Dragon Gate Invasion: Uk - Press Release

18.06.2009

November 1st Show Announced!

A-Merchandise.co.uk is proud to present its second "promotional supershow" with details being slowly released over the upcoming months. Last year Amerchandise was responsible for bringing Pro Wrestling Noah to these shores for the critically acclaim European Navigation events, which witnessed the European Debut of KENTA and the long awaited return to the UK of Japanese wrestling Legends Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi. After these events the fans made it clear they wanted more authentic shows and plans were set in motion.

Possibly one of the worst kept secrets was officially confirmed as Dragon Gate of Japan, holding an authentic event in the UK later in the year. With some controversary in the land of the orient and some small delays, we have finally confirmed the event and have venue details, ticket price and onsale date, along with many other show details including the first 3 official fighter confirmations



Dragon Gate Invasion : UK
--------------------------

The superstars of Dragon Gate will collide in the UK for one night only, their biggest names are set to make the trip to the UK to make this a trully authentic live event. This epic extravaganza will feature wrestlers from across the world doing battle in the kind of matches that most can only of previously hoped to on see online or on DVD, now is you chance to see it live!.

For many fans, this will be the announcement they have been waiting years for. Fans up and down the UK and across Europe have become enamoured with the Dragon Gate promotion, and now they will have the opportunity to experience Dragon Gate LIVE for themselves.

One of the most renowned and critically acclaimed promotions throughout the world, Dragon Gate offers a fast-paced and dramatically exciting mix of lucha libre-styled Japanese junior heavyweight action with colourful characters and engaging feuds.

Dragon Gate has quickly become a must see promotion with Faction-based feuds such as the Do Fixer v Blood Generation series having captured the attention of the wrestling world, its stars such as Genki Horiguchi, Masaaki Mochizuki and Masato Yossino have reached cult status throughout Japan, and the promotion has even traded titles with some of the other major Japanese promotions such as Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Like the mighty Pro Wrestling NOAH, this show will be an exciting step for Dragon Gate, and all of it’s top stars will be looking forward to making a big impression on the UK fans. And the fans themselves will be getting a show the likes of which they have never seen before. Should this show go well, then seeds for future plans may well develop.

Event Details & Notes : IMPORTANT TO READ.
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The event has moved from the originally scheduled 31/10/09 to Sunday November 1st (With special thanks to WXW for their understanding and help in this situation) and will take place in an exciting new entertainment complex in Oxford. The Regal is best described as a visually similar venue to the Liverpool Olympia but smaller, we are the first event that has been booked in at this arena and the management are enthusastic to say the least. We are confident that when full, the atmosphere will be excellent, we're craming in as many fans as possible but there are only 400 Seats available for this event and we will be hoping to pack in the most die hard, most excitable and loudest fans in Europe for what is going to be a crazy event.

The production for the event is looking to be excellent and we're trying to set up the arena to look as close to a Dragon Gate event as possible. We have studied many tapes, we're taken advice and are going all out on the production side of the show, we will mix several of their entranceways and come up with a combined DG style entrance. I thik the production values will be on par with anything outside of WWE (maybe even TNA) in Europe and as Dragon Gate don't use barriers, so neither will we! The front row will have a truly ringside experience, being so close to the action it is possible you might end up in it!

The ticket pricing is something that will need to be explained I feel. Gone are the same pricing for the first 4 rows and we have brought the price down from the Noah events. However due to the smaller amount of seats available and the fact that 99% of the seats have a superb view of the ring, it was very difficult to decide how to price the arena. First and foremost we would like to give value for money, but obviously we have to make sure the event is viable. So with that in mind - The ticket pricing structure




Do you want a slightly raised view (as seen on the 1st picture, chairs will be on the raised area) or want to sit in the VIP area? Well these are the tickets for you, see attached picture for the seating available, comfy club sofa's, tables for your refreshments, easy access to and from your seats, should you wish to visit the bar. The seats are located in half enclosed areas so should you wish to stand, go ahead! It is your own area and if you and your friends (up to 8) purchase in the same section you'll have it all to yourselves!

£30 : General Seating
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2nd, 3rd Rows and back, great value for a tremendous view and in the thick of the atmosphere. We're going to be packing everybody in for that gig like feeling without the moshing! First come, first served, would have cost you £50 at the Noah events and now you can get row 2 for just £30!

£25 : Possibly Restricted View
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This more so than any other ticket needs explaining. There is a small chance due to the production and arena set up that the view may ever so slightly be obscured. We are probably going to have the freestanding lighting rigging and the leg from that "may" partaily obscure the view slightly and with that in mind we have reduced the price of the tickets where it could happen. Chances are all but 4 or 5 seats will be unaffected in this area but we want to make sure people are aware it is a possibily from the outset, with transparancy being an important trait in the Amerchandise events.



First Names Announced
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Shingo

Holder of titles in Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling NOAH and Dragon Gate itself, SHINGO has emerged as one of the true talents of the ‘new wave’ of Dragon Gate stars.

A former professional bodybuilder, SHINGO entered the wrestling world under the tutelage of the legendary Animal Hamaguchi. So obsessed with wrestling was this young man that, when asked to fill out a questionnaire at middle school on his chosen occupations, he simply put “All Japan, New Japan, FMW”.

But it was Dragon Gate that fulfilled his goals. In 2004, SHINGO became the first Dragon Gate graduate and joined his teacher CIMA in the Crazy Max group (and later in the tremendously named Waku Waku Fuji Land!).

But it was with Blood Generation that SHINGO really found his feet, entering into the group’s feud with the Do Fixer group, a feud that spread from Dragon Gate into several Ring of Honor shows.

In 2007, SHINGO and Naruki Doi became Ring of Honor tag champions on the promotion’s UK tour, where they beat the Briscoes. Less than a year later, SHINGO and BxB Hulk were GHC Jr tag champions. After splitting from new unit Typhoon, he formed a new unit KAMIKAZE with Akira Tozawa, Dragon Kid and Taku Iwasa, and now feuds with CIMA and Typhoon.

Winner of the 2009 wXw 16 Carat Gold tournament, the powerful and gifted, SHINGO is a threat to any who face him.

Favourite moves:
•MADE IN JAPAN
Pump handle lift directly into Last Falconry drop.
•Last Falconry
Wrist clutch fireman's lift into sit out driver
•Original Falconry
Original name was Last Falcony, wrist clutch fireman's lift into Olympic Slam drop.
•Blood Fall
Argentine backbreaker lift into sit out facebuster.
•Pumping Bomber
Strong lariat, sometimes with Pumping appeal.
•You Sorou
Turbo Drop II style throw.
•MANRIKI
Anaconda Vice style submission.


CIMA

You’d be hard pressed to find a man more synonymous with the Dragon Gate promotion than CIMA. The most recognisable figure in the promotion, CIMA has gained cult status throughout the wrestling world for being one of the most entertaining athletes around today.

One of the first students of the Ultimo Dragon Gym to graduate, CIMA joined his trainer in Mexico and in WCW (where he competed as Shima Nobunaga) before becoming one of the real headline stars of the Toryumon promotion, the forerunner to today’s Dragon Gate.

CIMA’s Crazy Max faction (alongside SUWA and Sumo Fuji) rapidly become a real favourite with the crowd, and their feud with the M2K promotion (Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki and Yazushi Kanda). The Crazy Max faction became so insanely popular in Japan that they even released their own CDs for the fans, who lapped up the infectious “Let’s Go Crazy F-ing!” among others.

CIMA also proved his skills elsewhere, competing in the 2000 Super J Cup, where he lost in the finals to Jushin Liger. CIMA was the final UDG champion, and went on to be crowned the very first ‘Open the Dream Gate’ champion when Dragon Gate took over where Toryumon left off.

As if being in one renowned faction wasn’t enough, Dragon Gate brought CIMA’s ‘Blood Generation’ faction, followed by the equally successful ‘Typhoon’, which ended in 2008. Currently a member of the ‘Warriors-5’ with Susumu Yokosuka, Gamma, KATEGORA and RYOMA, CIMA is now the Open the Brave Gate Champion, as well as the Open The Triangle Gate champion with partners Gamma and KATEGORA.

Without a doubt one of the most well-travelled and skilled competitors in all of Dragon Gate, CIMA has competed for Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, WCW, and even in a dark match for WWE. And on November 1st, CIMA will make his UK debut.

Favourite moves

•Schwein
Side tombstone driver.
•Iconoclasm
Reverse crucifix into sit out slam.
•Mad Splash
•Crossfire
Cross arm sit out power bomb
•Perfect Driver
Cross leg hook Michinoku Driver II.
•Tokarev
From corner to corner style dropkick
•Mona Lisa Overdrive
Front flip version of the Tokarev.
•Sasorizagatame
Slightly modified Scorpion Deathlock, with the legs crosses differently.


PAC

Who amongst the UK wrestling fans do not know the story of Pac?

The young man from Newcastle came down South to the FWA to show the rest of the UK what fans from his hometown had known for months. This Pac was a sensation.

And the fans were impressed. The highflying athleticism that Pac demonstrated was far beyond anything they had seen before. It wasn’t long before Pac was plying his trade around the country for practically every top promotion, and facing the likes of AJ Styles, Ultimo Dragon and Teddy Hart (who was so impressed with the talents of Pac that he booked the young man for a role in the MTV Wrestling Society X TV show, a role that was taken by M-Dogg 20 when Visa problems prevented Pac from taking part).

Pac also impressed fans in American promotions such as Ring of Honor, Chikara and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Italy’s NWE (where he debuted his acclaimed ‘Jungle Pac’ persona). Pac has also competed on the Impact! Total tours of Portugal, alongside many of TNA’s wrestlers, and faced Nigel Mcguinness in the quarterfinals of the 2007 King of Europe Cup after sustaining a nasty injury at the hands of Trent Acid earlier in the tournament.

But the most important excursions of Pac’s career have been to Dragon Gate. With a style that perfectly meshes with the highfliers of Dragon Gate, Pac has found a new home away from home in the promotion. Pac has impressed many in the promotion, and the fans have taken to his incredible moves and skills. Among his many appearances for the promotion, Pac has taken part in several main event matches, and has scored wins over the likes of Dragon Kid and Yasushi Kanda.

Look for Pac to go all out to impress as he brings his Japanese home to his real home of the UK on November 1st.




Event Details in Short

Event Title : Dragon Gate Invasion : UK
Date: Sunday November 1st
Start time : 6.15 pm.
Doors :5.30 pm.
Venue : The Regal, Cowley Road, Oxford.
Ticket Prices : £45, £35, £30, £25
Tickets onsale date : Tickets will be on General Sale on 10am Saturday July 4th. Please note: Tickets may be made available to selected people prior to this date. You will be notified if you qualify for this service. This event is VERY likely to sell out. If you want tickets to this epic event, please order early.

Meet and Greet
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November 1st will also host a special event offering fans the chance to meet the worldwide superstars. This will be your chance to get a photo taken with your favourite stars, There will be three entry times, Starting at 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm. Batches of 40 people will be allowed into the arena and then, you will be able to gain access to the holding area where you will be able to buy official merchandise for the superstars to sign, and then you will be filtered through and meet the stars of your choice. Once you get to each superstar stand you will be able to get 2 own items signed if you have brought them with you, you will be able to get a Polaroid of the two of you at a cost of £5 each and get your 8x10s signed. If you bring your own camera you are able to get a photo without charge.

Limited Places of only 120
Price : Meet and Greet Entry : £25
(This includes the 10 8x10's for the guest superstars and permits you to have your photo taken with your own camera at no charge)

Venue
-----



The excellent Regal Centre was chosen for its excellent production values and enthusiasm towards hosting pro-wrestling events. The management are keen to make the Regal a regular venue for these type events and with more events possibly scheduled for 2010 this could be the southern home for the AM supershows.

The seating will be compact, the atmosphere will be electric, the production will be excellent, 2 bars (It's a massive club after all) and even some VIP seats!

Event Card
----

As with Pro Wrestling Noah's event, Dragon Gate want to give you the most action packed show they can possibly give you and with their hectic schedule in Japan, they will be presenting a show on this date in Japan as well but have given the UK all of the top stars we requested as their commitment to making these shows a true reflection of Dragon Gate. The card has been discussed back and forth and will feature 10 Japanese Stars from Dragon Gate, 3 us based Dragon Gate Regulars, and 3 members of the UK Wrestling Scene.

We have still to decide 2 options on the Card, the main event will either be a Dragon Gate 6 Man (Giving 5 matches) or a main event singles contest (Giving 6 Matches in total)

Let your voice be heard, would you rather there be 5 matches (Not uncommon for Dragon Gate given their style and normal match length) with a 6 man tag to round off the show or would you rather see 6 matches (with 2 tag matches, 4 Singles)

Reply on this thread, or by e-mail to mark@amerchandise.co.uk and we'll collect all the feedback and along with the DG office will make a decision on the card, rest assured both cards look excellent.

Website
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The holding page for the event site is up at www.dragongateuk.com

How to get there
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From Wales
via M4
You will need to leave the M4 at Junction 13 signposted as "Chievely services". Turn left at the round about and join the A34. Leave the A34 at the Southern Bypass Road Interchange on to the A4074 and turn right at the round about. Once you come to the second roundabout you need to take the first left again and follow the A4144. Go through the first two sets of traffic lights untill you come to a third set. Take the right hand lane and turn right down Weirs Lane (B4495). Follow the road down untill you reach a T Junction with another set of traffic lights. Turn left down Henley Ave. (A4158) and take the second available right down Magdalene Road. Follow the road to the end and The Regal will be on your right hand side.

From London
via M4
You will need to leave the M4 at Junction 13 signposted as "Chievely Services". Go right around the round about and enter the A34. Leave the A34 at the Southern Bypass Road Interchange on to the A4074 and turn right at the round about. Once you come to the second roundabout you need to take the first left again and follow the A4144. Go through the first two sets of traffic lights untill you come to a third set. Take the right hand lane and turn right down Weirs Lane (B4495). Follow the road down untill you reach a T Junction with another set of traffic lights. Turn left down Henley Ave. (A4158) and take the second available right down Magdalene Road. Follow the road to the end and The Regal will be on your right hand side.
via M40
If travelling from London via the M40 then you will need to leave the road at Junction 8A. Take the second exit at the roundabout and travel down the A418 signposted "Oxford/A40". Merge left for the A40. Follow the London Road untill you reach a roundabout. Take the first available left and follow the Cowley Road (B480). Follow the course of the road untill you reach Southfield Road and the Regal will be on your right hand side.


From Coventry
via M40
If travelling from the North via the M40 then you will need to leave the road at Junction 9. Turn right around the roundabout and join the A34. Leave the A34 at the Southern Bypass Road Interchange on to the A4074 and take the first left at the round about. Once you come to the second roundabout you need to take the first left again and follow the A4144. Go through the first two sets of traffic lights untill you come to a third set. Take the right hand lane and turn right down Weirs Lane (B4495). Follow the road down untill you reach a T Junction with another set of traffic lights. Turn left down Henley Ave. (A4158) and take the second available right down Magdalene Road. Follow the road to the end and The Regal will be on your right hand side.


From Gloucester
via A419
Turn right off of the A419 when you see signs for Oxford via A420. Take the first left at the round about and follow the road signposted "Oxford (A420)". Follow the duration of the road untill you come to the Botley Interchange. Take the third exit signposted for the A34. Leave the A34 at the Southern Bypass Road Interchange on to the A4074 and take the first left at the round about. Once you come to the second roundabout you need to take the first left again and follow the A4144. Go through the first two sets of traffic lights untill you come to a third set. Take the right hand lane and turn right down Weirs Lane (B4495). Follow the road down untill you reach a T Junction with another set of traffic lights. Turn left down Henley Ave. (A4158) and take the second available right down Magdalene Road. Follow the road to the end and The Regal will be on your right hand side.


***PLEASE READ IF TRAVELLING BY CAR*** There will be limited parking close to the venue which means that roads may be congested. Oxford has a series of Park and Ride facilities that remain open 24 hours. Although the last Park and Ride bus leaves from the town centre in the early evening there are alternative bus routes to the Park and Ride facilities.

Seacourt
Buses run every fifteen minutes to the City Centre where you will need to catch a second bus from the Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus) and will be Route Number 5. Once on the Number 5 you will need to leave the bus at the "Old Bingo Hall" bus stop and the venue will be across the road on your right hand side.

On return you will need to catch the Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus) Route Number 5 to Castle Street. You will then need to catch an alternative bus route which would be Route Number 4 and you will need to leave at the Seacourt bus stop where there will be a Toys R Us on your left hand side. The car park is across the road. The final bus will leave the City Centre at 23:30

Redbridge
based off of the A34 Southern Bypass Road Junction
Buses run every fifteen minutes to the City Centre where you will need to catch a second bus from the Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus) and will be Route Number 5. You will need to leave the bus stop at the "Old Bingo Hall" bus stop and the venue will be across the road on your right hand side.

On return you will need to catch the Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus) Route Number 5 to City Centre. You will need to leave the bus at St. Aldates and catch an alternative bus route out of any of the X3, X2 or X13 titled "Abingdon" and you will need to leave at the Redbridge bus stop. The final bus will leave the City Centre at 23:30.

Bus Routes from Train Station (via City Centre)
Route Number 5, Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus)
Buses run from the Train Station via the City Centre every eight to ten minutes through out the day. You will need to leave the bus at the Old Bingo Hall bus stop on the Cowley Road. The venue will to your right across the road

Bus Routes from Blackbird Leyes
Route Number 5, Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus)
Buses run from Black Bird Leyes every eight to ten minutes through out the day. You will need to leave the bus at the Old Bingo Hall bus stop on the Cowley Road. The venue will be on your left.

ON RETURN

Bus Routes FOR the Train Station (via City Centre)
Route Number 5, Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus)
Buses run from the Cowley Road bus stop to the Train Station (via City Centre) every eight to ten minutes. The final bus back is at 23:09 and arrives at the Train Station for 23:23.

Bus Routes FOR Blackbird Leyes
Route Number 5, Oxford Bus Company (- Red Bus)
Buses run from the Cowley Road Bus Stop to Blackbird Leyes every eight to ten minutes. The final bus back is at 23:43 and arrives in Blackbird Leyes at 23:54.

Hotels
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Travelodge have a £9 Sale on currently! www.travelodge.co.uk I would guess this would be the location of choice for most people at a super competitive price, order early! Once they have gone, the price creeps up and end up at £60 if you wait until the week of the event!

Other Hotels and B&B's

Oxford Hawkwell Hotel
01865 749988
Church Way, Iffley Village, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 4DZ

The Oxford Belfry
Hotel, conferences, meetings, exhibitions, weddings
01844 279381
Milton Common, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2JW

Mc Donald Hotel
(0870) 400 8201
73 High Street,Oxford, OX1 4BE

The Old Bank Hotel
(01865) 799599
92-94 High Street,
Oxford, OX1 4BJ

Westwood Country Hotel
(01865) 735408
Hinksey Hill, Oxford, OX1 5BG

Cotswold Lodge Hotel
(01865) 512121
66A Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6JP

Richmond Hotel
(01865) 311777
25 Walton Crescent, Oxford, OX1 2JG

The River Hotel
(01865) 243475
17 Botley Road, Oxford, OX2 0AA

Victoria Hotel
(01865) 724536
178-184 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4RA

Palace Hotel
(01865) 727627
250A Iffley Road, Oxford, OX4 1SE

Galaxie Hotel
(01865) 515688
180 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7BT

Westgate Hotel
(01865) 726721
1 Botley Road, Oxford, OX2 0AA

Bed & Breakfast

Newton House
Close to uni, bars, clubs & restaurants
01865 240561
82-84 Abingdon Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4PL

Red Mullions Guest House
01865 742741
23 London Road, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7RE

Combermere House
(01865) 556971
26 Cavendish Road,
Oxford, OX2 7TW

College Guest House
(01865) 517005
1A Blenheim Drive,
Oxford, OX2 8DH

Courtfield Private Hotel
(01865) 242991
367 Iffley Road,
Oxford, OX4 4DP

Adams
(01865) 556118
302 Banbury Road,
Oxford, OX2 7ED

Lakeside Guest House
(01865) 244725
118 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4PZ

Notes
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Please read the seating/ticketing/pricing section carefully. The seating is going to be tight as we want to make sure as many people as possibly can witness this event. If you choose front row then be aware that you do so, knowing full well that the Dragon Gate stars like to go airbourne and you are going to be close to the ring, if you have seen DG before you will know that pretty often the people in the front row need to make a move during the show!

We mentioned we were working on something big, that if it came off would mean we need a much bigger arena, well that was trying to book Jushin Thunder Liger for these shows, but between ourselves and our partners this didn't come off for THIS event but who knows what will happen in the future.

There is talk of having a set of the 3 European shows that the Dragon Gate fighters compete on coming out after the events.

I cannot wait for the event, the Regal is an excellent venue and it is being further improved as we speak. Their set up is excellent for a Pro Wrestling event. It was a major factor in choosing this location after our previous choice fell through even after we had agreed and DG moved their plans back to accomodate the venue.

Last time there was much debate about having non-affliated guys compete on the shows, but people need to understand that the promotions (both Noah & DG) want to see new talent and the DGUSA has many non regular members on their roster, we are adding 3 UK talents who will undoubtably add to the show. A couple of surprises in the people when they get announced I am sure. Will their be a slight backlash? Maybe, but remember the 6 Man Dark Match? just how good was that! Don't speculate, there is no need, the 3 guys are more than capable. One is a well traveled veteran, one who hasn't performed on a "Supershow" and the final guy is one of the top prospects in Europe that he is attracting worldwide attention.

Official Merchandise is likely to be brought over with DG themselves but we will have the event shirt, programme and other exclusive stuff in the lead up to the show. AM will of course be on hand for you to buy all your favourite merchandise on the night!

Event Sponsors
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A-Merchandise.co.uk,
One of the leaders in Pro Wrestling merchandise in the UK founded in 2003, A-M has become an official supplier many organisations including WWE, UFC, ROH, TNA and the exclusive European Distributor for Pro Wrestling Noah of Japan, The Frontier wrestling Alliance and FWA:A. With huge stocks of all the latest DVDs, Clothing and all kinds of miscellaneous merchandise you can be sure to find everything the true wrestling fan could want. Aswell as being the finacial backer to this huge event, A-M is also a ticket outlet with all seating available online or using a credit card over the phone. Details above in
(www.a-merchandise.co.uk)

Fighting Spirit Magazine
The only Wrestling and MMA monthly magazines available nationwide, FSM magazine brings together news and articles from around the world each month with regular Columnist Lance Storm and the infamous Open mic segment where Top Wrestling stars from around the world get their chance to have a no holds barred say on any subject that they please. They will also being running a competition to win your own Skybox at the event and will have all the latest coverage on this event
(www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk)

Westside Xtreme Wrestling of Germany.
A major force in European wrestling with home-grown talent facing some of the best in the world with Regular appearances from stars from TNA, EX WWE, Ring of Honor, PWG and many many more. WXW has some the most exciting matches that you won't see anywhere else and all just a short plane ride away in Essen, Germany (www.wxw-wrestling.com)


credits: Mark Sloan