Summertime is here and with it comes DRAGONGATE’s biggest show of the year: Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival! The show is back to a one-night format after running two-night events for the past couple of years. Several fun matches are on the card: with a Dream Gate title match featuring two of the company’s best young talents in the past year, a cage match serving as the culmination to two heated mask vs mask feuds and special guest appearances from NJPW’s Hiromu Takahashi and NOAH’s Kenoh, there’s something on the card for everyone to enjoy on July 2nd!

So, without further ado, let’s preview the show! But first, for those who may be watching for the first time, here is a brief summary of everyone competing at the show!

Who is competing on the show?

D’Courage:

DRAGONGATE’s top babyface trio. They have been the big focus and most pushed act of the company since they formed in 2022.

• Madoka Kikuta: The current Open the Dream Gate Champion, DRAGONGATE’s top championship. The youngest to win the title at just 23 years of age. Joined D’Courage after coming back from injury in 2022. Known for his ample derriere. Member of the Reiwa Generation Leaders.
• Yuki Yoshioka: The challenger for the Dream Gate championship at this event, who held the title for the second half of 2022. Previously feuded with Dragon Dia under the guise of Dia Inferno in 2021, before forming D’Courage with him in 2022. Member of the Reiwa Generation Leaders.
• Dragon Dia: The successor to Dragon Kid, who lost his mask in 2021 after being betrayed by former teammate Shun Skywalker. Multiple time Open the Twin Gate Champion and former Brave Gate champion. Most wholesome skateboarder in wrestling.

Z-Brats:

DRAGONGATE’s resident heel faction, formed from the remnants of previous heel faction R.E.D. Signature colours: black and yellow. Love a bit of cheating and chicanery.

• Shun Skywalker: The de-facto leader of the group and DRAGONGATE’s most insane roster member. The youngest man to hold the Dream Gate championship twice and the previous title holder, until he lost the belt to Madoka Kikuta last month. Started to lose his marbles after betraying former teammate Dragon Dia to keep his mask in a tag team mask vs mask match in 2021. This lead to his former stable MASQUERADE dissolving. Currently involved in another mask feud with Strong Machine J. Member of the Reiwa Generation Leaders.
• KAI: Previously from AJPW and Wrestle-1 and a trainee of Keiji Muto and Kaz Hayashi. A former Dream Gate champion who lost the title to Yuki Yoshioka in 2022. Has spent a lot of the year in tag team competition with Skywalker and ISHIN.
• Diamante: A Mexican luchador who has been competing for DRAGONGATE for a few years. One of the best bases in the business. Has a successful tag team with Skywalker. Finally getting his long awaited match with Ultimo Dragon, where he will put his mask on the line.
• H.Y.O: The “great brain” of DRAGONGATE who uses cunning tactics (and often cheating) to win his matches. He was largely responsible for R.E.D’s downfall, as he caused leader Eita and Kaito Ishida to be kicked out and recruited Skywalker to the group. Held the Brave Gate championship last year.
• ISHIN: Z-Brats’ newest member, who betrayed M3K last year to join the group and win the Triangle Gate championship. Blood rivals with fellow young upstart Mochizuki Junior. Competing in his first singles title opportunity at this event.

Gold Class:

Formed last year, but has been through several line-up changes. Originally aimed at bringing the female attendance of DRAGONGATE shows back above 90%. More of a tweener group – they aren’t outright villainous like Z-Brats, but will use cheap tactics if necessary to get the job done. Basically a bunch of hot boys vibing.

• Kota Minoura: The leader of Gold Class. Known as the “Golden Rose Prince”, he often exchanges roses with fans at ringside. Originally a member of MASQUERADE, who left after Shun’s betrayal to establish Gold Class with Naruki Doi. Has challenged for the Dream Gate title several times and been in the finals of the past two King of Gate tournaments. Member of the Reiwa Generation Leaders.
• Minorita: Formerly known as Takumi Hayakawa, he was gifted to Kota Minoura as a “mini me” by Naruki Doi when Minoura joined Gold Class. DRAGONGATE’s smallest competitor at 5 feet, 1 inches. Defeated H.Y.O for the Brave Gate championship last year. Often interferes in Gold Class’ matches to help them win.
• Ben-K: A former samurai turned novice battle rapper with his “Chiki Chiki” catchphrase, Ben-K joined Gold Class after leaving HIGH-END last year. Widely known for ending PAC’s unbeaten run and winning the Dream Gate championship in 2019. Has also held the Twin Gate and Triangle Gate championships several times. Member of the Reiwa Generation Leaders.
• BxB Hulk: DRAGONGATE veteran who defected from Z-Brats to Gold Class at the beginning of the year. Is famous for betraying nearly every group he has been a part of. Has rediscovered his hot boy status in his middle age. A tag team specialist, having held the Twin and Triangle Gate titles nine times each in his career.

Natural Vibes:

DRAGONGATE’s long-time fan-favourite stable who formed in 2018. Known for being happy-go-lucky and for their choreographed dance routine entrance, which hypes up the audience. The largest stable in DRAGONGATE at six members.

• Kzy: The leader of Natural Vibes and the only man from the original line-up still in the group. One of the most popular wrestlers on the roster for a number of years. Has had a lot of success in tag team competition with Big Boss Shimizu this year, having held the Twin Gate championships and now the Triangle Gate championships with him.
• Jason Lee: Originally from Hong Kong. New viewers may recognise him from WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic! Also a member of Kobe-exclusive group Kung Fu Masters with Jacky and Ho Ho Lun. The current Open the Brave Gate champion in his first reign.
• Big Boss Shimizu: The heavy of Natural Vibes. Known for his overwhelming strength (he can Samoan Drop three men at once!). Has an issue with being left out of the Reiwa Generation Leaders and has taken a noticeably angrier attitude lately. Has had a lot of tag team success with Kzy this year.
• Jacky “Funky” Kamei: One of wrestling’s best underdogs. Also a member of Kung Fu Masters with Jason and Ho Ho Lun and one-third of the Open the Triangle Gate champions. Known for his signature jack-knife pin.
• Strong Machine J: Son of wrestling legend Super Strong Machine. Had his own group of Strong Machines before revealing secret breakdancing talents and joining Natural Vibes last year. Has been involved in an on-off feud with Shun Skywalker for the better part of a year as he tries to prove himself worthy of being in the new big six. Member of the Reiwa Generation Leaders.
• U-T: DRAGONGATE’s llave specialist who returned from a knee injury last month. Uses creative submissions and pins to turn the tide of a match instantly.

M3K:

A reboot of former Toryumon heel stable M2K. Reunited last year as a vehicle to support super rookie Mochizuki Junior as he began his wrestling career. Known for their shrewd tactics, double count-out finishes, and their scooter entrance.

• Masaaki Mochizuki: DRAGONGATE legend who has been with the company since the Toryumon days. Three-time Dream Gate champion, three-time Twin Gate champion, and seven-time Triangle Gate champion. Known as the “Iron Man” of DRAGONGATE. Nowadays, he acts more like an overbearing stage parent to his son Mochizuki Junior.
• Susumu Mochizuki: DRAGONGATE veteran who has held every title in the company at least once, with eight Twin Gate reigns and eleven Triangle Gate reigns under his belt. Has been teaming with Yasushi Kanda on and off for twenty-five years, but finally won the Twin Gate championships with him this month. Despite the surname, he is not related to Masaaki or Junior and used to be known as Susumu Yokosuka.
• Yasushi Kanda: DRAGONGATE veteran and former referee. Nicknamed “Candy”. A nine-time Triangle Gate champion and two-time Brave Gate champion who has enjoyed a bit of a career resurgence this year. Finally won the Twin Gate championship for the first time this month.
• Mochizuki Junior: The son of Masaaki Mochizuki who debuted in June 2022. A super rookie known for his strikes and charisma. Blood rivals with fellow rookie ISHIN and has spent much of his first year trying to gain independence from his father. Not cleared to compete, but may be ringside in either M3K match.

Unaffiliated:

• Dragon Kid: DRAGONGATE’s long-time fan favourite and one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan. Has remained without a unit since HIGH-END disbanded in January. Putting his mask on the line to support mentor Ultimo Dragon.
• YAMATO: The ace of DRAGONGATE who has remained without a unit since HIGH-END was forced to disband in January. He is being phased out of the main event scene but is still an important member of the roster. He holds the record for the most amount of Dream Gate championship reigns at five.
• Naruki Doi: DRAGONGATE legend who became a freelancer late last year. He has since competed in AJPW and DDT, winning the AJPW Junior Heavyweight Championship and DDT Extreme Championship. Was a founding member of Gold Class. Reluctantly teaming with them as they go after the Triangle Gate championships.
• Ultimo Dragon: Wrestling legend who acts as a trainer and in management at DRAGONGATE. Founded DRAGONGATE’s predecessor Toryumon. Finally putting his mask on the line after feuding with Diamante on and off for the past couple of years.
• Eita: Former Dream Gate champion who became a freelancer this year. The leader of previous top heel group R.E.D before he was ousted. Appears in NOAH.
• Shuji Kondo: Freelancer who mostly works for DRAGONGATE and NOAH. A member of NOAH stable KONGO. Sells cakes in his spare time.
• Konomama Ichikawa: One of wrestling’s greatest comedy acts. Famous for constantly getting himself into matches with top talents (Aja Kong, Toshiaki Kawada, Keiji Muto, and Jun Akiyama to name a few!)
• La Estrella: Former member of MASQUERADE who had an alien gimmick until recently. Is on break from his US/Mexico excursion.
• Kagetora: DRAGONGATE veteran and former member of HIGH-END. He is a former Brave Gate, Twin Gate, and Triangle Gate champion.

Guests:

• Hiromu Takahashi: The current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and NJPW’s top junior heavyweight. A member of Los Ingobernables de Japon, a stable containing DRAGONGATE alumni Shingo Takagi.
• Kenoh: One of NOAH’s top wrestlers and leader of the KONGO stable. Was one of the previous Twin Gate champions with stablemate and DRAGONGATE regular Shuji Kondo.
• Taro Nohashi: From Michinoku Pro Wrestling. The smallest of Ultimo Dragon’s students at 5 feet, 1 inches.

You might have seen the term “Reiwa Generation Leaders” pop up a few times. Simply put, these are the guys that are being positioned as DRAGONGATE’s future top talents, in a similar vein to the previous big six (Takagi, Hulk, Tozawa, YAMATO, Doi and Yoshino). A lot of current story focus (for example, Shun and J’s feud) revolves around the Reiwa Generation Leaders.

Dragon Dia, La Estrella & Eita vs Kagetora, U-T & Taro Nohashi

A nice showcase of some Brave Gate contenders to start the show off! I’ve personally never seen Taro Nohashi compete, so I can’t speak to his skill, but on paper this looks like a nice little trios opener to open the festivities.

Dragon Dia has been one of DRAGONGATE’s standouts since his unmasking in late 2021 and while his 2023 hasn’t been as impressive as his 2022, he has still put forward a lot of consistent performances this year. La Estrella is mid-excursion and is currently bringing some more mat work and llave to his move-set (which I think is a good idea!). While Eita isn’t a full-time DRAGONGATE wrestler anymore, he is still a fan favourite and has done well in his appearances this year. Kagetora has picked up a few wins lately and could be a future challenger for Jason Lee. U-T came back from injury in May and has mostly lost since his return. Nevertheless, he has gotten back into ring shape very quickly and has hardly missed a beat.

Dragon Dia and La Estrella have both challenged for the Brave Gate challenge recently, both losing to champion Jason Lee. By that proxy, I could easily see the opponents winning, with at least two fresh challengers for Jason in that team. However, the presence of Eita makes me think his team are taking the win here.

PREDICTION: Dragon Dia, La Estrella & Eita

Open the Brave Gate Championship: Jason Lee (c) vs ISHIN

One of my favourite things in 2022 DRAGONGATE was the transformation of Ishin Iihashi to ISHIN. Originally debuting with his brother, Riki Iihashi, Ishin found himself lost after his brother retired. This lead him and his father, Ishinriki, into a feud with the Mochizuki’s, which eventually lead to ISHIN joining Z-Brats as a heel and cementing his rivalry with Junior as one for the future. He has taken a bit of a backseat in comparison this year – his team with H.Y.O didn’t set the world on fire in Rey de Parejas and he missed all of March after. However, his team with KAI has been much more fruitful. The duo challenged for the Twin Gate championships at Dead or Alive.

Jason Lee finally won the Brave Gate championship in March this year, a title he has coveted since his entrance into the company. He has defended it against Dragon Dia and La Estrella so far. ISHIN, seeking his first singles title opportunity, challenged Lee, who accepted. However, since ISHIN is 6kg above the maximum weight limit for the Brave Gate title, he will have to make weight by July 1st in order to qualify. Otherwise, this match will be a non-title match. This will be DRAGONGATE’s second weigh-in segment of the year. Ironically, the first was for ISHIN’s rival, Mochizuki Junior.

https://twitter.com/ishin_1027/status/1665720802862329857?s=20

I assume ISHIN makes weight and this will be an official Brave Gate title match. ISHIN will be looking to prove himself in his first singles title opportunity. However, I do not expect him to win. The Brave Gate needs a long reign now and Jason Lee, in my opinion, is just the man for the job. I could see him holding the belt into next year.

PREDICTION: Jason Lee

Masaaki Mochizuki & Don Fujii vs Kenoh & Shuji Kondo

On the topic of wrestling MVPs this year, the first name that immediately comes to my mind is Kenoh. Kicking off 2023 with a fantastic match against Kaito Kiyomiya, he has not missed in his appearances in DRAGONGATE this year. He has been a star in NOAH’s feuds with AJPW and NJPW and he also has an incredibly entertaining character, which has shined in several of his Youtube channel skits. With his current form, virtually every Kenoh match is a must-see. Kondo is also great and has been a perfect partner for Kenoh in DRAGONGATE.

Their opponents are also currently in top form.

Masaaki Mochizuki is involved in one of my favourite long-term arcs in wrestling at the moment. While currently on hold due to Junior’s neck injury, his story as this overbearing sports dad has been very enjoyable to watch. He and Junior were also one of the standout teams in DRAGONGATE’s Rey de Parejas tag tournament. Don Fujii, on the other hand, has flourished in his role as the promotion’s resident rookie hater. He has spent much of the year victimising the second Future Class, of which Junior is a part of.

If Kenoh is open to doing some more DRAGONGATE dates, I would adore it if we got Kenoh and Kondo vs Masaaki and Junior. With Junior so close to returning, and the father and son duo being sure-fire future Twin Gate contenders, that is the big end goal I want out of this!

PREDICTION: Kenoh & Shuji Kondo

Bosou 10 Match Series Revival #2: Konomama Ichikawa vs X

The concept of Ichikawa being an ikemen for specifically old men is killing me.
(It is also killing Mochizuki Jr as you may be able to hear lolol)#DRAGONGATE pic.twitter.com/RjzyPZTqfn

— ✨MARANDA✨ (@Randanopterix) December 16, 2022

Konomama Ichikawa is one of the longest-tenured comedy acts in wrestling. His matches rarely go on for long (often ending in a matter of seconds) and he rarely wins. He’s also known for cosplaying wrestlers, including Stan Hansen, Jushin Thunder Liger and Nosawa Rongai. Nevertheless, he has one of the most stacked list of opponents out of anyone currently active in wrestling. Who else can say that they’ve faced Toshiaki Kawada, Jun Akiyama, both Aja and Awesome Kong, Kensuke Sasaki, Yuji Nagata, Atsushi Onita, The Great Kabuki and Necro Butcher, among others!? A lot of these opponents were part of some of the original Bosou Match Series, which Ichikawa brought back at this event last year. His first opponent was the retiring Keiji Muto. Though not an official Bosou Series match, he also wrestled Satoshi Kojima at Global Dream in November.

I wish I could predict who the mystery opponent is, but I legitimately have no clue! With the financial backing of wrestling’s booker of the year, the LEC Corporation’s boss Takaki Nagamori (with his cute sponge mascot), there is no limit to the level of opponent that could be bought for Ichikawa. The only thing I know for sure is this – Ichikawa isn’t winning.

If I was to put a preliminary guess in, my money’s on Shingo Takagi.

PREDICTION: X

Open the Twin Gate Championship: Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda (c) vs Ben-K & BxB Hulk

There’s a bit of a running theme through the years that if there’s a Twin Gate championship match at Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, it’s probably going to be a tag team MOTYC. Last year’s (Shun Skywalker and Diamante vs Jason Lee and Jacky ‘Funky’ Kamei) was incredible and widely considered DRAGONGATE’s 2022 MOTY. The main tag team dominating the press this year has been Aussie Open, with many considering them to be the absolute front-runner for Tag Team of the Year.

I’d like to offer two competitors to that crown: Susumu Mochizuki and Yasushi Kanda.

Now, just to clarify: I do agree that Aussie Open are currently in front, but as one who despises the “and it’s not even close” mentality that seems to dominate wrestling Twitter nowadays, I have to highlight just how unexpectedly great Susumu and Kanda have been this year. After a solid performance in Rey de Parejas, DRAGONGATE’s tag tournament this year, they put forward a fantastic effort in the tournament finals against D’Courage’s Yuki Yoshioka and Madoka Kikuta, a match that I think is Yasushi Kanda’s career-best match. They would add to this with another great big match performance against Kenoh and Shuji Kondo earlier this month, where they won the Twin Gate championships for the first time. Outside of matches, they’ve also been entertaining characters, helping Masaaki become less attached to his son and encouraging Junior’s quest for independence whilst assisting from the sidelines.

Nevertheless, as good of a year as these two have had so far, their opponents have enjoyed a lot of success as well.

BxB Hulk and Ben-K held the Triangle Gate championships with Kota Minoura for almost all of the first half of 2023. Hulk was also highly successful in Rey de Parejas, reaching the tournament semi-finals with Minoura. Much like M3K, Gold Class have been hugely focused on tag competition this year.

Big pressure on these four to deliver (not your typical super-athletic Kobe World Twin Gate match either), but I have a feeling it’ll be a good one!

PREDICTION: Ben-K & BxB Hulk

Special Singles Match: YAMATO vs Hiromu Takahashi

For those who aren’t in the know, YAMATO has been a very grumpy man this year. DRAGONGATE’s ace, who lost his Dream Gate challenge against Yuki Yoshioka last year, started 2023 off losing his stable HIGH-END in a Unit Disbands match against Z-Brats.

Since then, he has opted to remain without a unit for the time being. His solo travels lead him to compete at the All Star Junior Festival in March and he had some choice words about it. Believing NJPW to be using other companies’ talents to suit their own interests, he took his issues out on Hiromu Takahashi, who was the main force behind the Junior Festival. The team of NOAH’s AMAKUSA, Michinoku Pro’s Fujita “Jr” Hayato and Takahashi defeated YAMATO, Big Japan’s Kazuki Hashimoto and NOAH’s HAYATA. After, Hiromu and YAMATO made a tentative promise that they would face off in a DRAGONGATE ring the next time they wrestled.

A promise that is now being fulfilled.

.@yamato_oldtype and @TIMEBOMB1105
#ASJF2023 (Mar. 1st, 2023) Backstage comments FREE on #njpwworld !

3/1(水)ジュニア夢の祭典 ～ALL STAR Jr FESTIVAL 2023～のBSコメントを #新日本プロレスワールド で無料公開中!

FREE
⇒https://t.co/cojccJqsiU pic.twitter.com/xgCAlGUirP

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) March 2, 2023

In Korakuen Hall on June 1st, the team of veterans YAMATO, Naruki Doi, and Dragon Kid defeated D’Courage. While YAMATO did not pin Dream Gate champion Madoka Kikuta, this would still generally help gain a title match. Instead, YAMATO was full of praise for Kikuta and challenger Yuki Yoshioka and said he would trust the world title match to them and watch from the sidelines. He insisted, however, that his generation were not slowing down anytime soon. This left the question – who would YAMATO wrestle in Kobe? GM Ryo Saito and wrestling’s booker of the year, the LEC boss Mr. Nagamori, hit the ring and presented YAMATO with a video from his challenger – the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Hiromu Takahashi. YAMATO reiterated he wouldn’t allow anyone to undermine DRAGONGATE and was keen to see what NJPW’s best would offer away from home.

The novelty of Takahashi wrestling in a DRAGONGATE ring is enough to sell this match. Their previous back and forth from the Junior Festival is but a bonus. Both will be keen to deliver the best match of the night.

Hiromu is also going to be accompanied by stablemate and DRAGONGATE alumni Shingo Takagi. After seeing him back in DRAGONGATE on Christmas Day last year, his re-appearance so soon is a lovely surprise!

PREDICTION: Hiromu Takahashi

Open the Triangle Gate Championship: Natural Vibes (c) vs Gold Class & Naruki Doi

Both of these teams have had a large amount of tag team success this year. The Gold Class trio of Kota Minoura, Ben-K and BxB Hulk held the Triangle Gate championships for most of this year and were the previous champions. Likewise, Kzy and Big Boss Shimizu spent a good amount of time as the Twin Gate champions until they lost to KONGO in April. During this reign, they beat Madoka Kikuta and Yuki Yoshioka. Yoshioka was a previous Dream Gate champion and Kikuta would soon become the current Dream Gate champion.

Gold Class made the challenge to bring the Triangle Gate championships back to their group. Sadly, there was a slight issue. As BxB Hulk and Ben-K were challenging for the Twin Gate, Gold Class needed another partner to be eligible for a Triangle Gate challenge. They decided to enlist old friend and founding member of Gold Class Naruki Doi. They didn’t exactly ask his permission, however, and Doi initially refused. This didn’t stop GM Ryo Saito, who used his power to force Doi to compete in the match.

This is the most unpredictable title match for me. I can see cases for both teams winning. Gold Class have a chance at unit supremacy, challenging for both the Twin and Triangle Gate titles. I also think Hulk and Ben-K have a very good chance of becoming the Twin Gate champions to support this. On the other hand, Natural Vibes have excelled in tag competition this year. I definitely wouldn’t complain at them getting a substantial Triangle Gate reign.

There hasn’t been a nice bit of unit supremacy in DRAGONGATE in a hot minute, and with Shimizu’s grudge against the Reiwa Generation Leaders, I think he may lose this one for his team. If there are plans to turn him heel (which I think there are), we could see that start in Kobe.

PREDICTION: Gold Class

Open the Dream Gate Championship: Madoka Kikuta (c) vs Yuki Yoshioka

Stablemates collide!

D’Courage has been the big focus of DRAGONGATE over the past year and was the stable that took Madoka Kikuta from a lost rookie who didn’t know his role on the DRAGONGATE roster to the youngest person to win the Open the Dream Gate Championship. I would personally name Kikuta as DRAGONGATE’s WOTY so far. Ever since he wrestled Shingo Takagi on Christmas Day last year, Kikuta has rarely put a step wrong, delivered standout performances in Rey de Parejas and has found himself in his new endearing babyface role. Likewise, Yuki Yoshioka was DRAGONGATE’s standout performer last year, having a highly consistent Dream Gate championship reign. He has carried that consistency onwards into this year, winning Rey de Parejas with Kikuta and delivering several great performances in other matches.

The build to this match has been minimal and at the moment it’s currently being booked as a friendly contest. There isn’t a ton of heat to this angle (especially in comparison to the main event), so there’s reliance on the performance itself to really deliver. I have no doubt of this – this is DRAGONGATE’s 2022 WOTY vs DRAGONGATE’s current 2023 WOTY, both on absolute rolls in their careers at the moment.

The real question I have with this match is whether there’s a long-term goal to turn Yoshioka heel.

I personally do not see D’Courage breaking up any time soon. The trio is incredibly popular – if anything, I’d advocate for them to gain a couple more members. However, DRAGONGATE does have a need for a couple of fresh heels and Yoshioka wouldn’t be a bad contender at all. I don’t anticipate any immediate turns after this match, but it’ll be interesting to see if they play this purely as a friendly contest or if either man decides to heel it up a bit.

PREDICTION: Madoka Kikuta

Mask vs Mask Steel Cage Survival Five Way: Shun Skywalker vs Diamante vs Strong Machine J vs Ultimo Dragon vs Dragon Kid

Usually a staple of DRAGONGATE’s Dead or Alive show, the Steel Cage Survival match is back. The rules of the match are fairly simple: the goal is to capture your mask at the top of the cage to “escape”. The last person remaining will lose their mask.

Diamante has been embroiled in conflict with wrestling legend Ultimo Dragon since his entrance into the company a few years ago. In 2021, Ultimo passed a mask vs mask challenge from Diamante to his “protege” Bokutimo Dragon, who lost and unmasked to reveal himself as Shimizu. Since returning from a dislocated elbow a month ago, Diamante has returned to this agenda. Ultimo again attempted to pass off the challenge, this time to Dragon Kid, before being suspended by General Manager Ryo Saito. With his pay cut and his merchandise sales stopped, Ultimo decided to face the music and finally accept Diamante’s challenge.

Additionally, the two masked members of DRAGONGATE’s new Reiwa Generation Leaders have been involved since last year. Shun Skywalker, DRAGONGATE’s previous Open the Dream Gate Champion, faced Strong Machine J, son of Super Strong Machine, for his title at Champion Gate in March. J lost this match. Later on, Skywalker took issue with J being named as a member of DRAGONGATE’s new big six, viewing him as unworthy of that pedigree and the mask he wore. Since then, these two have been unable to get their hands off of each other.

Skywalker, after being challenged by J to a mask vs mask match, tried to lobby for a tag team match: himself and Diamante vs J and Ultimo Dragon (reminiscent of the famous match in 2021 where Skywalker sold out Dragon Dia to protect his own mask). GM Ryo Saito instead opted to make it a four way under Steel Cage Survival rules. Then, on June 11th, Dragon Kid got involved when a tag between all four competitors went awry. Seeing the writing on the wall that Skywalker and Diamante would team up, Kid sought to even the playing field for his mentor Ultimo Dragon. He has inserted himself into this match and will also put his mask on the line.

Who will lose their mask?

Taking out Ultimo Dragon, who I find highly unlikely to lose his mask in this match, let’s look at the circumstances for the other four competitors.

Dragon Kid: The least likely of the four to lose his mask in my eyes, but there are a couple of circumstances where Kid losing could be feasible. He could lose his mask in order to protect the mask of his mentor, Ultimo Dragon. Additionally, Diamante has taken the masks of two members of the “Dragon Family” (Bokutimo Dragon and Dragon Dia), so if they’re considering pushing him big, they might have him take a third. Considering Kid has had the mask for so many years though, I doubt he loses it.

Strong Machine J: There is a lot more benefit to keeping the mask on J than off. He has a babyface fire that shines through the full face mask and, while I think he may lose the mask in the future, I don’t think he’ll lose it now.

Shun Skywalker: Actually more likely than some might think. The mask is integral to Skywalker’s character – he killed an entire stable just to keep his! Therefore, losing his mask would cause Shun to become a full blown whackjob and would make for some fun character work. They won’t do it unless there is a big plan for it, but it would certainly be karma after the Dragon Dia incident!

Diamante: The most likely to lose his mask as this has been hinted at for a while. Has been presented as a credible threat for some time now, but hasn’t received that big break. The last loser of a mask vs mask match, Dragon Dia, became a two-time Twin Gate champion and a Brave Gate champion after losing his mask. Perhaps losing his mask would be just the thing to get Diamante the Dream Gate challenge that has eluded him for a while…

PREDICTION: Head – Diamante, Heart – Shun Skywalker

WHERE TO WATCH: DRAGONGATE Network 

For more on DRAGONGATE, check out the latest episode DRAGONGATE and DDT podcast of the Five Star Network — Dramatic Dream Dragons.

Stay tuned to the Five Star Network for all updates on the world of Joshi, Puro, and more!