| 
August
31, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FINAL
Contact: Dragon Gate USA
(267) 519-9744
INTERNATIONAL
WRESTLING PHENOMENON DRAGON GATE USA LAUNCHES PPV SERIES THIS FRIDAY
“ENTER THE DRAGON” DEBUTS SEPTEMBER 4
DISH NETWORK ADDED TO PPV PARTNER LINEUP BRINGING DGUSA PPV
TO OVER 75 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTH AMERICA
New York, August 31, 2009 - Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA),
in association with G-Funk Sports & Entertainment
(G-Funk), will launch its first pay-per-view (PPV) event this Friday,
September 4 with “Enter The Dragon.” The two-hour event
will be available in over 75 million homes throughout North America,
distributed in association with iN DEMAND Networks,
Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the
United States, and Bell TV and Viewers Choice
in Canada. DGUSA’s agreement with DISH Network was finalized late last
week.
“Enter The Dragon” was taped July 25 in Philadelphia from The Arena
(former New Alhambra Arena/ECW Arena), and features a spectacular array
of talent from Japan, the U.S. and more. Initial screenings by select
media members has led to high praise for DGUSA’s debut PPV event: “This
is a must-buy PPV on Sept. 4 for all wrestling fans. Be ready to expose
yourself to some great wrestling featuring some of the most unique and
innovative talent from all across the world."- Sean Radican
at PWTorch.com.
DGUSA’s agreements calls for a card from North America’s newest, most
cutting-edge wrestling company approximately every 60 days from shows
filmed in the United States. A total of six cards are planned throughout
‘09/’10 and will be available on a PPV and Video On Demand (VOD) basis.
DGUSA Vice President Gabe Sapolsky is excited to share “today’s best
wrestling, tomorrow’s styles” with the debut of “Enter The Dragon.”
"I saw an opportunity to bring something new, fresh and exciting
to†pay-per-view with Dragon Gate USA. The athleticism and wrestling
style displayed on "Enter The Dragon" has never been seen
before on North American television. Cutting edge wrestling with charismatic
stars and innovative athletes is finally here."
Long revered by a loyal underground fan base, Dragon Gate has been one
of the hottest wrestling promotions in Japan over the past few years.
The company started out as a local promotion in 2004 and has quickly
risen up the ranks, regularly packing houses in excess of 10,000 fans
and producing more than 250 shows a year nationwide in Japan. Dragon
Gate has been a staple on Gaora TV and produced pay-per-view events
in its home country.
“Wrestling fans around the world know the Dragon Gate stars, “ DGUSA
President Satoshi Oji stated. “The next logical step was to launch Dragon
Gate USA and showcase these athletes in North America. We are excited
to partner with G-Funk Sports & Entertainment and look forward to
bringing the next evolution of wrestling to pay-per-view throughout
the United States and Canada.”
In celebration of the PPV launch and as a way to give even more value
back to the fans, DGUSA announced a special PPV promotion today: Fans
that purchase the first three PPV events (September’s “Enter The Dragon”,
November’s “Untouchable” and January’s “Freedom Fight”) will receive
a limited edition wall-size poster featuring exclusive DGUSA PPV artwork.
Full details are available on the DGUSA website: www.DGUSA.tv
G-Funk Sports and Entertainment represented DGUSA in its negotiations
with the PPV companies and the company will also handle all affiliate
relations for the wrestling programs moving forward. DGUSA PPV affiliates
now have access to a newly created affiliate website, www.dgusa.tv/affiliates
containing easy-to-implement marketing materials and all event information.
Each show will also be supported by a range of targeted national consumer
advertising and promotion.
According to Mr. Gelman, “Dragon Gate USA will offer wrestling fans
throughout North America a reason to celebrate. These distinctive programs
will present a showcase for the most talented and athletic wrestlers
on the planet and provide a popular new option for cable operators and
satellite providers as they expand their transactional offerings.”
About Dragon Gate USA
Dragon Gate USA recently launched on April 15th of this year and received
an immediate following. The combination of Sapolsky and†a talent roster
focused on Japan's renowned Dragon Gate athletes saw the company's website
(www.DGUSA.tv) gain
20,000 unique visitors in just its first week and DGUSA's debut event,
July 25, 2009 in Philadelphia, was a sellout. Dragon Gate USA is based
on a motto of "Evolve, Progress and Appreciation."
Dragon Gate USA is the North American brand of Dragon Gate in Japan.
Dragon Gate is now Japan's hottest promotion with regular PPVs, 250-300
live events per year and attendances that top 10,000 fans.
About G-Funk Sports & Entertainment
G-Funk Sports & Entertainment (www.g-funksports.com)
is a full-service agency dedicated to brand activation, strategic integration
and driving maximum return on investment for its clients, headed up
by Award-winning NHL and WWE marketing and television veteran Ken Gelman.
G-Funk's strengths center on three primary areas, Marketing Services
(consumer promotion, affiliate activation and events), Partnership Alliances
and Content Management (including distribution drives and launch strategies).
Client partners include the National Football League, Ring Of Honor
and Strikeforce.
# # #
|