Dragon Gate USA Untouchable & Enter The Dragon 2012

Dragon Gate USA made its return to iPPV in July with two shows that strongly showcased an athlete swarmed with rumours - their title-holder Johnny Gargano. The seven-year veteran is fast becoming a big personality on the independent scene, and has come to be recognised as a potential WWE target. After defending his title successfully on this set of shows, Gargano confirmed that he had re-signed with DGUSA, but also made the odd claim that he would steer the ailing indy scene in the right direction. Although perhaps a little muddled, the promo was welcomed by attendees, as was the stellar action throughout the weekend.

The first leg of the trip saw the promotion visit Detroit on July 28, setting up in the less-than-glamorous venue of the Gibraltar Trade Center. Inside the squared circle, there was a fair amount of glamour, though, brought mainly by big guns CIMA and El Generico. The two collided in a blistering tag effort that saw CIMA partner with AR Fox, while the latter sided with Samuray

Del Sol. This was terrific, high-octane action, replete with countless high-risk spots and furiously paced sequences. In the end, CIMA pinned Del Sol. Open The Freedom Gate champion Gargano then defended against Akira Tozawa in a bout that was worthy of the headlining spot. The champion came into the bout vulnerable, thanks to two previous losses to Tozawa, but managed to survive numerous German and Straightjacket suplex predicaments. Following a prolonged finishing sequence, Gargano locked on the Gargano Escape for the submission.

There were a couple of other noticeable peaks on the undercard, too. The Super Smash Brothers again demonstrated their chemistry with The Scene, tasting victory in an exciting scrap following a Fatality on Caleb Konley. YAMATO’s bout with Ricochet largely delivered the goods, although unfortunately it was blighted by a serious deficiency in the selling department: YAMATO clearly focused an assault on the leg throughout, only for his opponent not bothering sell it, as he rallied with numerous manoeuvres that should no longer have been possible for an essentially one-legged competitor. In any case, YAMATO earned the pinfall following a spear.

Chuck Taylor also looked solid in a heated if brief brawl with Rich Swann that saw the use of various weapons, and built Taylor as a dangerous individual. Taylor was disqualified for refusing to release a half-crab, and was thus kept strong for his grudge match the following night. At the other end of the spectrum, Masada made a poor impression in his DGUSA debut, besting Pinkie Sanchez in a miserable contest. It’s difficult to see where Masada will fit in the company. Sanchez did come out the winning side prior to this, during a prolonged squash alongside Arik Cannon opposite Derek Ryze and Nate Madson. In the opening bout, Jon Davis pummelled Jake Manning, winning with a spinning powerbomb.
Second City It was mainly the same players who left an impression in Chicago the following night. CIMA and AR Fox were the big winners, raising the vacant Open the United Gate titles in an excellent encounter with Rich Swann and Ricochet. Breathtaking action was almost immediate, as the four started out at a furious pace that rarely subsided. Fox was a particular thrill to watch, and he scored the pin on Swann with Lo Mein Pain. All four, however, contributed blistering near-falls towards the climax.

Meanwhile, Gargano battled nemesis Chuck Taylor in a brutal but entertaining non-title I Quit bout that incorporated chairs, ladders, and barbed wire. Gargano absorbed great punishment, including a horrendous back-drop straight through a guard-rail, which left the crowd in a stunned silence. This was a welcome change of pace from the weekend’s other offerings, and a great opportunity for the champion to show his aptitude for a more hardcore style. Gargano took the spoils with a barbed-wire assisted Gargano Escape that had Taylor squealing in anguish. Both men were tremendous here.

Mid-West duo Brett Gakiya and C.J Espirzia made a spirited effort against The Scene, delivering numerous high-flying moves before falling to their more established opponents. This was good fun while it lasted, as was Akira Tozawa’s win over El Generico, and Jon Davis' vital win over YAMATO.

Masada’s curtain-jerking squash of Jake Manning was less than thrilling, though, ending in a Regal-plex for the pin. Better was Shane Hollister’s debut, in a brief but compelling loss to Samuray Del Sol. The finest encounter on the undercard, though, saw The Super Smash Brothers defeat Arik Cannon and Pinkie Sanchez, after hitting the Fatality combo on Pinkie. Player Dos was incredible throughout the match. Afterwards. The Smash Bros. made their case for a tag title shot, leading to a disagreement with The Scene and Gentleman’s Club over such rights.

UNTOUCHABLE 2012 July 28, 2012 Jon Davis def. Jake Manning (Pinfall / 4:48) • Rich Swann def. Chuck Taylor (Disqaulifcation / 7:48) • The Super Smash Brothers def. The Scene (Pinfall / 12:41) • YAMATO def. Ricochet (Pinfall / 11:30) • Arik Cannon & Pinkie Sanchez def. Nate Madson & Derek Ryze (Pinfall / 7:16) • Masada def. Pinkie Sanchez (Submission / 5:56) • CIMA & AR Fox def. El Generico & Samuray Del Sol (Pinfall / 26:31) • Johnny Gargano def. Akira Tozawa (Submission / 25:39)

ENTER THE DRAGON 2012 July 29, 2012 Masada def. Jake Manning (Pinfall / 2:27) • The Scene def. Zero Gravity (Pinfall / 10:11) • Samuray Del Sol def. Shane Hollister (Pinfall / 6:06) • The Super Smash Bros def. Arik Cannon & Pinkie Sanchez (Pinfall / 15:28) • Johnny Gargano def. Chuck Taylor (Submission / 24:56) • Jon Davis def. YAMATO (Pinfall / 13:47) • Akira Tozawa def. El Generico (Pinfall / 21:20) • AR Fox & CIMA def. Rich Swann & Ricochet (Pinfall / 21:36)