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The Open Historic Gate show at the Arena in Philadelphia drew what to this viewer looked like a sellout/SRO crowd. The last time I saw a crowd this size in this building was The Legends of The Arena show.

I thought the gift bag idea was a nice touch for those of us who paid $75 for first row tickets. The fact that there was a $5 coupon inside the bag for the event T-shirt was very nice.

 

Here are the results for what will stand as the best show of the year. That is quite impressive considering the CHIKARA King of Trios weekend shows were the previous lock for best Philly shows of 2009.

First off our guest hostess was the lovely Dawn Marie. She put an interesting touch on the ring announcements.

1. BxB Hulk vs YAMATO
The show started with a bang. This was my first viewing of YAMATO who looked like a young, cocky Raven but with a devilish smile. Hulk came out with 2 dancers (1 of whom was Daizee Haze). The dance routine, though done with much better choreography in Japan, was a great entrance. Hulk is a wonderful performer in every sense of the word. Hulk started off strong with a series of kicks. YAMATO came back by working over his opponents legs with numerous submission holds. They teased several finishers before YAMATO took it at 15:21.

2. Too Cold Scorpio beat Ken Doane (16:34/Droppin' Da Bomb)
The crowd heckled Doane throughout but this was solid Scorpioed Ken very well. The only unfortunate part was the finish, in which Scorpio's heel landed right on Doane's face, busting Doane's nose. It might have been broken.

3. Mike Quackenbush/Jigsaw/The Colony (Soldier Ant & Fire Ant) d. Hallowicked/Amasis/Team FIST (Gran Akuma & Icarus)
The crowd was HOT for this match from the entrances. Too much action to call here. This would be theme in the other tag team match on this card as well. Jigsaw got the win on Icarus with the Jig-n-Tonic at 17:25.
Quackenbush spoke afterwards about the CHIKARA-Dragon Gate relationship & made the challenge for an 8-on-8 series between the two groups. YAMATO came out & disrespectfully low blowed Quackenbush. Other CHIKARA wrestlers came out to make the save but Gran Akuma made the turn to side with YAMATO. Both were chased by the end.

4. Dragon Kid b. Masato Yoshino
(13:25/springboard huracarrana)
This was a great, fast-paced match which really showcased the strengths of both. Dragon Kid has improved a lot from his previous period of staleness. Too Cold Scorpio came out post-match putting over both athletes, comparing them to Malenko-Guerrero & Rey Misterio, Jr.-Psicosis. He also suggested a rematch.

After intermission we were presented with the last 2 main events.

5. Young Bucks beat CIMA & Susumu Yokosuka (17:31)
This was match of the night. It was just fast & furious action. The Young Bucks have easily become the best/hottest act on the indy scene. Post-match The Young Bucks challenged any team in Dragon Gate.

6. Naruki Doi b. SHINGO Takagi (20:48)
Great main event with Doi sporting a Jun Akiyama look (circa 2000). SHINGO went all-out with a Rising Sun design  shaved into the sides of his Mohawk. Plenty of back-and-forth action.
 
The event in Philadelphia will be on Nov 28 where there will be a one-night tournament to crown the first Open The Freedom Gate Champion.

I will be reporting after the next DGUSA show in Chicago "Open The Untouchable Gate".