Match Point is an ongoing series at Last Word on Pro Wrestling, where we look at intriguing matchups in indie wrestling and beyond. They may be dream matches, first-time matchups, or hotly anticipated rematches. The Open the Dream Gate Championship is the focus here as we take a look at the upcoming three-way bout between Yuki Yoshioka, Shuji Kondo, and Kota Minoura.
One of the most compelling stories since King of Gate has been the Open the Dream Gate Championship. The path to Kobe World seemed quite clear, or so we thought. Yuki Yoshioka won King of Gate and it seemed like he would simply challenge the winner of Shuji Kondo vs KAI. Now, we find ourselves in a situation where the King of Gate winner may lose their opportunity at the top belt. Even if he doesn’t, should he not get the pinfall in this match, he won’t get to control his destiny like previous KOG winners.
Yuki Yoshioka vs Shuji Kondo vs Kota Minoura
The Night in Korakuen That Made the Road Bumpier
Shuji Kondo had KAI beat yet again, and he seemed poised to take the Open the Dream Gate Championship. Then, the lights shut off, and when they came back on, everyone was shocked. The centerpiece of GOLD CLASS, Kota Minoura, was in the middle of the ring. He laid waste to both champion and challenger before declaring he was the next challenger for the Dream Gate tiele. Soon after that declaration, Yuki Yoshioka came down to the ring, gripping him up in protest as he allowed Kondo to get this shot out of respect, and wasn’t too keen on being leapfrogged again. Minoura, prior to this match, protested it happening because he beat Shuji Kondo in KOG, so he felt it was his shot, although, he fell to Yoshioka in the finals.
All three men wanted a resolution. Kondo asked Dragon Gate General Manager Ryo Saito if he was going to let the match just end that way. While Yoshioka stated he didn’t care what the GM did, he simply wanted his title match. This three-way match was made, the winner of the match choosing which night they get their title shot. The other person who isn’t pinned gets the night that the winner passes on. Meanwhile, the loser of the fall walks away with nothing. Kondo and Yoshioka made it clear they planned on teaming up to take out Minoura. With Kobe World a week away, things are starting to get interesting.
Prediction
This is one match where we truly don’t know what’s going to transpire. However, if they really wanted to get over this newly turned Kota Minoura they’d have him pin Kondo. Then he would opt for night two since the champion would come in at a disadvantage, and then Yuki Yoshioka would get the night one title shot. However, one thing is for sure is the two title matches that take place at Kobe World will set the tone for the second half of the year.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Looking to watch Dragon Gate? All their live shows will be on their steaming service Dragon Gate Network.
