DRAGON GATE - Infinity 111 + 112!

So you're probably wondering what happened to episodes 108, 109 and 110.

109 was a highlights show so I skipped that. 108 and 110 were Buyudens which I'm not gonna bother reviewing because they are seperate from regular Dragon Gate storylines and I tend to not watch every match on the Buyuden episodes.

So we move onwards and upwards to episodes 111 and 112, where we are firmly entrenched in King Of Gate season. These two episodes featured the first round matches.

111
King of Gate - Round 1: Cyber Kong vs. Madoka

Fun little big man vs. flyer match. Cyber was a beast just mauling Madoka, who picked his spots nicely to fire back with kicks and athletic flying moves. The match provided the backdrop for the simmering Kong vs. Naoki feud, as the latter ran out and de-masked Cyber allowing Madoka to grab the pin.

King of Gate - Round 1: Magnitude Kishiwada vs. Susumu Yokosuka

If you don't like kickouts, stay faaaar away from this. They had like a billion nearfalls. I enjoyed it but others may hate it. The early part of the match centered around Susumu's injured ribs being further destroyed by Magnitude. Being one of the most sympathetic sellers around, Yokosuka makes you really feel for him during this. The crowd was totally behind him too. Following the aformentioned billion false finishes, Magnitude finally won with a Last Ride.

King of Gate - Round 1: Taku Iwasa vs. Anthony W. Mori

Pretty much a showcase match for the newly single Iwasa. Mori did what Mori does and made him look like a million bucks. Taku debuted this new kick move to lead to the finish which was slick. Fun stuff.

King of Gate - Round 1: Gamma vs. Masaaki Mochizuki

The 2006 winner vs. the 2007 winner. Mochi vowed to avenge the disgrace of GAMMA's win last year, and that he did. This was what you'd expect from GAMMA, lots of brawling and RealHaz interference with the inevitable protein powder spots. Mochi had to work to put him away but he eventually did after around 7 minutes with his "Twister" brainbuster.

We're seemingly on a streak of solid but unspectacular episodes and this was no exception. Everything was decent enough and the storyline of Kong and Tanisaki was advanced nicely. They'll be meeting Hair vs. Mask style in the coming weeks.

INFINITY #111 - 7.5/10

112

King of Gate - Round 1: Genki Horiguchi vs. Naoki Tanisaki

Pretty heavily clipped. Hard to get a read on it, but it's Genki and Naoki so I'm guessing it was pretty slick. Naoki advanced.

King of Gate - Round 1: Don Fujii vs. YAMATO

These two have been having quite the feud in recent months. They've battled in tags, wild Korkuen brawls and even empty arena matches. Much blood, sweat, tears and protein powder has been spilled. They brawled into the crowd early where YAMATO punked out CIMA who was in attendance. The bulk of the match was just fun brawl based stuff with both guy's personalities shining through. Finish came with CIMA hitting the ring to counter RH interference, allowing Don to get a roll up on a protein covered Yammy for the pin.

King of Gate - Round 1: BxB Hulk vs. Ryo Saito

At this time last year, Hulk and Ryo were involved in a hate filled babyface rivalry due to Ryo busting up Hulk's face in a match. They met in the KOG last year and following that match the feud was seemingly done. But no, KOG rolled around again and by the luck of the draw they were paired together once more. They played alot of video packages of last years feud and the two guys didn't waste any time tearing into each other. This match was BattlARTS stiff! They did a cool little angle to finish the match, where Ryo's arm was just DONE FOR and the doctors were looking at him and everything, but he wanted to fight on. Hulk said "fuck that" and put him in a straight armbar for the win. Then things got wild as he snapped, Kenny Shamrock style, and just kept working over Saito's arm. His own stable mates had to control him. Good stuff.

King of Gate - Round 1: Naruki Doi vs. Dragon Kid

Good solid match. What you'd expect from these two. The closing stretch was pretty nuts. Kid busted out a bunch of the sick rana's that put Doi's tag team partner Masato Yoshino on the sideline at the 11.16 PPV. Doi of course came back with his Bakatare Sliding Kicks and Doi555. They had the usual nearfalls that I eat up, before Doi finally put him away.

Best show now in a couple of weeks. The Hulk/Ryo and Doi/Kid matches were real good and Fuji/Yammy was highly entertaining.

2nd Round KOG Brackets:

Doi vs. Hulk
Fuji vs. Naoki
Mochi vs. Iwasa
Magnitude vs. Madoka


INFINITY #112 - 8/10