Toryumon Japan/DRAGON GATE

[Steviec2k4]

It doesn’t really get talked much around here, so I don’t know how many people here follow DRAGON GATE, the promotion formally known as Toryumon Japan. However, I’m a pretty big fan, and have followed the group closely since early 2001.

As it was announced recently, SUWA, one of Toryumon/DRAGON GATE’s longest standing wrestlers left the promotion, saying he was going to be retiring within a year after suffering a serious shoulder injury in an ENU tournament match against Dragon Kid, and wanted to finish his career as a pro-wrestler as a freelancer. (Speculation is he will end up in New Japan as apart of CTU.)

This, along with the whole name change fiasco shows that it’s been a weird year for the company. Now people (ZA included) are hinting that more people might leave. M2J, who runs Toryumon USA name dropped Milano Collection AT as another potential wrestler to leave the company. This hints that something is seriously wrong within the company itself, and god forbid anybody with the knowledge elaborates on the situation.

Obviously, something went down in the company. My thought is there was a falling out between Ultimo Dragon and the office (Takashi Okumura.) Toryumon, or DRAGON GATE rather, was on a real hot streak for the past couple of years, and were even out drawing All Japan and to a lesser extent, New Japan in certain areas. (However, this could also be attributed to the fact that Toryumon/DRAGON GATE appeals to a completely different fan base than New Japan and All Japan.) So... why did Ultimo all of a sudden want his name and image back?

Was there a dispute over money? Booking? Ultimo going to WWE?

Then again, maybe I’m just thinking too much into things. Maybe Ultimo simply wanted DRAGON GATE to create their own image after Ultimo drops the mask in WWE. (If that is indeed the plan.)

Stuff still doesn’t sit well with me. For one, none of the Toryumon-X wrestlers (With the exception of Naoki Tanisaki, of course.) will be integrated into DRAGON GATE. Taiji Ishimori will most likely whined up in New Japan, while most of the X wrestlers will probably find a job in Michinoku Pro, earning 8,000 Yen a match.

Another is the way SUWA left. For most of Toryumon’s exiting wrestlers, they have usually been given the opportunity to say their goodbyes before the live crowd. Yasushi Kanda did it after his neck injury, just as JUN did this year. SUWA got nothing. One day he wrestled, the next he was gone.

Well, after that long winded ramble, I wanna know what your theories are. And if Zach, or anybody else actually has any information on this, could you please elaborate a bit? I’d like to know if I should be freaking out if my favorite promotion is on the verge of collapse.

[Zach Arnold]

[This, along with the whole name change fiasco shows that it’s been a weird year for the company. Now people (ZA included) are hinting that more people might leave. M2J, who runs Toryumon USA name dropped Milano Collection AT as another potential wrestler to leave the company. This hints that something is seriously wrong within the company itself, and god forbid anybody with the knowledge elaborates on the situation.]

The company was never 100% solvent - ever.

For years, the school in Kobe was in debt. Those kids don't even live in apartments. The reason that group is running two separate house show circuits a night is because they are praying they can stay alive.

Dragon has always been a scurrilous businessman. He has a very mixed track record, especially in Japan. I've dealt with people who've tried to do business with him and he's a scammer like most of the Japanese.

I'm sure Okamura has some ties to less then reputable people, but the fact is that he was put in charge of trying to manage the unmanageable financially.

It doesn't surprise that Dragon would cut and run and bail on the guys. He ran out of ideas long ago on how to use them.

The problem those young kids face now is that New Japan is broke, All Japan is only temporary work, NOAH is trying to manage to stay solvent, and Hustle only happens every other month. And ZERO-ONE is toast.

Which leaves Mexico, and Dragon knows it.

[Coventry]

I've only seen a few matches of Dragon Gate and some clips, it looked alright. I'm curious about what you mean about Ultimo Dragon.

[SpinningKimura]

Zach said:

I've dealt with people who've tried to do business with him and he's a scammer like most of the Japanese.

The Japanese in puroresu & MMA, I'm sure you meant to say.

[jae]

They aren't running 2 house shows per night. They are running 2 low impact, fan friendly matches that usually are under 10 minutes, twice a day with rotating rosters as part of Fuji TVs Odaiba Adventure King festival. Exposure on Fuji TV, a huge merchandising deal that has been incredibly successful, and a good way to establish the new name. Every Day Pro Wrestling has been a success, and it ends Tuesday. Back to normal after that.
The split and SUWA situation are shady and in no way the stories given to the press/public. But what is happening there is all conjecture. Ultimo wasn't the one taking his ball and running though. Magnum orchestrated all this, that is fact. Just the details and how scummy they are..dunno. Don't want to know. I'm not surprised that SUWA left, I just pray nothing else happens. Milano losing in 10 minutes in a high profile match today doesn't further my optimism that I don't have much of as it is.
The main problem I have is the cutting out of their foundations. They now don't have the UDG to supply an endless stream of talented kids to replenish the roster. SUWA gone, Milano under a cloud, Mochi retiring (wouldn't be shocked if that changed due to situation). No one to take their place. Unless the unknown X kids like Matsuyama, KONDO&CO, Aoki, and the other ones not on the graduation show are DG kids now. The first term students will all be gone within the next few years due to the style. CIMA has talked about retirement recently, Magu as well. They could have seriously screwed themself there, although they may have plans. Hope so.

[Steven]

Don't really know (/care) about the business side of Dragon Gate, but went to the show last week (22 August) in Nagoya and it was quite exceptional entertainment. Don't really know why it didn't get any coverage on this site (unless I just missed it), but if you're getting jaded with the whole NJPW / AJPW / DSE mess, why not go along to a Dragon Gate show? It might just remind you why you got into Japanese Pro Wrestling in the first place.

Yours,
Steven

[Steviec2k4]

Jae, I just wanna say thanks for shedding some light on it. I gripe a lot because you guys often don't elaborate on things (Which in your case, is probably because at this point, all the DG talk is mostly speculation.) So again, I appreciate you explaining the situation.