Dragon Gate -- Open the Dream Gate 2005

DRAGON GATE 2005
OPEN THE DREAM GATE

It is June 2005. Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" is topping the charts. The first ever YouTube video is uploaded, titled "Me at the zoo." Pope John Paul II is dead. And in Japan, professional wrestling (or "puroresu" as the Japanese call it in their language, called "Japanese") is having a boom period. New Japan is invigorated with two hot young talents in Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura. NOAH has absorbed All Japan after Mitsuharu Misawa's mass exodus in the aftermath of Giant Baba's death. There is also a large and active number of independent promotions with lucha libre-inspired styles, termed "lucharesu." Among these is Dragon Gate, formerly Toryumon, headed by Ultimo Dragon, a lucharesu pioneer. After months of highly-regarded shows and buzz among fans, the promotion is poised to make even bigger moves.

A super dance unit led by the face of Dragon Gate, the titular dragon, Ultimo Dragon. A default sekigun of sorts.

Told he was "too small" by the New Japan dojo, Yoshihiro Asai traveled to Japan where he learned the lucha libre style and adopted the name and mask of Ultimo Dragon. Had stints in the WCW in the 1990s and then the WWE in the early 2000s. Now the owner and ace of Dragon Gate.

Considered the heir apparent to Ultimo Dragon. One of the best high flyers in Japan in the right environment.

Very popular rudo group based around super-cool CIMA and psycho brawler SUWA.

One of the top juniors in Japan. Made it to the finals of the 2000 Super J-Cup. Cool in a bad guy way.

Founding member of Crazy MAX. Insane no-nonsense fighter. Scary in a bad guy way.

Recruited and trained mainly by CIMA. Comes from a bodybuilding background, having won several junior championships as a bodybuilder. He is also a graduate of the Animal Hamiguchi Dojo.

Originally a super-rudo group, M2K wreaked havoc at every turn, going by the slogan "Rudest of the Rude" and "Double Ringout Committee" (this stemmed from their constant forcing of double ringout finishes, to disappoint fans and ruin shows). Since then they have become popular and are now "tweeners."

A former karateka and graduate of Koji Kitao's dojo. Made his name in WAR and BattlARTS. Most notable was his appearance in the 1995 Super J-Cup. Founding member of M2K.

Also has the surname "Mochizuki" (hence the "M2" in M2K), but was forced by Masaaki to change his last name to his hometown. Part of a potent team with K-Ness.

Formerly Darkness Dragon, now wears a blue outfit and goes by his new name. Had an intense rivalry with Dragon Kid.

Made up of egotistical and fashionable Italians.

Founding member and leader of the Italian Connection. Very talented technician with a unique lanky physique.

Noted early on for his incredible speed in the ring.

Famous for their violent actions and lack of respect for their opponents.

Former rugby player known for his size and strength. Brutish leader of VDM.

The mouthpiece of the group, known for his sleazy style.

New stable led by Magnum TOKYO meant to launch Ishimori's career. All about dancing and fun.

One of the key players in Dragon Gate, known for his AV idol gimmick. His dance has become a Dragon Gate trademark.

A hot prospect and expected to be the next ace of the company. Being mentored by Magnum.

Young prospect with a twin brother named Shu. Known for his pretty boy appearance.

Used to have a caveman gimmick, but came back as a singer of traditional Japanese music. His in-ring work is passable, but nothing special as it never was.

Big, burly junior with an Afro and a Latin America salsa dancer gimmick.

Veteran junior from Okinawa with the gimmick of a half-dog, half-lion creature from Ryukyuan culture.