Neville Makes Dragon Gate Return
Geordie returns to former Japanese stomping ground.
After gradually transforming into the man that wrestling forgot since his WWE freeze-out and eventual contract release, Neville has finally resurfaced in the ring, making a surprise appearance for Dragon Gate last night.
The former Neville turned up in the Kobe promotion under his previous name of Pac, alongside Eita of stable Real Extreme Diffusion, to disrupt Shingo Takagi's final match for the group. He quickly seemed to shed any accumulated ring rust, flying around the ring as though he'd never been away.
Earlier this afternoon, Dragon Gate announced Pac's first match for the company, as part of a huge 12-man tag scheduled for Korakuen Hall on 6 November:
At this point, there's no definite word on whether this is a permanent switch for Pac, or a temporary arrangement to help boost interest in a promotion that has been flagging somewhat of late. Though Dragon Gate remain Japan's number two organisation, 2018 has seen a general decline in their business, with their annual supershow, Kobe World, dropping its attendance by 50%. Takagi's impending departure, alongside that of prominent talent Cima, has been one of the main reasons for their fading popularity.
There's little question Neville's surprise arrival has raised a level of interest in Dragon Gate its barely experienced in the west since its mid-2000s heyday. The Geordie was a major part of the promotion at the peak of its popularity in North America, holding the wonderfully named Open the Brave Gate championship for over 400 days during his spell in 2010. As ever, check back for more on this story as it emerges.