Final Gate (2022)

Promotional poster featuring various Dragon Gate wrestlers, including the main guest of the show Shingo Takagi

### Tagline(s)

"The Decisive Special Match" (Japanese: スペシャルマッチ決定!!, Hepburn: *Supesharu Matchi Kettei!!*)

## Information

### Sponsor(s)

GAORA
LEC

### City

Fukuoka, Japan

The **Final Gate (2022)** was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and GAORA TV event promoted by Dragon Gate. The event took place on December 25, 2022, in Fukuoka at the Fukuoka International Center and it is the seventeenth annual event under the Final Gate. The event aired on GAORA and Dragon Gate Network streaming service in both English and Japanese commentaries and was broadcasted live at SKY PerfecTV! as pay-per-view (PPV). The event was main evented by Yuki Yoshioka defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Ben-K.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had some restrictions in the attendance, after the Japanese Government lifted the State of Emergency.

## Production

### Background

The Final Gate (2022) aired live through Dragon Gate's internet streaming site, Dragon Gate Network, with Japanese language commentaries. The Japanese commentary was provided by Katsuya Ichikawa. The event also aired on tape delay on Japanese TV Gaora Sports to be launched in Dragon Gate's ~ Infinity ~ Series. The event also featured English commentary provided by Jae Church and Larry Dallas. On December 20, it was announced that due to an on-mechanical complication at the venue, that the English commentary for the event would be tapped in the comming days. On December 7, it was announced that GAINA and Toru Owashi would be special guests at the event.

### Storylines

The Final Gate (2022) featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.

The Final Gate (2022) was main evented by Yuki Yoshioka defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Ben-K. On December 6, Yoshioka sucessfully defenfed the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Masaaki Mochizuki. Afterwards, a mysterious letter was sent out to Yoshioka with a golden rose, which was revealed to be Ben-K that wanted to be the next challenger for the title, leading Yoshioka to accept his challenge.

Also at the event, Shingo Takagi made a surprise return to Dragon Gate, saving YAMATO from an attack by Z-Brats, before challenging him to a tag team match, where he would team with his long time rival BxB Hulk to face YAMATO and a partner of his choosing. Shortly after, YAMATO requested Madoka Kikuta to be his partner, setting up the match at Final Gate.

On December 10, following a six-man tag team match, Minorita challenged H.Y.O to a title match for the Open The Brave Gate Championship. The following day, Minorita repeated his challenge, but he refused. Último Dragón wanted to make an official number one contender match between Minorita and Ryu Fuda, since Fuda losing to H.Y.O earlier. After Rock Paper Scissors, it was decided that Minorita would have the title match at Final Gate.

On December 16, Shuji Kondo pinned KAI during a six-man tag team match. Afterwards, he challenged him, Shun Skywalker and ISHIN to a title match for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship at Final Gate, with his partners being Naruki Doi and Toru Owashi.