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MCNEILL'S TAKE Blood Warriors, Come Out And Play: McNEILL's Preview of DGUSA's Open The Golden Gate iPPV!
Jan 27, 2012 - 8:25:22 PM
Wake the pets and call the neighbors. It's time for our DGUSA internet pay-per-view preview column!
DISCLAIMER: Projections are made by myself and for myself with absolutely no assistance from Gabe Sapolsky or Sal Hamaoui. No one knows the contents of these projections, but I, in my divine and mystical way, will ascertain the finishes to these matches despite not being caught up on my Dragon Gate DVD's. Some of our departing contestants will receive a year supply of Hulk Hogan Childrens’ Chewable Vitamins. Remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, please, no wagering. This lineup is based on the best available information as of this writing.
On the last set of Dragon Gate USA shows, Johnny Gargano captured the DGUSA title, making him the biggest American star of the hybrid Japanese-American promotion. This was a great thing. Then, at Evolve 10 a couple of weeks ago, Gargano aggravated a previous back injury. The champ is out of action for the foreseeable future.
But the good news is, Low-Ki has arrived in DGUSA. The former TNA and ROH star (and winner of WWE NXT) will be on the next few shows. Whatever you say about Gabe Sapolsky and friends, this definitely counts as a suitable substitution. That, combined with a smart and raucous crowd in Los Angeles, should make this a memorable event.
Before we get to our picks, let's do today's Wrestling History Lesson. Remember that Low-Ki fellow we just talked about? Back on August 13, 2003, it was A.J. Styles defending the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Low-Ki on TNA pay-per-view. Try to ignore the first few minutes of commentary. Trust me on this.
And, as your free gift for viewing this column, let's take you back to November 30, 2011, and the Dragon Gate "1st Blood" show in Tokyo, Japan. The newest American star in Dragon Gate, Uhaa Nation, steps in against Kotoka. THIS is how you book a new guy to get over.
Now, on with the projections!
Jon Davis vs. Caleb Konley: Let's see. Jon Davis recently issued a challenge to Fit Finlay, and Fit Finlay is in town for WrestleReunion, so you do the math. Projection? Davis pins Konley with the torture rack bomb. Finlay shows up to answer the challenge and set up a match for a future show.
Chuck Taylor & Rich Swann vs. The Young Bucks: It will be nice to see the Young Bucks return to DGUSA, but with all the time the promotion has invested in Ronin, this seems like an easy pick. Projection? Swann pins Nick Jackson with the Five Star Swann Splash.
Low-Ki vs. BxB Hulk: On Wednesday's episode of the Livecast, Gabe Sapolsky announced that this would be the opening match of the show. Let's just say that Gabe books indy cards a little differently than the way I used to book them. Projection? Low-Ki wins with the top rope double stomp, to show he's a serious player.
A.R. Fox vs. Sami Callahan (Anything Goes Match): This was set up by the finish of the Freedom Fight show in November, combined with a big angle from the conclusion of the Evolve 10 show. The "please don't die" chants will be out early for Mr. Fox. Projection? Sami drops a hotel chandelier on Fox and pins him. Hey, those chandeliers just get in the way. If that doesn't work, Sami can crush Fox under a pile of Tammy Sytch's ex-boyfriends.
Masato Yoshino vs. Naruki Doi: Speed Muscle was the best tag team in the world, and now they hate each other. Not every feud has to be "A Tale of Two Cities." Projection? Yoshino scores the victory with the Lightning Spiral.
PAC vs. Akira Tozawa: You haven't seen Tozawa? He's awesome. But he's going to lose here. Projection? PAC wins with the reverse corkscrew shooting star moonsault something or other.
CIMA & Ricochet vs. Masaaki Mochizuki & Yokosuka "Jimmy" Susumu (Dragon Gate United States Tag Titles): The champs will try to get booed by the "smart" crowd at the LAX Westin. Good luck with that, by the way. Projection? CIMA pins Susumu after some timely interference from BxB Hulk, and the champs take the belts home with them (or at least up to their hotel rooms.)
Aftermath: The columnist waits for the DVD release to watch this show. But it'll be worth it.
*** Pat McNeill of Richmond, Va. has been a Torch columnist since February 2001. It's like a jungle some times, it makes him wonder how he keeps from going under.
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