Dragon Dia
| Dragon Dia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Dia in July 2024 |
| Born | October 31, 1998[1] Suzaka, Japan |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Dragon Dia |
| Billed height | 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)[2] |
| Billed weight | 70 kg (154 lb) |
| Trained by | Dragon Kid |
| Debut | 2018 |
Dragon Dia (ドラゴン・ダイヤ, Doragon Daiya) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese promotion Dragon Gate where he is a former Open the Brave Gate Champion, Open the Twin Gate Champion and Open the Triangle Gate Champion.[3][4]
Professional wrestling career
[edit]Dragon Gate (2018–present)
[edit]Dia made his professional wrestling debut in Dragon Gate on the first night of the Gate Of Evolution 2018 from November 6, where he teamed up with his coach Dragon Kid in a losing effort against R.E.D. (Eita and Yasushi Kanda).[5] After two years of rookie status, he eventually began chasing various championships, and capturing the Open the Triangle Gate Championship alongside Ben-K and Strong Machine J from Team Toryumon (Dragon Kid, Kenichiro Arai and Ryo Saito) on February 29, 2020 at Dragon Gate Champion Gate In Osaka.[6] His biggest accomplishment to date is the Open the Brave Gate Championship, title which he has firstly won at Open the New Year Gate 2022 on January 12 by defeating SB Kento.[7]
Dia is known for competing in various of the promotion's signature events, such as the King of Gate tournament, making his first appearance at the 2020 edition where he defeated Takashi Yoshida in the first rounds but fell short to Kazma Sakamoto in the second round.[8] At the 2022 edition, he fought into a double disqualification against H.Y.O which attracted an elimination for both of them from the first rounds.[9]
Dia competed in the Gate of Destiny series of pay-per-views, which is considered to be the promotion's top yearly event. He made his first appearance at the 2019 edition where he won a 10-man battle royal also involving Ho Ho Lun, Jimmy, Kagetora, Kanjyuro Matsuyama, Mondai Ryu, Oji Shiiba, Punch Tominaga, Stalker Ichikawa and Shachihoko Boy.[10] During his tenure, Dia joined various stables. The first one was "Team Dragon Gate". At the 2020 edition of the Gate of Destiny, he teamed up with stablemates Ben-K and Strong Machine J to defeat R.E.D. (BxB Hulk, Dia Inferno and H.Y.O) in six-man tag team action.[11] The second unit he joined was "Masquerade" and at the 2021 edition of Destiny, he teamed up with stablemates Kota Minoura and La Estrella to defeat R.E.D. (Kai, Diamante, SB Kento and Dia Inferno).[12] His current unit is D'courage. At the 2022 edition of the Destiny, he teamed up with stablemate Madoka Kikuta to retain the Open the Twin Gate Championship over Natural Vibes (Big Boss Shimizu and Strong Machine J).[13]
Other Promotions (2022–present)
[edit]The only other promotion from the Japanese scene for which Dia has worked is Pro Wrestling Noah prior to his entry in Best of the Super Juniors 31 in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He took part in a cross-over event promoted by them alongside Dragon Gate on November 11, 2022, the NOAH Global Dream where he teamed up with Alejandro, Dragon Kid, Xtreme Tiger and Ninja Mack to defeat Kongo (Hajime Ohara and Hi69) & Z-Brats (BxB Hulk, Diamante & H.Y.O).[14]
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]- Dragon Gate
- Open the Brave Gate Championship (2 times)
- Open the Twin Gate Championship (3 times) – with Yuki Yoshioka (2), and Madoka Kikuta (1)[15]
- Open the Triangle Gate Championship (2 times) – with Jason Lee and La Estrella (1), and Ben-K and Strong Machine J (1)[16]
- King of Gate (2024)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
References
[edit]- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Dragon Dia • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Dragon Dia/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ InternetWrestling Database (IWD). "Dragon Dia Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ DRAGONGATE：ドラゴンゲート公式サイト ドラゴン・ダイヤ. Dragon Gate (in Japanese). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 6, 2018). "Dragon Gate The Gate Of Evolution 2018 - Tag 1". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Daly, Wayne (March 1, 2020). "Dragon Gate Results: Champion Gate 2020 In Osaka Day 1 – Osaka, Japan (2/29)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Lowe, Case (January 13, 2022). "DRAGONGATE OPEN THE NEW YEAR GATE (JANUARY 12) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Sarpracione, Mathew (May 14, 2020). "King of Gate Tournament 2020: Preview". prowrestlingpost.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ Lowe, Case (June 3, 2022). "DRAGONGATE KING OF GATE FINALS (JUNE 2) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Lowe, Case (November 6, 2019). "DRAGON GATE GATE OF DESTINY 2019 (NOVEMBER 4) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ Lowe, Case (November 3, 2020). "DRAGONGATE GATE OF DESTINY (NOVEMBER 3) REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Lowe, Case (November 4, 2021). "DRAGONGATE GATE OF DESTINY 2021 (NOVEMBER 3) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ Lowe, Case (November 7, 2022). "DRAGONGATE GATE OF DESTINY (NOVEMBER 7) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Gerard, Di Trolio (November 14, 2022). "NOAH/DRAGONGATE GLOBAL DREAM (NOVEMBER 11) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Wrestling Titles. "Open the Twin Gate Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Wrestling Titles. "Open the Triangle Gate Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Dilta, Abhishek (September 16, 2022). "PWI 500 2022 List Rankings Full List Male And Female Wrestlers". thesportsgrail.com. Retrieved December 18, 2022.