Final Gate (2022)

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
Promotion	Dragon Gate
Sponsor(s)	GAORA LEC
Date	02022-12-25-0000December 25, 2022
Attendance	2,589
Venue	Fukuoka International Center
City	Fukuoka, Japan
Event chronology
Previous The Gate of Origin (2022)
Next Champion Gate in Osaka (2023)
Final Gate chronology
Previous Final Gate (2021)
Next Final Gate (2023)

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.

Yuki Yoshioka, who will defend his Open the Dream Gate Championship against Ben-K in the main event.

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.

Results

#	Results	Stipulations	Times
1	Natural Vibes (Kzy, Jason Lee, Jacky "Funky" Kamei and Strong Machine J) defeated M3K (Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki, Yasushi Kanda and Mochizuki Junior)	Eight-man tag Team match	11:06
2	Yoshiki Kato and Kaito Nagano defeated Takashi Yoshida and Mondai Ryu	Tag Team match	2:46
3	Minorita defeated H.Y.O (c)	Singles match for the Open The Brave Gate Championship	8:49
4	Último Dragón, Dragon Kid, Dragon Dia and Bokutimo Dragon defeated Don Fujii, Genki Horiguchi, Eita and Ho Ho Lun	Eight-man tag Team match LEC FUWARUN MASK 8 Man Tag Team Match	11:06
5	Diamante defeated Kota Minoura	Singles match	12:07
6	Z-Brats (KAI, Shun Skywalker and ISHIN) (c) defeated Naruki Doi, Shuji Kondo and Toru Owashi	Six-man tag team match for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship	10:35
7	Shingo Takagi and BxB Hulk defeated YAMATO and Madoka Kikuta	Tag Team match LEC Gekiochi-kun presents Shingo Takagi is Back! Tag Team Match	18:22
8	Yuki Yoshioka (c) defeated Ben-K	Singles match for the Open The Dream Gate Championship	26:33
(c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match – refers to the video of that match