List of professional wrestling promotions in Japan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about professional wrestling promotions in Japan. For an international listing, see List of professional wrestling promotions.

This is a list of professional wrestling promotions in Japan which includes both national and independent puroresu and joshi companies from the post-World War II period up to the present day.

Major promotions[]

Puroresu[]

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All Japan Pro Wrestling Yokohama Tsuyoki Fukuda 1972– Affiliated with National Wrestling Alliance until 1990.[1][2][3]
DDT Pro-Wrestling Tokyo CyberAgent 1997– As of July 2020, DDT is promoted as one of the four brands under the CyberFight umbrella.[1][4]
Dragon Gate Kobe 2004– Known as Toryumon Japan from 1997 to 2004.[1][5]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Bushiroad 1972– [1][6][7]
Pro Wrestling Noah Tokyo CyberAgent[8] 2000– As of July 2020, NOAH is promoted as one of the four brands under the CyberFight umbrella.[1][9][10]

Joshi[]

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
World Wonder Ring Stardom Tokyo Bushiroad 2010–
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling Tokyo CyberAgent 2012– As of July 2020, TJPW is promoted as one of the four brands under the CyberFight umbrella.

Independent promotions[]

Puroresu[]

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
 [ja] Tokyo Onryo 2003– Also known as Triple 6.
Active Advance Pro Wrestling Chiba Taka Michinoku 2002– Known as Kaientai Dojo and K-Dojo until 2019.
Asuka Pro Wrestling Tokyo Akira Shinose 2014– Previously named Asuka Project until 2019.[11]
Big Japan Pro Wrestling Yokohama Eiji Tosaka 1995–
Colega Pro Wrestling Osaka The Bodyguard 2021- [12]
Chō Sentō Puroresu FMW Greater Tokyo Area Akihito Ichihara
Yukihide Ueno 		1989–2002
2015– 		Previously named Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling.[1][13][14]
 [ja] Osaka Dotonbori Entertainment System 2013- [15]
 [ja] Hiroshima  [ja] 2005–
Dradition Tokyo Tatsumi Fujinami 2008–
FREEDOMS Chigasaki Takashi Sasaki 2009– [16]
Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling Tokyo CyberAgent 2013- Originally a special event by parent company DDT, GanPro has since become its own promotion and as of July 2020, it is promoted as one of the four brands under the CyberFight umbrella, along with DDT.[17]
Gleat Yūrakuchō, Tokyo LIDET Entertainment 2020– Founded by the former parent company of Pro Wrestling Noah, the promotion styles itself as something of a spiritual successor of the UWF and UWFi.
Hard Hit Tokyo Hikaru Sato 2015- Originally a series of events under DDT Pro-Wrestling, Hard Hit established itself as an independent promotion in 2015.[18]
Hitachi Pro Wrestling Kanto region 2008– [19]
Hokuto Pro Wrestling Hokkaido Crane Nakajo 2004–
Lion's Gate Project Tokyo Bushiroad 2015– Developmental branch of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Michinoku Pro Wrestling Morioka Jinsei Shinzaki 1993–
New Nemuro Pro Wrestling 2006– [20]
Osaka Pro Wrestling Osaka Super Delfin
Yuji Sakagami 		1998–
Ossan Style Wrestling Osaka 2019– Originally called Osaka Style Wrestling, the promotion restarted as Ossan Style Wrestling in 2020.[21]
Pro-Wrestling Basara Shinjuku, Tokyo Isami Kodaka 2015– Continuation of Union Pro Wrestling. Pro Wrestling Basara spun off from DDT Pro-Wrestling on January 1, 2020.
Pro Wrestling Dewa Tohoku region Lock Suzuki 2004– [22]
Pro Wrestling Freedoms Tokyo Takashi Sasaki 2009–
 [ja] Tokyo Mototsugu Shimizu
Jun Ogawauchi 		2009– Continuation of El Dorado Wrestling.
 [ja] Osaka Eiji Sahara 2010– [23]
Pro Wrestling Zero1 Tokyo First On Stage Inc. 2001– [1][24][25]
Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out Tokyo Taka Michinoku 2019–
Real Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Satoru Sayama 2005–
Tenryu Project Tokyo Genichiro Tenryu 2010–2015
2020– 		Closed in 2015 after promoters retirement, re-established in 2020
Tokyo Gurentai Tokyo Nosawa Rongai
Mazada 		2010–

Joshi[]

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Actwres girl'Z Tokyo Super Project Co. Ltd. 2015–
Gatoh Move Tokyo[26][27] Emi Sakura 2012– Formerly based in Thailand.
Ice Ribbon Warabi Neoplus 2006–
Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling-X Toshima Rumi Kazama
Shinobu Kandori 		1992–
 [ja] Funabashi Marvelcompany, Inc. 2006–
Oz Academy Tokyo Mayumi Ozaki 1998–
Pro Wrestling Wave Tokyo Zabun Co, Ltd. 2007– Sister promotion of Osaka Joshi Pro-Wrestling.
Pure-J Adachi, Tokyo Command Bolshoi 2017– [28][29]
Seadlinnng Kawasaki Nanae Takahashi 2015–
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling Sendai Meiko Satomura 2005–
 [ja] Kawasaki, Kanagawa Kyoko Inoue 2011- [30]

Defunct promotions[]

Puroresu[]

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Apache Pro-Wrestling Army Tokyo Kintaro Kanemura 2004–2016
Battlarts Koshigaya Yuki Ishikawa 1996–2011
 [ja] Tokyo Fumihiko Uwai 2005–2006
Diamond Ring Yoshikawa Kensuke Sasaki
Akira Hokuto 		2003–2013 Previously named Kensuke Office.
 [ja] Tokyo Noriaki Kawabata 2005–2006
Fighting Network Rings Tokyo Akira Maeda 1991–2002 Continuation of Newborn UWF.
Revived as a pure mixed martial arts promotion (The Outsider series) in 2008.
Global Professional Wrestling Alliance Tokyo 2006–2009
Hustle Greater Tokyo Area Nobuhiko Takada 2004–2011 [31]
Inoki Genome Federation Tokyo 2007–2019
International Wrestling Association of Japan Tokyo Tatsukuni Asano 1994–2014 Continuation of W*ING.[1][32][33]
International Wrestling Enterprise Tokyo Isao Yoshiwara 1967–1981 Associated with the American Wrestling Association from 1970, and the Japan Pro-Wrestling Commission with New Japan Pro Wrestling until 1981.[34]
Japan Wrestling Association Tokyo Rikidōzan 1953–1973 Affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance. Membership was transferred to AJPW.[1][35][36]
Kingdom Tokyo Ken Suzuki 1997–1998 Continuation of UWF International.
Onita Pro Tokyo Atsushi Onita 1999–2012 Also known as Onita FMW in 2002.
 [ja] Tokyo Noriaki Kawabata
Koji Fujinaga 		2006–2008 Continuation of Dragondoor Project.
Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi Tokyo Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Masakatsu Funaki
Minoru Suzuki 		1991–1995
Riki Pro Tokyo Riki Choshu
Katsuji Nagashima 		2004–2010 Also known as World Japan Pro Wrestling or Fighting of World Japan.[1][37][38]
Smash Tokyo Yoshihiro Tajiri
Akira Shoji 		2010–2012 Continuation of Hustle.[39]
Super World of Sports Tokyo Hachiro Tanaka 1990–1992 Associated with the World Wrestling Federation.[40]
Tokyo Pro Wrestling Tokyo Takashi Ishikawa 1994–1996
Universal Wrestling Federation Matsumoto Hisashi Shinma 1984–1986 Revived as the Newborn UWF in 1988 and again in 1991 as Union of Wrestling Forces International (UWF International or UWFi).
 [ja] Tokyo Fumihiko Uwai 2006–2007 Continuation of Big Mouth Loud.
UWF International Tokyo Nobuhiko Takada 1991–1996 Continuation of Universal Wrestling Federation.
Union Pro Wrestling Shinjuku, Tokyo Naomi Susan
DDT Pro-Wrestling 		1993–1995
2004–2015
Wrestle-1 Tokyo Keiji Mutoh 2013–2020 [41]
Wrestle Association "R" Tokyo Gen'ichiro Tenryu
Masatomo Takei 		1992–2006 [42][43]
Wrestling International New Generations Tokyo Kiyoshi Ibaragi
Victor Quiñonez 		1991–1994 Associated with the World Wrestling Council.[44][45]
Wrestling Marvelous Future Tokyo Hayabusa 2002-2008 [46]
Wrestling New Classic Tokyo Yoshihiro Tajiri 2012–2014 Continuation of Smash. Sister promotion of .

Joshi[]

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Kunimatsu Matsunaga
Takashi Matsunaga 		1972–2005 [1][47][48]
Arsion Tokyo Rossy Ogawa 1997–2003 [49][50]
Gaea Japan Tokyo Yuka Sugiyama
Chigusa Nagayo 		1995–2005 [1][51][52]
Ibuki Tokyo 2005-2010 [53]
JDStar Tokyo Yoshimoto Kogyo Company
J Office Group 		1995–2007 [54]
JWP Joshi Puroresu Tokyo Kiyoshi Shinozaki
Masatoshi Yamamoto 		1992–2017 [55][56]
NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling Yokohama Kyoko Inoue 1997–2010

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Japanese Promotions". Promotions. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  2. ^ "All Japan Pro-Wrestling". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  3. ^ Duncan Royal, Gary Will, Brian Westcott, Hisahiro Tanabe and Andrew Zadarnowski. "AJPW – All Japan Pro-Wrestling". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. ^ "Dramatic Dream Team". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  5. ^ "Toryumon / Dragon Gate". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  6. ^ "New Japan Pro-Wrestling". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  7. ^ Royal Duncan, Gary Will, Brian Westcott, Matt Benaka, Earl Oliver, Hisaharu Tanabe and Andrew Zadarnowski (2004). "New Japan". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  8. ^ "CyberAgent Purchases Pro Wrestling NOAH". Fightful.com. 2020.
  9. ^ "Pro-Wrestling NOAH". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  10. ^ Richard Palma, Jeff Capo, Brian Westcott and Hisaharu Tanabe (2007). "PWN – Pro Wrestling NOAH". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  11. ^ "Asuka Project official site".
  12. ^ "Home - トップページ". Colega pro wrestling-コレガプロレスリング- (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  13. ^ "Frontier Martial-arts Wrestling". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  14. ^ Royal Duncan, Gary Will, Brian Westcott, Hisaharu Tanabe, Matt Benaka and Earl Oliver (2004). "FMW – Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  15. ^ "道頓堀プロレス オフィシャルWEBサイト". www.doutonbori-pro.com. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  16. ^ FREEDOMS公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "Ganbare Pro-Wrestling official site".
  18. ^ "ハードヒット オフィシャルサイト". ハードヒット オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  19. ^ "Hitachi Pro Wrestling official site".
  20. ^ "N2W official site".
  21. ^ "Ossan Style Wrestling official site".
  22. ^ "Pro Wrestling Dewa main site".
  23. ^ "Shi-En official site".
  24. ^ "Pro-Wrestling ZERO-ONE". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  25. ^ Brian Westcott, Hisaharu Tanabe, Nick Garrison and Adam Fenwick (2006). "Zero One-MAX (formerly NWA – Zero One)". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  26. ^ "A Brief History of: Gatoh Move". ProWrestlingPost.com. 2020.
  27. ^ "Gatoh Move Official YouTube Channel".
  28. ^ JWPから「Pure-J」へ 8・11後楽園大会で旗揚げ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 28, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  29. ^ 女子プロレス「JWP」、新団体名「Pure-J」を発表. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. March 28, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  30. ^ Diana (2020-10-05). "ワールド女子プロレス・ディアナ公式サイト" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  31. ^ "Hustle". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  32. ^ "International Wrestling Association Japan". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  33. ^ Royal Duncan, Gary Will, Brian Westcott and Matt Benaka (2004). "IWA – International Wrestling Association (Japan)". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  34. ^ "International Wrestling Enterprise". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  35. ^ "Japan Pro Wrestling Association". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  36. ^ Duncan, Royal and Gary Will; Brian Westcott (2004). "JWA – Japan Wrestling Association". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  37. ^ "Fighting of World-Japan / Riki Pro". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  38. ^ Westcott, Brian (2004). "WJPW – World Japan Pro Wrestling". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  39. ^ Byers, Ryan (2010-04-27). "Into the Indies 04.27.10: HUSTLE Gets SMASHed". 411Mania. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  40. ^ "Super World Sports". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  41. ^ "Wrestle-1 official Twitter". 2020.
  42. ^ "Wrestle Association "R"". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  43. ^ Westcott, Brian (2004). "WAR – Wrestle and Romance". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  44. ^ "Wrestling International New Generations". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  45. ^ Royal Duncan, Gary Will, Brian Westcott and Matt Benaka (2004). "W*ING (Wrestling International New Generations)". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  46. ^ www.puroresuya.com http://www.puroresuya.com/wmf.html. Retrieved 2021-04-16. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  47. ^ "All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  48. ^ Duncan, Royal and Gary Will; Brian Westcott (2004). "AJWPW – All Japan Womens' Pro-Wrestling". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  49. ^ Samuel Eanes; Earl Oliver; Hisaharu Tanabe; Brian Westcott (2004). "AtoZ/ARSION". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  50. ^ "ARSION". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  51. ^ "GAEA Japan". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  52. ^ Samuel Eanes, Brian Westcott & Hisaharu Tanabe (2004). "GAEA Japan". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  53. ^ "Official Site".
  54. ^ "Jd'". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  55. ^ "JWP Project". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  56. ^ Royal Duncan, Gary Will, Brian Westcott and Hisaharu Tanabe (2004). "JWPP – Japanese Women Pro-Wrestling Project". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-18.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)

External links[]

Retrieved from ""