Open The Voice Gate - Dia Leaves Dragongate
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Dragon Dia departure
Dragon Dia has left Dragon Gate. This is something that we were alluding to heavily a couple weeks ago when we were talking about the Shima and Magnum Tokyo talk show and Dragon Gate's response to that.
After taking into account my future and my personal life, I've decided to leave the promotion as of this month. Additionally, in order to take time to reflect and recharge going forward, I will be temporarily suspending my activities April 1st.
Dragon Dia had previously expressed his intention to leave the company. However, as this occurred during the term of his exclusive contract with us, it required coordination and response across various areas. As discussions came to be conducted through a representative, we were unable to engage in constructive and smooth dialogue and were left with no choice but to proceed in accordance with the terms of the contract.
This Dragon Dia departure feels different on a few levels. I think the company response to it is different than the normal departure. I think the roster response to this is fascinating, and I think that's different than your normal departure.
There are no facts of major injuries or physical or mental ailments, nor any incidences or causing or being in trouble. There's also no fact of having a contract with any specific organization and that this decision is entirely based on my own free will.
The first thing that somebody hit me up about this morning as I was talking about this with somebody that lives in Japan and goes to a lot of Dragon Gate shows, the first thing they mentioned to me was this is a huge loss because Dia is huge with children.
Dragon Gate future
I would be lying if I said at some point today, it didn't cross my mind that this could be the type of thing that eventually sinks this promotion as a relevant promotion.
Backstage morale
I've never seen in my history of covering the promotion, I've never seen the roster have a dissenting public opinion from what the company themselves are saying.
Dragon Dia's role
Daya has become not the face of the modern generation of Dragon Gate, but almost the mascot of the modern generation of Dragon Gate.
Dragon Gate history
I think it's undeniable that that is the match [Mask vs. Mask] that kick-started modern-day Dragon Gate.
