Posted on January 6, 2023 by Issa Marie

THE RISE OF SHUN SKYWALKER

THE RISE OF SHUN SKYWALKER

Why He Will Conquer The Wrestling World

TEXT & PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

LAST TIME WE spoke with Dragongate’s self-proclaimed savior, Shun Skywalker, he was headed to Mexico and the U.S., to show his ruthless strength and prove why he personifies the level of talent DG has to offer. And, in the two months since his return, Skywalker has been on a tear:

1. Took the Triangle Gate title from M3K
2. Championed the disbandment of HIGH END
3. Challenged for the Dream Gate Championship.

But what about his quest to end Kzy and NATURAL VIBES?

“We will, how do you say it …” he says, searching for the right words.

Put a pin in it?

“Yes, put a pin on that,” agreed Skywalker. He then added, with a maniacal laugh, “for now!”

At this moment, Skywalker is applying some of the lessons he learned during his recent North American tour.

“While there are many great wrestlers in Dragongate, in America, I found many wrestlers with different talent, attributes, styles, wrestling psychology … something I had not seen or experienced before,” he revealed. “I also returned to Mexico to train, gain new experience, work with the promotions I was not able to work with during the global pandemic, and wrestle luchadores I have wanted to work with, like Dragon Lee, Komander, Jack Evans, Aeroboy, and Ciclon Ramirez Jr.”

Though he locked up with numerous wrestlers—and briefly wore the MLW World middleweight title—Skywalker was able to single out a favorite battle. “My match in GCW against Nick Wayne,” he said, citing the teenage prodigy currently under a developmental-like deal with AEW. “His ideas and style embody what pro wrestling is. He has a great and promising future. And I am excited to see what the future holds for him … and what our next match will be like.”

Originally, Skywalker indicates he had no immediate plans to return to the U.S. However, on November 24, he was announced as the second entrant in the 2023 edition of the celebrated Battle of Los Angeles tournament. The announcement prompted us to reach out to him for a follow-up.

During his 2019/2020 excursion, Shun Skywalker had expressed his desire to wrestle at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (home of the BOLA tourney) and face the likes of Bandido, Mike Bailey, A-Kid, and Lucky Kid. Unfortunately, the pandemic derailed any possibility of making those match-ups a reality. When Skywalker returned to Japan, he captured the prestigious Open the Dream Gate championship; however, the proverbial Gates were still closed worldwide. Now, there’s nothing stopping him from continuing to show the world his style of wrestling; that he is, in his mind, the greatest wrestler on the planet; and why PWG wants Shun Skywalker.

“My first-round match is against Aramis, but I am also looking forward to the prospect of wrestling Konosuke Takeshita, Daniel Garcia, Lio Rush, Komander, and my teacher, friend, brother, and rival, Bandido,” Skywalker said. “Three years ago, when wrestling shows were suspended, I spent most of my time in Mexico training with Bandido. He has beaten me twice, has made his mark in the world, is an AEW-contracted wrestler. But I do not think he is better than me. I have gained the power and the experience I did not have at the time we faced each other … and have evolved as a beautiful idol with a crazy spirit.”

Skywalker, confident in his own abilities, has vowed that he will win the 2023 Battle of Los Angeles tournament. But he’s also got other things on his wild mind. On Christmas Day, he interrupted Ben-K and Yuki Yoshioka as they thanked one another for the great match they’d just had—a gesture of goodwill that Skywalker did not appreciate!

“Certainly, Ben-K vs Yuki Yoshioka was a good match,” he acknowledged. “In pro wrestling, there needs to be respect between opponents. However, wrestlers do not need to make commercialized praise and shows of affection. When I heard their declarations in the ring, I grabbed a microphone and spoke my mind.”

In his view, the current Dream Gate champ is simply not the best man for the job. “Yuki Yoshioka should not hold the title that shined the brightest when it was mine,” he said. “I do not want the Dream Gate championship [belt] that he has…I detest the title ‘HE’ holds and I have no interest in carrying that unnecessary baggage. But, I do not want someone who is weak, has devalued the title, and whose stupid fans just love his cheap impressions. So, I issued the challenge.”

And we do not have to wait long to see that match! Dragongate General Manager, Ryo Saito (SaiRyo), made the title bout official for the company’s January 12 Korakuen Hall show. Taking place just days after Skywalker’s PWG jaunt, the DG show will be streaming live via dragongate.live with English commentary.

Make sure you subscribe! Because, the day before that match, Shun Skywalker and the rest of Z-Brats will be involved in a unit-disbandment match against HIGH END (YAMATO and Dragon Kid), with the assistance of Takashi Yoshida and Problem Dragon.

“In Dragongate, broken or incomplete units are unnecessary,” said Skywalker. “In the hierarchy of units, HIGH END does not belong or deserve the place they continue to hold. SaiRyo, as a former wrestler, and now GM, has betrayed the unit code and has used his power and position to allow for the emotional nepotism they represent. If the GM is not apt to do his job, then Shun Skywalker will take over. I will enforce my laws and police all the undeserving talent in Dragongate.”

Though he may be a little autocratic, Skywalker still knows where his bread is buttered. Thus, he has a message for fans who watched him on his most recent excursion. “I know you enjoyed my matches,” he said. “I understood when you said, ‘I love Shun, I want Shun, I need Shun in my life.’ I know you want me back and want me booked at those shows again. Do not forget to remind the promoters to do so.”

シュン・スカイウォーカーの夜明け

TEXT & PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

前回の取材では「ドラゴンゲートの救世主」を自称するシュン•スカイウォーカー選手が、自身の冷酷な強さやドラゴンゲートの最高峰な選手であることの証明のために北アメリカ大陸へ向かったところまで。そして彼はこの2ヶ月の間に以下の功績を残した:

M3Kからトライアングル・ゲート奪還
HIGH ENDの解散宣言
オープン・ザ・ドリーム・ゲート挑戦表明

ですがKzyやNVの駆逐はどうなっていますか？

「どう表現すればいいでしょうか?」と探りながら考えてるスカイウォーカー選手。

あとにする？

笑いながら「あとにしよう。そう、今の話をね」

現在のスカイウォーカー選手は北米ツアーでの経験を日本に活かしている。「ドラゴンゲートは素育らしい選手がたくさんいるが、アメリカのいくつかの選手は今まで僕が考えたことのない能力、特徴、スタイルやプロレス哲学を持っていた。また2年ぶりにメキシコへ帰って、たくさん経験に積んでコロナ禍で出場できなかった団体に出場して、ずっと戦いたかったドラゴン・リー、コマンデル、ジャック・エヴァンス、アエロボーイ、シクロンラミレスJr.というルチャドールとも肌を突き合わせることができました。」

多くの選手と試合をし、MLW世界ミドルウェイト王座も一時期獲った中、一番楽しかった試合を尋ねると彼はすぐ答えられました。

「GCWでのニック・ウェイン戦です。」

AEW所属の若手鬼才選手だ。

「彼の考えやスタイルこそがブロレスだ。将来もとても期待できるし、楽しみにしています…彼との次の対戦も。」

元々スカイウォーカー選手はアメリカに戻る予定はなかったが11月24日PWG 「Battle of Los Angeles 2023年」に出場することになりました。その発表で今回の記事に至りました。

彼は2019-2020年の遠征中にPWGでバンディード、マイク・ベイリー、A-Kidやラッキー・キッドといった選手と対戦したいとの意向を示していた。しかし残念ながら、パンデミックによってそれらは叶えられなかった。ドラゴンゲートに帰還してオープン・ザ・ドリーム・ゲート王座を取ったが水際はまだ緩和されなかった。

現在は彼のプロレスを示し続けることを止められるものは何もない。

「世界最高レスラー」はPWGがシュン・スカイウォーカーを欲しがる理由についても語った。

「一回戦の相手はアラミス選手ですが、竹下幸之介、ダニエル・ガルシア、リオラッシュ、コマンダーそして先生であり、友人、兄弟、ライバルであるバンディードも楽しみです。3年前にコロナの影響で大会ができなくなった時ほとんどの時間メキシコでバンディードとトレーニングしました。その後、彼は世界に名を講かせて今はAEW所属となりました。ただそれは、彼が僕より強い事を表す事象ではない。彼はシングルマッチで2度僕を葬っているが、それは5年近く前の話。前回と比べて力、経験を増して…今は常人にはない魂を持つ美しい才能へと進化しました。」

スカイウォーカー選手はご自身の能力に自身を持って今年のBOLAを優勝することに宣言した。クリスマスの日にBen-Kと吉岡勇紀がお互いに素晴らしい試合を感謝しあっているところに割り込んできた。スカイウォーカー選手にとって気に食わない行動だった。

「確かにBen-Kと吉岡勇紀は素晴らしい試合だった。プロレスでは、お互いにリスペクトが必要だ。だが、こんなくだらない褒め言葉や愛情表現なんていらない。あれを聴いたら思わずマイクを持って本心を言った。」

「一緒にメキシコ遠征でトレーニング相手であり元同士でもある吉岡選手はそれだけで済ませない。」彼にとって、現ドリームゲート王者である吉岡選手は最適な人物ではないことを公言した。「吉岡は、私が持っている時に最も輝いていたタイトルを持つべき選手ではない。ドリームゲート王座がこんな…余計な荷物(吉岡選手)を背負わせるなんて興味がない。しかし弱くて、タイトルの価値を下げて、愚かなファンが安っぽい印象が好きになった王者は気に食わないので挑戦しました。」

ですがあまり長く待つ必要はない！ドラゴンゲートゼネラルマネージャーである斎藤了さんは1月12日の後楽園ホール大会でのタイトルマッチを正式にご決定した。スカイウォーカーのPWG遠征の数日後に行われる大会は、英語の解説付きでdragongate.liveで配信される。

今のうちに加入ください！

しかも、その試合の前日に、スカイウォーカー選手とZ-Brats、HIGH-ENDのYAMATOとドラゴンキッドが吉田選手と問題龍選手の協力を得て、ユニット解散マッチが見れます！

「ドラゴンゲートには、ガラクタや不完全なユニットは不要だ」とスカイウォーカー選手は言い放った。「HIGH-ENDは、数あるユニットの中でも不要な存在です。元レスラーであるGM斎藤了は、ユニットと認められる要件を設けず、権力を利用して彼らが楽徴する縁故主義を広めているのです。斎藤了が妥当なGMでなければ、このシュン・スカイウォーカーが引き継ぎます。僕なりの法を整備しドラゴンゲートの不相応な選手含め全てを牛耳ってもいい。」

少し独裁的ですが、スカイウォーカー選手は欲しいものを手に入れる方法を知っている。遠征でファンになった方々に一言メッセージを送ります!

「試合は楽しいだろう。”シュンが好き、シュンが欲しい、人生にシュンが必要だ”きっと早く戻ってきて欲しいのでしょう。早くブッキングしてほしいでしょう。だったらプロモーターに伝えておいてね。」

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 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 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」

Posted on October 6, 2022October 6, 2022 by Pollo Del Mar

ON HEELS: Zicky Dice, Silas Mason, Dominik Mysterio

Pollo Del Mar & Thrillbilly Silas Mason pose

ON HEELS: Zicky Dice, Silas Mason, Dominik Mysterio

TEXT BY POLLO DEL MAR

SOMETIMES IT’S BEST to recognize you’re fighting a losing battle. Zicky Dice should have remembered this when our paths crossed recently in Connecticut.

On Sept. 22, Best Trivia Ever collected a mixture of today’s brightest talent and legends like Scott Steiner and Scotty 2 Hotty for SLAM 2, an unforgettable night of pro wrestling action in Milford. Seeking revenge for his humiliation at a SLAM event a year prior, Dice had the temerity to direct his anger toward me to begin the show.

The IMPACT Wrestling star’s callous and unwanted disruption turned me from the night’s emcee into an impromptu “general manager” and matchmaker of sorts. The grave error of threatening me if “appropriate opposition” was not offered did not end well for “The Outlandish One.”

Dice fell into a trap far too many do: underestimating the cunning and calculated “Manager Of Champions.” He also failed to recognize just how far my connections extend in the wrestling world.

Some 90 minutes later, when he returned to the ring to menace and intimidate, it was my turn to surprise. You should have seen Zicky’s expression when the music hit and Eddie Kingston came through that crowd!

Tonight @ZickyDice threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t find “appropriate competition” for him at #BTESlam2. Careful what you ask for, Zicky…Now THAT’s outlandish!

P.S. Don’t 🤬 with “The Manager of Champions,” fella! pic.twitter.com/wKBqQdFPEY

— Pollo Del Mar – Instagram.com/PolloDelMarFans (@TheGlamazonPDM) September 23, 2022

Fresh from devastating Sammy Guevara the night prior during an AEW Rampage taping, Kingston was all-too-ready to avenge that disqualification loss. Though I find no joy in siding with fans, I, like everyone in attendance, rejoiced as Eddie thoroughly trounced the former National Wrestling Alliance Television champion.

Yet again, Dice’s big mouth was temporarily silenced—thanks to my new buddy Eddie. Now that is “Outlandish”!

IT’S A THRILL RIDE!

Being forced to acknowledge one of the all-time great fan favorites galls me to no end. However, when Ricky Steamboat is right, he’s right—and the National Wrestling Alliance’s new “Steamboat Proclamation” is very, very right!

Returning for Season 10 of NWA Powerrr, the former World’s heavyweight champion immediately convinced NWA owner and president William Patrick Corgan to expand title opportunities for everyone in the company. That resulted in, among other things, a single elimination tournament to determine the #1contender to The Great Cyon’s National heavyweight title.

The Hall-of-Famer Steamboat hand-selected 12 competitors of varying NWA tenure to compete for a title shot at the November 12 Hard Times 3 pay-per-view in New Orleans. With gentle persuasion, “The Thrillbilly” Silas Mason joined the likes of Jax Dane, “Magic” Jake Dumas, and more!

To the shock of apparently all except me, Silas “upset” former National champion Anthony Mayweather in the opening round. We then went on to face that demon-worshipping Judais in the semi-finals. I ran interference as that devilish garden gnome Father James Mitchell tried some shenanigans, allowing Silas to take “The High Priest Of Punishment” on a Thrill Ride he could not survive!

Soon, “The Thrillbilly” will face Chris Adonis and relative NWA newcomer Dak Draper in three-way finale. Adonis is a two-time National champion and Draper is a former Ring of Honor Top Prospects Tournament winner. However, neither has faced someone like Silas Mason—and certainly not with “The Lovely” Pollo Del Mar at his side.

Stay tuned to NWA’s weekly programming—NWA Powerrr every Tuesday on FiteTV and NWA USA Saturdays on YouTube—to catch this must-see match-up. Silas Mason’s ready to take the entire NWA on a Thrill Ride straight into New Orleans!

DADDY ISSUES

Poor Rey Mysterio! The man simply can’t control his family.

First, daughter Aaliyah seemingly strayed amidst his ongoing feud with Seth Rollins. Now, son Dominik has stabbed him in the back to join The Judgment Day.

Sure, becoming the first father/son team to hold WWE tag gold was cute, but did Rey expect that to satisfy Dom forever? How long could Daddy reasonably expect Dom to ride his coattails, treating him like a child when all he wanted was to his own man? Little Dom finally stepped from his father’s shadow—and all it took was Rhea Ripley’s encouragement.

As the nephew of a legend himself, surely Rey knows the pressures of following an icon’s footsteps. To ever be seen as more than “Rey Mysterio’s son,” Dominik needs to establish himself individually … and could never do that under his father’s thumb.

Now Dominik shows dastardly depth and determination at the sides of Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Ripley. He’s turned the page, and his back, on the past to forge his own legacy. And it’s clear fans like it no more than Rey does.

A recent Raw audience in California nearly booed Dominik and company of San Jose. Still, the smile on Dom’s face said it all. For perhaps the first time in his young career, he’s eliciting a crowd response entirely his own—and that’s presumably all he ever wanted.

No judgment here, Dom!

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Issa Marie

U.S. FANS WILL BE STANDING WITH THEIR YAMATO SPIRIT

U.S. FANS WILL BE STANDING WITH THEIR YAMATO SPIRIT

Text & Photos by Issa Marie

DRAGON GATE’S ACE, the record-setting five-time former Open the Dream Gate champion, and certified food coordinator, YAMATO will be making his GCW, AAW, Garden State ProWrestling, and Prestige Wrestling debuts, as the“Gates” have now been opened.

Recently, I had the pleasure and privilege to discuss the upcoming tour with YAMATO, who acknowledged that Dragon Gate’s visibility has waned a bit in the States.

“It has been seven or eight years since I last represented [Dragon Gate] in the U.S., back when Dragon Gate U.S.A. had a strong grasp of the fan base and was recognized as a staple of pro wrestling. Due to the years of absence, I am aware that most people are not as familiar with DG, and some only remember DG U.S.A. Therefore, I am the best advocate to remind the fans what Dragon Gate is all about.”

During the days of DG U.S.A., YAMATO was part of the younger generation of wrestlers. In October 2022, he will be returning as an established veteran, personifying the professional progression one can experience wrestling for the company.

Rest assured: The issues between his unit, HIGH END, and GOLD CLASS will not be distractions during his time away from Japan. “Going overseas, I have to think big, so I am leaving all the baggage and issues at home,” said YAMATO. “Dragon Kid and Kagetora can handle whatever there may be left to resolve. I am focused on what I want to accomplish in the U.S.”

And what exactly does that mean? “If YAMATO is in it, YAMATO is winning it,” he said. That includes his upcoming participation in AAW’s Jim Lynam Memorial Tournament, October 14 and 15; and his Prestige Wrestling heavyweight title bout against Alex Shelley on October 30.

YAMATO’s confidence is well-earned. But will it continue in his eventual return to Japan? “That is tough to answer right now,” said YAMATO, even after the current Open the Dream Gate champion, Yuki Yoshioka, let the world know he has his sights set on the “Almighty.” “My aim is to increase the spectrum of DG fans [in the U.S.] and show them what Dragon Gate is all about. However, as a five-time Open the Dream Gate champion, I have the right to challenge on prestige alone. If all goes well in the U.S., and I return motivated and inspired, I will go after the goals I have yet to accomplish.” During YAMATO’s Homecoming Show in Iwate, the Open the Dream Gate Championship Match was decided for Gate of Destiny–YAMATO vs Yuki Yoshioka.

For the fans that may remember him—and for those that do not know him—the “Ace” has some words. “I am confident that I can make a huge impact, and I will show you what YAMATO and Dragon Gate are all about,” he said.

Whether he is embracing his darkest desires or full of emotion admitting he has not always behaved as he should, YAMATO has proven time and time again why “He Is Justice,” and that being “Omniscient & Omnipotent” comes with his territory.

Above all, everything he does in and out of the ring is for the rectitude, for the respect, for benevolence, for the courage, for the loyalty, for the honesty, and at the end of the show, every single fan will be standing there with their YAMATO Spirit!

YAMATO’s U.S. Schedule (as of September):

GCW

October 8 vs. Tony Deppen

October 9 vs. Mike Bailey

October 22 vs. Jonathan Gresham

October 23 vs. Blake Christian

October 29 TBD

AAW

October 14 vs. Zachary Wentz

October 15 TBD

Prestige Wrestling

October 30 vs. Alex Shelley

RECOMMENDED VIEWING:

YAMATO vs Minoura Kota, Dangerous Gate 2021

YAMATO vs KAI No Ropes Match

Tag Team Cagematch (YAMATO & KAI vs SB KENTo & Dragon Kid)

YAMATO vs Shun Skywalker, SPEED STAR final

YAMATO’s YouTube Channel
—-

U.S. FANS WILL BE STANDING WITH THEIR YAMATO SPIRIT

オープン・ザ・ドリームゲート王座最多戴冠回数5回を持ち、フードコーディネーター3級の資格を持ち、そして何よりDRAGONGATEの”エース”であるYAMATO選手はGCW、AAW、Garden State Pro WrestlingとPrestige Wrestlingへの「ゲート」が開かれた!

今回も運良くYAMATO選手と話す機会を頂いて、アメリカ遠征やアメリカでの知名度の低下について語りました。

DRAGONGATE USAがファンをしっかり掴んで認知されていた頃には私が最後にアメリカでDRAGONGATE日本代表として7、8年が経ちました。そのため、大抵の人がDRAGONGATEになじみがなくなったかDRAGONGATE USAしか覚えていないことも承知しています。”DRAGONGATEとは何か “をファンに思い出してもらうためには、私が一番相応しい方です。

DRAGONGATE USA時代にYAMATO選手は若手世代だったが2022年10月頃は経験値やキャリアを積んで立派なベテランとして再びアメリカに戻っることにします。

ご安心を。専属するユニットHIGH ENDとGOLD CLASSとの対抗戦は日本に離れてもあまり気にするはないだろう。「海外に行くからには大きく考えなければならないので、日本の問題はアメリカに持ってこない。ドラゴン•キッド選手やKagetora選手がいれば何とかなるさ。北米で成し遂げたいことに集中しています。」

それは具体的に何でしょうか？ 10月14日から15日に掛けてAAWプロレスの“ジム・ライナムメモリアルトーナメント”や10月30日のアレックス・シェリー選手とのPrestige Wrestlingヘビー級王座戦についてこう言った：「YAMATOが参戦したらYAMATOが勝つだろう」。

現在の自信溢れるYAMATO選手ですが、その自身は日本に戻ったら続くのだろうか？

現オープン・ザ・ドリームゲート王者の吉岡勇紀選手は“全知全能の男”に目標として定めていた後も彼はこう言った：「今はまだ答えられない。現在の目標はアメリカのDRAGONGATEファンを増やし、DRAGONGATEとは何かを改めて知ってもらうことです。しかし、オープン・ザ・ドリームゲート王座5回も成し遂げたものとして挑戦する権利があります。アメリカでの試合が上手くいって、良い刺激を受けてやる気満々で帰国できたらまだ達成していない目標に向かって頑張っていきます。」

YAMATO選手を覚えている方はもちろん、知らない方にもDRAGONGATEのエースはこうい言った：「きっと大きな衝撃を与えることが確信しています。そして、YAMATOやDRAGONGATEとは何ぞやということをお見せしたいと思います。」

自分の欲望を受け入れても、感情的になってワガママになっても「YAMATOこそが正義」であり、「全知全能」であることを何度も何度も証明してきたのです。

何より、リング内外の行動は正義のため、尊敬のため、博愛のため、勇気のため、忠誠のため、誠実のためであり、試合の終わりには、すべてのファンがYAMATOスピリットを持ってそこに立っていることでしょう！

YAMATO選手アメリカ遠征一覧表：

GCW

10月8日：対トニーデッペン

10月9日：対マイク・ベイリー

10月22日：対ジョナサン・グレシャム

10月23日：対ブレーク・クリスチャン

10月29日：未定

AAW

10月14日：対ザカリ―・ウェンツ

10月15日：未定

Prestige Wrestling

10月30日：対アレックス・シェリー

おすすめ試合:

YAMATO VS 箕浦康太・デンジャラス・ゲート2021

https://youtu.be/_1RC_te7QLo

YAMATO VS KAI 遺恨決着‼ノーロープ＆ランバージャックマッチ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R-5MsxmY7s&feature=youtu.be

マスカラ・コントラ・カベジェラ金網サバイバル・タッグマッチ

YAMATO／KAI vs ドラゴン・キッド／SB KENTo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=mEqUfgbqtjI&feature=youtu.be

SPEED STAR FINALオープン・ザ・ドリームゲート選手権試合

シュン・スカイウォーカー対YAMATO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ0CHiONvHY

YAMATO選手の YouTubeチャンネル：「多趣味のススメ」
https://youtube.com/channel/UC0saTxYrUYCawiweutZiBhQ

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