The Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival (2024) or often referred to as Kobe World was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event promoted by Dragon Gate (DG). The event took place on July 21, 2024, at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan. It was the 20th Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, which is Dragon Gate's biggest annual event and it's similar to NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom. 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 show was headlined by Ben-K defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against YAMATO. Another title match for the show featured Hyo defending the Open The Brave Gate Championship against Dragon Dia. Two other title matches also took place on the show with Natural Vibes (Big Boss Shimizu, Strong Machine J and U-T) defending the Open The Triangle Gate Championship against Gold Class (BxB Hulk, Minorita and Mochizuki Junior) and Not Hug (Dragon Kid and Naruki Doi) defending the Open The Twin Gate Championship against Big Hug (Luís Mante and Jacky Kamei), Natural Vibes (Kzy and Flamita) and Z-Brats (Shun Skywalker and Jason Lee) in a four-way elimination match.
Production[]
Background[]
Since 2004, Dragon Gate began annually producing shows on July in the World Memorial Hall, in Kobe, Japan becoming Dragon Gate's premier annual event similar to what WrestleMania is for WWE and American professional wrestling and Wrestle Kingdom is for NJPW and Japanese professional wrestling. The event celebrates the anniversary of the company after it was formed during the last Vo Aniversario. The Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival 2023 was officially announced on April 3, 2024. The event aired live through Dragon Gate's internet streaming site, Dragon Gate Network, and Nico Nico Douga, with Japanese language and English language commentaries. The Japanese commentary was provided by Katsuya Ichikawa while the English commentary was provided by Jae Church and Ho Ho Lun. The event also aired on tape delay on the Japanese TV Gaora Sports to be launched in the Dragon Gate's ~ Infinity ~ Series. The event also was broadcasted live at SKY PerfecTV! as a pay-per-view (PPV) event.
Storylines[]
The Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival 2024 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.
YAMATO, who challenged Ben-K for the Open The Dream Gate Championship at the main event
Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival (2024) was main evented by Ben-K defending the Open The Dream Gate Championship against YAMATO. On June 5, YAMATO defeated Kota Minoura in a Hair vs. Hair Match, as result, he was forced to shave his hair. Following the match, YAMATO challenged Ben-K to a title match for the Open The Dream Gate Championship, while also downplaying's Reiwa New Generation. Ben-K, who felt disrespected by YAMATO, accepted his challenge. Afterwards, Dragon Gate General Manager Ryo Saito, set up the title match for Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival.
Also on June 5, after Hyo successfully defended the Open The Brave Gate Championship against Flamita, he decided to challenge Dragon Dia to a match for his title at Kobe World. Hyo stated that he was jealous of Dia for taking part in New Japan Pro Wrestling's month-long 2024 Best of the Super Juniors, and that he was at the "top middle and lightweight" of Dragon Gate, due to also holding the Open The Brave Gate Championship. He also aimed to break the record for most successfull title defenses, held by PAC at 11. Meanwhile, Dia who was watching him from the balcony, sought avenge his loss to him at 2022 Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, where their match was also contested for the Open The Brave Gate Championship.
Not Hug (Naruki Doi and Dragon Kid), who defended the Open The Twin Gate Championship at the event
On June 9, one-half of the reigning Open The Twin Gate Champions Dragon Kid was pinned by Kzy in a six-man tag team match. Afterwards, Kzy and Flamita challenged Kid and Naruki Doi to a title match for the Open The Twin Gate Championship. However, Big Hug's Luís Mante and Jacky Kamei and Z-Brats' Shun Skywalker and Jason Lee also challenged Kid and Doi to a title match, due to Skywalker also having a pinfall victory over Kid, which he picked up four days prior. This led to Dragon Gate General Manager Ryo Saito, setting up a four-way title match for Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival.
On July 5, Mochizuki Junior faced his father Masaaki Mochizuki in a draw, with both of them being knocked out. Afterwards, Junior was carried over by Ben-K to the backstage with him. The following day, Gold Class' Ben-K, BxB Hulk and Minorita faced reigning Open The Triangle Gate Champions Natural Vibes (Big Boss Shimizu, Strong Machine J and U-T) in a winning effort. Afterwards, Junior was accepted as the newest member of Gold Class, before challenging Natural Vibes to a title match at Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, which they accepted.
