Every Major Wrestling World Title - Ranked From Least To Most Prestigious

In the 2000s, Dragon Gate was the hipster promotion of choice; borrowing the hybrid puro/lucha in-ring mode innovated by Michinoku Pro, with an additional fusion of dizzying warp speed, the cool cast of characters - and Champions - turned heads in North America when the promotion partnered with Ring Of Honor to present revolutionary six-man trios wars. It was at ROH Supercard Of Honor, in 2006, that one of if not the first-ever "Please don't stop" chant broke out.

The landmark six-man match was beyond exhilarating.

Those seduced it by found yet more riches in the promotion itself - though the doubles and trios action was the promotion's key strength, lessening the must-see appeal of its nominal top prize, the very beauty of which, with its unique locked gatefold metal design, was a sumptuous reflection of the gorgeous in-ring action. Dragon Gate simply operates under a different narrative philosophy, preferring gang warfare over the pursuit of individual glory.

Dragon Gate has retained a core domestic audience - it remains the second-biggest group in Japan - but it feels like a promotion trapped in time, having discovered and not deviated from a niche style that, no matter how well performed, suffers from the law of diminishing returns in 2018. That style remains in place in parallel with its top stars, who largely retain a stranglehold over the top title.

Once the freshest promotion on the face of the planet, the Dragon's smoke has grown stale.