Sapolsky Speaks, Pt. I: Open the Dragon Gate USA

Davey Richards and SHINGO (Source: Dragon Gate USA)

In the seven months since the announcement of its formation, Dragon Gate USA has taken the professional wrestling world by storm, sending shockwaves through the American industry.

From its inaugural pay-per-view to two Match of the Year candidates on the second show, the promotion has secured a foothold in the professional wrestling totem pole, and Vice President Gabe Sapolsky says there’s more to come.

“We’ve been absolutely thrilled with the first couple of shows,” Sapolsky said in a phone interview. “I mean, the in-ring action has been second-to-none. The Dragon Gate guys came to the U.S. with a purpose; they wanted to prove they were the best, and they’ve really done that.”

“Anyone who has seen our first two pay-per-views or our first DVD, which is out now, or read any of the reviews can see that this isn’t just empty hype that I’m saying right now. The fans, the critics and the journalists are all responding the same way.”

Later this month, the promotion will crown its first Open the Freedom Gate champion in a unique tournament at The Arena in Philadelphia on Nov. 28.

The tournament will feature four first-round matches with the winner of each advancing to a four-way elimination contest for the promotion’s top prize.

Brian Kendrick and CIMA (Source: Dragon Gate USA)

First-round matches include:

• BxB Hulk vs. Brian Kendrick
• YAMATO vs. Davey Richards
• CIMA vs. Mike Quackenbush vs. Super Crazy vs. Jorge Rivera
• Matt Jackson vs. Nick Jackson vs. Jigsaw vs. Gran Akuma vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Lince Dorado

“We’re really excited to be here, and of course, booking a title belt is the most important thing,” Sapolsky said. “It’s going to be a huge night.”

Invading America

As Dragon Gate USA approaches the milestone of crowning its first champion, Sapolsky said original plans never called for the effort to reach this point.

His ties with the new promotion’s Japan-based parent company date back to 2005, and Dragon Gate officials contacted him earlier this year about hosting a special event in the United States.

“Basically the timing wasn’t right for when they wanted to do the show at the time,” Sapolsky said. “We basically then kind of sat on the idea for a month or two and it kind of developed into a full-fledged promotion and having six premium events each year.”

With two shows under its belt, the promotion can now focus on expanding its reach and reaching new markets in an American wrestling industry dominated by World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Mike Quackenbush (Source: Dragon Gate USA)

Dragon Gate USA has partnered with companies both outside of professional wrestling—including multiple music-related businesses—and within the American independent scene to accomplish that goal.

“We’re just trying different ways to really promote and get the name and get the word out there. We know that once people come out to a show and experience it or once people watch the product they’re going to be hooked on it,” Sapolsky said. “It’s just really getting that exposure, and that’s the biggest obstacle at this point.”

Stars from CHIKARA, also a Philadelphia-based promotion, have played integral roles in the first two Dragon Gate USA shows, and Quackenbush, Jigsaw, and Gran Akuma will also be featured in the Open the Freedom Gate Championship tournament.

Other promotions—including Chicago-based All-American Wrestling, Florida-based Full Impact Pro and Ohio-based Hybrid Pro Wrestling—have been working with Sapolsky and other Dragon Gate USA officials to help gain exposure for cross-branded performers.

“We have a lot of interesting stuff going on as far as the other indies go, and we’re really finding these quality indies out there, and they’re trying to help us and we’re trying to help them, so it’s been a great relationship,” Sapolsky said.

“Earn people’s money”

Launching a new promotion in 2009 brought the additional challenge of introducing a product in a time of downed economy, and Dragon Gate USA officials made a conscious effort to shape their product with that thought in mind.

“We had a philosophy going in that we really had to earn people’s money in this day and age, in this economy,” Sapolsky said. “Good isn’t good enough anymore; great is basically what good was, so you have to go above and beyond and really give something exceptional and we’ve tried to do that in every single way.”

Naruki Doi and Bryan Danielson (Source: Dragon Gate USA)

Dragon Gate USA’s bimonthly pay-per-views are priced lower than those produced by larger American companies, and the DVD versions of those events are packaged with high-quality video and extras, including bonuses matches and special features, Sapolsky said. Tickets to Dragon Gate USA shows are also designed as collectibles, resembling baseball cards.

“You’re talking about $200 a year to see every single match, every single angle, own all the DVDs and go and attend two live events in your area, too,” he added.

Keeping Dragon Gate USA products affordable remains an important personal goal for Sapolsky, one that stems back to his days with Ring of Honor Wrestling.

“They got to the point where there’s 40 DVDs a year, and it’s just hard to ask people to afford 40 of anything, nevermind having the time to watch it,” he said.

“We feel these DVDs are highly re-watchable; you’re going to  get a lot of enjoyment out of it. You’re not going to watch it once, put it on your shelf; you’re going to watch it several times; you’re going to enjoy owning it. That’s a big benefit for the fans. We’re not going to kill your wallet trying to follow this product.”

Click here for “Sapolsky Speaks, Pt. II: The Evolution of EVOLVE,” where Sapolsky shares details of the new EVOLVE Wrestling promotion he’s launching alongside indy star Davey Richards and Full Impact Pro promoter Sal Hamoui.

Join the TWD Revolution by following us on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.