Interview with Gabe Saplosky - Covering Dragon Gate USA's 4th Anniversary

 Dragon Gate USA returns to action this weekend, with live events in Queens, NY "Bushido: Code of the Warrior" and Manhattan, NY "Enter The Dragon: Fourth Anniversary Celebration."  If you are not able to attend in person, both events are available at WWNLive.com for iPPV and On-Demand purchase with 3 pricing options.

 

We had planned a podcast with Gabe Sapolsky and it did not occur as we hoped.  We appreciate that Gabe was still willing and able to carve out time for us this morning and we are now happy to present this interview, our 4th (fitting in a way) with the booker/promoter of DG USA and EVOLVE wrestling.  Enjoy!

1. How are you Gabe and congrats on the celebration of 4 years of Dragon Gate USA? 

~I'm doing great. Really excited about this weekend. I can't believe it's been four years already. I'm pumped for this weekend.

 

2. What is the feeling or emotion that you first connect to when thinking of this coming weekend and the journey to get to this point? 

~It's hard for words to really convey that. Four and a half years ago my whole life was shook to the core with the departure from ROH. I mean that was my identity and what I did 24/7. I didn't do anything else. I didn't know what to do. I thought I'd never attend another wrestling show again. Then Dragon Gate USA came along and gave me new life and let me have this comeback. I think about that. Then I also think about how much I've grown and experienced as a person in the last four years, with having a son being at the forefront and finding so much more that life has to offer. So this weekend is really emotional for me because DGUSA gave me new life and was part of me opening the door to growing as a person.

 

3. Johnny Gargano enters this weekend as the reigning and defending Open the Freedom Gate Champion for over 600 days and if he makes it through this weekend, the next milestone would be the 2 year mark as champion. When you think of the Anniversary mark for DG USA, it is synonymous with Johnny Gargano’s rise inside the company from pre-show in 2009 to World Champion. Can you describe the importance of him to the promotion over the last 4 years and the example he is/has been for younger, upcoming wrestlers? 

~I am so proud of Johnny Gargano and it is inspirational to see how far he has risen. I mean who else anywhere in wrestling can say they started out in the pre-show match on the first show and 4 years later is the face of the company as the champion and going stronger than ever. It has been so much fun to watch his climb and growth. I know people who have been with us for the last four years feel the same way. I hope many of you have joined us and watched the journey. Johnny is the definition of a champion. He delivers in big matches. He represents the company great outside the ring. I mean just look at all the media he does and he always sends a great message doing it. Look at how his charisma and conditioning have improved over the year. That takes a lot of hard work and dedication and that is what makes him the centerpiece of DGUSA and EVOLVE.

4. Another benefit for wrestlers that have become “homegrown” stars through DG USA is the opportunity to be noticed by the Dragon Gate office and go to Japan. From Gargano, to Chuck Taylor, Ricochet, Rich Swann, Scott Reed and Larry Dallas among others getting the opportunity to travel to Japan and perform & better themselves in front of a completely different audience than what they experience in the U.S. – what is the biggest benefit that can be gained by that experience? 

~Dragon Gate has the best wrestlers at the world and for these guys to be able to go to Japan and wrestle 5-7 times a week against the best is invaluable experience. It is how you get better as a wrestler. It's magic how a wrestler goes to Dragon Gate and comes back so much better due to this experience. I saw it back in the day in ROH when we had Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, Jack Evans and especially Matt Sydal. They'd all go tour and comeback and be faster, quicker and crisper. Now we see it with Ricochet, Rich Swann, Johnny Gargano, Uhaa Nation, Scott Reed, Chuck Taylor and others. It's a great opportunity and I'm glad DGUSA can provide that bridge to Japan. It's invaluable.

 

5. You have stated many times before that the stars of tomorrow are here today and the proof has been evident, from the likes of Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose) to Brodie Lee (Luke Harper) and the recent WWE signings of Sami Callihan and Samurary Del Sol. Not that you ever want to lose great talent, but can you share your feelings as a booker/promoter when talent you work with gets those opportunities and who, be they in DG USA/EVOLVE now or elsewhere might be next?

~I believe anyone on our roster can be next. If I didn't believe that they wouldn't be booked. We book wrestlers with upside and potential to be the next stars. We feature wrestlers in DGUSA and EVOLVE who are today's stars now. If they didn't fit in either of those two categories they wouldn't be booked. Anyone on our roster this weekend could be next. I'm always happy when I see talent move on and make money and become stars on a national level. I enjoyed working with every name you mentioned. I like them as people. They are all good people. I am happy personally to see my friends and peers make the money they deserve and have worked for. When they leave, it creates new opportunity on our roster and keeps things fresh. For instance, we lost Sami Callihan and Samuray Del Sol, but now have Trent Baretta and Anthony Nese ready to step up this weekend. They are both in fresh and exciting matches that really add to the uniqueness of the cards this weekend.

6. As someone who is very active on social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, how do you feel about those and there place in wrestling now? Is it part of the natural progression of the information age and instant feedback or does it take something away when people can post feedback so quickly without possibly digesting what they are seeing/experiencing?

~That's an excellent question and I think it goes both ways. I think perhaps I do post too much on Twitter and Facebook, but sometimes it is hard not to. I think it does a lot to kill mystique. At the same time, it is a great way to get information out there, handle customer service and communicate. However, sometimes communicating too much can come back and haunt you. It is a double edged sword.

7. On the same topic of social media and video promos, you have always been a proponent of that medium because of its benefit in getting more eyes on talents and it is a free resource. Is there a right or wrong way to do it?

~I believe you have to deliver quality over quantity. We always try to do this. I'm not saying we are always successful, but you have to give value to your followers or friends or likes or whatever it's called on the various forums. You always have to deliver value, you can't disrespect the trust and time of your followers and you can't spam them. I believe those are the golden rules that separate a right and wrong way to do things.

8. I hate to use the word controversy, but that is the term thrown around over the last week about The Young Bucks. You posted a very honest statement on Facebook about the matter that people should read if they have not. The question I have is in situations like the one presented how and where do you draw the line in terms of making money with certain talents and matches or making a hard choice to not utilize them because of circumstances that surround them?

~Well, the thing I always have to remember is people reading a simple one paragraph statement don't know the hours of conversation that go into a relationship between me and certain talents. So I often have to remind myself of that when I get mixed feedback. The issue with the Bucks isn't going to ROH. El Generico wasn't under contract to either company and he worked both with no controversy ever. The issue really revolved around the DGUSA Tag Titles. I'm going to be quiet about it now and let it be settled this Sunday when The Bucks defend against Ricochet & Rich Swann in Manhattan. I know at the very least this will be a crazy, athletic match. I am looking foward to seeing these four perform against each other and the outcome will settle the matter with the belts. The one thing I will say is it's funny when people say how I'm trying to cost them work or money when we are booking them on shows and giving them work and money, especially when other companies weren't. I think this deserves some loyalty when our titles are involved and the things that were said in private conversations, but I do understand the other side of the argument.

9. The tag team scene and the Open the United Gate Titles seem to really have gotten into a groove after a rocky start early on between injuries and the titles needing to be vacated. No matter who wins on Sunday - should the Bucks retain or if Ricochet and Rich Swann win the titles, do you see the tag team scene continuing to get better in DG USA and EVOLVE?

~Yes, definitely. I think we have a lot of exciting teams. CIMA & AR Fox did a lot to solidify things, and now this Sunday we have the two most cutting edge teams in the world fighting for our tag titles. I think there is a lot of potential for something special here. I believe new Gate To Heaven match that will main event this Saturday in Queens will really showcase everything that tag team wrestling has to offer.

10. Another topic we talked about before was the issue of pirating before iPPVs really began to grow and develop. Have you seen the issue of pirating decrease as iPPVs have increased and what additional opportunities exist with the use of iPPV for the WWNLive.com family of promotions?

~Eh, honestly I'd rather not get into the whole pirating thing now. I hope people will support us and know that we put your money back in the product to make it better for you. Going HD is the next step and we can only do this with your support. There's no TV corporation or energy company or anything else back us. We are a mom and pop company and if you support us, we will make things better for you. If you don't think we are worth paying for, don't pirate us and don't watch us. If you think we supply a product worth watching, please support it.

11. As DG USA returns to the Northeast this weekend, you have noted that ticket sales have been really strong for both events. How has that helped or been an encouragement for finding a home market in the NE for you? What other markets are you excited to return to, thinking of the recent success and strong shows in Florida for EVOLVE as well?

~We are really excited about ticket sales for both shows this Saturday in Queens and this Sunday in Manhattan. We are working on securing return dates so we can hopefully build that homebase. We always knew that the Northeast is a great homebase, especially New York City,, but we had difficulty finding the right buildings. Hopefully we have them now. We are really excited about The Orpheum in Ybor City, FL. That has become a great home for the entire WWNLive Family including SHINE and FIP.

12. The cards this weekend are really solid from top to bottom and as well very distinct. Saturday in Queens features more of a feel of “hardcore” matches and grudges in play, thinking of the Gate to Heaven Six-Man Tag: The Young Bucks & Ricochet vs. CIMA, AR Fox & Tomahawk TT, The Non-Title Match between Johnny Gargano vs. Rich Swann and the Buckhouse Match between Jon Davis vs. Chuck Taylor.  Then, Sunday in Manhattan, you have title matches with Johnny Gargano defending against the winner of CIMA vs. Tozawa vs. EITA vs. Tomahawk T.T. and the previously mentioned Open the United Gate Title Match of Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & Swann and even EVOLVE champ A.R. Fox vs. Trent Baretta. Beyond what I mentioned previously what else or who else should fans really be looking and watching for this weekend to make a statement?

~I'm glad you noticed the differences in both cards. We always try to do different things on each card in a weekend to give it its own vibe and personality. Keep an eye on Anthony Nese this weekend. I believe he is the next "it" guy on the indies. He has had that potential for a long time and hasn't had the forum besides NYWC to showcase it. Now he is getting that platform. Saturday in Queens he's against Akira Tozawa and Sunday in Manhattan he's got Uhaa Nation. I'm really looking forward to both matches. The CHIKARA eight man tag will really be a special match too, just because CHIKARA was so important to getting DGUSA going. We will always be thankful and have loyalty to CHIKARA because of all the help they gave us. When I first went to wrestling after ROH it was to a CHIKARA show and that changed my paradigm and gave me inspiration. I'm really glad we can pay tribute to CHIKARA with the tag match on Sunday in Manhattan.

13. What are you most proud of in the last year when it comes to DG USA and EVOLVE?

~There's been ups and downs in the last year, but I guess that's been the case of every year I've been doing wrestling, which has been 20 years now. I'm really proud of our DGUSA shows at Wrestlemania weekend last year. I think those shows took things to the next level. I'm proud of the EVOLVE tripleshot in Florida. Honestly, I wasn't happy with the EVOLVE show at Wrestlemania weekend, but we rebounded and I couldn't be prouder of the EVOLVE 20, 21 & 22 events. Our crew really delivered. Individually, I'm proud of so many of the talents on our roster from Johnny Gargano's run as champion to Jon Davis' growing into the role of a true badass to Chuck Taylor working harder in the gym and making the most of his natural charisma to Ricochet becoming the man here and in Japan to Rich Swann's constant improvement to being able to import the best talent in Japan and have them perform across the United States. I know I'm leaving a lot of names out here and I hope no one gets insulted. There is a lot to be proud of and we will continue that in our 5th year.

14. What remains the biggest area for growth and continued success?

~iPPV is where it's at and we will continue to improve and grow there. Yes, there have been bumps in the road, but each bump gives us a chance to learn and improve. There is a lot of growth potential with new platforms, better quality and other improvements in technology.

 

 

15. Do you have any big summer vacation plans when this weekend comes to its conclusion?

~Hahaha, no. Vacation? What's that? Actually I'll probably head down to the shore for a few days soon. If anyone has any recommendations tweet me.

16. Remind fans how they can connect with you, get tickets to DG USA and EVOLVE shows, DVDs and other merchandise:

~The live iPPVs this Saturday night and Sunday afternoon are at www.WWNLive.com. You can go to www.DGUSA.tv for all the ticket and building info. We will have tickets available at the door for both shows. I'm on Twitter @BookItGabe and at Facebook.com/BookItGabe. Tweet me what you think of this weekend using hashtag #DGUSAinNYC. Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.

 

Again, a big thanks to Gabe for his time and honesty.  Be sure to give the entire DG USA crew your support this weekend and check the shows out.  Also, don't forget that you can now follow us on Twitter @twospotmonkeys - we'd be happy to know what you think of this interview or any other thoughts you want to share on the world in pro wrestling and MMA as well.