Big Hug (ビッグハグ Bigguhaguu) was a professional wrestling stable formed by Luís Mante and Hyo in November 2023, working for Dragon Gate (DG).
Following the conclusion of a feud between Luís Mante and Z-Brats, both decided to form a team, which was named "Big Hug", which was upgraded to unit status in January 2024, with Mante and Hyo achieving quickly singles success with Mante holding the Open The Dream Gate and Hyo the Open The Brave Gate Championship. They would become a stable in May, after being joined by Jacky Kamei. The stable was disbanded in November 2024.
History[]
Formation (2023)[]
In April 2023, Diamante reignited his feud with Último Dragón, culminating a five-way mask vs. mask steel cage survival match at Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival on July 2, where Diamante lost his mask, after Shun Skywalker turned on him and expelled him from Z-Brats.
After a brief period in Mexico, he returned to Dragon Gate on October 6, under the ring name "Luís Mante", confronting Skywalker, and challenging him to a singles match. Despite his challenge, Skywalker accepted under the condition that Mante would face him on a Four-on-One handicap match, between him and Z-Brats, which he accepted. On November 9, Mante defeated Z-Brats in the Four-on-One handicap match, after H.Y.O turned on Skywalker, allowing Mante to secure the win. Afterwards, both formed a team named "Big Hug". On December 5, Hyo defeated ISHIN to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship. On December 24 at Final Gate, Mante defeated Skywalker and Madoka Kikuta to win the Open The Dream Gate Championship. Afterwards, Skywalker demanded to be Mante's first challenger for the title.
Transition to unit status (2024)[]
On January 27, 2024, at Gate of Bayside, Mante successfully defended the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Shun Skywalker, ending their feud with Z-Brats. The following day, Big Hug announced that they have officially upgraded their team to full fledged unit status. Shortly after, Big Hug tried to convince Jacky "Funky" Kamei to join them alonside D'Courage's Madoka Kikuta and Z-Brats Shun Skywalker, which he eventually refused. From March 6 to April 10, Big Hug took part in the 2024 Rey de Parejas, finishing the tournament with a record of two wins, two draws, and one loss, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. On April 10, Big Hug were defeated in the semifinals by Naruki Doi and Dragon Kid. Later that night, Mante saved Último Dragón from an attack by Z-Brats' Gianni Valletta. Shortly after, Hyo helped Natural Vibes fend off an attack by Z-Brats, leading Dragon Gate's General Manager Ryo Saito to set a Steel cage match between Hyo and Natural Vibes and Z-Brats on the other side at Dead or Alive on May 5. At the event, Mante successfully defend the Open The Dream Gate Championship against Valletta. In the main event, Hyo had the chance to leave early in the match but chose to stay and assist Kamei from a Skywalker and Lee assault. He would end up paying for it as he lost his hair being the last wrestler to remain in the cage. Afterwards, Kamei decided to join Big Hug and shave part of his hair to thank for Hyo's help. On June 4, Mante lost the Open The Dream Gate Championship to Ben-K. On July 21 at Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, Hyo lost the Open The Brave Gate Championship to Dragon Dia.
On September 5, Big Hug and Gold Class offered rookie Homare Kato an invitation to join their groups, with Kato chosing to join Z-Brats. However in a surprise turn of events, Kato revealed that he chose to join Z-Brats stable, refusing Big Hug's offer. On October 4, after Gold Class was defeated by Z-Brats in a loser leave unit expulsion match, Big Hug and Gold Class decided to join forces and confronted Z-Brats, challenging them to a match. On October 13, a combined team of Big Hug and Gold Class was defeated by Z-Brats, , following a miscommunication between both teams. Afterwards, Z-Brats' Shun Skywalker demanded both stables to be disbanded, leading Dragon Gate's General Manager Ryo Saito to set up a three-way Loser Disbands match, between the three stables at Gate of Destiny. At the event, on November 3, Big Hug was forced to disband, after Hyo was pinned by Minoura.
Members[]
| * | Founding member |
|---|---|
| I | Leader |
| Member | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| Luís Mante | * | November 9, 2023 – November 3, 2024 |
| Hyo | *I | November 9, 2023 – November 3, 2024 |
| Jacky Kamei | May 5, 2024 – November 3, 2024 | |
Timeline[]
Championships and Accomplishments[]
- Dragon Gate
- Open The Dream Gate Championship (1 time) – Mante
- Open The Brave Gate Championship (1 time) – Hyo
