By Jon
DATE: January 23, 2010 (PPV Airdate: March 5, 2010)
VENUE: Congress Theatre (Chicago, IL)
COMMENTATORS: Lenny Leonard & Phil Colvin
VERSION: Commercial DVD
The first Dragon Gate USA show of 2010 features the first stateside defense of the Open The Freedom Gate Championship as BxB Hulk puts the gold on the line against Dragon Kid. Also on the show The Young Bucks take on Speed Muscle & Shingo/YAMATO in a triple threat elimination match, Davey Richards challenges Maasaki Mochizuki for the FIP Heavyweight Championship, and much more!
CHAMPIONS
- DGUSA OPEN THE FREEDOM GATE CHAMPION: BxB Hulk
- FIP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Maasaki Mochizuki
LINEUP
- TJ Perkins vs. Gran Akuma (***)
- Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush vs. CIMA & Super Crazy (***1/2)
- Jimmy Jacobs vs. Brian Kendrick (**1/4)
- Masaaki Mochizuki [c] vs. Davey Richards for the FIP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (****)
- ELIMINATION MATCH: The Young Bucks vs. Speed Muscle vs. Shingo & YAMATO (***3/4)
- BxB Hulk [c] vs. Dragon Kid for the DGUSA OPEN THE FREEDOM GATE CHAMPIONSHIP (***3/4)
*****
–Jon Moxley and Brian Kendrick open the show, Moxley saying DGUSA will be starting this PPV with its best foot forward. Moxley says there’s a man in the building that sickens him, a supposed innovator (Tommy Dreamer). Kendrick tells Moxley that beating up a supposed legend doesn’t mean anything as he has Kendrick’s endorsement, and says Dreamer lost his passion ten years ago when he sold his soul. Moxley continues calling out Dreamer, saying if he had any balls he’d come out to shut him up, Kendrick says Dreamer is “retired” and not coming. Kendrick says he has a fight to get ready for and they walk off.
- Well that was certainly something that happened. I don’t really see any need in bringing in old ECW guys so I’m hoping this is one of those storylines that ends up going nowhere.
–Kevin Harvey comes in and says this is not how we start PPVs in DGUSA and launches into introductions for the final dark match.
TJ Perkins vs. Gran Akuma
Perkins slaps Akuma and we’re off to the races. Perkins brings Akuma to the mat with a headlock then works the arms and rolls him up for an early two-count. Perkins does a corner headstand, sends Akuma into the buckles with a headscissors. Akuma tries to halt the momentum by taking a powder, Perkins flattens him with a tope suicida. Perkins catches a kick and spins him into a pair of kicks of his own. Perkins rolls through a sunset flip into a sharpshooter, Akuma quickly gets to the bottom rope. Perkins sends Akuma to the floor, Akuma yanks him off the apron and sends him skull-first into the hardest part of the riiiiing. Akuma works the legs, locking them in a bow & arrow and sitting down on it. Perkins tries to break it with open-hand strikes, Akuma rolls him around to increase the pressure but Perkins makes it to the ropes. Akuma follows up with a roll-through snapmare into a kick for a two-count. Akuma locks in a cravat, wrapping Perkins’ leg and arm around his leg for added pressure; Perkins fights out and connects with a dropkick that sends him into the ropes. Perkins charges with a crossbody, both men spill to the floor. Perkins and Akuma trade forearms and kicks, Akuma charges and runs into a flying knee. Perkins floats over in the corner, connects with a neckbreaker for the 1…2…Akuma kicks out. Akuma pulls Perkins into a roll-up with a handful of tights for the 1…2…Perkins kicks out, Akuma kicks him flush in the side of the head for the 1…2…Perkins kicks out again. Akuma lays into Perkins with more kicks, Perkins asking for more and fighting back with open-hand strikes. Akuma kicks away with a superkick attempt, Perkins hits a superkick to the throat, Akuma levels him with a lariat for the 1…2…Perkins counters into a crucifix for the 1…2..Akuma kicks out! Perkins shoves Akuma off the buckles, flying sunset flip into a Figure Four Death Lock and Akuma taps!
TJ Perkins defeated Gran Akuma via submission (8:57)
- Hard-hitting and fast-paced opener, Perkins getting a big win in his DGUSA debut. Ah the old days when TJP was just a fun guy to watch and wasn’t making an ass out of himself with alarming regularity on Twitter. I miss these days. (***)
–Davey Richards cuts a backstage promo on Masaaki Mochizuki. Richards says the FIP Heavyweight Title is about fighting and brings up reigns by previous holders CM Punk, among others. Richards vows to take HIS belt back.
–Kevin Harvey hypes up the crowd and counts it down to the start of the PPV proper. Music starts and out come Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush make their way to the ring, Lenny Leonard welcomes the PPV audience.
- Okay I guess Perkins/Akuma doesn’t count PPV-wise so the next match is the REAL opener. This is a little jarring but that’s what I get for watching the DVD versions of these events.
Jigsaw & “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush vs. CIMA & Super Crazy
The Chikara/Dragon Gate feud continues, Super Crazy thrown in just for some flavor. Quack slides out of a waistlock from Crazy, countering into a wristlock. Crazy rolls through, brings Quack to the mat with a wristlock of his own. Quack nips up and brings Crazy to the mat, applying a half-Crab but he’s close to the ropes so it doesn’t last long. Crazy goes for the legs, trapping Quack in a double leglock in the blink of an eye. Quack rolls out, grabs a front chancery. Quack ducks a clothesline and eventually brings Crazy to the mat with a drop toehold, Jigsaw runs in and connects with a legdrop. Crazy rolls out and CIMA gets the tag (I thought tags weren’t necessary in DGUSA matches?). Jigsaw enters as well and gets the crowd clapping, CIMA jaws at Quack and almost gets rolled up for the three. CIMA grabs control of Jigsaw’s leg, dropping into a toehold, Jigsaw reverses into a bow & arrow, pulling the arms back. Crazy teases breaking it up but instead cleans the ring. CIMA escapes a side headlock and shoots the half, ripping at the mask and almost getting DQed. The two trade kicks, CIMA trips Jigsaw up and kicks him in the hamstring. CIMA drops Jigsaw with a shoulderblock and follows up with a kick, then knocks Quack off the apron as an insult. CIMA floats over Jigsaw, Quack forearms him from behind and the Chikara duo hit a series of combo moves. Crazy belts Quack with a forearm to release a leghold on his partner. Quack rolls through a sunset flip, Jigsaw connects with a flying crossbody. Crazy sent to the floor with a headscissors, Quack and Jigsaw connect with a backbreaker/legdrop combo on CIMA for a two-count.
CIMA dodges a dropkick, flattens Jigsaw with a double stomp. Crazy follows Jigsaw into the corner with a lariat then beats on him with inflated thunder sticks as the crowd goes wild. Awesome. Crazy dazes Jigsaw with a pair of kicks and holds him in the ropes as CIMA enters, the duo connecting with double back elbows. CIMA continues to taunt Quack as he works Jigsaw over. Jigsaw and CIMA trade chops, CIMA prevents a tag and connects with double knees in the corner. Crazy connects with count along rights in the corner, the crowd chanting in Spanish out of respect, and follows up with a corkscrew elbow and a roll-up for the 1…2…Jigsaw kicks out. Crazy prevents a tag attempt and puts his dukes up, Jigsaw rolls him up for the 1…2…Crazy kicks out and pummels Jigsaw back down. CIMA elevates the legs of Jigsaw, Crazy connects with a splash then holds the legs up so CIMA can connect with a double stomp from the top. Jigsaw attempts a double crossbody but gets caught, then turns it into a double DDT instead. Quack finally gets the tag, corkscrew armdrag to Crazy and a hard chop to CIMA. Quack charges into a kick, CIMA charges into an inverted atomic drop into a jawbreaker. Jigsaw joins in with a step-up enzuigiri and Quack rolls him up for the 1…2…not yet.
Double dropkicks send CIMA & Crazy to the floor, Quack & Jigsaw follow up with stereo tope con hilos. CIMA shoves Jigsaw off to the floor and into Crazy, Quack hits a top rope hurricanrana on CIMA, Jigsaw following with an Alabama Jam for the 1…2…NO. CIMA & Crazy counter stereo rana attempts with stereo powerbombs, Crazy puts Quack in a surfboard and CIMA comes off the top with a double stomp, Crazy hotels on and rolls him around, CIMA hitting a superkick for the 1…2…Quack gets the shoulder up! CIMA rolls under a clothesline and hits a lung blower for the 1…2…Jigsaw kicks out. CIMA connects with a floating double stomp, Crazy runs in and connects with a basement dropkick, CIMA follows up with a flying dropkick and hits Shrine for the 1…2…Quack breaks it up. Crazy hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker followed by a sit-out powerbomb on Quack for the 1…2…NO. CIMA accidentally hits Crazy with a superkick, Quack rolls him up for the 1…2…3!
Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush defeated CIMA & Super Crazy via pinfall (17:50)
- Helluva sprint, great match. Super Crazy looked like he was having the time of his life, though I was a little bummed he was wrestling in a t-shirt. Something about that drives me nuts, no one is gonna make fun of your body dude just be cool with it. CIMA ragging on Quack the whole time was great and I like the story they were telling with the Chikara/Dragon Gate beef though I’m taking DG’s side since no one in Chikara wears cool wraparound shades like CIMA. I’m a simple man. (***1/2)
CIMA tries a post-match attack but gets knocked out of the ring by a double superkick from the Chikara contingent.
–Dragon Kid is shown getting prepared for his title shot later tonight.
Jimmy Jacobs vs. Brian Kendrick [w/ Lacey]
Jacobs was last seen at Open the Untouchable Gate alongside Mustafa Ali trying to recruit The Young Bucks into whatever he was planning. It did not go well. Kendrick aligned himself with Jon Moxley at the last show after a rambling promo, attacking all sorts of people including one of the audience members at ringside. Kendrick gets on the mic before the match, saying he and Jacobs have a lot in common, especially the fact they both considered wrestling to be an art. Kendrick says he wrestles on a psychological level, saying he prepared for this match by making a phone call to Jacobs’ former flame Lacey, who is his valet tonight! Apparently this is a big deal but I don’t know who that is or why that matters.
An enraged Jacobs attacks Kendrick and tosses him to the floor. Lacey distracts him, Kendrick attacks from behind and sends him into the guardrail. Kendrick belts Jacobs with crossfaces and locks in a Camel Clutch sleeper. Jacobs almost passes out in a rear-naked choke but gets to his feet and uses his momentum to send Kendrick to the floor. Jacobs misses a follow-up slingshot splash, Kendrick connects with a middle-buckle superplex but only gets a one-count. Jacobs FIRES UP, connecting with a series of jabs and a pair of clotheslines. Kendrick reverses an Irish whip, Jacobs comes charging out and slams the back of Kendrick’s head into the canvas for a two-count. Kendrick glances Jacobs with a superkick and jackknifes him for a two-count. Jacobs tries a springboard cutter but Kendrick lands flat on his back instead so that didn’t go as intended. Jacobs traps Kendrick in a guillotine choke, Lacey runs into the ring and KISSES JACOBS, Kendrick attacks him from behind and hits Sliced Bread #2 for the 1…2…3.
Brain Kendrick defeated Jimmy Jacobs via pinfall (6:45)
- I appreciate Kendrick taking the psychological route to beat his opponent even if the whole thing didn’t land with me because I don’t know the whole history behind it. I could’ve googled it but I didn’t and I won’t. Match was okay, some jank present and the finish was straight up SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT which seems against the DGUSA ethos but it is what it is. Gotta vary up the show somehow. (**1/4)
Jon Moxley runs to the ring and raises Kendrick’s arm in victory along with Lacey. Jacobs gets on the mic and says they might’ve gotten Lacey, but Kendrick’s wife Taylor is at home and teases banging her or some sh*t. Naturally Kendrick loses it, saying he could kill Jacobs right now but instead he’s going to break his heart. He teases kissing Lacey, then MOXLEY LAYS HER OUT WITH A CLOTHESLINE. “THAT WAS AWESOME” chant by a bunch of turds who are probably GamerGate dorks at this point. Tommy Dreamer then emerges (DAMMIT), Jacobs and Kendrick brawl to the back and Dreamer attacks Moxley, sending him to the floor with a clothesline. Dreamer and Moxley brawl into the crowd, the former cracking a chair over the latter’s head. Dreamer parts the crowd and sends Moxley back into the guardrail and ringside. Moxley fights back, crotching Dreamer on the guardrail and biting him. Fight moves back into the ring, Moxley levels Dreamer with a lariat and pummels him with right hands. Dreamer hits a spinebuster, Moxley escapes a Death Valley Driver but does not escape the DDT. Dreamer stands tall, Dragon Gate USA JUST GOT EXTREME.
- That was like a little mini-match, right on. Dreamer & Moxley had a pretty good brawl, stifling my cynicism a bit, and I’d be into seeing these two tear into each other in longer-form at some point. I assume that’s what is being set up here. The DVD version of this show was kind enough to include the dark match callout so this made sense, I’m sure on the PPV it came off a little more random.
-Open the Freedom Gate Champ BxB Hulk is shown warming up for his first title defense in the States later tonight.
Masaaki Mochizuki [c] vs. Davey Richards [w/ Kyle O’Reilly] for the FIP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
The FIP World Heavyweight Championship is the top prize for Florida-based independent company Full Impact Pro, part of the WWN family of promotions. For a small company they had some pretty big names as their champion over the years, and evidenced by this match even took it global. Richards lost the title to Mochizuki back in December at a Dragon Gate event in Sapporo, Japan. Richards has been ON FIRE in every DGUSA appearance so far, so I’ve got high hopes for this one.
Richards and Mochizuki feel each other out at the start, swiping at each other with kicks. Mochizuki works Richards over in the corner with a series of knee strikes and kicks to the hamstrings. Richards reverses a whip and goes to work on the arm, going for a Cross Armbreaker but Mochizuki keeps the hands clasped to avoid full extension. Richards stomps the elbow instead, continuing to soften the wing. Richards wraps the arm around his leg and executes a kneeling Texas Cloverleaf, putting pressure on everything but giving up on the hold to strike instead. Mochizuki sends Richards to the apron and sends him crashing into the guardrail with a running kick. They battle on the apron, Richards accidentally kicks the ringpost and he crashes to the floor, hurting his left leg even more. Richards tries to block a Figure Four but Mochizuki slaps the hand away and gets the hold applied. Richards tries to reverse the hold, Mochizuki turns him back over but a rope break puts an end to things. Mochizuki goes right back on the attack, connecting with a shinbreaker and applying a double leglock, grapevining the hurt leg. Richards goes for a kick out of instinct but uses his bad leg and he immediately crumples to the canvas. Richards gets sent to the apron, counters a springboard with a kick to the face. Richards follows up with a missile dropkick, the adrenaline kicking in to mask the pain. Richards uses the ropes to assist as he connects with a series of kicks, followed up by a handspring kick for the 1…2…not yet.
Richards ducks an elbow, connecting with a bridging Northern Lights for the 1…2…Mochizuki kicks out, Richards immediately transitions into a Kimura Lock. Mochizuki toughs it out and makes it to the ropes, Richards moves to the apron and goes for a suplex; Mochizuki blocks it then blocks a kick and connects with a running knee to the exposed leg. Mochizuki blocks an enzuigiri and turns it into an Ankle Lock; Richards crawls to the ropes but gets pulled back and Mochizuki grapevines the legs. Richards almost taps but finds it within him and finally makes it to the bottom rope. Mochizuki belts Richards with a pair of big boots, Richards absorbs them and charges, Mochizuki hits a suplex followed by a penalty kick to the chest for the 1…2…Richards kicks out. Mochizuki connects with a springboard kick off the ropes, Richards sends him to the floor and connects with a senton through the ropes and OVER THE GUARDRAIL. He was never seen again.
Just kidding the match goes on. Richards and Mochizuki trade kicks, Mochizuki lands on his feet from a German attempt and hits one of his own for the 1…2…Richards kicks out and goes back to the Kimura Lock! Mochizuki once again makes it to the ropes as the match goes on, Richards soaks in the chants, Mochizuki catches him with two high kicks for the 1…2…Richards gets the shoulder up. Apparently that was the same kick that won him the title in the first place, right on. Mochizuki lays into Richards with a trio of kicks to the chest and a spinning kick to the face for the 1…2…RICHARDS KICKS OUT AGAIN. Mochizuki climbs the buckles, Richards absorbs some shots then runs up and turns him inside out with a SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX. Richards connects with a discus lariat followed by a bridging German suplex for the 1…2…NO. Richards follows up with a Shooting Star Press for the 1…2…Mochizuki kicks out and Richards locks in the Kimura for the THIRD TIME. Richards blocks a series of kicks and locks in a Cross Armbreaker, Mochizuki rolls through into an Ankle Lock. Richards rolls him into the corner and rolls him up for the 1…2…Mochizuki kicks out, Richards connects with a knockout kick and DR DRIVER for the 1…2…Mochizuki kicks out. KIMURA FOR THE FOURTH TIME, Mochizuki rolls him up for the 1…2…Richards kicks out and changes into a Cross Armbreaker. Mochizuki gets to his knees, Richards turns it into a triangle choke and finally Mochizuki taps!
Davey Richards defeated Masaaki Mochizuki [c] via submission to win the FIP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (19:08)
- And yet again Davey Richards produces a TREMENDOUS match on a DGUSA show. The streak continues! This was an excellent match full of counters and painful submissions that I bought into every time as the drama built towards the end. Richards was relentless in trying to get the submission, constantly going after the arm in every which way he could. Mochizuki kicked ass as well, his shots stiff and unnerving but Richards came out on top as he does. Full Impact Pro was actually kinda good I guess? I need to track some of that footage down. (****)
Richards lays the FIP World Heavyweight Championship down, bows to Mochizuki, and raises his arm in a show of respect. I think it was the arm he brutalized the whole match though it’s not 100% respectful. Mochizuki puts the title around Richards’ waist and they bow some more.
–Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw have two bits of business left: Gran Akuma & YAMATO and proving they’re the best tag team in the world.
ELIMINATION MATCH
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. Speed Muscle (Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino) vs. Shingo & YAMATO
Shingo, Yoshino, & Matt Jackson start the match off for their respective teams. Yoshino with a wristlock on Shingo, who has a wristlock on Matt. All three trip each other up but can’t get the pin, and we’ve got ourselves a stand-off. Three-way test of strength, Yoshino instantly brought to his knees. Yoshino ducks clotheslines, throws Shingo into Matt then hits Shingo with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. YAMATO, Doi, and & Nick Jackson all tag in to try their hand at things. Double hip toss followed by stereo dropkicks, Doi connects with an armdrag on Nick and YAMATO puts the boots to him. Nick connects with an elevated dropkick on YAMATO followed by a regular dropkick to Doi. Doi rolls out, Yoshino comes in and gets a near-fall on Nick. Headscissors chain except for Shingo, who almost joins in and puts it on his own partner, then TURNS THE LINE OVER with a Sharpshooter on Nick, reversing all the pressure. Cool spot. Shingo drops a knee on Nick and settles into a chinlock, Nick gets to the ropes and Shingo stands on his face to make him pay. Young Bucks goes for a double suplex on Shingo but he holds them down and YAMATO joins in to help his partner. It’s a stalemate, YAMATO calls for Yoshino to help them suplex the Bucks, Yoshino decides to help the Bucks instead and they connect with a triple suplex on Shingo & YAMATO. Bucks with a gutbuster/neckbreaker on Yoshino, Shingo & YAMATO pull them out and send them into the guardrails. Shingo connects with a series of jabs and a Mongolian Chop on Nick, YAMATO tags in and they connect with a double atomic drop. YAMATO covers, Nick kicks out and gets his hip immediately stomped in. YAMATO punishes Nick with the CBV,, Shingo knocking Doi & Yoshino off the apron to give him an open lane. Nick gets sent to the floor, Shingo lights him up with chops and forearms. Matt runs in to help his brother, gets dropped across the guardrail. Yoshino & Doi decide to hang out instead of join in as YAMATO and Nick battle it out. Nick dazes YAMATO with a twisting enzuigiri, Matt gets the HAWT TAG. Matt connects with a headscissors on Doi followed by standing Shiranui on Yoshino for a two-count. Yoshino locks in an Octopus in the center of the ring, Nick breaks it up and immediately gets attacked by Shingo & YAMATO. Nick fights them off, connecting with the Worst Case Scenario on both men. Shingo blocks a DDT, powers Nick up into a snap suplex. Shingo connects with a hard right, Nick responds with a wheelbarrow Ace Crusher for the 1…2…YAMATO breaks it up and gets sent back to the floor. Bucks connect with a double stomp/inverted DDT combo followed by a splash/legdrop for the 1…2…Shingo kicks out. Shingo drops both Bucks with a double lariat, Yoshino drops Shingo with a sling blade, Matt spears him, Doi plants Matt with a DDT, YAMATO connects with an overhead throw on Doi. MORE BNAG FOR YOUR BUCK for the 1…2…Shingo pulls Matt off and into a German suplex. Nick gets sent to the floor, Matt eats a Doi 5s followed by a Lightning Spiral from Yoshino for the 1…2…3. THE YOUNG BUCKS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED.
Doi & Yoshino keep the pressure going, connecting with a 3D-style bulldog on YAMATO. YAMATO tries a superplex, Doi picks him up and Yoshino connects with a SUPER SLING BLADE for the 1…2…Shingo makes the save. Shingo drills Yoshino with a powerbomb, Yoshino counters a second with a sunset flip for the 1…2…not yet. Shingo/YAMATO connect with a DVD/big boot combo for the 1…2…Doi breaks it up. Doi connects with SO MANY stiff forearms to the jaw, but Shingo stays on his feet absorbing them all. Shingo accidentally clotheslines YAMATO, Yoshino connects with a Lightning Spiral and Doi follows up with the sliding kick for the 1…2…YAMATO makes the save. YAMATO gets sent to the floor, Yoshino connects with a Blue Thunder Bomb of sorts for the 1…2…Shingo kicks out! Yoshino traps the arms and locks in a Sol Naciente; Shingo tries to fight out but in the end has to tap. SHINGO & YAMATO HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED.
Speed Muscle defeated The Young Bucks and Shingo & YAMATO (18:59)
- Cool tag teams doing cool tag team moves, can’t hate on that too much. I love that Naruki Doi doesn’t lose even in tag team matches, Dragon Gate keeping their Open the Dream Gate Champion looking strong. Which he should be since he’s their top dude. I liked this one a lot, the headscissors caterpillar spot was pretty great as was Shingo almost doing it to his partner before deciding to turn EVERYBODY OVER with a Sharpshooter. He strong. He a strong man. Young Bucks suffered their second loss in a row here, their claim at being THE team in DGUSA has been quickly disproven. (***3/4)
BxB Hulk [c] vs. Dragon Kid [w/ CIMA] for the DGUSA OPEN THE FREEDOM GATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Hulk became the first Open the Freedom Gate Champion at the last event, aptly titled Open the Freedom Gate, and was saved from a post-match attack by Dragon Kid. Since that was the honorable thing to do, Hulk decided to give him a shot at the title. Or at least that’s how I’m interpreting it. Hulk has his dancers back for his first entrance as champion and there is NO coordination between the three. It is GLORIOUS. This is Hulk and Kid’s first singles match against one another and Hulk’s first defense of the championship in the United States.
Hulk controls the start with a wristlock, Kid flips around and counters, Kid cartwheel counters back and grabs a cravat. Kid flips through a snapmare attempt and connects with a wheelbarrow armdrag followed by a headscissors, sending the champ scurrying to the corner. Kid continues the offense with a pair of dropkicks in the corner, one delayed. Kid grapevines the legs and spins Hulk into an inverted Indian Deathlock, transitioning into a Muta Lock. Hulk surprises Kid with a snapmare followed by a basement dropkick and a pair of ax kicks. Kid kicks out of a lateral press, Hulk grabs a cravat and lays in a series of knee strikes. Hulk bends Kid with a seated abdominal stretch, forcing Kid to sit in a splits position, and turns into a crucifix for a two-count. The two exchange forearms, Kid drops Hulk with a spinkick, Hulk comes back with a standing corkscrew splash for the 1…2…Kid kicks out, Hulk quickly transitions into a Cloverleaf-looking leglock. Hulk punishes Kid on the floor, Kid blocks an apron suplex and hits a springboard somersault stunner. Both block a whip attempt, Hulk drops Kid with a spinning crescent kick. Kid sends Hulk into the buckles with a drop toehold but gets sent to the apron. Kid flies back in with a springboard hurricanrana followed by an apron 619 to the ribs and a Bermuda Triangle on the floor!
Hulk blocks a right but doesn’t block the stunner, Kid covers for the 1…2…champ kicks out. Hulk drops Kid with a springboard spinning heel kick but can’t get the pin so he follows up with a series of strikes, a legsweep and standing shooting star press for the 1…2…Kid kicks out again. They exchange strikes, Kid slaps on Christo in the center of the ring, Hulk breaks it up with a side slam. Kid sends Hulk into the corner and drills him with a tilt-a-whirl into a DDT for the 1…2…Hulk kicks out! Kid charges, Hulk drives him to the mat with a urinage and a BxB Smash for the 1…2…Kid kicks out! Kid fights off a superplex attempt and connects with a SUPER ACE CRUSHER, Kid immediately follows up with the Ultra Hurricanrana for the 1…2…HULK KICKS OUT AND NEITHER KID NOR CIMA CAN BELIEVE IT. Hulk stuns Kid with a spinning heel kick as he climbs the buckles, follows up with a SUPER EVO for the 1…2…Kid gets the shoulder up! Hulk connects with a series of strikes and connects with a regular EVO for the 1…2…Kid kicks out. Kid connects with a stunner, Hulk connects with a jumping kick and an FTX for the 1…2…KID KICKS OUT AGAIN. Hulk smells the blood in the water though and damn near knocks Kid’s head off with a stiff superkick followed by EVOP for the 1…2…3!
BxB Hulk [c] defeated Dragon Kid via pinfall to retain the DGUSA OPEN THE FREEDOM GATE CHAMPIONSHIP (17:10)
- Great main event. Match was on a constant crescendo throughout leading to a great finish with Hulk pulling off as many EVOs as he could to finally put Kid away. Hulk looked great in his first stateside outing as DGUSA’s top champion, and Kid was no slouch either. LOTS OF MOVEZ, LOTS OF FUN. (***3/4)
Davey Richards, Gran Akuma, and YAMATO attack Hulk during his post-match celebration, attacking the champ, Kid, and CIMA. Shingo makes his way out and teases helping Dragon Kid, but smiles and CRACKS DRAGON KID IN THE JAW WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT. Shingo joins in on the attack of BxB Hulk, CIMA and Kid getting out of there. Security try to break it up but they get easily dispatched. Arik Cannon and Brad Allen run in to try and help but THE DAMNED NUMBERS GAME and all that. Jigsaw, Hallowicked, Lince Dorado, and Mike Quackenbushmake their way out and finally even things up, Quackenbush focusing his attack completely on YAMATO. CIMA returns with a broom and cleans house as well (literally?) clearing everybody from the ring. I guess CIMA is the one who stands tall in the end? Lenny Leonard signs off for the PPV, but CIMA hangs around for the goodbye speech, hyping the next DGUSA shows and asking the crowd if they enjoyed the show.
*****
FINAL THOUGHTS: The Kendrick/Moxley/Jacobs/Dreamer stuff kinda sucked but besides that Fearless was a good show filled to the brim with worthwhile matches, especially Richards/Mochizuki and Hulk/Kid. I’m going to run out stuff to say about these shows that I haven’t said already REAL soon but I can’t stop gushing. I f*cking love Dragon Gate USA.
- MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Davey Richards vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
- MOMENT OF THE NIGHT: BxB Hulk and his dancers have one of the worst choreographed dances I have ever seen in pro wrestling. Was halfway waiting for Tank Abbott to show up.
