I wrote about the Shingo Takagi & YAMATO vs. RyoSuka tag earlier in the night that it was close to being the platonic ideal for a smaller show Dragon Gate midcard tag. Forget the word “close” or the phrase “close to” here. This is the platonic ideal for a Dragon Gate six man main event on a less important show.
Is this match a big deal? No.
Does this have any importance whatsoever? No. It’s not really even a build up tag at all. It simply is.
It’s just a blast. Tight and fun and perfect for what it is. The heels are mean and basic in the control segment, but without ever leaning on bullshit or blatantly filling space like so many DG heel teams in recent years have felt like they’re doing. There’s always something around the corner to liven it up or keep interest steady. A tag in that’s cut off, a hope spot that’s cut off, some big move, etc. They’re hardly the perfect DG heel unit (Blood Generation or if you’re a fucking nerd, the Millennials), but it all works out real real well. Final half is then a fireworks show.
They don’t unload the arsenal here in front of only Sapporo Teisen Hall, but once again, there’s enough that this is always very exciting. Mochizuki vs. Tozawa is a near perfect match up when it’s just the hits. Uhaa Nation once again looks incredible because they’re so smart about how he’s used. BxB Hulk is nobody sane’s favorite heel but he’s great in the little pieces here (especially against Dragon Kid), while Tozawa shoulds most of the load. They got the crowd hotter than any other match so far, especially for the Dragon Kid section against BxB and then Tozawa at the end, and while that doesn’t make or break the match, it’s a nice little boost and an impressive thing on its own. The cycle ends up with Dragon Kid stuck alone with Tozawa, and Our Hero is on a roll. Dragon Kid gets beaten with the Package German Suplex.
Much like anything on a mid tour show like this, it’s hardly essential, but it’s just an absolute fucking blast. At its best, Dragon Gate is some of the most fun professional wrestling that anyone can ever watch.
HANDWERK 