411's Dragon Gate USA's Fearless 2011 Report 06.03.11

Posted by Michael Ornelas on 06.03.2011

Pinkie Sanchez debuted for DG:USA. FRAY was a lot of fun. Ricochet had a great match with Susumu Yokosukda and Sami Callihan made me a fan in a match against Masaaki Mochizuki. Gargano and Aries stole the show. And then the main event stole the show back as YAMATO & Akira Tozawa challenged for the Open the United Gate championship against Masato Yoshino & PAC in an epic main event.



411's DGUSA FEARLESS 2011 REPORT 06.03.11


Hey everyone, welcome to the DGUSA Fearless 2011 iPPV Report with everyone's favorite 411 staffer, Michael Ornelas! Okay, I know I'm not exactly beloved, but I'm better than Acero!

All joking aside, there are sound issues. As in, there's a low buzzing sound and that's all I'm getting. Now there's a guy in the ring playing with a microphone but not saying anything. Stick with me for a few minute while they fix this.


While we're waiting, feel free to check out The BFF'in News Talk!. Nick Bazar and I work our butts off to bring you that each week, and if you don't like it, please offer some constructive criticism so we can fix it as it's a work in progress.


Finally the show is off to a start and CIMA makes his way to the ring with Austin Aries. Before they can say anything, Swann starts yelling the Ronin theme pretty loudly from the back (without a microphone) and makes his way out with Johnny Gargano.

Match #1: CIMA vs. Rich Swann

CIMA gets the jump on Swann and we're off. Snapmare and double stomp to the face. CIMA is in charge. Man, recapping wrestling is a lot easier when I'm not watching it at 1.2 or 1.3x speed to save time! Leapfrog, roll under combo sends CIMA to the floor. Swann teases a tope but Aries trips him up. CIMA in control yet again. Snapmare and a rear chinlock from CIMA. CIMA torques the arm back and has a seated abdominal stretch. Aries is smoking a pipe on the outside. Classy. CIMA sends Swann to the outside. Vertical suplex on the wooden floor! He drives Swann's back into the apron and rolls him back into the ring. He goes for a cover and Swann is out at 2. CIMA toys with Swann for the next minute or so and gets a few more pin attempts but nothing really significant is done. Swann tries for a come back with a springboard handspring reversal to an Irish whip but CIMA dropkicks him in the head. CIMA goes up top, but Swann comes with the top rope enziguiri, rana, and a head kick sends CIMA outside. Flipping senton to the outside from Swann! 2 count. CIMA chops Swann. Swann gets a wheelbarrow stunner on CIMA! Okay this is all too fast now.

CIMA gets some chops but Swann goes for Kawada kicks. CIMA catches the foot, but Swann hits a superkick! Fireman carry and Aries distracts from the 450 splash. CIMA goes for an electric drop or something but drops Swann. That was bad. CIMA gets a big driver for 2. His music starts playing? Okay... He then gets the celtic cross and a meteora for the win.

Match result: CIMA defeated Swann via pinfall @ about 13:00.
Match rating: **3/4
Quick thoughts: That match probably had the potential to reach ***1/2 if everything was done crisply, but I think they may have been nervous coming off the technical issues and there were a lot of mistakes.


Match #2: FRAY: Brodie Lee vs. Arik Cannon vs. Tony Nese vs. AR Fox vs. Alex Colon vs. Scott Reed

AR Fox and Scott Reed start. They battle with some basic exchanges and then Reed backflips over Fox a la Danielson and Fox hits a sloppy moonsault. They fall to the floor. Alex Colon and Brodie Lee enter the ring and obviously Brodie neutralizes all of Colon's offense. Basement dropkick sends Brodie into the turnbuckle. Boot to the face. Knee to the back of the head off the top and Brodie's STILL on his feel. BIG kick to the face and Colon is sent out. Now Cannon and Nese try to double team Brodie but they can't so Cannon exits the ring. HUGE lariat from Lee takes Nese down. Cannon sends Lee to the floor and takes his spot. Spinning heelkick from Nese and he's in control until Cannon gets his foot up in the corner to block a clothesline. and hits a neckbreaker. Nese gets Cannon on the floor. Suicide dive! Scott Reed hits chops on Nese while Colon goes up top and gets a corkscrew plancha from the top. Cannon's on the apron and Lee big boots him onto the pile of bodies. Lee's headed up top! He backdrops a charging Fox over the corner onto the guys outside! Cannon is standing up to Lee on the inside but Nese and Colon send them to the outside. Nese sends Alex out and AR Fox hits the Lo Mein something on Nese! Man these guys are fast. We get a Truck Stop from Lee on someone and then it's Cannon and Lee again after the pin is broken up. Colon takes Lee out and Cannon goes for the brainbuster on Cannon. Superkick from Cannon and a brainbuster connects! 1...2....3!

Match result: Arik Cannon via pinfall @ about 11:00.
Match rating: ***
Quick thoughts: Lots of fun. I love Brodie Lee the more and more I see him. Cannon's won me over as well as he's been more than solid every time I've seen him. AR Fox keeps growing. Scott Reed was alright, as it was my first exposure to him and Colon. Tony Nese needs to show me more before I can have an opinion on him. Fun match.


Match #3: Susumu Yokosuka vs. Ricochet

Yoko works Ricochets arm and takes him down to start. They lock up again and a waistlock. Reversal, but Yoko gets the arm. Ricochet rolls over and kicks him off. Headlock from Ricochet. Yoko tosses him into the ropes and a shoulder block. Another Irish whip, and a leap frog by Yoko is caught in a roll up from Ricochet! Yokosuka is on the outside and Ricochet teases a tope but backflips off the second rope. Great dropkick from Ricochet on a running Yokosuka. Ricochet has Yoko in the corner and punches him. Whip across and an elbow. Snapmare and a nice jumping kick to the upper back of Yoko. Irish whip to the corner. Yoko tosses him up on the follow up and drops him knees-first to the mat. He does it again, and that CAN'T feel nice. He goes for a third and hits it. He's trying to rid Ricochet of his high-flying arsenal. Smart. Big dropkick to the seated Ricochet. ANOTHER knee slam to Ricochet and Susumu has a figure 4 locked in. Ricochet is going for the ropes and finally gets them. Ricochet mounts a comeback and gets some nice moves including a couple headscissors before sending Yoko outside and getting a handspring flipping tope. Back in the ring and they're back at it. Ricochet goes for an Ace Crusher but Susumu dodges it. A DDT from Ricochet, and a whip. He runs at Yoko in the corner but he catches him! Suplex into the ropes!

Ricochet gets a 619-style knee on Yoko in the corner and hits a 720!! 1...2...Yoko's foot is on the ropes! Ricochet goes back up for the double moonsault press, but it's blocked. Yoko has Ricochet up top...BOOM! Mugen off the top! 1....2...NO! Yoko goes for Jumbo no Kachi but Ricochet counters with an enziguiri! He can't keep Yoko down who hits Jumbo no Kachi this time. 1....2...Ricochet is out!! Yokosuka hits it AGAIN! That's al.....no!!! Ricochet kicked out again! Another Mugen finishes this thing, but that was great.

Match result: Susumu Yokosuka defeated Ricochet via pinfall @ about 14:00.
Match rating: ***3/4
Quick thoughts: Great match right here. Told a story, and maybe a bit heavy on superman kick-outs, but they're building Ricochet in Dragon Gate, so I get it. Check this match out. On the verge of ****.


Match #4: Sami Callihan vs. Masaaki Mochizuki

Pretty even match to start until a backdrop over the top rope on Callihan is followed up by a kick to the back on the apron. Mochizuki in control on the apron after about 2 minutes (sorry for the lack of the first minute and a half. It was basic feeling out stuff and Callihan mocking Mochizuki). Callihan now has control on the outside with chops and headbutts and he rolls Mochizuki back in the ring. Dropping headbutts. Stomp. Callihan locks up the legs and gets some palm strikes to the gut of Mochizuki. Mochizuki trying to fight out and then reaches for the ropes, but Callihan grabs his hand so he can't! Nice. He gets it with the other hand and Sami breaks before 5. Chops in the corner and a headbutt from Sami. Mochizuki puts on the brakes for an Irish whip attempt and gets a whip of his own. He runs into the boot of Sami, but he gets a spinning back kick of his own. He's now going to town on the arm of Callihan. Armbreakers on the shoulder and Mochizuki has the arm wrapped up. Sami tries to bridge up but can't break it. Sami finally makes the ropes. More arm work followed by some kicks to the chest with Sami on his knees. Sami masterly baits Mochizuki and gets a dragon screw leg whip. He sends him to the outside and gets a tope suicida! Back in the ring and Callihan only gets 2. They trade some running kicks before Sami gets a DVD! Stretch Muffler!! Mochizuki gets to the ropes. Back up and Sami catches a kick by Mochizuki but he's then taken over into an armbreaker! Sami makes the ropes. HUGE sequence of kick from a comeback-mounting Mochizuki. 1...2...no! He waits for Sami to get up and nails him with more kicks. He tells Callihan to bring it on and he chops hm. HUGE kicking combo from Mochizuki and Sami has got to be out of it! Twister! 1...2...no! Sami plays possum after some stalling and gets a high angle Saito suplex! Running tackle to a seated Mochizuki! Stretch Muffler from Sami!!! ....Mochizuki reverses into a cross armbreaker! Another Stretch Muffler and Mochizuki gets out! Shin Saikyou high kick from Mochizuki NAILS Sami in the head!! 1...2....3.

Match result: Masaaki Mochizuki defeated Sami Callihan via pinfall @ about 13:30.
Match rating: ***1/2

Post match, Arik Cannon comes out and starts beating down Mochizuki! Yokosuka out for the save and they cause the locker room to empty to break it up. Mochi's in the ring, but Sami made it back in and attacked Mochi. Mochizuki locked the arm in something. More brawling and the lock room is carrying out a screaming Callihan. Cannon is still in the ring, seems calm, and then continues brawling. This is just way too drawn out. Finally ends after like 10 minutes.

Quick thoughts: Great match. I'm officially a fan of Callihan. I didn't like his run in ROH in the early days of HDNet, but I've liked out he's been used here and in EVOLVE. The big brawl was kind of stupid though because it lasted too long. And Mochizuki stayed in the ring the whole time.


During intermission they showed a pretty fun tag match from 2009 featuring BxB Hulk & Masato Yoshino vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masaaki Mochizuki. And my salad was good too.

Anyways, back to the show!

Jon Davis (of Dark City Fight Club and EVOLVE 8 fame) is making his way out for some words with Lenny Leonard.

"I've been here for three shows now, and I've been disappointed. So I'm going to start from the bottom and work is way up." He calls out Sami Callihan and Arik Cannon. D.U.F. comes out. Callihan grabs the mic. Pinkie Sanchez enters the ring? Awesome. Cannon slaps him in the back of the head. Pinkie grabs the mic and he doesn't give a FUUUUUUUU! He wants to join Cannon and Callihan as a Dirty Ugly Fuck. He gets spat on but eats it. People make "Dirty Sanchez" jokes...which are pretty funny. I guess now we get Sanchez vs. Davis. I'm down!

Match #5: Pinkie Sanchez vs. Jon Davis

Collar and elbow to start and Davis tosses him off. He gets in Davis' face but gets pushed again. Low kick and a side headlock this time and Sanchez wants control. Goes for a headlock takeover, but Davis powers him up. Again. Backdrop flipped out of. Crossbody from Sanchez is caught. A few ribbreakers from Davis and then he presses Sanchez over his head and tosses him like 2 feet above his head and lets him drop! That was sick! Sanchez rolls out and appeals to the DUF, but they're not his friends. He gets back in and is thrown into the corner. Chop from Davis. Another corner, another chop (that should be on a shirt). Much weaker chops from Pinkie hurt his hand more than Davis. Clothesline from Davis. Kicks to the back of Pinkie. Davis totally in control. Running knee drop from Davis gets 2. Callihan and Cannon try to clap Pinkie to his feet, but Davis is owning him. Shoulder tackles to the back of Sanchez in the corner. BIG back chop in another corner. Belly to back suplex gets 2 for Davis. More control moves by Davis and something needs to happen because this extended squash is too extended at this point. And there it is! Sanchez catches a kick and gets a few back elbows and a takedown! Running senton! Pinkie up top and a jumping forearm to the back. Davis is trying to power Pinkie up top but Sanchez is fighting back. Davis switches position and now wants a belly to back superplex, but Pinkie drops him! Tree of Woe and Pinkie drops the butt on the head of Davis! 1....2...no! Spinning back kick from Pinkie. He goes for a Shining Wizard but Davis hits a power bomb from his knees. Davis gets a huge jackhammer for 3, but Pinkie kicks out. Music starts and the ref counted 3 but DAVIS says it was two? Okay, so we're still going. This is an organizational mess between this and the first match. Anyways, Pinkie gets some ineffective offense before Davis nails him with a huge clothesline and then a UFO INTO A SITOUT POWERBOMB! Well THAT'S an ending.

Match result: Jon Davis defeated Pinkie Sanchez via pinfall @ about 10:00.
Match rating: **

After the match, Pinkie gets a superkick from Cannon.

Quick thoughts: They need to get their shit together here. This was a good squash match, but it bordered on too long before Pinkie mounted a comeback. Davis' finisher was SICK though. The one that ACTUALLY ended the match.


Gargano's music cuts out halfway to the ring. Really DGUSA? Is it a rib or something?

Aries grabs the mic and says Gargano looks like someone who should be paying to watch him, not wrestling him. Gargano defensively utters "but I'm wearing tights!" without missing a beat! Legitimate lol. Austin Aries finally found a purpose, and that's to show Ronin that they aren't deserving to be in the ring with anyone in his stable.

Match #6: Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Aries

They lock up and Aries backs Gargano up into the corner. He then breaks and gets on the apron. He gets back in and they lock up again. Aries gets a waistlock takedown and rides across the back of Gargano. Loving the story already, even the promo already spelled it out for us. Another lock-up and Gargano reciprocates! Aries is pissed! Gargano grabs his junk in front of Aries. I thought Rhett was exclusive to ROH?
Headlock by Aries and he takes it to a knee when Gargano tries to push off. Gargano rolls through though and gets out and tries for a toehold, but Aries won't be taken down. He finally is after a couple seconds but grabs the ropes immediately. Test of strength which Aries wins. He steps over his hands and has Gargano gripped from under his legs, but Gargano takes him over into the ropes. Shoulder tackle by Aries. More running and a leapfrog followed by an armdrag from Aries. Headscissors by Gargano. He should know better. It's Aries! Aries goes for the headstand but Johnny swats him down. Again, and Gargano SPIKED him on his head. A third attempt and Aries is out. Dropkick! Gargano counters something and Aries rolls to the outside. Gargano is hanging with Aries!

Gargano finally in control and boots Aries in the corner. He's tossed into the corner but goes up and over, except Aries doesn't go under and goes for a back suplex, but Gargano's out and Aries to the floor again out of frustration. He doesn't spend too much time there though, so it's not bad at all. Shoulder tackle from Aries in the corner and chops. He misses a chop and Gargano in control in the corner. Irish whip, up and over, Aries runs to the other corner, jumps, but Gargano catches him in the GARGANO ESCAPE!! Aries rolls under the bottom rope to escape. Gargano hits a suicide dive! Both men are back up and Aries tries to whip Gargano into the steel guardrail on the first mezzanine, but it's reversed! Gargano hits Aries with a sign! Aries climbs over to the next level and Gargano follows. He puts Aries head in between the rails in the corner. Running head kick from the floor!! Gargano goes back into the ring, but Aries goes back over the rail after teasing that he'd get in the ring. Both men fight on the barricade, trading punches, and Gargano wants a superplex to the floor. Aries reverses it and SUPLEXES HIM INTO THE CROWD/CHAIRS!! Aries drapes Gargano over the railing. Aries hits a DOUBLE AXE HANDLE FROM THE RING TURNBUCKLE! He rolls Gargano back into the ring and hits an elbow for 2.

Aries back to the apron and hits a slingshot senton for 2. He puts Gargano into a shoulder claw! Gargano gets up but he's met with a downward spiral into Aries' knee. Spinning elbow from Aries and Austin's owning this thing. Aries is now working up the legs with pulls, snaps, and a kick. Aries has a unique leglock in now. Gargano gets to the ropes. Chinbreaker from Gargano and a clothesline! Another clothesline! He goes for a leaping spinning back elbow but Aries blocks the crap out of it and Johnny's sent down. Johnny on the apron wants a sunset flip! He gets it but Aries is still up. He reaches the ropes and the ref counts to 5 before kicking Aries' hands off. Gargano takes him over for 2. That was weird. I though Gargano should have had to break there. Anyways, back up, and Aries has an armbar. Gargano runs into a big left hand and he's dropped. Falling chop to the chest and a cocky cover for 2. Aries gets a running powerslam into the corner and Gargano is in Woe. Chops to the inverted Gargano. Aries approaches again but he eats a boot! Johnny pulls up and gets an Ace Crusher, pushing off the ropes! He's unloading on Aries and he's hung over the ropes. He reverses an Irish whip and throws Aries over! Aries is back up on the apron and Gargano grabs his head and drives him from post to post several times! This is pretty entertaining. Gargano slingshots Aries into the ring and goes for a slingshot spear from the apron, but Aries dodges! Lariat after yelling "suck it" by Gargano! Snapmare and a kick to the chest! Gets 2. He goes for something on Aries, but he's backed up into the corner. Aries approaches and eats a huge kick! Leaping neckbreaker from Gargano for 2! Johnny has the back of Aries, but he tosses him through the ropes. Aries wants the Heat Seeking Missile (my 2nd favorite non-finisher in wrestling!) but Gargano catches him with a slingshot spear!! 1...2..no! Back up. Gargano sent to the corner and he catches a crossbody! Runs across the ring and snake eyes to Aries on the opposite corner turnbuckle! Superkick sends Aries to the outside! Aries on the apron catches Gargano and gets a DVD ON THE APRON!! Rolled back into the ring and Gargano hits a huge move for 2 (sorry, I missed it). Gargano goes for the Gargano Escape, but Aries gets a bulldog and a LAST CHANCERY! Gargano is out and they exchange chops. Gargano's winning it. Aries off the ropes, but he's caught. HURTS DONUT!

Aries back up gets a shinbreaker/suplex combo! IED in the corner, brainbuster gets two!! 450 miisses!! Aries sets up for something else but gets launched into the turnbuckles! He dodges Gargano and gets a kick to the head! Brainbuster!! 1....2....3!

Match result: Austin Aries defeated Johnny Gargano via pinfall @ about 23:00.
Match rating: ****1/4

Post-match, Aries grabs the mic and said he'd challenge someone else. Gargano barely made him break a sweat. Aries was panting deeply. Way to put over the opponent without a handshake.

Quick thoughts: The match delivered, the crowd didn't. This was a truly great encounter and, in my opinion, will be remembered as Gargano's real breakout match. Great, great, great, great (etc.) match. Seek this out.


Match #7: Masato Yoshino & PAC vs. YAMATO & Akira Tozawa

YAMATO and PAC start and have a great first couple minutes. YAMATO works the legs for the first couple minutes while PAC is generally outclassed, but BARELY. Both men tag out. Lots of counters before Tozawa knocks Yoshino down and gets a senton. Chinlock and Yoshino backs Tozawa up. YAMATO tags in though and they double team Yoshino. YAMATO works the arms but Yoshino reverses and tags PAC. Double team double stomp to the arm of YAMATO. Pac traps the arm and knees is into the back of YAMATO. PAC backs YAMATO into the corner. Running back elbow to YAMATO in the corner. Yoshino blind tags in. Double axe handle to the shoulder of YAMATO. YAMATO eventually gets control and mounts Yoshino in his corner so Tozawa can tag in. Tozawa is aggressive but loses control. Tag to PAC and we get an Irish Whip, toehold, face kick from the champs. Vertical suplex from PAC gets 1. More control from PAC before a standing shooting star press!! 2 count! PAC stomps Tozawa in the corner, but he just screams BRING IT! Tozawa dodges but eats a double boot when he charges back. PAC goes up top for the shooting star. NASTY KNEES!! Wow, that had to wind PAC. YAMATO tags in and PAC has to be winded. YAMATO is hitting power moves and PAC is still bumping. Shoulder tackle. Chops in the corner on PAC. Woooo. Tag to Tozawa who reaches PAC's hand towards his corner mockingly. YAMATO then knocks Yoshino off the apron. Double dropkick on PAC gets 2. Cravat from Tozawa. Snapmare + back kick combo from Tozawa and a cocky pin for 2. Palm strikes from a headlock position by Tozawa. Tag to YAMATO. They double choke him with a boot across the bottom rope. Both men are stomping PAC now. YAMATO muscles PAC up for a brainbuster and then applies an ankle lock! He transitions into a single leg crab. Yoshino runs in to make the save but Tozawa stops him and throws him out. Crossface now from YAMATO and PAC gets to the ropes. YAMATO finally loses control and PAC gets the tag! Yoshino is going too fast to type! Gahh! He gets a cool leg choke over the top rope. Whip reversed but Yoshino is on the offensive anyways. Hammerlock driver from Yoshino! 2 count. Striking combo reversed by YAMATO. Northern Lights suplex gets 2 from YAMATO. Crowd is chanting for YAMATO. He grabs the arm of Yoshino and he twists it over twice. He goes for a third and gets it. Fireman carry position but Yoshino gets out. Octopus stretch landed by Yoshino! Both partners are in to break it up and Tozawa/PAC are going at it now. PAC gets Tozawa on the apron. Boot. 180 corkscrew moonsault AND lands on his feet!! Wow. Back in the ring and YAMATO is tagged in after a Saito suplex from Tozawa. A few nearfalls before YAMATO goes for a sleeper. Yoshino breaks it up and they double team YAMATO. Double takedown. Missile dropkick/Senton by Yoshino! YAMATO and Yoshino are really going at it. Rolling elbow by YAMATO and a HUGE boot by Tozawa connect! 1...2...no! YAMATO puts Yoshino on his shoulders. DOOMSDAY SHINING WIZARD!! 1....2...no! PAC is taken care of and Tozawa gets a bridging German suplex on Yoshino!! 1....2...no! YAMATO is trying to get Yoshino up, but he's dead weight. YAMATO goes for Galeria but Yoshino's down. Enziguiri from YAMATO! He runs the ropes but Yoshino collapses.

Yoshino and YAMATO exchange chops once Masato gets back up. Less than 45 seconds later, all men are down and I have no idea how to call all that. PAC and Tozawa are to their feet and they exchange forearms. Snap German suplex on Tozawa! PAC charges the corner and gets tossed onto the apron. He gets a kick while Masato gets an elbow! Body slam from Yoshino. Springboard 450! 1...2...no!! More really fast stuff. Lightning spiral to Tozawa from Yoshino and YAMATO breaks it up!! Yoshino sends YAMATO outside and nails him with a dive! Tozawa is down and 360 shooting star press from PAC!!!! 1..2...3.

Match result: Masato Yoshino & PAC retain the Open the United Gate championships against Akira Tozawa & YAMATO @ about 26:00.
Match rating: ****1/2

PAC tells YAMATO that he's coming for his belt on Sunday. Masato Yoshino hypes the crowd and we're out.

Quick thoughts: Great match here. A LOT more happened than I was able to recap. Seriously, check this match out as my report doesn't do it justice. These guys are all just speed demons and they seriously delivered.


Show thoughts:
The crowd was deflated after intermission for some reason, but nothing was outright bad. The Sanchez/Davis bout went a little too long, but it was still a really good show. For $15, I'm more than satisfied. Thanks for reading guys!

Show rating:***1/2