Dragon Gate Wrestling

So last night marked my first chance at seeing the Dragon Gate wrestling promotion live. It was only their second show in the US and it was a real treat to see these guys straight from Japan. They employ a faster pace then American wrestling and they tend to stick to a more "faction-based" system. Just about everyone in the company is aligned with a group.

In my honest opinion, after seeing some of the local wrestling and seeing a show or two of the WWE's, I think it is fairly safe to say that I actually enjoyed Dragon Gate the most. At least I didn't leave the show feeling like I could have spent my money on something better.

What I appreciated so much about it was it's pacing, as the matches started out slow. Nothing really fancy, just a lot of straight forward wrestling. As the night (and show) progressed, the tempo and the action began to pick up. By the time the main event rolled in and by the time the final bell rang, the place was absolutely fucking nuts!

I was also happy to have gotten to see Dragon Kid (pictured above), who is a pretty crazy wrestler in his own right. But then I witnessed the insanity that is PAC, who flies like I have never seen anyone fly in (and out) or a wrestling ring before. And I don't dare to forget to mention Don Fuji, who I liked watching just because of the comedy that he does. He is funny, but man I still believe he could kick the ass of anyone who steps into the ring with him.

As I overheard them saying as we (my girlfriend and a co-worker) were leaving, they announced that they would be back next year. Needless to say, I surely look forward to when that day comes again.

On a little side note, maybe more of a personal note to myself if I should end up re-reading this post again in the future, I need to remember one thing about this event. Try and find out how to get tickets to where they sat an ENTIRE section of Japanese girls!

This, of course, has nothing to do with me, despite how it might come across as you read those words. But rather to help out my co-worker and friend, who isn't with anyone and who knows? Maybe that is where destiny will happen for him. Or maybe he'll get punched in the face (by a wrestler or a fan, who knows?).

Either way, I was ragged on almost all night by not just him, but my GIRLFRIEND as well! Who's side is she on anyway?? Anyway, I was wised up and I left there a smarter person. Or at least smart enough to try and find out where this section will be the next time these guys roll into town!

Note to self: Lesson learned...

Besides all of that, believe it or not but those women were actually pretty damn loud and into the show from beginning to end. It ended up looking exactly how their shows do in Japan, with these girls screaming and cheering for their favorite guys. As a matter of fact, the heels (bad guys) spent the entire night yelling, spitting and throwing pineapples into that particular section.

It was a crazy and wild, yet very, very fun night and I might have said this before, but I'll say it again anyway: I can't wait until these guys come back next year.