By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

Radican’s DGUSA “Enter the Dragon 2013” iPPV BLOG
July 28, 2013
Manhattan, N.Y.
Aired live on WWNLive.com

Top News: Johnny Gargano successfully retained the DGUSA Title over Akira Tozawa, the Young Bucks successfully retained the DGUSA Tag Titles, and A.R. Fox retained the Evolve Title over Trent Barreta, who just lost a TNA X Division Title match on Thursday.

(1) Drew Gulak vs. Jon Davis. The stream didn’t work for the opening match.

Winner: Jon Davis

(2) Shane Strickland vs. Caleb Konley. Scott Reed has been pulled from the match for an unknown reason. Both men went for dropkicks during the early stages of the match and came to a stalemate. They shook hands before going at it again. Konley hit a knee strike from the apron followed by a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. Konley locked Strickland in an arm and leg combination submission. Larry Dallas came down to ringside and said he needed Konley to come back to the Scene. Strickland then rolled up Konley for the win.

Leonard said Larry Dallas had fired Scott Reed. Larry tried to apologize to Konley, but Konley chased him to the back.

Winner: Shane Strickland

Star rating: (n/a) – This match seemed to have barely gotten started when Dallas’s distraction cost Konley the match.

(3) Anthony Nese (w/Mr. A & Su Young) vs. Uhaa Nation. Nation caught Nese with a big dropkick coming off the ropes during the early stages of the match. Nese missed a springboard moonsault and Nation got him up in a gorilla press and tossed him over the top rope and onto the stage outside the ring. Nese countered Nation and hit a big vertical suplex. Nese avoided a leg trip from Nation on the apron with a cartwheel and nailed Nation with a superkick. Nese then hit a huge dive over the top to the outside. Nation fired up and caught Nese with a belly-to-belly suplex. Nation hit three German suplexes, but it was only good for a 2 count. Nation went up top and hit a big splash, but Nese kicked out at 2. They went to a big exchange of strikes that ended with Nation taking down Nese with a huge lariat and both men were down on the mat. Nation went for the Uhaa combination, but Nese grabbed his leg. Uhaa ended up missing the standing SSP. Nese went up top, but Uhaa caught him. Nese slipped behind Nation and rolled him up for a 2 count. Nese went for a one arm powerbomb on Nation, but Nation countered it into an arm bar. Nese ended up getting the ropes to break the hold. Both men battled up top and Nese tossed him to the mat. Nese went for the 450, but missed. Nese ducked a bicycle kick from Nation and hit a dropkick that sent Nation into the corner. Nese hit a running kick in the corner followed by a 450 for the win.

Winner: Anthony Nese

Star rating: (**3/4) – There was some good action, but the match didn’t tell much of a story and the crowd was dead for most of the action.

(4) The Batiri (Kodama & Obariyon) & Jigsaw & Chuck Taylor vs. Fire Ant & Frightmare & Amasis & Ophidian in a 8 Man CHIKARA Tribute match. Leonard announced Ophidian and Jigsaw were trading teams for draft picks from the CHIKARA Wrestle Factory. All action during the early stages of the match. Jigsaw tied up Frightmare in a submission, but Fire Ant ran in and placed him in a submission. They ended up doing an 8-way submission, but the ref ended up breaking the submission. Ophidian tied up Taylor and rolled him into a pinning combination for a 2 count. Ophidian got a standing cobra clutch and everyone ran into the ring. The Technicos whipped all of the Rudos into each other. The Technicos then did a big rowboat submission on the rudos. Taylor then got locked in the cobra clutch, but the submissions got broken up. The Batiri hit a drop toe hold into a knee strike on Amasis, but only got a 2 count. Taylor tagged in and put the boots to Amasis in the corner. Taylor followed up with a butterfly suplex for a 2 count. The fans tried to rally behind Amasis. Kodama tagged in and went after Amasis with a bit to the head followed by a rolling neck snap for a 2 count. Jigsaw hit a chop on Amasis and said he’s the best wrestler in the building. Taylor went up top, but missed a moonsault.

The fans finally fired up in anticipation of the hot tag. Ophidian and Kodama tagged into the match. Ophidian wiped out Kodama with a double knee shot into the corner. Obariyon ran into the ring, but Ophidian ducked a clothesline and wiped out Kodama with a dive. The action picked up with guys hitting moves left and right. The Portal hit a series of moves on Taylor, but Kodama broke up the pin. Kodama then hit a big slam on Amasis. Obariyon came off the top with a DDT on Amasis, but Ophidian broke it up. The Batiri hit a double team launch into a knee strike to Ophidian’s back. The action continued at a rapid pace. Jigsaw countered a tornado DDT into a brainbuster on Fire Ant for a 2 count. The Batiri hit a series of moves on Fire Ant in the corner. Jigsaw then hit a coast-to-coast dropkick on Fire Ant for a 2 count. Frightmare sent the Batiri to the outside and wiped them out with a big dive. Jigsaw went for a big dive, but ate a kick from Amasis. The Portal then went up top and hit the leg drop/splash combo on Jigsaw, but Taylor broke up the pin. Taylor hit the awful waffle on Amasis, but Fire Ant broke up the pin. Fire Ant then wiped out a pile of Rudos with a springboard senton to the floor and the fans fired up. Ophidian countered Jigsaw and hit an inverted code red. He then went up top, but Jigsaw caught him with a superkick and a liger bomb for a 2 count. It didn’t look like Ophidian kicked out. Jigsaw then hit the Jig N’ Tonic for the win.

Winner: Chuck Taylor & The Batiri & Jigaw

Star rating: (***1/4) – This was a fun match with a lot of fun spots put together by both teams. This didn’t have nearly the heat or the atmosphere of the original CHIKARA 8 Man tag from DGUSA’s debut show.

(5) EITA vs. CIMA vs. Tomahawk T.T. vs. Akira Tozawa (w/Christina Von Eerie) with the winner facing Johnny Gargano for the Open the Freedom Gate Title. Gargano came into the commentary booth with Leonard. Leonard told Gargano he is no longer a fan favorite. Gargano said people still adore him. They did a four-way chop exchange to open the match. Everyone then began chopping Tozawa. Tozawa got upset and yelled at his opponents. Everyone tried to attack Tozawa, but he managed to counter them until CIMA and EITA nailed him with a double dropkick. The action continued at a rapid pace and Tozawa caught EITA with a big kick and the fans applauded. Tozawa began chopping EITA over and over in the corner. The crowd counted Tozawa’s chops. Tozawa fired up and hit several rapid-fire chops. He then teased another chop, but hit a punch to the face. The fans applauded and Tozawa nearly threw a punch at the ref, but managed to hold it up. They did a four-way chinlock. Each man began slipping out of the first chinlock and went to the back of the submission line. Tomahawk eventually made the ropes to braek the submission. EITA and Tomahawk began working over Tozawa. They ended up nailing him with a double dropkick, but CIMA ran into the ring and wiped them out. CIMA locked up EITA in a surfboard submission. Tozawa then ran in and covered CIMA for a nearfall. CIMA got angry and kicked Tozawa into the corner.

CIMA and Tozawa began working over Tomahawk. Tomahawk blocked a double suplex attempt. Von Eerie called in Von Eerie to help him and CIMA hit a triple suplex on EITA and Tomahawk. CIMA told Von Eerie that he loved her and Tozawa kicked him in the gut. The pace picked up and CIMA ducked a running kick and locked in a leg submission with a head choke using his legs. Tomahawk ran in and broke up the submission. Gargano said this was his idea to give the fans the best value for their dollar. EITA and Tomahawk went at it as Gargano said one of these men will earn their title shot. Gargano questioned Leonard and mentioned that Tomahawk had recently pinned him. EITA fired back on Tomahawk and nailed him with a rolling dropkick. EITA then hit a big slam on Tomahawk, who was hanging upside down over his back. The pace picked up with CIMA and EITA going at it. CIMA locked in a standing gory special before sliding him down into a pinning combination. CIMA tried to hold EITA down, but EITA muscled up and bridged over CIMA for a 2 count. Tozawa then ran wild on CIMA and hit a brainbuster, but CIMA kicked out. The action picked up again and Tomahawk did the deal on Tozawa. He went up top, but EITA cut him off. Eita hit a walking hurricanrana on Tozawa. They did an awesome exchange near the apron. EITA knocked Tomahawk into the crowd and nailed him with a running dive through the ropes. Tozawa and CIMA went at it in the ring. Tozawa caught CIMA with a running double knee strike and bridged on top of him for the pin. The fans went crazy and chanted for Tozawa after he won the match.

Winner: Akira Tozawa

Star rating: (***1/2) – This was a very good match with some great exchanges between all four men. They fought at a rapid-pace and there weren’t a lot of nearfalls leading into the finish. The fans were into this encounter as well.

Johnny Gargano came down to the ring. The fans booed. Gargano taunted CIMA and told CIMA that it had been a rough couple of weeks for him. Gargano told CIMA if he tries really hard, he will be on his level. He told CIMA to leave the ring.

Gargano congratulated Tozawa and said they had grown up together in the company. He said they were now slotted in the main event for the evening. Gargano said he knows it would be Tozawa’s dream to win the title. Gargano challenged Tozawa to be a man and have the match right now. Tozawa accepted and told Gargano to bring it. Gargano took off his jacket and the match was on.

(6) Open the Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano vs. Akira Tozawa. The bell rang and Jon Davis ran in and leveled Tozawa. CIMA ran in and Gargano shoved Davis into CIMA. CIMA and Davis began brawling on the outside. Gargano punted Von Eerie in her injured ribs. Gargano choked Tozawa with the tape from Von Eerie’s ribs. Gargano then applied the Gargano escape on Tozawa. The ref called for the bell. Gargano ran around the ring celebrating.

The fans booed as Gargano sat on top of Tozawa. Gargano then celebrated and walked to the back. The camera showed Tozawa in the ring. The ref checked on Tozawa and tried to help him to the back. The fans chanted, “This is bull---.” Leonard said he had lost all respect for Gargano.

Fox didn’t bring the EVOLVE title to the ring with him. That is strange. He’s wrestling in tights and not shorts like he did when I saw him live last weekend.

(7) EVOLVE Champion A.R. Fox vs. Trent Baretta in a Non-Title match. The crowd was split chanting for both men. Fox hit a Japanese arm drag and hung on to Baretta’s arm with a submission. Baretta tried to fire back again, but Fox hit another arm drag and held on with an arm submission. Baretta fired back and hit a big chop in the corner. Baretta went for a charge into the corner, but Fox got out of the way and Baretta went shoulder-first into the ringpost. Fox set up for a dive, but Baretta rolled into the ring and pinned with a rollup.

Baretta got on the mic and asked the fans to give it up for the winner. He got a mix of cheers and boos. Baretta said Fox owes him a shot at the title. Fox walked out of the ring and the fans booed. Fox then came back with the EVOLVE Championship. Fox said Baretta could have his shot right now.

Winner: Trent Baretta

Star rating: (n/a) – The match was just starting when Baretta won with a rollup.

(8) EVOLVE Champion A.R. Fox vs. Trent Baretta. Fox went on the attack right away and hit a split-legged moonsault for a 2 count. Fox set up Baretta on the apron and went up top. Fox hit a leg drop off the top to the apron and Baretta spilled to the floor. The fans fired up and chanted for Fox. Baretta fired back on the outside and hit a big clothesline. Baretta sent Fox into the barricade and went back into the ring. Fox tried to get back into the ring, but Baretta nailed him with a knee through the ropes. He followed up with a belly-to-back suplex for a 2 count. Fox ended up between the ring and the stage area and Baretta sent him into the stage with a dropkick through the ropes. The fans tried to rally behind Fox as Baretta worked him over on the mat. Fox tried to fire back, but Baretta slammed him down to the mat. Baretta charged at Fox, who was up against the ropes, but Fox got out of the way and Baretta crashed off the ropes and fell to the mat. Fox fired up and hit a leg lariat on Baretta. Fox then hit a bulldog after a nice exchange where he spring boarded off the ropes. Fox followed up with a brainbuster and the fans briefly clapped.

Fox went for lo mein pain, but Baretta shoved him to the mat. Baretta then hit a huge German for a 2 count. Fox hit a big headlock driver for a nearfall a short time later. Fox skinned the cat and went for a senton in the corner, but Baretta got out of the way and he crashed into the turnbuckles. Baretta dropped Fox down on the ring frame and both men crashed to the floor. Baretta hit a tornado DDT, but only got a 2 count. Baretta hit a slap in the face and went for a top rope hurricanrana, but Fox turned it into a sunset flip for the win.

Winner: A.R. Fox

Star rating: (**1/2) – This match was flat and the crowd never really got into the action. There wasn’t much of a story for the fans to get into and just when they seemed to be building up to something, Fox got the rollup win.

Su Young came out after the match and said she had a contract for a future EVOLVE title match for Anthony Nese. She asked Fox if he would accept the offer. Fox grabbed the mic, but Mr. A attacked Fox from behind. Young then got on top of Fox and choked him with her high heel. Mr. A then came off the top with a big splash. Mr. Hughes must be upset with his gimmick. Nese got on the mic and said Fox must have just given away the EVOLVE Championship. He said Fox may have fans, but he has the premier athlete brand. Baretta recovered and left the ring. Fox got on the mic and called Tony back to the ring. Fox said he couldn’t sign the contract. Fox said the contract was as good as signed.

The fans clapped as Fox came out singing “All Night Long.” Ricochet came out and sang backup. Fox and Ricochet continued to dance as the crowd clapped along. The Young Bucks then came out to a mixed reaction.

(9) Open the United Gate Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) vs. The Inner City Machineguns (Rich Swann & Ricochet). Nick backed Swann into the corner and threw some crotch chops at him. Matt got into the ring to help him throw some crotch chops at Swann. Swann sent Nick to the outside with a dropkick and went for a dive, but Nick got out of the ring, so Swann hit a handspring off the ropes. Nick then tripped getting back into the ring (on purpose) before tagging in Matt. Ricochet also tagged in. Ricochet took down Matt with a dropkick and the fans applauded. The action broke down with Matt running into the ring. Ricochet and Swann nailed him with a double dropkick to the back and Ricochet did the Young Bucks pose for the crowd. Ricochet put Matt on his back in a stretching submission. He also put Nick’s headband on. He then drove Matt’s head into the turnbuckle several times. Swann then came off the ropes and nailed Matt with a dropkick. Matt hit a chin breaker on Swann and tagged in Nick, who ate a big arm drag. Swann hit a rolling thunder frog splash on Nick for a 2 count. Swann put on a headband and played guitar. Matt made a blind tag and Nick nailed Swann with a superkick. The Young Bucks hit their tandem headscissors/dropkick on the apron on Ricochet, who spilled to the floor.

Matt began working over Swann inside the ring with a falcon arrow as the Young Bucks tagged in and out of the ring. Nick dragged Swann to the stage. Matt sent Ricochet to the floor. Matt then did a handspring before running over to Swann and hitting a back rake. Matt tossed Swann back into the ring as the Young Bucks continued to work him over. The fans tried to rally behind Swann. Nick missed a splash in the corner and Swann eventually connected with an enzuguri. Matt stopped him from making a tag, but Swann nailed him with a handspring DDT. Swann tagged in Ricochet. The Young Bucks tried to double team him, but Ricochet managed to take them both out. Swann and Ricochet hit a series of moves on Nick capped by a SSP from Ricochet for a 2 count. Ricochet missed a 630 and landed on his feet. Matt nailed him with a spear. Matt and Ricochet went at it, but Matt backed him into the corner and Nick nailed him with a running kick. Nick hit a shining wizard on Nick, but he kicked out at the last second. Swann ducked a double kick attempt in the corner. They went to a big exchange with all four men that ended with Nick hitting a superkick on Ricochet and the fans applauded.

All four men began exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. The action continued to a rapid pace with Swann & Ricochet in control. Swann hit a hurricanrana off the top that sent Nick into Matt. Ricochet then hit Matt with a SSP press off the top for a nearfall and the fans fired up. Swann went for a standing 450, but Matt got his knees up and got a small package for a nearfall. The Young Bucks went for a double superkick, but Swann countered it and sent Matt’s leg into Nick’s head. Swann hit the standing 450 on Nick for a 2 count. Ricochet then went up top and hit a 630 on Nick, but Matt broke up the pin at the last second. The crowd chanted for both teams as Ricochet went to work on Nick. Nick and Ricochet exchanged superkicks. The Young Bucks then nailed Ricochet with a double superkick. They followed up with a springboard tombstone on Ricochet, but he kicked out at the last second. The Bucks hit a double superkick on Swann. They then hit a double superkick to the back of Ricochet’s head. The Young Bucks then hit the 450 on Swann. Matt then covered Swann while playing guitar for the win.

Winners: The Young Bucks to retain the Open The United Gate Titles

Star rating: (****) – This was an excellent main event. The match started a bit slowly, but the action was very good throughout and there were some great exchanges down the stretch leading into the finish. These four guys were amazing to watch in the ring during this match.

Ricochet said the titles had been wrongfully stripped from him two times. He said this is the second time his partner has let him down in trying to regain the titles he never lost. Ricochet said it was now time for him to focus on his singles career. Ricochet said he has a title shot of his choosing for the EVOLVE Title or the Open the Freedom Gate Title. He said he may have lost in the tag match, but he feels he is the best singles competitor. Ricochet called out Fox and Gargano to face him.

Leonard said it wasn’t a MITB situation where he could ask for his title shot at any time. Gargano came down to the ring and said he is the best singles wrestler on the entire roster because he’s the champion. Gargano asked Ricochet if he wanted to make CIMA proud. Gargano said Ricochet could have a title shot whenever he wants, but he can’t cash it in whenever he wants. Gargano said they hadn’t signed a contract. Gargano said he would not get a title shot tonight. Gargano said Ricochet’s beef is with Fox. He said Fox beat him in the EVOLVE Title tournament and made him shake his hand. Gargano told “Trevor” to focus on A.R. Fox. Gargano poked Ricochet with the title. Ricochet pie-faced Gargano and Gargano bailed to the apron and said the champion needs some security. Several people came out from the back with a ref to get Ricochet out of the ring. Gargano said losers don’t belong in the ring with champions. Gargano said he needed to give the show closing speech to his people.

The fans chanted for Tozawa and Gargano said he had already beat him tonight. He told the crowd to give their champion praise. The fans booed. Gargano asked the fans if they enjoyed the show. The fans booed. Gargano asked them if they enjoyed the show over and over. Gargano told the fans he loves him and told the fans to drive home safe. Tozawa’s music then played and he came down to the ring limping.

(10) Open the Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano vs. Akira Tozawa. Tozawa jumped Gargano. Gargano tried to leave, but Swann blocked him from leaving. Tozawa nailed Gargano from behind with a bicycle kick. Tozawa hit a brainbuster on Gargano and the fans chanted “Ole, ole, ole.” Tozawa hit a series of chops on Gargano in the corner and the fans fired up. Tozawa went for another brainbuster as the fans fired up, but Gargano hit a snap suplex into the turnbuckles. The crowd chanted for Tozawa as Gargano went on the attack. Leonard mentioned that Gargano and Tozawa had faced off one year ago from today. Gargano began taunting Tozawa while nailing him with some big chops in the corner. Tozawa fired back and ended up catching Gargano with a bicycle kick as he came off the ropes and both men were down. Gargano went for a spear, but Tozawa nailed him with a knee strike for a 2 count. Gargano blocked a hurricanrana and hit a KO kick to the head for a 2 count. Gargano then put on the Gargano escape. Tozawa struggled, but eventually got the ropes. The fans fired up as Gargano sold frustration. Gargano and Tozawa began exchanging forearms from their knees. Both men got up and continued to exchange forearms. They went back and forth. Gargano hit a big clothesline, but Tozawa no-sold it. Tozawa hit a Saito suplex, but Gargano popped right up and eventually hit a shining wizard that left both men down.

The fans chanted for Tozawa with both men down on the mat. Tozawa and Gargano went face-to-face on their knees. Tozawa hit several forearms. They got to their feet, but Gargano nailed him with a superkick. He then hit the lawn dart, but Tozawa went through the turnbuckles and hit the floor. That was scary. Tozawa got back into the ring. Gargano hit another lawn dart into the turnbuckles, but Tozawa kicked out at the last second. Tozawa held his neck as the fans went nuts chanting at Tozawa. Tozawa fired back and they went to a big exchange. Tozawa hit a dead-lift German on Gargano for a nearfall and the fans fired up. Gargano tried to elbow Tozawa, but ended up hitting the ref. The fans booed as Gargano nailed Tozawa with a kick to the junk. Gargano then choked Tozawa with a chain. He then applied the Gargano escape with the chain. Tozawa tried to point to the chain around his neck. The ref saw the chain. Gargano argued with the ref and Tozawa hit a German with a bridge for a great nearfall. The crowd exploded and chanted for Tozawa. Tozawa went for a straightjacket German, but Gargano countered. They exchanged a series of counters and Gargano hit hurts don’t it, but Tozawa kicked out at one. Tozawa fired up and nailed Gargano with a series of elbows. Gargano countered Tozawa and hit the Gargano escape. The ref checked on Tozawa’s arm as he began to fade. The fans chanted for Tozawa and the ref checked on Tozawa’s arm and he didn’t respond.

The fans booed Gargano’s victory. Gargano blew kisses to the camera. The feed abruptly cut off.

Overall thoughts: I can’t give this show a score right now because of the technical difficulties cutting off the opening match. The undercard was mostly flat and DGUSA needs to find a way to get the wrestlers on the undercard to connect with their audience. The highlights of the undercard were the CHIKARA 8 Man Tag and the Four-Way Qualifier for the right to face Gargano later in the night.

The last two matches were both very good and well-worth checking out. The Young Bucks vs. Swann & Ricochet featured a lot of good back and forth action after a long heat segment on Swann. They built up to some great exchanges down the stretch and the match seemed to wake up a dead crowd.

Johnny Gargano is being booked very effectively and really shined on this show with his heel act. He got a cheap victory over Tozawa earlier in the show, which nicely set up Towaza coming out while Gargano was doing a sarcastic goodbye speech to the crowd. The Tozawa-Gargano match was red hot and the crowd was fully invested in Tozawa. They built up the match really nicely and put Gargano’s title reign in jeopardy. There was a great nearfall down the stretch when the ref discovered Gargano was using a chain to choke Tozawa. Gargano then argued with the ref and Tozawa recovered and hit him with a straightjacket German. The back and forth action down the stretch was great and this match was amazing overall.

This show is worth checking out if you want to see Gargano-Tozawa and The Young Bucks-Swann & Ricochet. The rest of the card was mostly flat, although there were a couple of good matches that I mentioned above.

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