Dragon
Gate USA Heat 2013
Huntington
Park, California 1/27/13
1.)
Rich Swann vs. Arik Cannon: **1/2
Here
we have a contrast of styles as the high flyer takes on the brawler. This was a
decent opener. It seemed like that different styles played a part in this not
being as good as you would think it would be. Still, it was fine for what it
was. I think Larry Dallas & Trina Michaels came out at some point during
the match and watched from the stage
After
the match, Swann, who won the match, cuts a promo about being the best high
flyer and throws a verbal shot at Arik Cannon for not being one.
Then,
Larry Dallas & Trina Michaels cut a promo, talking some trash. Nobody
Cares. He gets chased around the ring by Arik Cannon, who ends up motor-boating
Michaels' Breasts. I don't understand why this happened.
2.)
Jon Davis vs. Drake Younger: ***
Essentially
Davis is pissed about losing the No Rope Match the night before and wants to
take everything out on Drake Younger. This was actually a pretty solid match.
Younger took a lot of sick bumps on the ring stairs and a bunch of chairs, but
got a fair amount of offense in himself, so it wasn't a total squash. Honestly,
I think this whole push Jon Davis was a failure. His feud with Gargano was
horribly handled with the No Rope Match really being it's only high point. Plus
I think Davis has trouble portraying his emotions, which was another big issue.
Coupled with quite possibly the lamest entrance in pro-wrestling, and you have
the makings of a failure waiting to happen. Davis wins by Knockout. The fans
don't seem to be pleased. He then buckle bombs a referee....because he's
pissed.
3.)
Chuck Taylor vs. EITA: ***1/4
The
Kentucky Gentleman comes into this undefeated on the weekend at 3-0 (Two
Wrestling Matches, One Game of Beer Pong). A pretty good match here. EITA has
quickly established himself as one of the better mid-carders in Dragon Gate
USA, even though he hasn't won a match yet. Taylor gets the win in a very solid
outing for both guys.
4.)
Open The Freedom Gate Title – Johnny Gargano vs. Brian Kendrick: ***1/2
This
was originally going to be a non-title match for Gargano, but after the main
event on the previous show, Kendrick convinced him to put his title on the
line. A pretty good match here for it's position on the card (speaking of
which, seeing the Open The Freedom Gate Title Match in the middle of the card
is odd). Lots of technical exchanges with Kendrick using veteran tricks to try
and win the match. Towards the end Kendrick tries to hit Gargano with the belt
after the referee got knocked down, but Gargano turns the tables and uses the
belt himself on Kendrick. He then locks in the GargaNo Escape to retain his
title. Again, pretty good match.
Afterwords,
Gargano cuts a promo saying that nobody should question his intelligence as
champion. He talks about how he has beaten everyone and then issues an open
challenge to anyone from Dragon Gate in Japan to come to WrestleCon and try to
take his title from him.
5.)
Samuray del Sol vs. Ryo Saito: **1/2
After
two nights of teaming up, The Jimmy's are being split into singles matches.
Here Ryo Saito is facing Samuray del Sol. This match was surprisingly average,
especially when you consider it involves a Dragon Gate Veteran in Saito and one
of Dragon Gate USA's most exciting performs in del Sol. Definitely the
disappointment of the show. Samuray del Sol gets the win.
Following
the match, del Sol is cutting a promo in the ring when Jon Davis runs out and
viciously attacks him.
6.)
Sami Callihan vs. Jimmy Susumu: ***1/4
Fortunately,
I can happily say that Susumu put on a better performance than Saito. He had a
pretty good match with Sami Callihan here. Though the match itself was good, I
think there is an issue with Callihan's character, in that he really isn't very
well defined. Is he a face or is he a heel? Based on commentary, you'd think he
was a face, yet he does heelish things in the ring. Still, the match itself
was, again, pretty good. Sami Callihan gets the win and The Jimmy's go 0-2 on
the night.
7.)
The Young Bucks vs. AR Fox & Akira Tozawa: ****1/4
Here
we have a one time only dream team with Tozawa & Fox, who is one half of
the Open The United Gate Tag Team Champions along with CIMA, who isn't on these
shows. This was easily Match of the Night and jumps ahead of the No Rope Match
for Match of the Weekend. All four of these guys are good, so you knew awesome
things were going to happen when they faced off. Lots of great back & forth
action. The Young Bucks really shine in this Dragon Gate atmosphere, both in
the ring and as characters. Eventually Matt Jackson & AR Fox brawl to the
back, leaving Tozawa & Nick Jackson in the ring. Tozawa eventually picks up
the win and AR Fox returns to celebrate with him to close the show.
Overall:
7.75/10
In
terms of the three shows that took place over this weekend, I'd put this right
in between REVOLT! & Open The Golden Gate. The show was honestly quite average, in terms
of match quality, until the Main Event, which definitely delivered and made
this show worth buying. If your a fan of AR Fox, Akira Tozawa, or The Young
Bucks, you should definitely check out that match. The mid-card was fine, but
again, nothing really stood out. On the whole, a relatively solid show with a
great Main Event.
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