Dragon Gate USA "United: Philly" alt. perspective report
January 29, 2011
Philadelphia, Pa.
Report by Jimmy Eaton, PWTorch contributor

The second of two Internet PPVs this weekend opened with Jon Moxley cutting a promo (one I coukd actually hear!) about the new Open the Freedom Gate Champion, YAMATO. A fan rushed the ring and was cleared out by the locker room. I have no clue if that was a work or not. Very interesting. Brodie Lee made his way to the ring for the opening contest.

1 -- DGUSA champion YAMATO vs. BRODIE LEE -- non-title match

Very good pacing to this match with Lee winning me over more and more with his size and ability to work. YAMATO looked great near the end with kicking out of various finishers from Lee. Lee sells frustrations and after some nice exchanges, YAMATO slaps on the sleeper hold and the referee calls for the bell.

WINNER: YAMATO via KO in just under 10 minutes. This match impressed me with Lee throwing dropkicks and very nice looking suplexes. He sold well, too, but YAMATO ended up getting the victory with his sneaky heel persona. I wish they talked more about the title change the night before. The commentators aren't making it seems like a big deal. (***)

After the match, more fans attacked Moxley. I think this is a work now but I have to give DGUSA loads of credit for making me question it on more than one occasion early on. It seems to be related to Homicide. They try to throw it to Jigsaw for a promo, but they have technical difficulties. Really, if these were resolved, DGUSA would gain much more credibility. Eventually, they get to him for a quick promo on how he's going to win the six-way freestyle match later in the show. Ronin makes their way to the ring for the next match.

2 -- JIMMY JACOBS vs. RICH SWANN

This was a very well-executed match with Swann coming out of it looking much more credible. Jacobs had some great sequences offensively and Swann did some things I've never seen before in my life. There was some excellent pacing and some fun back and forth brawling with Jacobs hitting his finisher for a near fall. Swann missed his standing 450 and Jacobs locked in the Last Rites, but Swann broke it in the corner. Despite no interference from Ronin, Swann ends up hitting standing 450 at the end for the three-count.

WINNER: Rich Swann in about 10 minutes. (***)

After the match, Masato Yoshino and PAC cut a promo on winning the United tag titles. PAC said he was the best high-flyer in the world. He had to get the mic fixed before the promo and it's stuff like this that makes the promotion look second-rate. However, despite that, the promos are helping the pacing of the show, as they're making the new tag titles mean something. Overall, the audio has been much easier to hear tonight.

3 -- JIGSAW vs. FRIGHTMARE vs. SAMI CALLIHAN vs. SCOTT REED vs. AR FOX vs. REXX REED -- Six-Way Freestyle

The match is advertised as one pinfall, Lucha Rules. Godspeed to anyone covering this live. This was a blast to watch. A ton of unique moves, more than I could ever mention. The pacing slowed down near the end, but there were a ton of highspots including a 450 by Jigsaw to the outside, numerous dives, Callihan's nasty looking Muffler submission hold, a Russian leg sweep to counter a top rope move, a code-breaker off the top rope, etc. I mean, just an insane match. Some great talent on the roster was showcased here. I saw so many springboard moves I'd need additional fingers and toes to count them. All I can say is, you won't see that in TNA/WWE.

WINNER: Sami Callihan in 12 minutes. (***3/4)

Ricochet and Naruki Doi cut a promo next with Ricochet saying that PAC is mistaken, and that he is the best high-flyer in the world. He also mentioned of course that they're taking the titles home tomorrow as the first United champions.

4 -- AUSTIN ARIES (w/Reby Sky) vs. AKIRA TOZAWA -- Special Attraction match

Before the match, Moxley bragged about Kamizake USA's victories this weekend and he said that he'll take out BxB Hulk tonight, followed by Homicide tomorrow. Aries makes his way to the ring with the gorgeous Reby Sky as he calls Moxley ugly, with his mug all over the show. Eventually the match gets underway.

Aries has got to be one of the best at ad-libbing when a spot is blown or not the way it should be. A roll-up between himself and Tozawa went to close to the ropes and Aries saved it with a short-arm clothesline. Tozawa is hilarious and I can see a face run for him along with a feud against Moxley, eventually. He high-fived the cameraman after a big move on Aries on the outside. Funny. They went back and forth with some great suplex exchanges and Aries hitting his normal aerial springboard moves. About three-fourths of the way through, Sky planted a kiss on Tozawa for a distraction after low-blowing Moxley on the outside. Aries hits another brainbuster, but only for two. Tozawa eventually counters, hitting one German suplex, followed by another while holding the arms of Aries in for a three count and the win.

WINNER: Tozawa in about 15 minutes. A wrestling clinic. (***3/4)

After the match, Jimmy Jacobs cuts a promo to say that he didn't expect to start out the weekend 0-2 (me either!), but he said tomorrow is another day. He did a great job selling the disappointment. Despite earlier technical issues, I give them credit for improving as the video feed has been clearer and the sound has been at a more consistent volume.

5 -- BXB HULK vs. JON MOXLEY -- No DQ match

Hulk wastes no time running to the ring after Moxley's entrance and the brawling begins. More brawling and eventually Hulk gets the upper hand and hits a standing Shooting Star Press for two. At one point, Tozawa interferes and hits Hulk, who was attempting to fly off the top rope. Tozawa makes a face and tells the ref he didn't know he couldn't do that. Funny. The match continues with some nice spots from Hulk before Moxley regains control. Later in the match, Tozawa runs in and gets tosses out by Hulk before he hits a nasty looking superkick to Moxley's head for the three count.

WINNER: BxB Hulk in just under 10 minutes. It didn't really seem to get out of second gear and the finish came out of nowhere. (**1/4)

After the match, Sami Callihan cut a promo asking if he had the attention of the fans and DGUSA management now. He said he beat five other men and that maybe next time he'll take on someone bigger. Brodie Lee perhaps?

6 -- CIMA & DRAGON KID vs. CHUCK TAYLOR & JOHNNY GARGANO -- Open The United Gate Title Tournament match

Ronin comes out to the usual rapping of "RONIN BABY!" by Rich Swann. However, the crowd gives them a different chant for their efforts. After the ring introductions, we're underway. This match really picks up a little over five minutes in with a plethora of fun double-team moves by Blood Warriors including a nasty one in the corner with Gargano's head propped underneath the middle turnbuckle. Tough to explain. Tags back and forth as Ronin gets an advantage and isolates Kid. CIMA eventually gets back in and takes control. Later, Ronin starts their dancing tactics, but CIMA and Kid return the favor and do some hilarious stuff. For me, this is better than any Santino comedy because they can be funny and serious mixing in hard kicks and strikes in the process. The last 7-8 minutes is nuts with another super huracanrana by Kid on Gargano while he's on CIMA's shoulders. Multiple nearfalls after finishers and a great exchange from CIMA and Gargano. Gargano eventually locks in a submission hold for a shocking victory.

WINNERS: Ronin (Gargano & Taylor) via submission in about 20 minutes. The ending sequence was well done with Kid trying to break the hold, but Taylor kept fighting him off for almost a whole minute before CIMA tapped. (****)

After the match, Ronin plays to the crowd and in a surprise turn of events, Blood Warriors attack Ronin. The crowd boos. Before this, CIMA said the fans are stupid for cheering Ronin. Brodie Lee takes the mic to say some unkind words to the fans. Here is the PG version: "Hey all you piece of (crap) fans, show CIMA some (gosh darn) respect!" Yeah, I wouldn't mess with him. After this, World One makes their way to the ring. For the record, it was odd to see the comedy in the match and then have Blood Warriors all of a sudden hate the fans. But hey, at least the effort is there.

7 -- MASATO YOSHINO & PAC vs. NARUKI DOI & RICOCHET -- Open The United Gate Title Tournament match

This was unbelievable. You have to order the show to just see this match. Blood Warriors played the heels throughout the contest and you'll see some of the sickest high-flying moves ever. Remember the promos from PAC and Ricochet? Yeah, well, they delivered on those. I witnessed multiple 630s, near-720s, and reverse 450s throughout this match. Incredible. One of the best tag matches I've seen in quite a while. Doi and Yoshino played off each other well and the commentary for the match pointed out their past as well as the recent actions of Blood Warriors.

Not a lot of interference except for early on. The action was fast-paced and near-impossible to keep up with. Just check this one out. You'll be glad you did. The finish came when Yoshino locked Ricochet in a modified triangle-choke to force the tap out. After the match, PAC told Yoshino that he wishes they could take the titles tonight, but they will tomorrow. Yoshino thanks for crowd for coming to close the PPV.

WINNERS: World One (Yoshino & PAC) in about 25 minutes. (****1/4)

If I were a betting man, Ronin takes the first ever Open the United Gate Tag Titles on Sunday. Until next time, this has been your perspective from a common fan.

What did you readers think of the show? Feel free to E-Mail me at potcfpodcast@gmail.com, via Twitter @TheCommonFan, or at www.facebook.com/thecommonfan with your thoughts and feedback. Also feel free to tune in to my Perspectives of the Common Fan podcast over at www.blogtalkradio.com/potcf, also available on iTunes. Check out www.pwtorch.com for more excellent editorials from very talented writers!

Jimmy hails from Kissimmee, Fla., now residing in Brentwood, Tenn., just south of Nashville. Despite unfounded rumors of sneaking around TNA's Corporate office, he's flatly denied any involvement with the second coming of "they."

[Torch art credit Marco D'Alfonso (c) PWTorch.com]

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