National Pro Wrestling Day 2014 Review

Wrestling Can Change The World!

This show was put together to raise money for the Against Malaria Foundaton. Maria Kanellis acted as the event's hostess and gave updates throughout the show on how much money they have raised. If I recall correctly, they surpassed their goal with over $5000 raised.

National Pro Wrestling Day 2014

Easton, Pennsylvania 2/1/14

1.) 2/3 Falls Match - CZW World Champion Drew Gulak vs. Colt Cabana: ***1/4

These two fought to a draw in the Main Event at Wrestling is Art's last show. It was a relatively quick for a 2/3 Falls Match, but at the same time, it was still a very solid opener. Lots of good back & forth wrestling between both guys. Gulak got the first fall, then Cabana got the last two falls to win the match.

2.) Trios Match - The Bloc Party (The Proletariat Boar of Moldova, Mr. Azerbaijan & The Brown Morning of Belarus with The Polar Baron) vs. The Baltic Seige (Estonian ThunderFrog, Latvian Proud Oak & Lithuanian Snow Troll): **3/4

This is the culmination of a rivalry that's been going on for awhile in Wrestling is Fun!, a feud which escalated when The Bloc Party broke the Estonian ThunderFrog's Hammer of Peace. The Polar Baron brings the broken hammer out with him. The match itself was fine, though I think it was hampered by a few issues, mainly the fact that it probably went a little longer than it should have. There were a few cool spots in here though. Eventually, The Baltic Seige get the win.

Almost immediately after the match, The Bloc Party attacks the Baltic Seige, but then The Estonian ThunderFrog emerges with a new (and more impressive) Hammer of Peace! He goes to the top rope and comes down with it, pretty much crushing The Brown Morning of Belarus. The Baltic Seige celebrate their victory as The Bloc Party carries off their fallen comrade (who hasn't been seen since).

In between matches, Colt Cabana presents the 2014 Ambassador of Independent Wrestling Award to Mike Burns, the owner of Smart Mark Video. 

3.) Michael Bennett vs. Hallowicked: ***1/2

Next we have a very interesting matchup. They have a history as Hallowicked tapped out Bennett to win the finals of the 2012 King of Trios Tournament for The Spectral Envoy. I found it a bit funny how he was announced as "The Prodigy" when he had dropped that nickname in ROH several months prior. This was a really good match. Hallowicked has always been one of the best performers in the CHIKARAverse and he showed it here against Michael Bennett. Really good action throughout. Hallowicked makes Bennett tap once again to the CHIKARA Special to score the victory as the Easton Crowd loudly chanted "CHIKARA"!

4.) Eddie Kingston vs. Dasher Hatfield: ***1/2

Frank O'Rourke was originally scheduled to be Eddie Kingston's opponent, but I believe an injury kept him from competing, so Dasher Hatfield takes his place. These two had a match for the CHIKARA Grand Championship at Smack In The Middle in the Summer of 2012. This was  very good contest. People think of Dasher mostly as a tag team guy with The Throwbacks, but he's proven over & over that he's a good singles competitor. Some funny moments in here include Kingston almost getting into a fistfight with a little kid, and some dude in the stands holding up a "He's Fat" sign to The War King. Dasher Hatfield is able to roll up Kingston and get the surprise victory! Dasher celebrates by holding up an "I Am CHIKARA" Sign.

5.) Sonjay Dutt vs. Eric Corvis: ***

Another very interesting matchup. This was another fine match, but it wasn't in anyway the best on the show. Dutt seemed like he was the heel but at times still seemed to play to the crowd. Corvis is a guy who I've come to like with his gimmick and some of his unique offense. Corvis gets the win with an awkward looking rollup.

6.) No DQ Match - Juan Francisco de Coronado vs. Shynron: ***1/2

These two have been having a brewing rivalry across a number of the "Wrestling is..." Promotions, to the point where a No DQ Match was needed. Both guys have a lot of things going for them and they put on one of the best matches of the night. Lots of unique spots between the two and it ends with Shynron hitting The Spirit Bomb (A 630 Senton off the second rope). Very good match.

7.) La Copa Idolo - Joe Pittman vs. Heidi Lovelace: **1/4

Joe Pittman comes in as the current holder of the La Copa Idolo. Essentially it's a trophy/cup that serves as the main title in Wrestling is Heart. I've really come to love Heidi Lovelace. Definitely one of my favorite female wrestlers at the moment. Nothing really much to say here about this match, though. Kind of basic stuff, with Lovelace fighting as the underdog against the larger Pittman. What happened next was the really important part....

As it seems like Lovelace has the match won with the CHIKARA Special, GEKIDO, Dr. Cube and his minions, Sinn Bodhi & his Odditorium, The BDK, Sidney Bakabella's Wrecking Crew, The Colony Xtreme Force, a few guys in strange looking masks, and more Dr. Cube minions all come out and storm the ringside area. They attack Lovelace, Pittman, and the referee. Then the Submission Squad shows up on the other side of the building, saying that if these forces of evil want to destroy what's left of CHIKARA, they have to go through them. Unfortunately for the Submission Squad, they are quickly beaten up by The Wrecking Crew. Then Icarus shows up to loud cheers! He's flanked by The Colony (Fire Ant, Green Ant & assailANT), Hallowicked, Dasher Hatfield, and two Wrestle Factory Trainees. The lead masked man for the rudo's reveals himself to be Jimmy Jacobs!!! They then try to get assailANT to come back home to them, but assailANT refuses and stays loyal to CHIKARA. Jacobs questions how can Icarus & Company (who were outnumbered) possibly take on the army he had assembled. Then the vast number of Dr. Cube's Minions who had surrounded the ring unmasked themselves, revealing that they were members of CHIKARA!!! This includes (from what I can tell) UltraMantis Black, The Batiri, The Osirian Portal, Mr. Touchdown, Jervis Cottonbelly, The Baltic Seige, Los Ice Creams, and I believe The Swamp Monster as well. Things are evened out and a big massive brawl breaks out. Before long, there is a lout honking noise coming from one of the entrances to the building. There is a Delorean that has pulled up, and Archibald Peck & 3.0 step out of it and join the fight for CHIKARA!!! They eventually clear out all the rudos as Jacobs calls for a hasty retreat. The forces of CHIKARA celebrate at ringside as Icarus holds up a sign that reads "5/25/14" and says that CHIKARA is coming back!

Did you think things were done there? Not just yet....because we have a bonus Main Event!!

8.) Los Ice Creams & The Batiri (Kobald, Kodama & Obariyon) vs. The Colony (Fire Ant & Green Ant), The Osirian Portal (Amasis & Ophidian) & Icarus: ***1/2

The fans in Easton get a really nice treat here with this Bonus Main Event featuring the stars of the revived CHIKARA!! This was a classic CHIKARA Match, and I personally enjoyed it a lot. This was just so much fun and featured many of the talents that CHIKARA has become known for over the years. Icarus gets the win for his team with the CHIKARA Special and all ten competitors celebrate to officially end the show.

Overall: 7.75/10

From a wrestling standpoint, this was a good show that didn't have anything relatively outstanding. There wasn't anything bad to speak of, and their were a number of quality matches on here to see. Plus it raised money for a good cause which is always a good thing. What really earned the rating that this show got was the must see segment featuring the return of CHIKARA. That has to be hands down one of the greatest moments of any wrestling angle ever!! The crowd in Easton was going absolutely insane!! So many things happened, and it's something that has to be seen to appreciate just how awesome it was. If you're a new fan looking to get into CHIKARA upon it's return, or if you're already a fan but you want to catch up on the story, definitely seek this show out.

Dragon Gate USA Open The Ultimate Gate 2013 Review

Johnny Gargano faces his toughest challenge yet in the form of Shingo!!!

Dragon Gate USA Open The Ultimate Gate 2013

Secaucus, New Jersey 4/6/13

1.) Brian Kendrick vs. Rich Swann: **3/4

Rich Swann comes out signing "All Night Long", so we're already off to a good start! He's facing off against Brian Kendrick. A fine opener. Nothing really fancy, but solid for what it was. Swann gets the win.

Following the match, as Kendrick is coming to after his loss, Chuck Taylor comes out. He berates Kendrick, who criticizing the Gentlemen's Club for not being serious enough and felt they were wasting their talents goofing off. Kendrick tells Taylor that he will find out what he's all about tomorrow night before leaving. Taylor then calls out his opponents for the Six Way Freestyle.

2.) Six Way Freestyle – Chuck Taylor vs. Arik Cannon vs. Jigsaw vs. Anthony Nese vs. Fire Ant vs. Shane Strickland: ***1/2

We certainly have an interesting array of competitors in this match. This was a pretty entertaining match. Really fun showcase off all six guys. The one glaring downer was a botched dive attempt (botched twice, really) by Shane Strickland. Other than that, a very enjoyable match. Anthony Nese survives the chaos and gets the win. 

3.) Scot Reed (with Larry Dallas) vs. Derek Ryze: *

Not really much to say here. Basically a squash for Reed.

After the match, Caleb Konley comes out and outs down a verbal tirade on The Scene, saying it was for losers and that he was sick of it. He asks Reed to join him in leaving The Scene, but Reed attacks Konley instead. The two brawl and Konley gets the upper hand. He eventually finds himself alone in the ring with Larry Dallas, but allows Marti Belle to go after Dallas first!! After she beats him up for a bit, Konley lays Dallas out, officially ending his tenure with The Scene.

4.) Jon Davis vs. Trent Baretta: **1/4

Originally, Samuray del Sol was supposed to face Davis, who attacked him at Heat 2013, but he was pulled due to injury (presumably at Evolve 19), so Trent Baretta is making his Dragon Gate USA debut here instead. I should note that, during Davis' excruciatingly long entrance, he stared at a fan in the front row, who stood up and help up his iPhone to Davis, showing that he was running a timer on his phone for how long Davis' Entrance took as Davis just stared at him. I legit love that guy. The match itself was just ok. The crowd does not care about Davis or this match. It ends when Davis gets DQ'ed for refusing to stop beating up Trent in the corner, and then beats up the referee and Trent after the match (which was apparently the same thing the night before). Davis cuts a promo saying he has nothing to lose, and again, the crowd doesn't care. He challenges anyone in the back to come out and face him. The crowd chants for Super Dragon and Hulk Hogan, but Davis says he'd just beat them up and leaves. Well, I think it can be safely said that this Jon Davis push was a major flop. Honestly don't understand the appeal of this guy out of The Dark City Fight Club.

5.) EITA & Tomahawk T.T. vs. The Super Smash Brothers: ****

Finally, after a few dreadful bits, we get to the really good part of the show. This is the Dragon Gate USA debut for Tomahawk T.T., who is a rising Dragon Gate star along with EITA. These two teams had a pretty great match. The Super Smash Brothers are always entertaining to watch, but EITA & Tomahawk T.T. were equally as impressive. Lots of great back & forth action that really brought the crowd back into the show. EITA & Tomahawk T.T. get the win after a very cool finishing sequence. They will be teaming up with CIMA in the annual Dragon Gate Six-Man Tag the next night.

6.) Akira Tozawa (with Christina Von Eerie) vs. Ricochet: ****1/2

Here we have two of the best wrestlers not just in Dragon Gate, but the entire world. This was an incredible match. When you get two guys of this caliber in here, you know it's going to be awesome, and they definitely killed it!! Even Christina Von Eerie got a bit physical with Ricochet, going as far as suplexing him on the floor! Ricochet was able to overcome all this and get the win over Tozawa in an unbelievable match.

7.) Sami Callihan vs. Uhaa Nation: ***

Interesting match up here. I've seen some people say they weren't really high on the match, but I had no problems with it. On the whole, it was a fine match, and it gave the crowd a bit of a breather between big matches. Uhaa Nation gets the win with the Uhaa Combination.

8.) Open The United Gate Tag Team Titles – CIMA & AR Fox vs. The Young Bucks: ****

The Young Bucks earned this title show after going 2-1 during the California Triple Shot in January. Much like the earlier tag team match, I thought this was really enjoying. It's honestly impossible for anyone not to enjoy a Young Bucks match, and they worked pretty well against CIMA & AR Fox, who themselves obviously worked well as a team, being the champions. It was a little show to start, but picked up a good deal by the end. In the end though, The Young Bucks were able to secure the win with More Bang For Your Buck and the Open The United Gate Tag Team Titles!!

9.) Open The Freedom Gate Title – Johnny Gargano vs. Shingo: ****1/2

This is Shingo's first appearance in Dragon Gate USA in nearly two years. The crowd is really into him. Gargano comes into this having held his title for over 500 days. All I have to say was that this match was freaking amazing!!!! It was just an incredible thrill ride from start to finish. Their were several points where either main could have easily won the match, and the crowd got louder & louder after every big move. Then the controversy started. Towards the end, the referee got knocked down inadvertently by a elbow from Johnny Gargano. With the referee down, Gargano kicks Shingo low and then proceeds to choke him with a string he pulled out of his tights. Gargano locks in the GargaNo Escape and quickly stuffs the string back into his tights after the referee calls for the bell. I think the ending came off better on the DVD, but apparently the live crowd were not happy with it at all, so I decided to knock the rating down by 1/4* because of the controversial feelings towards the ending. Otherwise, it was an amazing match.

After his victory, Gargano gives his usual babyface speech, asking the crowd if they enjoyed the show, telling the crowd that it was an honor to perform for them and hoped they drove home safely. 

Overall: 9.25/10

I thought this was a really great show. Definitely one of the best shows Dragon Gate USA has put on in a while. The first half of the show (specifically the first four matches) had a high point with the Six Way Freestyle but for the most part was average at best, but once the second half hit, things really picked up. You have four ****+ matches, which is just incredible. The two tag team matches were really fun & entertaining, and then Ricochet/Tozawa and the Open The Freedom Gate Title Match both were insanely awesome. I'm not going to say much on the controversial finish to the Main Event, since I think you should see it for yourself and come to your own opinions on it. On the whole though, this show was simply amazing, and easily worth seeking out.

Dragon Gate USA Heat 2013 Review

AR Fox teams with Akira Tozawa to take on The Young Bucks in the Main Event!!

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.

Dragon Gate USA REVOLT! 2013 Review

Johnny Gargano & Jon Davis go to WAR!!!

Dragon Gate USA REVOLT! 2013

Huntington Park, California 1/26/13

The show starts off in a very unique way. We have a table set up in the ring, and Chuck Taylor comes out. He says he wants to celebrate locking up the #1 Seed in the Evolve Title Tournament (which he did the night before at Open The Golden Gate 2013). Since he spent seven years in college, he's going to celebrate with a staple of college party life: Beer Pong! He has cups but no beer, so he asked for beer. Of course Arik Cannon comes out, and he & Chuck Taylor actually play Beer Pong in the middle of the ring! Taylor cleans house on Cannon, beating him 3-0. They then throw the Beer Pong Balls at each other, and things escalate after Cannon stomps on the Beer Pong Ball! It's on!

1.) Chuck Taylor vs. Arik Cannon: **

This was a fun little brawl. They did some cool spots. Cannon bought a drink from the bar, then Taylor did a dive off the bar. The match ends when Taylor puts Cannon through the table for the victory. Again, a fun match for what it was.

2.) FRAY! – Ray Rosas vs. B-Boy vs. Johnny Yuma vs. Johnny Goodtime vs. Drake Younger vs. Brian Cage (with The Scene) vs. Famous B vs. Brian Kendrick: **3/4

The order of the entrance is the order I have them listed as above. For those who don't know how FRAY! works, two men start off, then another enters 90 seconds later until everyone has entered the match. Eliminations can occur by pinfall or submission. Basically this is a showcase of the PWG undercard with the winner facing Johnny Gargano the next night. Not going to go over every elimination, since their are eight wrestlers in this match, but it came down to Younger, Cage, and the final entrant who was supposed to be a student from Brian Kendrick's Wrestling School. Younger eliminates Cage but Kendrick is still undecided on which of his two students he wants to send in. He gets them to distract Drake so that Kendrick can come up from behind and hit Sliced Bread #2 for the win. It had some good action in it for the most part but the eliminations came a bit too quickly in some cases, plus I don't feel like Brian Kendrick should have won here, when someone like Drake Younger or Brian Cage could have gotten that opportunity instead.

3.) Rich Swann vs. EITA: ***1/4

Here we have another showcase match for EITA. I thought this was a pretty good match. If not for some awkward spots at a number of points, I think it could have been even better. This was definitely one of EITA's best performances in Dragon Gate USA to date, and has quickly won me over. He has a very bright future ahead of him for sure. Rich Swann would get the win.

After the match, Swann puts over EITA as a future star and then turns to himself, saying that Dragon Gate USA is the home of the high flyers and issues an open challenge, saying that he is the standard.

4.) AR Fox vs. Samuray del Sol: ***3/4

It is mentioned on commentary how this is a rematch from the finals of the 2012 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, which del Sol won. This was a really great match. These two definitely had chemistry and their effort paid off in this one. Lots of great fast paced action from start to finish. AR Fox eventually gets the win with a unique variation of the Lo Main Pain.

Afterwords, The Young Bucks come out and attack AR Fox. They lay him out with a Spike Tombstone Piledriver.

5.) Akira Tozawa vs. Sami Callihan: ***3/4

The story here is that these two wrestled in the opening match of United: NYC, which was the first Dragon Gate USA Show of 2011, and that they've come very far in two years time. This was another very good match. It was just as good as the previous match but for different reason. Tozawa & Callihan put on a very hard hitting match. They just went at it right for the very beginning and never let up. Tozawa eventually gets the win in a very physical match.

6.) The Young Bucks vs. The Jimmy’s (Jimmy Susumu & Ryo Saito): ***

Both teams were victorious the night before, so one of these teams is going to suffer their first loss of the weekend. The match itself was fine, but it just wasn't up to the usual quality one expects from a Young Bucks match, but I think that falls more on The Jimmy's than it does on The Young Bucks. Again, a good match, but not much more than that. The Young Bucks get the win, and remain undefeated on this weekend of shows.

The Young Bucks cut a promo after the match, basically saying that they're coming for the Open The Untied Gate Tag Team Titles.

7.) Open The Freedom Gate Title – No Rope Match – Johnny Gargano vs. John Davis: ****

There has been one No Rope Match in Dragon Gate USA before, but this is the first one I have seen. This is the culmination of the....rather interesting feud that Gargano & Davis have been having over the past few months. I gotta say though, this was a really great match. It was a very violent affair that had some sick stuff, and it also told a good story with the underdog champion in Johnny Gargano fighting off the brutal force of a heel that is Jon Davis. The ring steps, chairs, and a few ladders all become involved in the match, until Gargano finally puts away Davis with a Ladder-assisted GargaNo Escape! Again, really great match. Probably the best thing to come out of this whole feud. Enjoyed the No Rope Stipulation very much and I'm surprised it hasn't been explored elsewhere.

After the Main Event, Brian Kendrick comes out and cut a long promo, but basically wants his match with Gargano the next night to be for the Open The Freedom Gate Title. Gargano, being the fighting champion that he is, accepts Kendrick's challenge to close the show.

Overall: 8.25/10

This was a really good show from Dragon Gate USA. You had a brutal No Rope Match for the Open The Freedom Gate Title that certainly delivered, plus two great matches in the undercard in the form of Fox/del Sol & Callihan/Tozawa. The opening bit with the Beer Pong and the match between Chuck Taylor & Arik Cannon was actually entertaining for what it was. With the rest of the undercard being relatively solid (albeit with its own issues), I'd have to say that this show is one worth checking out.

Dragon Gate USA Open The Golden Gate 2013 Review

John Morrison faces one of Dragon Gate's best!

Dragon Gate USA Open The Golden Gate 2013

Santa Maria, California 1/25/13

1.) Samuray del Sol vs. EITA: ***1/4

EITA made his first appearances for Dragon Gate USA during the last few shows of 2012. I'd say this was a pretty good opener. It seemed that these two worked pretty well together (which makes sense considering the lucha elements both have in their backgrounds) and it was a good way to start off the show.

2.) Ray Rosas vs. Brian Cage: **

These two are known for their appearances in PWG (Cage more so than Rosas obviously). This match pretty much went exactly the way you would expect. Rosas got a few chances to shine, but Cage had control for most of it and eventually got the win.

After the match, Larry Dallas comes out and signs Brian Cage to The Scene. When you look at this in hindsight, this was so stupid, since Cage ended up losing in FRAY on the next show and would only made a few appearances in Evolve later in the year. A complete waste if you ask me. Dragon Gate USA is the second promotion to miss the boat on Brian Cage (the first being TNA).

3.) Evolve Standings Match – Jon Davis vs. AR Fox vs. Chuck Taylor: ***1/4

Here we have an Evolve Standings Match that's essentially a lead in to the upcoming Evolve Title Tournament. It's a Three-Way Dance, so their are eliminations in this one. A pretty good match here. Anything Chuck Taylor and AR Fox did together was very solid. Davis added some but the match was just kind of fine until Davis got eliminated first. Then it picked up with Taylor vs. Fox until Taylor got the win to go to 10-5.

4) The Jimmy’s (Jimmy Susumu & Ryo Saito) vs. Johnny Gargano & Rich Swann: ***1/2

We have a one night only reunion of Ronin with Gargano & Swann teaming up here. The Jimmy's appeared at the last few Dragon Gate USA Shows of 2012, but here we have Jimmy Susumu instead of Genki Horiguchi. The match started off slow but things picked up as the match progressed. The Jimmy's got the win with Susumu pinning Gargano, so Susumu presumably gets an Open The Freedom Gate Title Shot some point, but as we know, that never really panned out. A pretty solid match.

5.) Vendetta Pro Showcase Match - Kevin Devine vs. Julian Cash: DUD

Vendetta Pro had put on a pre-show card before this show, hence why it's a Vendetta Pro Showcase. These two wrestle for about a minute before Jon Davis comes out and destroyed them both. Not much else to say.

6.) The Young Bucks vs. D.U.F. (Arik Cannon & Sami Callihan): ***1/2

This is the first appearance in Dragon Gate USA for The Young Bucks in quite some time. They really got to show just why they are arguably The Best Tag Team in the World. Just really good action from start to finish in what was probably one of the best performances the D.U.F. has had in tag team competition. The Young Bucks get the win in an exciting tag team affair.

7.) Akira Tozawa vs. John Morrison: ***3/4

Morrison is making a one time appearance for Dragon Gate USA, and Akira Tozawa answered the open contract Morrison sent to Dragon Gate in Japan. I really enjoyed this match. Tozawa has gotten to the point where he's one of those guys that will always have a great match no matter who he is wrestling. They seemed to wrestle a bit of a slower pace (since Morrison is more familiar with WWE's in-ring style) but it was still pretty good. Morrison picks up the win with the Starship Pain.

After the match, The Young Bucks come out and attack John Morrison, but AR Fox comes out for the save. Morrison & Fox send The Young Bucks packing and celebrate to close the show.

Overall: 7.5/10

Not the best show in the world, but it was still a pretty entertaining one. If you're fans of Morrison and/or Tozawa, then I think this show is worth seeing. The rest of the card doesn't have anything must see, but is, for the most part, relatively consistent. The two tag team matches were pretty good, plus the Evolve Standings Match and the opener were both fine as well. The only real complaint I have here is that the guys who are having the big No Rope Match the next night (Gargano & Davis) both lost on this show. Other than that, a nice way to start 2013 for Dragon Gate USA.

Quintessential Pro Wrestling - Well Worth The Wait Review

Adam Thornstowe defenses his title against Drake Younger in the Main Event!

Quintessential Pro Wrestling - Well Worth The Wait

Monrovia, California 2/1/14

For this show, we have the very unique commentary tandem of Excalibur & Nigel McGuinness.

1.) The RockNES Monsters vs. B-Boy & Willie Mack: ***

Both of these teams are regulars in PWG. This was a pretty solid tag team match. I'd say it's exactly what you would expect from all four guys. B-Boy & Willie Mack get the win.

2.) Brian Cage vs. Nick Madrid: **1/4

When I watched this originally, I was going to make a comment about Nick Madrid reminding me of somebody, but I forgot. Alas this was an ok match. They did some fine stuff, but not much else to it. Brian Cage attempted a 619. No, that is not a typo. It looked like he botched it the first time, because he then did it again and hit it successfully. Still....Brian Cage hit a 619. Un...freaking...believable. As you would expect, Brian Cage gets the win.

3.) Cheerleader Melissa vs. Joey Ryan: **1/2

Joey Ryan does a lot of stalling to start. At one point Melissa takes Ryan's lollipop and stomps on it, but Ryan sets that he has a crazy foot fetish and puts it back in his mouth. At least Melissa had her wrestling boots on. Anyway, they wrestled a decent inter-gender match her. At one point they were brawling on the outside and hits tights get ripped, which I think actually added to the match. Cheerleader Melissa eventually gets the win and mockingly rubs her feet in Ryan's face.

After the match, Joey Ryan takes off his torn tights (but don't worry, he's at least wearing something underneath). He then goes around and finds a birthday girl in the audience. He gives her a lap dance, and girl proceeds to put dollar bills in Ryan's underwear. Ryan puts the tights over the girls head before leaving.

4.) Brian Kendrick vs. Kyle O'Reilly: ***1/2

After the last match, we get to some more serious action. This was a very good match. I get the feeling that a lot people think that Kendrick hasn't been motivated in some of his performances over the last year (in places like Ring of Honor & Dragon Gate USA/Evolve). However, he definitely showed up tonight and had a really good wrestling match with Kyle O'Reilly. They have a lot of back-and-forth action before O'Reilly eventually picks up the win.

Adam Pearce was originally scheduled to be Steen's opponent in the next match, but he had to leave due to a family emergency. Now Steen has a "mystery opponent". As he's waiting in the ring, Chris Hero comes walking through the front door with his gear on and attacks Steen to get things started!

5.) Kevin Steen vs. Chris Hero: ***1/2

These two have wrestled each other many times before, and have always managed to put on solid performances. This was was certainly no different. It starts with some brawling around the building, but they find their way back into the ring and continue the fight. Really enjoyable match between these two. At one point, after throwing a few superkicks, Kevin Steen runs backstage, and just before he's counted out, runs back to the ring in his Young Bucks attire!! Nigel McGuinness christens Steen "The Young F**k". After some more action, Steen rolls Hero up and steals the victory!

6.) 2/3 Falls Match - Candice LaRae & Christina Von Eerie vs. PPRay: ***1/2

This is a very interesting match. I was actually really excited to see the team of LaRae & Von Eerie (I'm a fan of both ladies). To be honest, this was actually pretty good. I'd say it was close to being on par with the previous two matches (O'Reilly/Kendrick & Steen/Hero). Honestly don't know what it was, but these two teams just clicked really well and it made for a very entertaining match. The girls get the 1st Fall, then PPRay gets the 2nd Fall, and finally, LaRae & Von Eerie pick up the third fall to win the match. One of the best inter-gender matches you'll see out there, in my opinion.

7.) QPW Title - Adam Thornstowe vs. Drake Younger: ***1/4

Here we go with the Main Event! Thornstowe looks to have exchanged the trophy/cup he won at the last show for an actual title belt. Things quickly disintegrate and the two brawl to the outside, and even get a bit in for Kevin Steen's Weekend Escapades! The referee appears to letting the match go under Relaxed Rules as chairs are introduced pretty quickly. Their are some sicks bumps onto the chairs, and Thornstowe eventually gets the edge and picks up the win to retain his title.

Afterwords, Younger cuts a promo, putting over Thornstowe and thanking the fans for coming out and supporting all the wrestlers.

Overall: 7.25/10

This show doesn't have anything on it that really stands out as being amazing, but on the whole I think it was still pretty enjoyable. You had a solid opener, two very good matches in the mid-card, a pair of inter-gender matches of varying quality (one more comedic, the other being a pretty good 2/3 Falls Match), and a fine main event. Again, nothing really outstanding, but in terms of overall quality, it was a solid show.

PWG DDT4 2014 Review

PWG kicks off 2014 with it's annual Tag Team Tournament Extravaganza!

PWG DDT4 2014

Reseda, California 1/31/14

1.) DDT4 – First Round – Best Friends vs. The RockNES Monsters: ***1/4

Chuck Taylor & Trent? come into this show undefeated in tag team competition. I thought this was a pretty solid opener. Really love the Best Friends team and I always enjoy seeing The RockNES Monsters. I would go as far as to say they're underrated. The match ends when Trent? gets a massive trench coat and puts it on. Chuck Taylor then lifts Trent? on his shoulders to create only large trench coat guy!!! Then then hit a Trench Coat Man Chokeslam on Johnny Goodtime for the win. Best Friends advance.

2.) DDT4 – First Round – PPRay vs. The Unbreakable F’N Machines: **3/4

Well this is the mismatch of mismatches. This was actually quite decent, even though it was the most predictable outcome out of all the first round matches. Avalon & Rosas do get a fair amount of offense in but Elgin & Cage just manhandle them. My only complaints would be that it went a little too long and that PPRay got in a little too much offense, but that's about it. Michael Elgin & Brian Cage get the win and advance.

3.) DDT4 – First Round – Joey Ryan & Candice LaRae vs. COLE STEEN COLE: ***1/2

Kevin Steen & PWG World Champion Adam Cole are representing Mount Rushmore tonight as The Young Bucks are in Japan. I really enjoyed this. Seeing Cole & Steen team for, I think the first time in a two-on-two environment was pretty cool, and Joey & Candice just continue to show great chemistry as a tandem. Steen & Cole gets the win with a sick double team finishing sequence to get the win and advance in another good chapter of the Mount Rushmore/Joey & Candice feud.

4.) DDT4 – First Round – The African American Wolves (ACH & AR Fox) vs. The Inner City Machine Guns: ****

Obviously ACH & AR Fox play up their unique tag team name by howling. Ricochet & Rich Swann top that, having themselves announced not only as The Inner City Machine Guns, but as The Martin Luther Kings of Wrestling and Malcolm D-Generation X. LOL. Excalibur & Chris Hero joke about the fact that this match has four African American High Flyers. You'd expect this one to get a bit wild, and it certainly did. This was a spot-fest, but it proved to be very entertaining. Just lots of adrenaline packed action. Ricochet & Rich Swann get the win and advance to the next round.

5.) “Sicilian Psychopath” Tommaso Ciampa vs. Adam Thornstowe: **1/2

Roderick Strong was Ciampa's original opponent, but is still not cleared to compete after being injured by a Styles Clash gone wrong earlier in the month. Adam Thornstowe, the Quintessential Pro Champion, is Strong's replacement. I'd say this was pretty decent. Thornstowe had some rough spots, but he & Ciampa were able to pull it together in a solid effort. Ciampa gets the win.

6.) DDT4 – Semi-Finals – Best Friends vs. COLE STEEN COLE: ***

Before things start, the two team argue over who are the closer friends. To prove his friendship, Cole goes to the back and comes back out wearing Kevin Steen attire to match his partner! That was something. This match started off with a ton of brawling on the outside, that eventually went through the crowd and to the announcer's position. Best Friends then hit double dives off the stage onto Cole & Steen. They eventually get back to the ring and go back & forth for a few minutes before a distraction from Candice LaRae allows Trent? to roll up Steen for the victory. It was a fine match for what it was. I do think the crowd brawling went a little too long, though at the same time, I can see that they were trying to be different from the other matches. Best Friends advance to the Finals.

7.) DDT4 – Semi-Finals – Inner City Machine Guns vs. The Unbreakable F’N Machines: ***3/4

We get some huge dueling chants before the match. This started off slow, but it picked up towards the end to the point where it got really good. The highlight of the match definitely has to be Brian Cage hitting a freaking LIONSAULT!!! I am not kidding. In the end, however, Ricochet & Rich Swann would pick up the win and join Best Friends in the Finals.

8.) #1 Contender’s Fatal Four-Way – Chris Hero vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Drake Younger: ****1/4

All four of these men have received Title Shots against Adam Cole in the past, but all of them failed to dethrone him. The winner of this match will receive another shot against Cole. I have to say, this has to be the most unique fatal four-way match that I have ever seen. Some of the stuff they did in here was so cool. I don't think words do it justice. Drake Younger eventually gets the win and earns a future title shot, though he wouldn't be able to cash in on it, as it was announced some weeks later that he had been signed by WWE.

9.) DDT4 – Finals – Best Friends vs. Inner City Machine Guns: ***1/4

This match started hot and these two teams went at it right from the get go. It was pretty much balls to the wall for the entirety of the match, which was about 10 minutes or so. To me, it makes sense that the match would be short, as both would have been spent from earlier tournament matches, thus they would want to end things quickly. Still, for a 10 minute sprint, it was pretty good. Best Friends get the victory and win the 2014 edition of DDT4!!

After the match, Taylor gets the mic and says everyone in the crowd is his best friend. He & Trent? then do the best friends taunt with Ricochet & Rich Swann to end the show.

Overall: 8.0/10

I have a feeling this will be one of the weakest shows PWG will put on all year, but that does not mean the show was bad at all. Although last year's DDT4 had the final appearance of El Generico, before he went to WWE Mexico to help his orphans, to hinge on, this show still was able to deliver a solid outing. While nothing on here is bad, the match quality is all over the place. Literally, I used every star rating from **1/2 to ****1/4 on this show. I'd say the Fatal Four-Way is a real standout and worth checking out. Seeing Best Friends winning DDT4 was pretty cool as well, so on the whole I'd say that, while it wasn't the best PWG Show out there, it is still a very good show.