CHAMPION GATE in Osaka, Dragon Gate’s early March standalone blowout event, is the second half of an Osaka weekend doubleheader for the promotion today. Named because usually it features all the promotion’s titles on the line, excluding a comedy title, but this time only 3 of 4 are being defended as the Open The Twin Gate Championship currently resides with Pro Wrestling NOAH. The title matches make up half the lineup and feature Open The Brave Gate Champion Hyo vs. Yasushi Kanda for the title, a match for the vacant Open The Triangle Gate Championship and, in the main event, Open The Dream Gate Champion Luis Mante vs. Susumu Mochizuki for the title.
There was a late change to the lineup because, after missing yesterday because of it, Strong Machine J remains out today due to a shoulder injury.
Today’s event will be held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and can be watched LIVE on DRAGONGATE NETWORK in English. There will also be a no commentary version as there’s no Japanese or wrestler commentary version scheduled (assumed on Japanese because for yesterday there was no commentary aside from the separate English version). With only 6 matches, even though 3 are title matches, and factoring in yesterday’s event going just under 3 hours I’m anticipating today will go about 3 hours. There probably will be an intermission at the halfway point but this is not confirmed. (Last-second Update: You can also watch the first match FOR FREE on YouTube)
Today’s lineup:
Masaaki Mochizuki, Don Fujii & Ryu Fuda vs. Kota Minoura, Ben-K & BxB Hulk
Takashi Yoshida vs. Gianni Valetta
YAMATO, Dragon Kid, Naruki Doi, Shachihoko BOY & Ho Ho Lun vs. Kzy, U-T, BIGBOSS Shimizu, Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI
Open The Brave Gate Champion Hyo vs. Yasushi Kanda for the title
Shun Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN vs. Madoka Kikuta, Dragon Dia & Ryoya Tanaka for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship
Open The Dream Gate Champion Luis Mante vs. Susumu Mochizuki for the title
Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.
Updates below will begin at 9:45 PM PT/12:45 AM ET. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 PM PT/1 AM ET.
9:40 PM PT UPDATE: The live stream has begun. We should be going to the venue in a few minutes.
9:45 PM PT UPDATE: Live updates begin now…
We are LIVE from Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka, Japan. There is no commentary on the non-English version.
The paid attendance will be announced sometime later today. Yesterday’s event did an announced 1028, which was a sellout and one of the best numbers for the venue in some time, which has been doing reduced capacity since the pandemic started (I think it’s legit full capacity is in the 1300-1500 range) and the crowd is still filing in, so hopefully they’ll match that today so my prediction will be around 1000. (UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 1102, a legit sellout. Some people apparently left during intermission as there was a front row notably empty for the last 2 matches)
The matches should begin in about 15 minutes. Opening announcements begin at 9:55 PM PT.
The matches begin at 10:08 PM PT/1:08 AM ET.
Match 1: Masaaki Mochizuki, Don Fujii & Ryu Fuda vs. Kota Minoura, Ben-K & BxB Hulk. 15 minute time limit
Result: Kota Minoura, Ben-K & BxB Hulk beat Masaki Mochizuki, Don Fujii & Ryu Fuda. Ben-K pinned Fuda after a spear. This match was Fuda’s return from an extended absence due to injury.
Match 2: Takashi Yoshida vs. Gianni Valetta. 20 minute time limit
Result: Gianni Valetta beat Takashi Yoshida. Fun hoss fight for 7+ minutes plus Valetta’s usual pre and post-match rampage carnage.
Natural Vibes out before their match for their pre-match dance routine and promo.
Match 3: YAMATO, Dragon Kid, Naruki Doi (Independent/Freelancer), Shachihoko BOY & Ho Ho Lun vs. Kzy, U-T, BIGBOSS Shimizu, Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. 30 minute time limit
Right before the start there was a comedy spot as a fan’s cell phone went off. Not set to silent, hahaha!
Result: YAMATO, Dragon Kid, Naruki Doi, Shachihoko BOY & Ho Ho Lun vs. Kzy, U-T, BIGBOSS Shimizu, Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Kid pinned KAMEI.
Match 4: Open The Brave Gate Champion Hyo vs. Yasushi Kanda for the title. 1 Hour time limit
Result: Open The Brave Gate Champion Hyo beat Yasushi Kanda to retain the title. V5 for Hyo.
Intermission. Updates will resume in about 15 minutes (as of 11:26 PM PT).
The matches resume at 11:37 PM PT.
Match 5: Shun Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN vs. Madoka Kikuta, Dragon Dia & Ryoya Tanaka for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship. 1 Hour time limit
Result: Shun Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN beat Madoka Kikuta, Dragon Dia & Ryoya Tanaka to win the vacant Open The Triangle Gate Championship. Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN become the 89th Open The Triangle Gate Champions. ISHIN pinned Tanaka.
Main Event: Open The Dream Gate Champion Luis Mante vs. Susumu Mochizuki for the title. 1 Hour time limit
Result: Open The Dream Gate Champion Luis Mante beat Susumu Mochizuki to retain the title. V2 for Mante. Afterwards, Hyo joined Mante in the ring for the post-match victory promo to end the show.
The next event is Tuesday at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama to wrap up the Truth Gate 2024 Tour. There will be no live or on demand broadcast.
