Every pro wrestling tag team has a less appreciated partner. From the Motor City Machine Guns to the Young Bucks, even the sport’s most popular pairings always seem to consist of one big star drawing in most of the fans’ attention and one support member who helps that star shine brighter.
For about five years now, DRAGONGATE’s Jason Lee had been that supporting partner. He helped legendary tag team SpeedMuscle rule the trio’s division, elevated Reiwa Generation Leader Kota Minoura with multiple Twin Gate reigns, and, most recently, was integral to the rise of one of the promotion’s best young prospects in Jacky Kamei.
But throughout all of this, the Hong Kong born wrestler was never once treated as the main attraction. As he saw it, he was only a stepping stone to his partners, easily discarded and forgotten.
And so, in the spring of 2024, Lee decided that he was done playing second fiddle. He turned on Kamei and his faction, Natural Vibes, to join the controversial unit Z-Brats, who he had previously rejected for their cruel actions towards him and the remaining roster.
Ever since then, Lee has been relentlessly pursuing Kamei, attacking and humiliating him at every turn, determined to not just step out of his shadow, but eradicate that shadow entirely. Their conflict finally culminated in a 5 man hair vs mask cage match at Dead or Alive, DRAGONGATE’s second largest event of the year.
Following that highly emotional match, Five Star Network’s Kay Quinn had the opportunity to interview Jason Lee about his experiences in the cage, his switch to Z-Brats and his new identity.
Here is what he had to say:
You recently competed in your first cage match, at Dead or Alive on May 5th. What was the experience like for you?
First ever cage match in my life. I did what I had to do. May 5th. It’s like a turning point of my life. I felt madness, anger, violence. The most important thing is that I showed everyone the real Jason Lee. This is me. This is the real me. I enjoyed the tears of Kamei and Hyo, and of everyone in the arena. What a beautiful thing I did.
In your opinion, what sets the cage match format apart from the other kinds of matches you have competed in so far?
The big difference is the cage. 5 men in the cage. Can’t go anywhere. But luckily, we found a way to put weapons inside the cage. This is what Z-Brats do.
The match’s loser was current Brave Gate champion Hyo, who sacrificed his opportunity to escape to help Jacky Kamei. What do you think of this outcome?
This is stupid. I don’t understand why he needed to step into a fight between me and Kamei. To be honest, I didn’t have any problem with Hyo at first. I told him to step away from this, but he didn’t listen, then he wanted to show his disgusting love to a man. Oh well. He deserved this. Nothing else I could say.
Kamei, your main target during this match, escaped the cage first, but was deeply distressed by Hyo’s sacrifice. Are you satisfied with that conclusion?
Hell no. It’s not done yet. I’m sure. My target will always be Kamei. No matter if it is Big Hug Kamei or Natural Vibes Kamei. The nightmare is just getting started.
Your secondary target, Kzy, also escaped, with the help of your former friend, Strong Machine J. How do you feel about J’s decision to stick with his current faction?
I don’t know what he is thinking, to be honest. Why does he still need to stick with Kzy? Or whatever, U-T or Big Boss. I understand that he’s good at breakdancing, but that doesn’t mean he needs to be in Natural Vibes. Someday he will understand that being in a useless unit is wasting his time.
You competed in the cage match as a member of Z-Brats, with Natural Vibes as your opponents. This is quite a reversal from your choice to reject Z-Brats and join Natural Vibes around this time two years ago. What originally moved you to decide as you did?
Everyone has been asking me about the thing that happened 2 years ago. Yes, I did reject Z-Brats and join Natural Vibes. But I one thing found out is that joining Natural Vibes couldn’t take me to the top. They didn’t have the heart for the top. What they did was just dancing around, making fans cheer for them. This is the pro wrestling world. Impact is the most important thing. I don’t know what impact I can make by doing a stupid dance.
When did you decide that you were going to leave Natural Vibes?
During the tag league. It was just a mess. Mistake after mistake. And Kzy was just like “Its alright, don’t worry. You guys have got the next one.” I am sick of those kinds of words. That is why Natural Vibes won’t improve. Also, Kamei pushed me down to the mat during his homecoming show, after we lost. I don’t know if he wanted to show off in his hometown or what. I just couldn’t accept it.
Why did you want to switch to Z-Brats specifically?
Ambition. I can’t see that in any other unit. Ambition makes people stronger. Z-Brats will do whatever it takes to get the win, even if that is cheating. I mean, I’m just sick of losing. I need to win it all.
Prominent Z-Brats member Shun Skywalker had been referring to you as his property for almost all of 2022 and 2023. How did this factor into your decision to join his faction?
To be honest, I hate it when Shun says that. That is just like the disgusting love story between Kamei and Hyo. Since I joined Z-Brats, Shun hasn’t said it again and hasn’t even mentioned it. So just let it go.
How do you view your choice in hindsight?
I did it for myself. I stepped up for my life. I’m 31. For pro wrestling, that is kind of a high age. And I don’t know when I will end my career. I don’t want to waste my time dancing or just playing around. 2 years ago, I made a choice. And I regret it. I came here for pro wrestling. To get to the top. I just realised that I don’t have time to waste.
In what ways have you changed as a wrestler since becoming a Z-Brats member?
I got confidence, to be honest. I can show the real me.
Visually, your new look takes inspiration from Mortal Combat’s Scorpion, correct? Why did you choose to emulate that specific character?
I love video games. And as I said, I like to make an impact on the fans. I need everyone to remember me the first time [they see me]. That is why I chose a famous character. Not just in Japan. All over the world. I need them to see the new Jason Lee, the dark side Jason Lee.
You recently adopted the phrase “My way or the highway” as your motto. What does it mean to you and how does it apply to your new approach to wrestling?
My way or the highway. The lyrics of Limp Bizkit. They really impressed me. For these past years, I just cared about what [other] people were feeling. I never really cared about myself.
So, from now on, no matter what, I’ll do it my way. If they don’t like it, they can just get the f*** out of my sight.
Our thanks to Jason Lee (@lee_7122) for taking the time to answer our questions and to Ho Ho Lun (@hoholun719) for his help in arranging this interview.
The cage match discussed in this interview can be watched on DRAGONGATE Network.