Posted on December 15, 2022 by Issa Marie

From NATURAL VIBES To Kung Fu Masters

Lee & Kamei pose with the Open the Twin Gate tag team title belts

From NATURAL VIBES To Kung Fu Masters

The Two Faces Of Jason Lee & Jacky Funky Kamei

TEXT & PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

IN PRO WRESTLING, one needs to develop a character or persona that resonates with an audience. This is no easy task to accomplish merely once—just ask any wrestler who has cycled through multiple gimmicks over the course of a career.

Imagine, then, a tag team ably portraying multiple characters within the same wrestling company … at the same time.

Indeed, it is a major challenge to embody two different characters and the relationships those characters have—completely distinct and unique—and yet, DRAGONGATE’s Jason Lee and Jacky Funky Kamei have managed to do just that!

Both members of the NATURAL VIBES unit, Lee and Kamei make for an awesome pair. Lee introduces himself as the “pro wrestler from Hong Kong that represents DG, able to master everything he does.” While Kamei is the self-described “funky energetic Jackie Chan lookalike with a deadly POW!”

Given their respective namesakes (Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan) and connections to the culture and land, the two tandem specialists decided to create a Hong Kong-centric unit of their own. (Note: DG is based in Kobe, home to a large Chinatown area named Nankinmachi.)

Realizing that a two-wrestler unit would not be able to survive long in DG’s competitive landscape, invitations were extended to Hong Kong native Ho Ho Lun and his friend Super Shenlong III.

When asked if it’s ever confusing to alternate between their original personas and newer personas, Lee is nonplussed. “Honestly, no,” he told PWI. “Kung Fu Masters (KFM) is more a comedy unit, something I do not mind doing. However, the Jason Lee you see wrestle as part of NV (Natural Vibes), the technically sound, high-speed athlete with an infusion of kung fu, is who I am.”

So, if he must pick one version of Jason Lee, which does he prefer? “NV Jason Lee, definitely!”

For the record, KFM’s Jason and Jacky are more than just a comedy act. At Kobe World Festival 2022, they dethroned Open the Twin Gate champions Shun Skywalker & Diamante—pound-for-pound, one of the promotion’s biggest, most dominant, and most agile duos. Interestingly, the so-called comedy unit seems to have made its members more confident in their abilities.

“KFM has given me the ability to expand my range when speaking on the microphone, show that a wrestler with a small body, big heart, who will never give up, is not limited in the ring,” said Kamei. “My style remains the same for the most part … displays of strength, with the ability to cover every inch of the ring, and strike from any angle.”

And, while both Kamei and Lee have desires to win singles titles in a not-too-distant future, they both prefer tag team wrestling. “With a great partner,” adds Lee. “Like I’ve had with Kota Minoura, and now Jacky.”

“In a tag team, you have the ability to develop and create powerful team moves,” Kamei said. “Which requires a combination of strength and skills.”

Moreover, Lee & Kamei have plans to conquer the world as a team … and regain the Twin Gate title they lost to D’Courage in Tokyo. “I truly believe the outcome [of the match] would have been different, had they faced the NV team,” said Lee. “KFM, the unit that is specific to Kobe … We were at a disadvantage by not having the energy, power, and the spirit of the community with us.”
And having been there in September to witness the loss, this author cannot disagree with Lee’s assessment.

With that, we leave you with Lee & Kamei’s parting words for readers of our ongoing DRAGONGATE Series:

“I hope to have more fans learn about and watch DG. And, when I wrestle again in the U.S. and Mexico, new fans and current fans come to watch and support during the tours.” – Jason Lee

“Please everyone watch and support DG and my FUNKY wrestling! POW POW!” – Jacky Funky Kamei

RECOMMENDED VIEWING:

Jacky Funky Kamei vs SB KENTo, October 17, 2021

Jason Lee vs Shun Skywalker, April 25, 2022

Jason Lee & Jacky Funk Kamei vs. Diamante & Shun Skywalker, July 30, 2022

Kung Fu Masters vs. Genki Horiguchi & Teelan Shisa, November 19, 2022

NATURAL VIBESからカンフー・マスターズへ

ジェイソン・リーとジャッキーファンキーカメイの両面

プロレスでは、観客の心を掴むようなキャラクターが必要です。これは、一度だけではなかなか難しいものです。キャリア中にたくさんのキャラクターを巡回した選手に聞いてみたらいかがでしょうか？

だとしたら、改めて想像して見て下さい。同団体で複数のキャラクターを同時に演じ分けるタッグチームはどうでしょうか？

二人の異なるキャラクターと彼らが持つ関係性を具現化するのかかなり大きなチャレンジですが、DRAGONGATEのジェイソン・リーとジャッキーファンキーカメイなら問題なし！

ジェイソン・リーは「何事も極めるDRAGONGATE代表の香港人プロレスラー」。そしてジャッキーファンキーカメイ選手は「必殺のPOWを持つファンキーでエネルギッシュなジャッキー・チェンそっくりさん」です。

ブルース・リーやジャッキー・チェンを尊敬し、香港の文化や土地にゆかりのある2人は香港中心としたユニットを結成することにしました。

DRAGONGATEの競争の中で二人のユニットでは長く生き残れないため、香港出身のホーホー・ルン選手と彼の仲間・三代目超神龍に招待を送りました。

両ユニットのペルソナに戸惑うことはないかと聞かれたら、平然としてリー選手はこう言われた：「正直言って、ないですね。カンフーはコミカルなユニットで気にせずやっていることだ。ですが、（ナチュラル）のジェイソン・リーはハイスピードで技術的に才能溢れるカンフーを持つ彼は私そのままです。」

もしカンフーやナチュラルのジェイソン・リーを選ぶとしたら、リー選手は「間違いない、ナチュラルのジェイソン・リーです！」と答えられました。

ただ、カンフーのジェイソンとジャッキーはただのコミカルユニットではない。KOBEプロレスフェスティバル2022年では、オープン・ザ・ツインゲート王者のシュン・スカイウォーカー選手とディアマンテ選手に勝利しました。面白いことに、コミカルユニットとは言っても、メンバーの自信に繋がりました。

カメイ選手は「カンフーのおかげでマイクアピールの幅を広げることになって、小さな体で大きな心を持つ選手はリング上では限界がないことを示すことができました。スタイルとしては変わらない。強さをアピールとリング上のあらゆる方角で攻めることができる選手です。」

カメイ選手やリー選手も早くシングルタイトルを取りたいと思っているが、タッグチームの方が好きなようです。リー選手は「素晴らしいパートナーと一緒に。箕浦康太選手のようにジャッキー選手との」

カメイ選手は「タッグチームでは、強力なチーム技を開発する機会はありますが、それには能力やスキルが必要だ。」

なによりリー選手とカメイ選手はチームとしててっぺんを取る、そして東京でD’Courageが取ったツインゲート王座を奪還すること。リー選手は「ナチュラルだったら結果は違っていただろう。神戸限定のカンフーだったらエネルギーやパワーそしてコミュニティー精神を持っていないことで不利な立場で試合を挑んだ」

9月に現地で敗戦を観戦した筆者はリー選手の評価に異論はなかった。

最後に二人からのコメントです：

ジェイソン・リー：
たくさんのファンにDRAGONGATEを知ってもらい、見て欲しいです。またアメリカやメキシコに再びプロレスができたら、新しいファンや今のファンがツアーに身に来たり応援してくれたりすること。

ジャッキーファンキーカメイ：

みなさん是非DRAGONGATEと私のファンキーレスリングを見てくださいね！POW POW!

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Pollo Del Mar

On Heels: Wardlow, Samoa Joe, GCW’s Kevin Gill

Samoa Joe lets out a war cry at Full Gear in Newark, NJ, November 2022

ON HEELS: Wardlow, Samoa Joe, GCW’s Kevin Gill

TEXT BY POLLO DEL MAR

THOUGH I’M MOST comfortable guiding my talents to victory from the safety of ringside, never take the fact that I don’t enter the ring as meaning I can’t!

No, I am not discussing the countless uncalled-for instances where wrestlers have laid their hands on me as I work my managerial magic. Unfortunately, that occurs far more than I care to admit. Last spring, Mia Yim knocked out my tooth … and Jacob Fatu broke my ribs just months later!

More than once in 2022, however, my hand has been forced—requiring me to defend myself.

Early this year, during Game Changer Wrestling’s San Francisco debut, Joey Janela took apparent offense to me cheering on DARK Sheik during their match. He violently assaulted me even before the bell.

After regaining my composure, I exacted a modicum of revenge—powerbombing “The Bad Boy” through a table. Doing so in seven-inch platform heels seemingly shocked many, leading to a “Moment Of The Year” nomination in the annual Outsports QWI Awards.

Most recently, though, I put the heels aside and climbed between the ropes to wrestle. On Halloween Eve, at Underground Wrestling Alliance Devil’s Night 17, I led The Agenda into eight-person action against The Circus of Sin.

Our place as the most dominant faction in UGWA’s storied history—and, for that matter, all of California—was challenged by Funnybone, Super Beast, Abigail Warren, and vile leader KP. Months of skullduggery and ceaseless, unprovoked attacks against my glamour, beauty, and managerial genius led to one epic night.

Once KP and I were face-to-face—and my earrings came off—their fate was sealed! Like glitter you simply can’t get rid of, I was all over that frightful cretin as we brawled into a corner. Eventually, they, too, felt the wrath of my “Pollo Bomb”!

Even The Circus of Sin grew tired of KP, as each member ultimately delivered beatings to their hapless former ally. Who am I to be swayed by such misfortune? I offered a final, devastating elbow drop to the doughy dumbass and secured the pin!

That same night, UGWA tag team champions Money Power Re$pect (Marco Mayur & Fabuloso Fabricio), “Link to the Future” Anton Voorhees, and I continued our celebration. We gathered ringside as DARK Sheik regained the UGWA Championship of Sharks.

Once again, we reign supreme. Everyone in California, and soon beyond, will know: You’re either with The Agenda … or you’re on our agenda!

A JOE-MENT LIKE THIS

Did Ring of Honor Television champion Samoa Joe attacking AEW TNT champion Wardlow on a recent episode of Dynamite make sense to me?

Not particularly, but I certainly didn’t cry over the dissolution of the all-too-brief WardJoe partnership. Frankly, it gave me something I have waited far too long to see!

Few AEW debuts inspired the excitement I felt for Joe’s. Criminally underutilized by WWE, where he unquestionably should have been World champion, injury nearly robbed him of all opportunity to rectify that elsewhere.

In AEW, I hoped Joe would emerge as a killer poised to right that wrong. (Re)capturing the ROH TV title teased the possibility … but when? After a few matches, Joe disappeared from the very television he purportedly represented and faded into an afterthought. (Not uncommon in the bloated AEW, it seems, where sidelined or underutilized talents exceed even most larger-scale Indie rosters.)

All that changed at Full Gear! In front of a sold-out crowd, the devious Samoan snatched victory from Wardlow, putting away Powerhouse Hobbs in triple-threat action to become the new AEW TNT champion.

Fans can whine and complain about Joe’s underhanded tactics. They can bemoan Wardlow losing his belt without actually being defeated. Say whatever you like; it does not change facts.

Samoa Joe is a former ROH and IMPACT World champion, can brag about carrying major title belts around the globe, and now joins a select few to become a double-champion within AEW. Joe has finally reclaimed all that was nearly taken from him, and I, for one, love to see it.

Indeed, I’d love to see even more. Perhaps it’s time AEW crowns its own Samoan Dynasty.

ULTIMATE HEEL MOVE

HUGE thanks to @OutlawProWres for a fresh weekend of shows in Brooklyn!

Grateful to be a small part of fun events with great talent like @wcwcrowbar @DirtyDangoCurty @RealBullJames @encoreshowtime @MarcusMathers1 @kiahdream to name a few + the crew! #PhotoByKG pic.twitter.com/xy0FdAOzum

— Kevin Gill (@OGkevingill) December 5, 2022

How verrry dare you, Kevin Gill?!

After decades as a West Coast-based hype man, the pro wrestling vocal legend has packed it in! No, he’s not retiring, but the man known to fans worldwide as “The Voice Of GCW” and beyond announced his shocking decision to leave the San Francisco Bay Area.

“The O.G.” briefly discussed this relocation during a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio. There, he joined host Dave LaGreca and Thunder Rosa to share his lifelong love affair with deathmatch wrestling and how today’s Game Changer Wrestling—where Kevin’s commentary is an experience-altering must—continues that tradition.

I don’t care that Kevin’s move is fueled by golden intentions! What do I give a damn about some bleeding heart softie’s desire to be closer to and better able to support and assist loved ones in times of need and crisis?!

Kevin never shook the New York, which is obvious to any who have heard him call matches from Kansas to Korakuen Hall. And yet, the West Coast had stolen one of the best play-by-play men not signed to a major company.

And now this?!

Oh, Kevin Gill, you will rue the day you turned your back on California. And I might yet be the one to personally make you pay!

Posted on December 6, 2022December 15, 2022 by Issa Marie

Shingo Takagi Returns At DRAGONGATE Fan Appreciation Night

DRAGONGATE Fan Appreciation Night (Shingo Takagi Returns!)

PWI’s Ringside Report (12.06.22)

TEXT & PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

THE FIRST OF hopefully many DRAGONGATE Fan Appreciation Nights gave us a glimpse of what’s to come on the road to FinalGate2022, offered an impressive rookie debut, solidified the greatness of Masaaki Mochizuki, and gave us the return of NJPW’s Shingo Takagi after a four-year absence from the company. In other words: FAN SERVICE at its best!

If you have not watched the show, do yourself a favor and go do so! It is FREE! No sign-up required; all you have to do is type dragongate.live on your web browser and select the “English Commentary” option for the 12.6 show. It does not get any easier than that.

The night began with a fast-paced tag team match between Kaito Nagano (who debuted three months ago, yet is wrestling like he has been doing it for much longer) and Dragon Dia vs. the Z-Brats team of ISHIN and Diamante. I am still waiting for that ‘Mante/Nagano singles match, DG!

In the second match of the night, rookie Yoshiki Kato had his debut match against Madoka Kikuta. Talk about a show of strength between these two … the future looks so so bright for Kato!

Strong Machine J displayed more and more of that aggressiveness he’s shown since April. The second-generation wrestler showed he is not always full of “Good Vibes Only” in the six-man tag team match pitting NATURAL VIBES (SMJ, Jacky Funky Kamei, and one-half of the newly crowned Open the Twin Gate champions, Kzy) against the M3K team of Kanda Yasushi, Mochizuki Jr., and Susumu Mochizuki.

One-third of DDT’s KO-D 6-Man tag champs, Naruki Doi, teamed with Shuji Kondo and Eita to take on Gold Class – (Minorita, Ben-K, and Kota Minoura). This match was a great reminder that the former Takumi Hayakawa is a fighter and that we are closer and closer to seeing Eita on the path to great things. Eita did signal to Doi and Kondo that the three of them would make a great team to challenge for the Triangle Gate (trios) title.

Speaking of that prestigious trios title … in a surprising turn of events, Takashi Yoshida pinned one-third of the Triangle Gate champions, KAI, during the eight-man tag between High End and co. (YAMATO, Dragon Kid, Takashi Yoshida, and Problem Dragon) and the Z-Brats team of BxB Hulk, Shun Skywalker, KAI, and H.Y.O.

The win was overshadowed when a piece of all-too-familiar entrance music started to play as BxB Hulk was about to put away YAMATO with a First Flash. Hulk was visibly shaken and became emotional when Shingo Takagi walked out. The “Rampage Dragon” made his intentions known, as the match has been set for Final Gate! Shingo Takagi and BxB Hulk will face YAMATO and Madoka Kikuta in the “Shingo Takagi is Back! Special Tag Team Match.”

The night ended with Yuki Yoshioka defeating the “Iron Man” himself, Masaaki Mochizuki, for a fourth successful defense of the Open the Dream Gate championship.

Still, at 52 years old, “Mocchy” pulled all the stops and once again solidified why he is one of the best, hands down. And Yoshioka keeps showing glimpses of the inferno that burns within. You want and need to watch this match! You’ll thank yourself for it.

The second Fan Appreciation broadcast is scheduled for December 11 from Nagoya. This show will again broadcast for free at dragongate.live. No sign-up is required!

Posted on December 5, 2022December 6, 2022 by Jason McVeigh

Is This What’s N(e)XT For ROH?

Chris Jericho wields a baseball bat and dons the ROH World heavyweight title belt

Is This What’s N(e)XT For ROH?

TEXT BY JASON McVEIGH

ONCE UPON A time, the case could easily have been made that Ring of Honor was the legitimate number two wrestling promotion in the world after WWE. Indeed, such was the growth of the company from its inception in 2002—and such was the quality of the matches and wrestlers on display there—that by the 2010s, ROH had long cast off the label of just being a “Big Indie.”

As the next several years went by, and the promotion’s alliance with New Japan Pro Wrestling grew, so, too, did Ring of Honor’s footprint on the global wrestling scene.

Then, a funny thing happened: Some key ROH wrestlers became All Elite.

No matter what way you slice it, the formation of All Elite Wrestling harmed Ring of Honor’s standing in the pecking order of the wrestling business. Almost overnight, there was a new #2 promotion in the U.S. … one that had its sights ambitiously aimed at being #1.

On top of that (and more damaging for ROH) was the fact that many of the big names Ring of Honor had been using—The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Adam Page to name a few—had left and were part of the new upstart company. When AEW got up and running, ROH quickly lost its status as the cool brand for wrestling diehards. In a short period of time, things had changed dramatically. But worse things were still to come.

While no one in the industry could have foreseen COVID-19 and the subsequent changes it brought to the sport, it might be fair to say that no wrestling promotion was hurt more by the pandemic than Ring of Honor. Unlike WWE, AEW, and IMPACT Wrestling, ROH decided to cancel shows altogether rather than run without crowds (at least initially). The company’s decision to protect its workers and fans must be applauded. However, when ROH did return, it was to a much different wrestling landscape. For a company whose fans had been its lifeblood for years, not having them in attendance was catastrophic.

A fan, loosely sporting a protective mask, holds up a "Thank you, ROH" sign — Fans show their appreciation for ROH at Final Battle 2021. (PHOTO BY RICK HAMILTON)

Ring of Honor chugged along quietly until autumn 2021. By then, many were not feeling good about the long-term health of the promotion. Sure enough, on October 27 of that year, a formal announcement was made that ROH would go on hiatus after December’s Final Battle event—vaguely promising a return planned for the following April, with a “reimagined” Ring of Honor offering a “fan-focused product.” In the interim, almost all contracted talent were released.

Whether or not ROH could have returned and thrived as a “Big Indie”—which was reportedly the plan—we will never know, as on the March 2, 2022, episode of Dynamite, AEW boss Tony Khan announced that he had purchased Ring of Honor from Sinclair Broadcast Group. The purchase included its brand assets, intellectual property, and video library. In the end, the company that hastened ROH’s decline ended up saving it … but to what end?

Since March, Tony Khan has made it known his intentions were (and are) to relaunch Ring of Honor as a separate promotion. However, despite running some well-received shows like Supercard of Honor and integrating the title belts into AEW television, the re-launch of ROH as a full-fledged promotion is yet to come. And this writer wonders if it ever will.

Despite flip-flopping over the years on how it truly viewed NXT, WWE largely continues to groom talent for future success on the Raw and Smackdown brands. And, in my view, AEW would be wise to use ROH in the same manner.

Indeed, there may be those in Jacksonville who feel the same way, as the upcoming Final Battle show is being promoted as “AEW Presents: ROH Final Battle,” as opposed to just “ROH Final Battle.” Though this may only be a branding move, meant to boost awareness of the show among AEW diehards, there would be no shame in Khan and co. reimagining Ring of Honor as more of a developmental product—a proving ground through which would-be stars can sharpen their skills en route to becoming All Elite.

Prince Nana accompanies Toa Liona and Jasper Kaun for a match on AEW Rampage (ROH ring announcer Bobby Cruise dons a neckbrace in the background)

So, what could ROH as an AEW developmental “territory” look like? Well, AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation could become weekly ROH shows, with Dark being the storyline-driven show and Elevation more of a way to showcase new and upcoming talent (much like it does now). Of course, this is just fantasy booking. And, in the spirit of that, I’d like to see some additional steps taken until a firm direction for Ring of Honor is in place.

I would perhaps look at unifying the likes of the ROH Trios title with the AEW Trios title—and maybe some others while we are at it. I’m far from the only person who’s pointed out the overwhelming number of title belts floating around on Dynamite and Rampage.

This brings me to perhaps the most contentious suggestion I may have. If Ring of Honor is going to become developmental in nature, perhaps Pro Wrestling Illustrated ought to consider dropping the ROH title belt’s status from “World” to simply “Heavyweight.” Ditto for the Women’s and tag team straps. This is no reflection on what those belts have meant over the years but, rather, perhaps a fairer reflection of their current status. After all, ROH neither exists as its own promotion nor as a separate television property.

So, what say you, PWI readers? Is making ROH AEW’s version of NXT the way forward? Let us know your thoughts on social media, or by emailing pwi@kappapublishing.com.

Posted on November 30, 2022December 15, 2022 by Issa Marie

DRAGONGATE’s Braveheart: A Candid Conversation With U-T

DRAGONGATE’s Braveheart: A Candid Conversation With U-T

Text & Photos by Issa Marie

IN ALL ASPECTS of life, representation matters!

Imagine being a nine-year-old child attending a pro wrestling event and seeing a wrestler who personifies who you are in size and stature—inspiring a small fan to become the athlete they believed they could never be, due to their body composition.

That child, U-T, remembers seeing Dragon Kid wrestle live for the first time, being mesmerized by his athleticism, his grit, and immediately adoring the man who, most importantly, reminded him of himself.

“Throughout my career, my opponents have always underestimated me, my abilities due to my size,” says U-T. “They see me as the target, the weakest link of a unit that can be bullied, even when I have shown time and time again that is not the case. My drive, heart, and passion more than compensate for the perceived lack of height and strength.”

These sentiments were shared most recently in an online exchange with Shun Skywalker, in which U-T, member of the “Good Vibes Only” unit NATURAL VIBES and one-half of the Ryukyu Dragon Souryu-Ou champions with Kzy, admitted he has envied Skywalker’s physique, strength, and the potential he showed since his debut. However, U-T would never compromise himself—his soul—to achieve any levels of results.

Interestingly, it was a match against Skywalker where things first clicked into place for U-T. “On December 4, 2018, at Korakuen Hall, Shun and I had a special singles matches,” recalled U-T. “Even though I was the senior wrestler, Shun had been showing that he indeed had ‘Star Power’ and that he would soon be at the top of DRAGONGATE. While everyone expected Shun to beat me, the match ended in a 20-minute time-limit draw. This match allowed me to show the fans the wrestling style that has defined me since—[that of] a llave technician. The match also gave me confidence as a wrestler, something I was missing at the time.”

And, now that the rivalry between Z-Brats and Natural Vibes has reached an end—at least for the time being—U-T will shift his focus back to the Open the Brave Gate championship.

“Before I can challenge, I need to achieve some results,” he said. “Get the wins that will set me on the path to the title.” U-T last challenged for the belt, which is DRAGONGATE’s equivalent to a junior heavyweight title, on December 19, 2021, in Nagoya (U-T’s and SB KENTo’s hometown). That was a hard-hitting match, which showed us a ruthless side of DG’s “Braveheart.”

U-T is passion personified.

He has earned his place in DRAGONGATE, regardless of other’s opinions that he cannot be “saved” (according to Shun Skywalker and H.Y.O).

U-T has proven that his style of wrestling can stand on its own against any opponent.

To the fans, whether you are new to DRAGONGATE or you have been with the company for the long haul, U-T wants you to know that. “I will always give everything that I am, everything that I have in every match I wrestle,” he said. “Thank you very much, and I look forward to your continued cooperation!”

RECOMMEND VIEWING

Z-Brats vs NATURAL VIBES 4 Singles Match Series, October 7, 2022

NATURAL VIBES (Susumu Yokosuka & U-T) vs MASQUERADE (Shun Skywalker & Jason Lee), April 9, 2021

Open the Brave Gate Contender Battle Royal, Ultimo Dragon’s 35^th Anniversary Celebration, July 30, 2022

His singles bouts with SB KENTo (December 19, 2021), Shun Skywalker (December 4, 2018), and Yuki Yoshioka January 16 and April 16, 2019) are MUST-WATCH matches … and are all available at dragongate.live!

ドラゴンゲートの「ブレイブハート」：U-T選手との対談

写真・文：ISSA MARIE

人生のあらゆる場面において代表は大切だ!

目を閉じて創造して見て下さい。「あなたは9歳の子供で初めての生プロレス観戦しに行きます。自分と同じく小さめのプロレスラーがいた。」体質的に無理だと思っていた小さなファンが可能性を示された。

その子供はU-T選手。初めてドラゴン・キッド選手を生で見た記憶は未だに覚えている。彼の運土神経や度胸、そしてなにより自分に似ている小さめな体質に惹かれています。

「キャリアにおいて対戦相手は常に私の体格や能力をなめられている。そうではないことを示しても、彼らがいじめられる弱者として目標にすることが多い。私の意欲や心そして情熱はいわゆる身長や強さのハンディキャップを常に上回っている。」

常に「Good Vibes Only」であるNATURAL VIBESのメンバやKzy選手と共に琉球ドラゴンプロレスリングの双琉王王者であるU-T選手は最近その心情ではシュン・スカイウォーカー選手とSNSで語りました。スカイウォーカー選手の体格や強さ、そしてデビュー当時から見せていたポテンシャルを羨ましく思っていたことを認めている。しかしU-T選手はどんな結果であっても自分自身の魂を売るつもりはない。

面白いことに、スカイウォーカー選手との対戦で始めてU-T選手にうまくいっていた。「2018年12月4日の後楽園ホールでは、シュンと私がスペシャルシングルズマッチをやっていた。僕が先輩レスラーでもシュンはスターパワーがあり、すぐにドラゴンゲートの頂点に立つことを証明した。シュンが僕を倒す予想する中、20分引き分けに終わりました。この試合を通してファンの皆さんに僕のプロレススタイルに見せることができました。ジャベ系テクニシャンレスラーであることを。また当時に私に欠けていた自身も与えてくれた。

そしてZ-BratsとNATURAL VIBESの抗争

が一旦決着をした今、U-T選手は再びオープン・ザ・ブレイブ・ゲート王座に目を向ける。

「挑戦する前に結果を残さないと。勝利を納めたらベルトへの道はきっと開かれる。」

ジュニアヘビー級の同類である「オープン・ザ・ブレイブ・ゲート王座」に最後で挑戦したのは2021年12月19日名古屋でSB KENTo選手との対戦でした。ドラゴンゲートの「ブレイブハート」とも言われるU-T選手は非常な一面でハードな試合を戦いました。

U-T選手は情熱そのもの！

誰が救われない身とは言っても（シュン・スカイウォーカーやH.Y.O）ドラゴンゲートでの居場所は変わらない。U-T選手はどんな相手であろうが、誰にも負けないぐらい素晴らしいプロレスを持っていることを証明された。

ファンの皆様、DRAGONGATE初心者や長年お付き合いな方にU-Tがこれだけは言っておきたい：「どんな試合に関しても僕のすべてを出し切ります。ありがとうございます。今後ともよろしくお願いします！」

おすすめ試合：

NATURAL VIBES vs Z-Brats シングル4番勝負2022.10.07 –

NATURAL VIBES 横須賀ススム & U-T vs　 MASQUERADE シュン・スカイウォーカー & ジェイソン・リー2021.04.09 –

オープン・ザ・ブレイブゲート王座次期挑戦者決定時間差バトルロイヤル “ドラゴンスクランブル2022.07.30 –

他シングルマッチ、対SB KENTo選手 2021.1219、対シュン・スカイウォーカー選手2018.12.04,や吉岡有紀選手2019.01.16と2019.04.16は是非！dragongate.liveでお見逃しなく！

Posted on November 18, 2022November 18, 2022 by Kristen Ashly

Sobriety and Wrestling: A Place To Belong

Jon Moxley makes his emotional return after taking away from AEW to fight his addiction.

Sobriety and Wrestling: A Place To Belong

TEXT BY KRISTEN ASHLY

SIX YEARS AGO, I decided to stop drinking and using drugs.

I spent 15 years (half of my life) wasting any and all potential I had on numbing my emotions and stuffing my pain. Addiction stole everything from me: education, careers, family, friends, freedom, and my future. June 10, 2016—a little over two months after my 30th birthday—I decided I’d had enough loss for one lifetime, and started to rebuild from the bottom up by sobering up.

In the following two years, I still experienced many setbacks. I was selfish and self-centered. And focusing solely on myself created a hole so big I didn’t feel like I could ask anyone for help. The storm kept raging, but, somehow, I kept sober. In AA, they tell you as long as you have your sobriety, anything is possible.

In August 2018, after spending two years of sobriety completely miserable, I decided I had to be honest with myself and everyone else—even if I didn’t think they needed the truth—and the end result was beautiful. I recouped everything I had lost, plus more. I was starting to see the sun behind the clouds. Working a 12-step program while also being miserably sober was not what I wanted out of life … I needed more.

Around the same time I was getting my act together, I started writing for various wrestling websites. I only became a wrestling fan in 2014, through my family’s insistence. And, ultimately, I only started writing about wrestling after being recruited by a friend. But, with my background in sports journalism, I felt at ease writing about the athletes who put their bodies on the line every day for our entertainment—especially the female wrestlers, who, from day one, had obviously been treated as “less than.”

As you can imagine, almost every addict has a story about “not fitting in,” and I am no different. I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere; always on the outside looking in at what addicts call “normies”—people who have never felt the cold draft of addiction, the demon on their shoulder waiting for one false move. However, throughout the past four years or so of writing wrestling news and opinion, I have found myself more and more at home among the fans, media members, and wrestlers.

Creating lifelong friendships, a solid support system, a strong circle of friends, mentorships, and even a romantic relationship, I found a place where I felt like I could be myself and let my guard down; something I hadn’t done in years. In every social sphere, you’ll find hate and toxicity. But I found my crowd.

Still, I had trouble reconciling who I was in the past and the struggles I was facing in the present with those around me. I had told a few friends close to me about who I was back then—most of whom were not able to picture that version of Kristen—and everyone was kind and understanding. But I still felt like I was on the outside, looking in at those who had not experienced the hardships I had.

Most of these friends were either always sober, never had an addiction problem, or couldn’t understand the concept. These were friends, but they couldn’t relate. Most people can’t relate, and it’s never been a prerequisite for new friendships. Still, something was missing: representation and complete understanding.

The more I watched shows, covered news, and began to personally interact with wrestlers, the more I realized that sobriety was not a new concept in wrestling. In prior generations of wrestling, addiction was so prevalent it killed off countless bright and talented athletes. It cut short so many promising futures. And those who it didn’t kill still struggled with life-long illnesses … a reality I was always one relapse away from.

The wrestlers of today saw that pain, and many didn’t need to learn the hard way to stay clean. Those I related to most, however, were those who, like me, had to go through hell to see the light.

William Regal, a man so many in wrestling fight to call their mentor, wrote the autobiography Walking a Golden Mile, which details his own struggles with alcoholism, describing experience that so closely related to mine that it was like reading my own story.

Eddie Kingston has publicly said in interviews and during promos that he had to fight away his own demons, which threatened to take away his freedom. Man, did those revelations ring true to my own life!

Nick Gage has been to hell and back, including prison. I have my own history of jail time. Seeing how beloved Gage is, how his strength is celebrated, gave me strength.

In Jon Moxley’s autobiography, Mox, the reigning AEW World champion also detailed a family history that looked familiar. And, without even having to say it, I knew he was a kindred spirit. Last November, Moxley checked himself into rehab for alcoholism.

The public nature of that struggle, the positive reaction from fans, coworkers, and Tony Khan, and the triumphant return gave me hope. I had hope that not only was I not weird or different, but that there was hope for me to stay sober and make something of myself.

If Regal, Kingston, Gage, and Moxley could do it, couldn’t I? Couldn’t I stay sober and do great things?

And they weren’t the only ones, were they? Kylie Rae, Saraya, Dustin Rhodes, Shawn Michaels, Alicia Fox: all incredibly public with their struggles, all having the ability to inspire me to do more.

Ran into the former Alicia Fox at breakfast at ⁦@TPCSawgrass⁩ here in Jax area.

She’s 3 Years clean and sober! 🙏🤠 pic.twitter.com/jPL6JePaWk

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 15, 2022

It’s hard to be this vulnerable when writing for a very historic publication. Every wound opened both inspires others and draws ire. But writing this has also opened a flood of emotion that I so clearly needed to feel. Healing starts with honesty. Those brutally honest wrestlers have taught me that.

Grateful.🥰💛#CelebrateRecovery pic.twitter.com/dUoPzFqShn

— KYLIE RAE (@IamKylieRae) January 11, 2022

It took a long journey of searching and scratching before I found a place I called home. Six years after getting sober, I still often struggle with fitting in and finding like-minded people outside of an AA meeting. Wrestling, though, gave me that home. Those who share their struggles and celebrate their victories have given me hope and strength that I didn’t think would ever come from a sport.

Today is a huge milestone for me. I have 14 yrs clean and sober from drugs and alcohol.

Believe me when I say this for those who are struggling. YOU CANNOT DO IT ALONE. Seek help and #KeepSteppin 🤘🏼

— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) May 19, 2022

This is my thank-you letter to every person I have encountered during my career in wrestling who has been kind, understanding, and supportive. More than that, it’s a letter of sincere gratitude to every wrestler who has had the strength to tell their story. Your truths have given me a place to stay when I feel cold and alone.

I laugh as I write this last paragraph, because I know that if this was hand-written, it would be illegible from the sheer amount of tears I’ve spilled writing this. I’m so lucky to have stumbled onto wrestling. I’m so lucky to know where I belong.

Posted on November 4, 2022November 30, 2022 by Issa Marie

STRONG MACHINE J: Opening The Twin Gate With Breakdancing Aggression

STRONG MACHINE J: Opening The Twin Gate With Breakdancing Aggression

Text & Photos by Issa Marie

WHEN YOU ARE a second-generation wrestler, there is often undue expectation placed on you to carry the family legacy … or even exceed it. This also creates an excess level of stress for such an individual to show that they have the potential and ability to succeed on their own merits. Strong Machine J (SMJ) understands this better than most, being the son of New Japan Pro-Wrestling icon Super Strong Machine.

Making his debut in 2019, SMJ quickly showed that he was very much his father’s son by winning his debut match using his dad’s trademark Machine Suplex Hold. He became a champion in record time, maintained an eight-month undefeated streak, and was later named Tokyo Sports 2019 Rookie of the Year.

Unfortunately, a shoulder injury in late-2020 sidelined SMJ for eight months. And his inability to rely upon the Strong Machines once the unit was disbanded served as the catalyst for things to change—arguably, for the better!

He reflected on this during a recent conversation with PWI: “Upon returning from injury in August 2021, failing to capture the Twin Gate titles with Strong Machine K at Dangerous Gate in September 2021, and the disbandment of the Strong Machines at the beginning of the year, I found myself alone … wondering what was next for me.”

For the better part of February, March, and April, we saw SMJ team with numerous partners, most of whom he enjoyed great chemistry with.

Heading into King of Gate, we noticed an even greater change in SMJ. He began to show a level of aggression we had not seen before.

“I wanted to show more of who I am,” he said. “So that units in Dragon Gate would notice that there was more to the ‘Strong Machine’ of the past.”

And the units took notice! HIGH END—most notably, YAMATO, with his “I pay J, I pay!” sales pitch—was the first to publicly show interest in SMJ.

However, unbeknownst to us at the time, there was another leader willing to give SMJ the chance and platform he was seeking, after months where he questioned if he would be able to break through the Machine name expectations that had been placed on him.

“Kzy saved me,” said J. “He saw my potential and has made it possible for me to have opportunities in Natural Vibes, be the truest version of myself. The side I always wanted to show. But, most importantly, who I needed to be.”

When SMJ incorporated his breakdancing into Natural Vibes’ entrance at the King of Gate Finals, it was such a surprise that the audience (momentarily) broke with the staunch no-cheering rule, put in place many months ago to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“Joining Natural Vibes has given me the ability to utilize my strength to enhance the unit and show the world what I am capable of,” J told PWI. “I have now subtlety changed my image and revealed a side of me that was unknown to the fans. Old-school Strong Machine. Incorporating an aspect of my personal life, breakdancing, [which is] something I have done from a young age.”

Along with the breakdancing, SMJ has continued to display a new fire inside the ring—most recently, during a no-DQ bout at Dangerous Gate. And, after a key win against the current Open the Twin Gate champions, SMJ and BIG BOSS Shimizu will challenge for the title belts at Gate of Destiny on November 6. You can sign up for the network, DragonGate.live, to watch.

Stay tuned for part two of this interview, as we discuss the leading role Strong Machine J has assumed and why his words are not always full of “Good Vibes Only.”

RECOMMEND VIEWING

Strong Machine J and Strong Machine K vs KING Shimizu and Yokosuka Susumu, Open the Twin Gate Championship at Dangerous Gate 2021

Strong Machine J vs Shun Skywalker, King of Gate 2022, May 25, 2022 (starts at 15:00)

Strong Machine J joins NATURAL VIBES, June 2, 2022 (starts at 3:09)

Open the Triangle Gate Championship Three Way Match – HIGH END vs NATURAL VIBES vs M3K, Kobe World 2022 (starts at 8:23)

NATURAL VIBES vs Z-Brats, October 5, 2022 (starts at 17:25)

Kzy and Strong Machine J vs KAI and H • Y • O, October 23, 2022

二世代選手ともなると無理に期待されるでしょう。それに伴い、自分の実力で成功するために過剰なストレスを感じるでしょう。元・新日本プロレスの象徴であるスーパー・ストロング・マシーン選手の息子ことストロングマシーン・J選手は誰よりも理解している。

2019年のデビューで、父の必殺技である「魔神風車固め」で見事に勝利を果たしました。間もないころにチャンピオンになって、8カ月間無敗でその後東京スポーツ2019年の新人賞に選ばれた。

しかし、2020年末に肩を痛め、8カ月間欠場することになりました。そして、ストロング・マシーン軍団が解散し、属するユニットも無くなってご自身の変化のきっかけとなりました。

PWIとの会話の中で振り返りました。「2021年8月に復帰し、デンジャラス・ゲート大会でストロングマシーンKとツインゲート王座を奪取できず。　年明けにストロングマシーン軍対が解散するとになり、一人になりました・・・次はどうなるのかと思いました。」

2月から4月にかけて、色んな選手とタッグを組み、KING OF GATEに入るとさらに大きな変化が起きました。これまでに無かったアグレッシブ面も見せられました。

「もっと自分を出したいんだ。ドラゴンゲートのユニットが過去の“ストロングマシーン”と今までは違う。」さっそく注目したのはHIGH ENDのYAMATO選手でSMJ選手にすぐ売り込みに来ました。

私たちが知らないうちにSMJ選手が求めていたチャンスを与えてくれた別のリーダーが待っていた。「マシーン」という名を超える機会を。

「私を助けてくれたのはKzy選手でした。ナチュラル・ヴァイブスで自分の可能性を見開いて、本当の自分で居られることができる。ずっと見せたいと思っていた面を。何よりも自分のあるべき姿を」

KING OF GATEでSMJ選手がナチュラル・ヴァイブスと入場する時にブレイクダンスを披露した結果、あまりにも大きな反響で会場の観客が一瞬応援禁止ルールを破ったのだ。

「ナチュラル・ヴァイブスに加入したことで、自分の力を生かしてユニットをもっと発揮でき、自分の実力を示すことができるようになりました。ちょっとだけイメージを変え、私生活の一面であるブレイクダンスをファンに見せることができました。」

ブレイクダンスと共にリング上では新たな炎が沸き上がりました。最近ではデンジャラス・ゲートでの活躍やツインゲート王者相手に見事な勝利を収めました。今後の11月6 THE GATE OF DESTINY大会ではSMJ選手とBIG BOSS清水選手がツインゲート王座に挑戦することになりました。「https://dragongate.live/」で見逃すな。

後編は後日公開する予定なので是非ご期待下さい！

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Liz Hunter

ALTERNATE “WOMEN’S 150” COVER: Hyper Misao

ALTERNATE “WOMEN’S 150” COVER: Hyper Misao

In the past, we have created several alternate covers that we’ve released for exclusive digital download. The most popular of these, by far, was the 2021 Lulu Pencil cover, which lionized the #500 wrestler from that year’s PWI “500” ranking. Given Ms. Pencil’s sense of humor, charisma, and loyal fan base, there was quite a bit of interest in a cover bearing her likeness.

This year, in addition to Syuri nabbing the coveted number #1 spot, the “Women’s 150” saw another prominent joshi wrestler come in at 150: that being TJPW superhero, Hyper Misao.

Given our past history of creating alternate covers, there has been a call from social media users (like the one below) asking for an official variant featuring Hyper Misao.

Let's get a Special Hyper Misao #150 Cover https://t.co/v9RdlOYsBt

— Ken (@KenMck789) October 27, 2022

Whether or not you have purchased your copy of our latest “Women’s 150” edition, you can download the alternate cover FOR FREE at the link below. The PDF file follows the exact same specs as our print mag, meaning you can easily affix it to the front or back of your magazine. Our many thanks to PWI Contributing Photographer, Issa Marie, who took the cover photo for this design, and our Art Director, Laura Brubaker, for bringing this cover to life.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF COVER

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Issa Marie

YUKI UENO’S FIGHTING SPIRIT: The DDT Universal Champion On Konosuke Takeshita, Cara Noir, And Upcoming Title Defenses

YUKI UENO’S FIGHTING SPIRIT: The DDT Universal Champion On Konosuke Takeshita, Cara Noir, And Upcoming Title Defenses

Text & Photos by Issa Marie

“ALL YOU HAVE to do is watch my matches to know exactly who I am.”

So says two-time DDT Pro-Wrestling Universal champion, Yuki Ueno.

The 37KAMIINA standout successfully defended his title against Cara Noir at DDT’s Who’s Gonna TOP? 2022. That match, which we highly recommend every reader to go out of their way to watch, perfectly embodied Ueno’s fighting spirit.

Headed into a first-time showdown with the former PROGRESS Wrestling champion, Ueno’s attitude was one of enthusiasm. “I am excited to be able to have a match with Cara Noir,” he told PWI. “We have some similarities in our styles, and our physiques, but we come from two different worlds, and that adds a greater level of enjoyment when you wrestle someone who is not familiar to you.”

That is very much not the case for his next title defense against Koju Takeda. This current version of Ueno’s former partner is full of Pheromones!

Yuki Ueno will face “Shiningball” Takeda on October 23 at Korakuen Hall. (Make sure to subscribe to WRESTLE UNIVERSE, taking advantage of that two-week free trial, to watch what should be an essential battle.)

When asked what made him unique, Ueno turned the question back around to your truly. What did I think made him so unique? I responded: “Your Fighting Spirit!” Surprised by my answer, with the biggest smile, Ueno agreed.

From his debut match against current KO-D champion, Kazusada Higuchi, in 2016, Ueno has captivated the fans with his spirit—his ability to “turn raw emotions into power” (his words). “Regardless of the size or experience my opponents have, every time I step into the ring, I give it my all,” he said.

And he has done so consistently. Indeed, one need look no further than Ueno’s epic matches against 37KAMIINA ally Konosuke Takeshita or last year’s feud with Daisuke Sasaki. Ueno’s personal favorite bout happens to be the 2021 D-Oh Grand Prix final against Takeshita. “Having the opportunity to wrestle Take, my classmate, in a setting where we both were on equal terms at the time, the A-Block winner going against the B-Block winner was truly special,” he recalled. “I hoped that at the end of Who’s Gonna TOP? 2022, Take and I would stand side-by-side as champions.”

Unfortunately for Ueno, Takeshita was not able to overcome Higuchi in his final DDT match before embarking on another U.S. tour.

There are no immediate plans for the Universal champ to travel abroad. However, if given the opportunity, he wants to defend his title as much as he can. Though he does not have an explicit list of opponents, he would like to take his “Fighting Spirit” to Thailand and England.

「上野優希はどんな選手なのかを知りたいなら私の試合を見てね」

そう言われたのはＤＤＴプロレスのUNIVERSAL王者こと、上野優希選手です。

2022年9月25日で行われたDDTプロレスの「Who’s Gonna TOP 2022」後楽園ホール大会でカーラ・ノワール選手に王座防衛に成功しました。あの闘志溢れる上野選手の姿を是非読者の皆様に見て頂きたいものです。

（https://www.wrestle-universe.com/en/lives/iZzQDYEkGo8has5WpvJLoR）

元PROGRESS王者との初体験に挑んだ上野選手の姿勢は熱意を感じていました。

「カーラ・ノワール選手と試合ができることに凄く楽しみにしています。」とPWIに語った。「ファイトスタイルや体格は似ていますが、住んでいる世界はまったく違う。そんな知らない相手と試合ができるにはあ楽しみが増えますね。」

ですが、次の対戦相手はなんと昔DNA時代でよく組んでいたフェロモン溢れるの竹田“シャイニングボール”光珠選手のと！10月23日後楽園ホールで行われる「God Bless DDT 2022」にて防衛戦で激突することになる。

（現在2週間無料トライアル実施中なので是非ご体験を！）

https://www.wrestle-universe.com/en/lives/2EBniJV7BjD3eh8nDMFe9F

ご自身の魅力は何なのかを問いかけた時にすぐ投げ返された。ふと思った瞬間が経った「闘志。ファイティング・スピリット」ですっと答えた。驚いた半面で満面の笑みで頷いて同意しました。

2016年デビュー戦の樋口選手相手からずっとご自身の闘志でファンの心を掴んでいました。まさに「感情を力に」という能力を持つ上野選手はこう言った「対戦相手はどんな体格や経験に関係なく、リングに上がるとびに全力を尽くします。」

実際、37KAMIINAの盟友である竹下幸之介選手との壮絶な試合や、昨年の佐々木大輔選手との抗争を見れば、上野選手の活躍は一目瞭然でした。

上野選手が個人的に好きな試合は、2021年のD王グランプリ決勝の竹下戦だと言われました。「Aブロックの優勝者がBブロックの優勝者と対戦するという、お互い対等な立場だった設定で同期の竹ちゃんと試合をすることになったのは、本当に特別なことでした。Who’s Gonna TOP? 2022年後楽園大会の最後には、竹と私はチャンピオンとして並んで立つことを望んでいました。」残念ですが、竹下選手と樋口選手のKO-D無差別級王座戦の結果は樋口選手の勝利となって、リング上のチャンピオン並びの姿はまだ先の話になります。

UNIVERSAL王者の上野選手は当面予定はございません。しかし機会があれば、できる限り王座を防衛したいという気持ちはあります。具体的な対戦相手は決まってないが、タイやイギリスで闘志を発揮してみたいだそうです。

Posted on October 17, 2022October 17, 2022 by Issa Marie

Ho Ho Lun’s Mission To Show The Beauty Of Wrestling Across Asia

Ho Ho Lun’s Mission To Show The Beauty Of Wrestling Across Asia

Text & Photos by Issa Marie

HONG KONG NATIVE Ho Ho Lun began wrestling in 2009 … as a hobby! It wasn’t until a visit to the UK, two years later, that he made the decision to make it a career. Unlike most prospective wrestlers, who set their sights on being world champions, Lun knew that his niche was not the wrestling itself, but the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a great show.

As the first non-Japanese Asian-born wrestler to compete around the world, Ho Ho Lun wanted to create opportunities for others like him. “Japan dominates the wrestling market in Asia; However, pro wrestling in Japan was difficult to access due to language barriers,” Lun told PWI. “And you know as well as I do that not all the streaming services are easy to navigate, as the English option is something that has [only recently] been available. So, I thought, why not bring Japanese talent for a tour in Asia to allow the fans to experience it firsthand? I watched Dragon Gate growing up, and I would order the DVDs from the U.S. My DVDs would be of wrestling in Japan, purchased in the U.S., and traveled across the world, just so I could watch.”

While at NXT, Lun took a chance that not many would by choosing to leave the company after receiving an offer to produce shows in Macao. This, along with his current work in Dragon Gate, further solidified his true purpose in the world of pro wrestling.

“I wanted to bring the best live wrestling, world-class wrestling, to Asia, working with the next generation of talent,” he said. “I love wrestling, but my heart and soul are in the foundation of building a great show and enhancing the undiscovered talent of Asia.”

Lun has worked to expand the wrestling markets in China, Malaysia, and, as a consultant, in the Philippines. During Dragon Gate’s Hong Kong tour in 2018, he made the decision to take his talent and vision to Japan, joining the company as a wrestler and one-half of the English commentary team.

Despite his trailblazing efforts, Lun’s approach is a familiar one to many promoters. He said: “My philosophy, to expand and garner a greater interest in pro wrestling, is to pair up a well-known wrestler and an up-and-coming talent.”

Indeed, this is the advice he gives to all the wrestlers and promotions he encounters in his travels. This answer piqued my interest, as I had seen that business model in Singapore at SPW’s Klash of Kings. I wondered: If Ho Ho Lun could establish his own promotion anywhere in the world, where would he do it, and whom would he bring to wrestle? “Singapore,” Lun immediately answered. “Singapore has the most supportive fans, language is not a barrier, and they have some amazing talented wrestlers. Thailand interests me as a future project. And, as to who I would bring? Jacky Funky Kamei and, of course, the Kung Fu Masters.”

In addition to wrestling and providing English commentary, Ho Ho Lun also manages Dragon Gate’s talent bookings in the U.S. If you are interested in having Dragon Gate wrestlers take part in your show, feel free to email him at hoholun@hotmail.com or DM via Twitter @hoholun719.

アジアプロレスの美、それがホー・ホー・ルンの使命。

香港生まれのホー・ホー・ルン選手は元々趣味で2009年にプロレスデビューを果たした！しかし2年後のイギリス遠征でプロレスを仕事にしようと決心したのです。世界王者を目指す大抵のプロレスラーと違って、ルン選手は素晴らしい大会を作るための舞台裏の仕事が自分のニッチェだと理解しました。

ホー・ホー・ルン選手は世界で活躍初日本人じゃないアジア人として彼のようなレスラーにチャンスを与えたいと考えていた。「アジアのプロレス市場は日本が覇権していますが、日本プロレスには言葉の壁がありアクセスしづらいでした。大抵のプロレス配信サービスは利用しづらいし、最近までは英語のオプションが利用可能になっていた。そこで私が提案した：だったら日本のプロレスラーを連れてアジアツアーをやって、ファンのみなさんに直接体験してもらうのはどうでしょうか？私は子供の頃からドラゴンゲートを見てアメリカから輸入することにした。日本プロレスを見るためにアメリカから購入し世界中を回ってやっとお手の元に届いた。

NXT在籍中にマカオでプロレス大会を制作するオファーを受けて退団すると決意しました。そして現在はドラゴンゲートでの活躍はプロレス界に存在意義はさらに確固たるものとなった。

「私は最高なライブプロレスと最高峰なプロレスを新世代の選手と共にアジアの手元に届けたい。私はプロレスが大好きですが、心と魂は素晴らしい大会を作り、アジアの未知なる才能溢れるアジア人選手を高めたい」

ルン選手は中国とマレーシアのプロレス市場の拡大に集中し、フィリピンの市場もコンサルタントとして努めました。ドラゴンゲートの2018年香港ツアーでは心を決めて日本に移住し、選手として加入しながら英語のコメンタリーチームも務めました。

先駆的な努力にもかかわらず、ルン選手のアプローチは多くのプロモーターにとって馴染みのあるやり方を選択する。「プロレスの普及と感心を持たせるために有名な選手と若手選手を試合させることに組み合わせることにした。それが私なりのプロレス哲学です。」

それこそが、旅先で出会ったプロモーターやレスラーにこのようなアドバイスをしている。私もシンガポールで開催されたSPWの「Klash of Kings」でまったく同じビジネスモデルを見たことがあるからだ。そしてこう思った：もしルン選手は世界のどこかでも自分の団体を立ち上げるとしたらどこでやるのか？どんな選手を呼んでくれるのか？

「シンガポール」と即答したルン選手。

「シンガポールには、最も協力的なファンがいて、言葉の壁もないし、才能を持つレスラーもいる。タイは将来的に興味があります。誰を呼ぶとしたら？それが勿論、ジャッキー・ファンキー亀井選手とカンフーマスターズだ」

Year: 2022