Gate of Destiny (2021)

Promotional poster featuring the Dragon Gate roster

The **Gate of Destiny (2021)** was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and GAORA TV event promoted by Dragon Gate. The event took place on November 3, 2021, in Osaka at the Edion Arena Osaka and it was the fifteenth annual event under the Gate of Destiny. The event was also available in their streaming service Dragon Gate Network in both English and Japanese commentaries and was broadcasted live at SKY PerfecTV! as pay-per-view (PPV).

The event was main evented by YAMATO defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against BxB Hulk. 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 Gate of Destiny 2021 was officially announced in September 2021. 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 Gate of Destiny 2021 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.

On October 7, YAMATO and BxB Hulk faced each other in a six-man tag team match, which Hulk pinned YAMATO. Afterwards, YAMATO cleaned and motioned towards the Open The Dream Gate Championship. However, Hulk dismissed YAMATO, stating that he did not recognise him and he had not interest in a title match. YAMATO was disappointed by Hulk's words and hoped that his fellow generational peer would be more willing to challenge him to a title match, instead YAMATO challenged Hulk to a match at Gate of Destiny, Hulk eventually accepted YAMATO's challenge. On October 16, following another six-man tag team match, YAMATO proclaimed that Hulk had still no interest in the title match and was already making excuses for when he lost. Meanwhile, Hulk stated that it was YAMATO, who made the challenge.

Also on October 7, following a six-man tag team match, Pro Wrestling NOAH's KONGOH (Kenoh and Haoh) made a suprise appearance in Dragon Gate, challenging Natural Vibes' (King Shimizu and Susumu Yokosuka) into a title match for the Open The Twin Gate Championship. Afterwards, Haoh was attacked by Yokosuka, before Natural Vibes accepting their challenge. Kenoh had recently appeared for the promotion in September for Dragon Gate shows on Amazon Prime.

The High-End and R.E.D angle resulted in Gate of Destiny also featured another prominent matche featuring the stables. On October 17, following a eight-man tag team match between the two stables, after Dragon Kid pinned one-third of the Open The Triangle Gate Champions H.Y.O, Ben-K, Dragon Kid and Keisuke Okuda challenged Eita, H.Y.O and Kaito Ishida into a title match for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship at Gate of Destiny, which R.E.D's leader Eita accepted. On October 23, Okuda injured his knee, during a match. The following day, Okuda's High-End Kagetora announced that he was going to replace Okuda in the title match.

## Results

1. ↑ Other participants: Konomama Ichikawa, Ho Ho Lun, Shachihoko BOY, Punch Tominaga, Super Shisa, Mondai Ryu, and Strong Machine J.