Dangerous Gate (2022)

Promotional card for the event

The **Dangerous Gate (2022)** was professional wrestling event promoted by Dragon Gate (DG). The event took place on September 19, 2022, in Tokyo at the Ota Ward General Gymnasium and it was the nineteenth annual event under the Dangerous Gate name.

The event was main event by Yuki Yoshioka defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Eita. The event aired on GAORA and the Dragon Gate Network streaming service. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the event had some restrictions in the attendance, after the Japanese Government lifted the State of Emergency.

## Production

### Background

The Dangerous Gate 2022 was officially announced in August 2022. The aired live through Dragon Gate's internet streaming site, Dragon Gate Network, with Japanese and English language commentaries. The Japanese commentary was provided by Katsuya Ichikawa, while the English commentary was provided by Jae Church. The event also aired on tape delay on Japanese TV Gaora Sports that was launched in Dragon Gate's ~ Infinity ~ Series.

#### Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, other wrestling promotions began to cancel or postpone their shows in an attempt to prevent further spreading of the COVID-19 virus. On March 1, Dragon Gate began canceling events starting with the Glorious Gate tour between March 3 and March 8 and the March 13th show, including a show on March 5 in the Korakuen Hall. Initially, it was announced that the Glorious Gate would be resumed on March 14, however, the tour ended up being canceled, following the recommendations by the Japanese Ministry of Health regarding the coronavirus pandemic. On March 11, it was announced that the Memorial Gate in Wakayama would be postponed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 22, Dragon Gate began holding shows behind closed doors with no audience and only essential staff present. Four days later, Dragon Gate canceled more events from March 28 through March 31. This led to on March 30, Dragon Gate canceling more events from April 4 through April 8. On April 8, Dragon Gate canceled more events including 2020 Dead or Alive, following Japan's declaration State of Emergency. On May 11, Dragon Gate canceled more events from June 2 through June 10. From May 15 to June 7, Dragon Gate held the entire 2020 King of Gate behind closed doors with no audience and only essential staff present, leading all Dragon Gate programming being relocated to the Kobe Lapis Hall. The format of the tournament was changed to a singles elimination tournament for the first time in four years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 12, Dragon Gate announced the rules and regulations for fans who attend Dragon Gate events. On June 17, it was announced that starting on July 4, Dragon Gate would be resuming shows with fans after the Japanese Government lifted the State of Emergency.

### Storylines

The Dangerous Gate (2022) featured professional wrestling matches that involved wrestlers from pre-existing feuds and storylines that played out on the Dragon Gate's television program. Wrestlers portrayed heroes or villains as they followed a series of events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.

The Dangerous Gate (2022) will be main event by Yuki Yoshioka defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Eita. On August 7, Eita and Kzy challenged Yoshioka to a title match for the Open The Dream Gate Championship, which he accepted, leading Dragon Gate's General Manager Ryo Saito to announce a match between Eita and Kzy with the winner becoming the number one contender and face Yoshioka at Dangerous Gate. On August 10, Eita defeated Kzy to become the number one contender. Afterwards, he called out Yoshioka, who had recently won the Open The Dream Gate Championship, and challenged him to a title match, setting up the title match at Dangerous Gate. On September 9, Eita scored a direct victory after submitting him, during a six-man tag team match. Afterwards, Eita mocked him, questioning his resolve as champion.

On August 11, Ishin Iihashi faced Mochizuki Junior in a losing effort. Afterwards, both were caught up in a father and son rivalry between Iihashi and his father Ishinriki and Junior and his father Masaaki Mochizuki, following a confrontation between the latters. On September 8, Ishinriki and his son Ishin faced Mochizuki and his son Junior in a winning effort, with Ishin pinning Mochizuki. Afterwards, Ishin challenged him to a title match for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship alongside his father. This led to Mochizuki questioning, who would team with them, as Ishin's brother Riki and their mother Utako Hozumi were retired. Hozumi, who was present at ringside, came into the ring and announced Fujiko, who was Don Fujii in drag, to be her sister and would compete along with her family, setting up the title match at Dangerous Gate. Ishinriki and Masaaki Mochizuki faced each other in Mochizuki's debut match at WAR in 1994.

On August 24, following a six-man tag team match, Dragon Dia and Madoka Kikuta, challenged Jason Lee and Jacky "Funky" Kamei to a title match for the Open The Twin Gate Championship, this was followed by High-End's Ben-K and YAMATO, who also challenged Lee and Kamei to a title match, leading to a number one contenders match between the two teams on September 4. At the event, Dia and Kikuta defeated Ben-K and YAMATO to become the number one contenders, setting up the title match at Dangerous Gate.

In August, Gold Class began tempting YAMATO to join them. Meanwhile, Ben-K and YAMATO began having a rift with each other, following the Open The Twin Gate Championship number one contenders match, after he and YAMATO, due to Ben-K unitencionally attacked YAMATO. On September 9, during a match, between High-End and Gold Class, Ben-K chased Minorita to the backstage area, before returning in a Gold Class themed ring attire, turning on YAMATO and deffecting to Gold Class. Afterwards, it was announced that High-End's YAMATO, Dragon Kid and Kagetora would face Gold Class' Ben-K, Kota Minoura and Naruki Doi at the event.