota then slams him. Kage slaps Yamato. Kota waterwheel drops Kage and both tag out. SY sunset flips Hulk, Hulk rolls through and axe kicks him. Ben hits a double spear on SY and Yamato.

Kage gets caught by Ben then Ben suplexes him. Kage takes a double hiptoss then a sliding d + axe kick combo. Hulk standing corkscrew moonsaults Kage for 2. Ben hits a great lariat on Kage then Yamato flying single leg dropkicks Ben in the corner. SY corner lariats Ben. Yamato enzugiri's Ben then SY lariats Ben. Ben headbutts him then runs into a big SY lariat for 2. Yamato brainbusters Ben for 2.

Yamato and Kota trade forearms. Kota evades a double team and flying lariats Kage. Kota exploders Yamato. Yamato sleepers Kota then is thrown over. Kota jumping knees him. Kota rolls him into a pin attempt for 2. Yamato lariats Kota for 2 then hits galleria to win it.

Thoughts: It got enough time. This was definitely designed to get Kota over here. It was a little slow at first but picked up some as it went along. Ben and Susumu hit nice lariats her.

Ben has words for Susumu after. 

BIG BOSS Shimizu & Toru Owashi vs. Z-Brats (ISHIN & KAI)

Ishin put a bunch of weight on and is fat now. I have no idea why he would do this.

The Brats attack their opponents before it starts. Ishin slams someone on Toru. Ishin does shoulders on Boss then Boss flying shoulders him. Ishin chokes Boss on the ropes. Boss takes corner attacks, a kick combo and a splash for 2. Boss double suplexes his opponents then Toru gets in. Toru does a headscissors + headlock takeover combo. Toru and Boss dosey do and attack thei ropponents in the corner. Boss has both opponents on his shoulders and samona drops both.

Toru uranages Ishin then falling splashes him for 2. Boss is up top and Ishin throws the ref into him. Ishin hits opponents with a box lid and the ref disqualifies him.

Thoughts: This was a stupid waste of time.

Don Fujii, Masaaki Mochizuki, Mondai Ryu & Yasushi Kanda vs. D'courage (Dragon Dia, Madoka Kikuta & Ryoya Tanaka) & Ultimo Dragon

RT = Ryoya Tanaka

Dia trips Kanda then armdrags and dropkicks him out. Fuji and Kikuta shoulder battle and Kikuta shoulders him over. Kikuta jumping hip attacks him then Mochi knees him from the apron. Kikuta takes a neckbreaker from Ryu. Ryu clubs on RT then flying clotheslines him.

RT chops Mochi then Mochi hits kicks on him. Ryu stands on RT's neck. RT fights back, runs up the buckles and twisting crossbodies him. Ultimo spin kicks Mochi then back elbows him. Ultimo pushes Kanda into him then back body drops him. Ultimo does a figure four variation on Kanda.

Kanda takes a 4v1, taking an enzugiri combo then double standing moonsaults for 2. Kikuta takes corner attacks. Fuji bulldogs him and Mochi PK's him for 2. Kikuta suplexes Ryu then Dia running ssp's Ryu. RT springboard swantons Ryu for 2. Dia hits an absolutely nasty looking driver on Ryu and wins it.

Thoughts: It was short at under 7 minutes and we barely saw most of the people in it.

U-T vs. Strong Machine J

UT rushes J and pounds on him. J fires back, eye rakes him and throws him back. J throws him down then is armdragged and single leg dropkicked. J shoulders UT over and hits punches. Ut hits forearms then J shoulders him over. J foot chokes him in the corner. J backdrops him for 2 then hits mounted punches. J back body drops UT then throws him out.

UT's back is driven into the apron/cage structure (the cage is not set up yet but there's rails set up for it). UT's arm is worked around the cage rail. J bullies him around and they trade shots. J headbutts UT. UT hits back with chest slaps. J corner spears him. J bocks UT's frankensteiner and powerbombs him for 2.

J's head is banged off the buckles then UT top rope dropkicks him. J flying back elbows him. UT kind of sunset flips him off a powerbomb attempt then basement dropkicks him. UT dropkicks him in the knee and leg lariats him while he's down for 2.

UT stomps and foot chokes J in the corner. UT armbars him then ties up both of the arms. UT ddt's him then running knees him for 2. UT does something like a tequila shot for 2. J gutbusters him and hits lariats. J running lariats him for 2. J powerslams UT and UT turns it into a pin attempt. UT does a double arm submission and submits him.

Thoughts: The finish was a little random here but these two had beef with each other and showed it here. It was a different type of DG match than usual with a bit of a slower pace and them putting more force into various moves. I liked it and thought they did a good job with what they were trying to do.

UT tells J he wants him back and united with Natural Vibes. 

Open The Twin Gate Title Match - Alejandro & Kaito Kiyomiya (c) vs. Dragon Kid & Naruki Doi

Ale = Alejandro

Ale wristlocks Kid. Kid trips him then they trade leglocks. Kid front facelocks him then Ale side headlocks him. Ale wristlocks Kid. Kid side headlock takeovers him and is headscissored. Ale clubs on Kid then Kid 2nd rope hurricanrana's him. Kid 619's his back on the apron then 2nd rope moonsaults him outside.

Kaito and Doi go at it. Kaito side headlocks him then shoulders him over. Kaito headlock takeovers him, is headscissored then they have the other do the spot. They trade armdrags and stand off.

Doi dropkicks Kaito in the knee and eye rakes him. Doi is knocked off the apron then Ale tope con hilos him. Kid springboards and is dropkicked in mid-air by Kaito. Kaito dropkicks Kid then Kid and Doi are thrown into each other outside.

Ale works Kid's leg and Kid ropebreaks. Kaito butt drops Kid's leg then bangs it off the mat. Ale dropkicks the knee and does a figure four variation on Kid. Kid and Ale trade. Kid flips out of a snapmare and spin kicks him. Doi spinebusters Ale then flipping sentons him. Doi knocks Kaito off the apron on purpose then suplexes Ale. Doi and Kaito trade forearms then Kaito running euros him. Kaito throws Kid into a crossbody on Doi then jumping elbows Doi.

Ale and Kid fight up on the buckles. Ale takes a super hurricanrana off the top from Kid for 2. Doi cannonballs Ale in the corner. Doi gets stuck on the buckles and fights with Kaito there. Kaito top rope hurricanrana's Doi for 2. Ale dropkicks Kid then handspring back elbows him. Ale basement dropkicks Kid in the back for 2. Ale top rope splashes Kid for 2.

Kaito hits forearms on Doi. Doi facekicks him and Kaito spinning forearms him. Kaito hits a forearm flurry then Doi hits doi fives. Kaito jumping knees him then takes a sliding kick. Kaito then hits a shining wizard. Kaito hits another shining wizard then Kid springboard hurricanrana's Kaito for 2. Ale basement dropkicks Doi then Ale hits a code red for 2 on Doi. Ale misses a skytwister press off the buckles. Ale rolls up Doi off a casaora. Ale takes a 619 then a sliding kid from Doi. Kid pins Ale.

Thoughts: If you were looking to see Kid and Ale go at it like I was, we didn't get a whole lot of it. And it's a shame. I laughed at them pushing Kaito as a heavyweight when he's clearly maybe 10 pounds heavier than Doi at most. It was okay and all but they weren't going for some great memorable match here and it wasn't one.

Open The Dream Gate Title Match - Luis Mante (c) vs. Gianni Valletta

LM = Luis Mante, GV = Gianni Valletta

This is definitely the match I think of when I think Dragon Gate LOL. I still have Gianni Valletta PTSD from the Champion Carnival a few years ago.

LM flying headscissors GV. LM enzugiri's him from the apron then springboard dropkicks him. LM is tripped by Ishin outside then GV throws a chair at LM. GV chokeslams him on the apron. LM's head is banged off a chair outside and LM is thrown into the post. GV rams LM into the apron then stomps on him.

GV hits shots in the corner and sends him hard into the buckles. LM hits chops then GV sleepers him. GV snapmares him and legdrops him. GV then goes back to the headlock/sleeper. LM hits chops then GV slams him. GV claws him and LM hurricanrana's him. LM throws him over the top to the floor then springboard plancha's a ring attendant outside when GV moves. 

GV is back body dropped onto the floor then LM topes GV. LM slingshots in and hurricanrana's him. GV spinebusters him. GV hits a 2nd rope shoulderblock then powerslams him. GV kneedrops him for 2. LM dropkicks him then GV bites him. LM lariats him then throws him down off of it. LM racks him and hits bloodfall off of it.

LM does a cobra twist on GV. LM is crotched on the top rope then lariated. GV headbutts him on the buckles then superplexes him for 2. GV tiger drivers him for 2. GV iron claw slams him. LM no sells it and hits forearms and a facekick. LM cradles him off a slam and wins it.

Thoughts: It was nothing special as expected. It wasn't awful or anything but just very average and certainly not worth of a semi-main event.

Hair Vs. Mask Steel Cage Survival Five Way Match - Kzy vs. Jason Lee vs. Hyo vs. Shun Skywalker vs. Jacky Funky Kamei

Shun's the only one with a mask on the line as here as everyone else has their hair on the line.

Jacky and Hyo go after Lee then Kzy goes after Shun to start. Jacky and Kzy footchoke Shun in the corner. KZY knee chokes shun and Lee is double teamed. Shun and Lee are thrown into each other. Shun is tripped and held for a basement dropkick from Jacky. Lee takes corner attacks then Jacky boot flurries him. Jacky 2nd rope la silla's Lee.

Kzy and Hyo push each other then Shun goes for Jacky. Shun monkey flips Jacky into two opponents. Jacky counters Shun's hiptoss and dropkicks Jason off of it before armdragging Shun. 5 minutes has passed and now they can escape the cage. 3 wrestlers try and get stopped. Z-Brats bang the cage with wooden planks to stop Hyo and another from trying to escape.

Wooden planks and chairs are put in the ring. Kzy takes a double shot with chairs to the gut then Jacky hits Kzy with a chair in the back. Shun and Jacky have chairs dropkicked into their faces. Shun falls off the top rope and goes into the cage on the fall. Hyo goes to grab his flag but Jacky is double teamed with a chair. Hyo saves Jacky and stays in the match.

Hyo is double teamed with boots. Hyo is whipped into the wooden plank then Kzy is as well. Jacky runs up the wooden plank and goes to escape but is stopped. Jacky then sits on the blank and drops down on Hyo and Lee. Jacky spins the plank around and hits people with it then a rope is brought into the cage. Jacky and Hyo are lariated with the plank.

Lee chokes Jacky then they tie him up with the rope. Jacky is choked with the rope. Kzy takes an enzugiri and is thrown into the cage by Shun. Shun, Hyo and Lee fight over the rope, which is wrapped around a rail up top. Jacky grabs onto the other end of the rope and is pulley'd up. Jacky then escapes the cage in a really cool spot.

Lee and Shun double team Hyo then Kzy hits them with a wet floor sign. Kzy climbs the cage and Shun hits him with the plank. Shun stands on Kzy's back up on the top rope and grabs the flag to escape the cage.

3 people are left. Lee and Kzy are sent into each other. Lee tornado ddt's Kzy off of Hyo then cutters and buzzsaw kicks Hyo. Kzy spears Lee into the cage hard. Shun climbs the cage from the outside to stop Kzy from getting out. Kzy hangs off the bar up at the top. They fight over a weapon then Strong Machine J gets up on the cage. J nails Kzy and shakes hands with Shun, joining him. J then nails Shun with a weapon and helps Kzy get the flag to escape the cage. 

Hyo and Jason Lee are the last two. They grab chairs and duel. Hyo backdrops him then diving cutters him off the 2nd rope. They trade forearms. Hyo is whipped into the exposed buckles. They go onto the buckles. Hyo swings off the rail up top and la sillas him. Hyo 2nd rope sentons him through a bridged plank. Hyo goes for the flag up top and has to fight off seconds from outside. Ishin throws powder in Hyo's eyes and on his head.

Lee throws a chair at Hyo. Lee spinning drivers him. Lee ki krushers Hyo onto chairs then escapes the cage.

Shun slaps around Hyo after and laugh at him losing his hair. Shun and Lee cut Hyo's hair. Shun and Lee make Jacky and Kzy cut off some of Hyo's hair after then make Jacky watch it. Hyo cries after. Kzy and J shake hands and hug. They then do a send off for Natural Vibes after. Natural Vibes then doesthier dance after.

Thoughts: It was a longer escape the cage match. If you've seen one of these, you've basically seen them all. We get some fighting between the 5 early, then people try to escape and often get blocked from doing so. It then gets down to the last two and eventually someone wins. It was okay but not super great. The rope pulley spot was really creative and the wooden planks were something different to play with here than usual.

Overall thoughts: This wasn't Dragon Gate's best effort here. The card was weak on paper with only the main and the tag title match being bigger matches. The cage match and UT/Strong Machine J were probably the best matches on here. Gianni Valletta should not have been in the semi-main of one of the biggest shows of the year either. I wouldn't recommend this one.

Dragon Gate 3/2/2024 The Gate of Nostalgia 2024

Dragon Gate 3/2/2024 The Gate of Nostalgia 2024

Natural Vibes (Jacky Funky Kamei, Punch Tominaga & U-T) vs. MASQUERADE (Dragon Dia, Jason Lee & Kota Minoura)

Jason and Jacky go at it. They trade wristlocks then side headlock takeovers. UT and Kota go at it. UT crucifixes him then shoulders him over. Punch takes a double facebuster then a group basement dropkick. Dia standing moonsaults Punch for 2 then they trade forearms. Punch limbos out of a flying lariat.  then Jacky hits a nice dropkick on Dia.

Dia takes a triple team with a basement dropkick and a Punch headbutt drop. Jason avoids a double team then tornado ddt's UT. Jason rewind kicks UT then takes a slingshot headbutt from Punch.

Jason takes corner moves then Jacky hits his kung fu kicks on him. Punch is then catapulted into a headbutt on Jason. Punch goes for another slingshot headbutt but Kota basement dropkicks him. Dia handsping back elbows Punch then pushes Kota into a spinning backbreaker on Punch. Kota double underhook suplexes Punch for 2.

Punch takes a triple team for 2. UT is lifted up for a neckbreaker by Kota then Jason plancha's Jacky outside. Dia diving ddt's Punch and wins it.

It was a short trios match here. Nothing wrong with it as we got some creative spots 

Super Florida Brothers (Jackson Florida & Johnson Florida) vs. Renaissance (Don Fujii & Yasushi Kanda)

The finish

Jackson is using a cane in the ring and Kanda questions it. Johnson says Jackson's right leg is unusable, so it should be allowed. Jackson gets in the ring with his cane andtrips, flaling into the ropes and losing it. Jackson tries to stab Kanda with the cane but can't. Don chops Jackson then headlocks him. Jackson uses the cane to ropebreak.

Don leglocks the good leg of Jackson then Jackson hits him with the cane. Kanda armwringers Jackson with the cane and Johnson tags in. Johnson headlock takeovers him and loses his mask, revealing himself as Yagi.

Johnson puts the mask back on. Johnson takes a double back elbow. Don chops Johnson and they trade chest shots. Kanda eye rakes Johnson then Johnson lariats him. Jackson tries a running corner move on Kanda but falls out of the ring due to his leg. Johnson sentons Kanda. Jackson has a spotlight put on him as he goes up top and he misses a dive on Kanda. Kanda figure fours Jackson and Johnson breaks it up.

Johnson and the ref fight over a chair then Johnson sends Kanda into the ref. Johnson chairs Kanda and pretends Kanda hit him with it. Johnson tries to get the ref up then Kanda pretends to be hit with the chair. Don tries to grab the chair from Johnson, Johnson puts the chair on his head and the ref sees it. Don is DQ'd and the Florida Brothers win.

It was all comedy as expected. 

Real Hazard (Cyber Kong, Genki Horiguchi & Ryo Saito vs. Dia.HEARTS (BxB Hulk, Dragon Kid & Masaaki Mochizuki)

Ryo and Mochi go at it. Ryo shoulders him over. Kong takes a double back elbow then hits a double suplex on Mochi and Hulk. The wrestlers all fight in the crowd. Back in the ring, Ryo put his chewing gum in Hulk's face. Kong corner lariats Kid, putthimg on the top rope with it.

Kong throws Kid off the top then throws him on a backdrop. Ryo chopes Kid with a whip then Kid takes a sequence that ends in a baseball slide. Kid is held up in the air for a Kong splash. Kid tilt-a-whirl armdrags Genki and Hulk cartwheels through a double clothesline. Hulk flatliners Ryo then Kong double lariats Hulk and Mochi.

Mochi hits kicks on Ryo then Ryo fisherman suplexes him. Ryo pops up Kid into a german then Genki tornado ddt's Kid. Kong running lariats Kid then Ryo hits a double cross straightjacket sitout dominator on Kid. Genki mists Ryo on accident then Kid 2nd rope moonsaults Genki outside. Hulk kick combos Ryo then Ryo is double superkicked by Hulk and Mochi for the loss. Hulk pins Ryo.

It was kind of a slower trios match. They tried to go fast but they just couldn't for the most part. It was fine for what it was but they didn't do their bigger offense here.

MaxiMuM (Ben-K & Big R Shimizu) vs. D'Courage (Madoka Kikuta & Ryoya Tanaka)

Kikuta slaps Big R and they shoulder battle. They mess with each others hair then Big R flying shoulders him. Ben and RT go at it. RT armdrags him then flying headscissors and dropkicks him. Ben shoulders him over then RT takes a double shoulderblock. Big R stands on RT then Ben and Big R take turns slamming RT.

Big R works RT's neck and RT takes a double team. Ben swinging gutbusters RT for 2. Big R misses a corner splash then RT runs up the buckles and twisting crossbodies him. Kikuta shoulders over Ben then back body drops Big R.

Ben and Kikuta trade forearms. Kikuta suplexes Ben then Big R hits a double flying shoulder on his opponents. Big R 2nd rope shoulderblocks RT. RT takes a back body drop and Big R splashes him.

Ben hits a stiff top rope dropkick on RT for 2. Kikuta fights off both opponents and takes a double shoulder. Kikuta gets suplexed and RT takes a fallaway slam. Ben karelin's lifts RT off a tornado ddt attempt. Ben running lariats RT.

RT gets out of Big R's shotput chokeslam. Kikuts and Big R lariat each other at the same time and Big R body blocks him. Kikuta hits an emerald flowsion then RT springboard swantons him. RT goes up top and is pushed off the top by Z-Brats. They then call this a no contest.

It was an interesting heavyweight style match and it's too bad we didn't get a finish on it. RT has gotten a lot better and gives me Shota Umino vibes. 

Z-Brats gets on the mic after. RT said Ishin ruined what was going to be a win for them. He said he will have to beat Ishin tomorrow.

Big Hug (Hyo & Luis Mante) vs. Jimmyz (Jimmy Kagetora & Jimmy Susumu)

Hyo looks like a completely different person than he used to with a new hairstyle, suspenders and long pants. Hyo and Kage trade wristlocks. Hyo hits a double chop. JS hits a lariat on Luis then back body drops him.

JS hits corner spears on Hyo then knees him. Kage slingshot elbow drops Hyo for 2. Hyo flying leg lariats Kage and Kage is beat up on some. Hyo sentons Kage then does push-ups and poses. Kag hits a flying lariat on Hyo.

JS and Luis go at it. JS exploders him and Luis back body drops him. Luis tilt-a-whirl backbreakers him. Luis throws Hyo into a headscissors on JS. JS takes a double splash twice.

Kage fights off a double team and step up enzugiri's Hyo. Hyo takes a 2nd rope exploder into a top rope elbow drop. Luis and JS trade chest slaps. Luis face kicks him then takes a lariat. JS lariats Hyo.Hyo takes shots from both then a yokosuka flatliner for 2. JS hits a jumbo no kachi lariat on Hyo and wins it.

It was a shorter tag and nothing too special. It had a slower pace to it that didn't really pick up until the finish.

Susumu gets on the mic after and talks about wanting Luis' title. Luis says good luck to him. Kanda gets on the mic and said he's ready for the match tomorrow. Hyo said today's results don't matter and he's going on the hunt tomorrow.

All of the former Jimmy'z, minus CIMA then do their dance together and pose.

Five On Four Handicap Match - Gianni Valletta & Z-Brats (ISHIN, KAI & Shun Skywalker) vs. MAD BLANKEY (Kzy, Mondai Ryu, Naruki Doi, Punch Tominaga & YAMATO)

The heels attack before this starts. Everyone fights outside and both teams get counted out. Kai says bye bye and says everyone should go home. Yamato said everyone here came to see Mad Blankey and the match restarts as Mad Blankey attacks.

They go back into the crowd and fight. Doi chokes Shun with a chair and Gianni goes into the post. Ishin takes a 5 person low dropkick. Punh hits people with a box then dropkicks it into Gianni's face. Punch asai moonsaults outside.

Yamato baseball slides Punch when Ishin moves. Punch is pulled crotch first into the post then Shun beats up on Punch. Punch and Shun slap each other then Shun eye rakes him. Punch ducks a pump kick then hits his own face kick.

Kzy criss crosses Ishin and forearms him off of it. Yamato does a nice single leg dropkick on Kai. Gianni takes a double dropkick to the knee and a running euro from Kzy. Kzy grabs Ishin and Kai by the crotch then grabs Shun's crotch with his mouth in a gross moment.

Ryu tries to low blow Ishin and fails, then Ishin throws Ryu's foot into the ref. Ishin then throws the ref into Ryu. Kai lariats Ryu. Don Fuji comes out as a member of Mad Blankey and beats up the Z-Brats crew. This makes this a 6-4. Don lariats his partners on accident then runs off on his own/gets booted out. Ishin brainbusters Punch. Ishin gets hit with a box and salt. Doi sliding kicks Ishin then Yamato hits gallaria on Ishin.

Gianni bites and lariats Yamato. He bangs Doi and Kzy's heads together and double lariats them. Gianni hits a double claw slam then a knee drop for the win.

Gianni chokes Punch with a chain after then beats up people who try to help.

The match was chaotic from start to finish and technically, there were two matches here as the first one ended up in a double countout a minute in. There were throwsbacks to the various factions here and Don Fuji getting involved was fun. It was nonsense though with ref bumps, weapons usage, interference and more people being added to the mathc.

Shun's team is given a years worth of insect repellant for winning and they beat up the sponsor who gave it to them.

Overall thoughts: This was a pretty neat and rare concept show in wrestling. Dragon Gate/Toryumon has been around a long time and has its own history with the various factions and wrestlers. They were able to capitalize on it here by bringing back old groups and gimmicks. It's a cool idea. I wish they would have done it 10 years sooner though when some of the original and universally loved factions like M2K, Do Fixer and Crazy Max could have been uninvolved. Interestingly, M2K's original core is still enact and doing M3K, but for some reason, they didn't do do M2K on this show. 

As for the wrestling, it was mostly average all around. There was nothing must see here and there was a lot of comedy and cheating. I don't think people who don't follow Dragon Gate too much would like this but I'm sure hardcore Dragon Gate fans would enjoy this though.