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.
