Dragon Gate USA launches with ex-ROH booker as VP

Japanese wrestling promotion Dragon Gate has launched an official Dragon Gate USA spinoff, complete with a Dragon Gate USA Web site and former Ring of Honor booker Gabe Sapolsky as its Philadelphia-based vice-president.

Laying the gauntlet down further, Dragon Gate USA's first show of its new incarnation will take place July 25 at The Arena in south Philadelphia, Pa., the heart of the Ring of Honor territory. Another DGUSA show is expected later in the year in metro Chicago.

The direct competitive challenge may in part explain the recent spate of reports over financial issues concerning the use of Dragon Gate wrestlers on Ring of Honor shows. Considering the recent fan dissatisfaction over ROH booking in the post-Sapolsky era, it's conceivable that part of the core ROH fanbase could redirect its live & DVD spending to DGUSA.

______________________