WAR (wrestling promotion)

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Wrestle Association R
AcronymWAR
Founded1992
Defunct2000 (reunion show in 2006)
StylePuroresu
Strong style
HeadquartersJapan
Founder(s)Genichiro Tenryu
Owner(s)Genichiro Tenryu
FormerlyWrestling And Romance

Wrestle Association R (formerly known as Wrestle and Romance and abbreviated as WAR) was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded and run by Genichiro Tenryu as the successor to Super World of Sports, and which lasted from 1992 to 2000. The promotion initially established as Wrestle and Romance in 1992, had very few regular contracted workers, instead most of the workers were either freelance or employed in other promotions. Because of this WAR ran many all-star cards. It had inter-promotional feuds against New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, the new Tokyo Pro Wrestling, and UWF International. WAR also continued, albeit in a loose fashion, SWS's old working agreement with the World Wrestling Federation, when they backed the WWF's first Japanese tour, in 1994.

On July 28, 1995, WAR was renamed "Wrestle Association R" at a show held in the Korakuen Hall. In 1998, WAR cancelled contracts to the roster and began running fewer and fewer events due to Tenryu's comeback in New Japan, and in July 2000, it promoted a farewell show that served as the prelude to Tenryu's return to All Japan Pro Wrestling (many wrestlers from WAR also joined AJPW to fill the void by those who joined Mitsuharu Misawa in forming Pro Wrestling Noah). The WAR name was kept for the use of a stable led by Tenryu during brief angles in All Japan and FMW in 2001.

On July 27, 2006, WAR staged a reunion show at Tokyo Korakuen Hall. The show was supported by various Japanese wrestling promotions including New Japan, All Japan Pro Wrestling and Dragon Gate. This was also the final card promoted under the WAR banner.

WAR was the first promotion to create a steady junior heavyweight tag team title long before New Japan Pro-Wrestling, WCW, and Pro Wrestling Noah hit upon the idea.

In 2010, the Tenryu Project was organised, and is somewhat of a successor to WAR.

Championships[]

J-1 Heavyweight Championship[]

J-1 Heavyweight Championship
Details
PromotionJapan Pro Wrestling Alliance

This title used the championship belt originally used in the 1950s by the old Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance for their JWA Japanese Heavyweight Championship, held throughout its existence by Rikidōzan.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Genichiro Tenryu 1 January 14, 1998 Tokyo, Japan Defeated Nobutaka Araya in a tournament final to become the first champion.[1]
Title abandoned 2000 Title was abandoned when WAR closed (may have been abandoned earlier when Tenryu won IWGP Heavyweight Championship (won on December 10, 1999). The company held their official final event on July 27, 2006.

Other titles[]

Alumni[]

These are not exhaustive lists. Guest Japanese wrestlers from other promotions, such as Nobuhiko Takada from UWF International and The Great Sasuke from Michinoku Pro Wrestling, are not listed.

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure:
Genichiro Shimada Genichiro Tenryu 1992–2000
2006
Masao Orihara Masao Orihara 1992–1999
2006
Susumu Hara Ashura Hara 1992–1994
Takashi Ishikawa Takashi Ishikawa 1992–1994
1996–1997
Hiromichi Fuyuki Hiromichi Fuyuki 1992–1996
Keiji Takayama Gedo 1994–1996
Shoji Akiyoshi Jado 1994–1996
Heigo Hamaguchi Animal Hamaguchi 1994–1995
Yoshihiro Arai Ultimo Dragon 1992–1997
Kōji Kitao Kōji Kitao 1994–1998
Isao Takagi Arashi 1995–1999
Tatsumi Kitahara Koki Kitahara 1992–2000
2006
Nobutaka Araya Nobutaka Araya 1995–2000
Nobukazu Hirai Nobukazu Hirai 1992–2000
Osamu Kawahara Osamu Tachihikari 1994–2000
Tomohiro Ishii Tomohiro Ishii 1996–2000
2006
Masaaki Mochizuki Masaaki Mochizuki 1994–2000
2006
Koji Iibashi Koji Ishinriki 1993–1994
2006
Yuji Yasuraoka Yuji Yasuraoka 1992–1999
Chris Irvine Lionheart / Lion Do 1994–1996
Scott Bigelow Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow 1994
1996
Rick Bognar Big Titan / Ti Do 1995–1996
Rick Wilson Rio, Lord of the Jungle 1993–1994
Lance Evers Lance Storm 1995–1998
Robert Backlund Bob Backlund 1994–1995
James Bernardski Scott Putski 1994
Terry Szopinski The Warlord 1993–1994
Terry Gordy Terry Gordy 1998
Oscar Gutierrez Rey Misterio, Jr. 1995–1996
Lawrence Shreve Abdullah the Butcher 1997–1998
John Tenta John Tenta 1993–1996
Dionicio Torres Psicosis 1995–1996
Tonga Fifita King Haku 1992–1994

Notable events[]

WAR/WWF[]

An inter-promotional show between WAR and the World Wrestling Federation was held on September 15, 1992, at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Yuji Yasuraoka defeated Koji Inomata Singles match 8:48
2 Chavo Guerrero and Paul Diamond defeated Nobukazu Hirai and Yoshiro Ito Tag team match 10:11
3 Masashi Aoyagi defeated Masao Orihara by count-out Singles match 9:29
4 Ultimo Dragon defeated Negro Casas Singles match 14:55
5 Heisei Ishingun (Kengo Kimura and Shiro Koshinaka) defeated Hiromichi Fuyuki and Tatsumi Kitahara Tag team match 13:44
6 The Great Kabuki defeated Takashi Ishikawa Singles match 9:36
7 Animal Warrior defeated The Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake) Handicap match 6:14
8 The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) defeated King Haku Singles match 5:22
9 Ric Flair (c) fought Genichiro Tenryu to a draw Two out of three falls match for the WWF Championship 37:50
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

WAR Anniversary Show[]

Main article: WAR Anniversary Show

WAR Anniversary Show was the flagship event of WAR which was used to celebrate the anniversary of the promotion. The event was held between 1993 and 2000, when the promotion was discontinued.

WAR/LLPW[]

An inter-promotional event featuring talent from WAR and Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling was held on November 28, 1993, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No. Results Stipulations
1 Noriyo Tateno defeated Carol Midori Singles match
2 Michiko Nagashima and Rumi Kazama defeated Shara and Utako Hozumi Tag team match
3 Carol Midori Battle royal
4 Nobukazu Hirai defeated Yuji Yasuraoka Singles match
5 Koki Kitahara defeated Shigekazu Tajiri Singles match
6 Hiromichi Fuyuki fought Super Strong Machine to a draw Singles match
7 Genichiro Tenryu and Masao Orihara defeated Ashura Hara and Ultimo Dragon Tag team match

Revolution[]

Revolution was a special event held on December 15, 1993, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Nobukazu Hirai and Yuji Yasuraoka defeated Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Yuji Nagata Tag team match 9:02
2 The Great Kabuki defeated Black Cat Singles match 7:20
3 Ultimo Dragon (c) defeated Atlantis Singles match for the UWA World Middleweight Championship 15:54
4 John Tenta defeated The Warlord Singles match 9:19
5 Ashura Hara and Ishinriki defeated King Haku and Masao Orihara Tag team natch 17:04
6 Hiroshi Hase defeated Koki Kitahara Singles match 20:24
7 Mil Mascaras defeated Gran Markus Jr. Singles match 8:08
8 Hiromichi Fuyuki and Super Strong Machine defeated Heisei Ishingun (Shiro Koshinaka and Tatsutoshi Goto Tag team match 11:36
9 Genichiro Tenryu defeated Tatsumi Fujinami Singles match 14:14
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

Revolution Rumble '94 In Ryogoku Kokugikan[]

Main article: WAR Revolution Rumble

Revolution Rumble '94 In Ryogoku Kokugikan was a special event held on March 2, 1994, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. The event was notable for an inter-promotional tag team main event match in which Genichiro Tenryu and Ashura Hara represented WAR against Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling's Atsushi Onita and Tarzan Goto. Onita pinned Tenryu and the match set up a major main event between Tenryu and Onita for FMW's 5th Anniversary Show at the Kawasaki Stadium on May 5, 1994.

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Jado and Gedo defeated Masanobu Kurisu and Nobukazu Hirai Tag team match 11:02
2 Koki Kitahara defeated Kim Duk Singles match 10:44
3 Arashi versus Hiromichi Fuyuki ended in a time limit draw in Round 5 Singles match N/A
4 Hiromichi Fuyuki defeated Arashi Singles match 1:27
5 Masao Orihara and Ultimo Dragon defeated Sato and The Great Sasuke Tag team match 28:13
6 Super Strong Machine defeated Lionheart Singles match 8:11
7 King Haku defeated Mr. Hughes Singles match 10:36
8 Koji Kitao defeated Ishinriki by knockout Singles match 4:05
9 Atsushi Onita and Tarzan Goto defeated Ashura Hara and Genichiro Tenryu Tag team match 18:13

Super J-Cup[]

Main article: Super J-Cup (1995)

Super J-Cup is a professional wrestling tournament featuring junior heavyweight wrestlers from all over the world. The tournament was originally conceived by Japanese wrestler Jushin Thunder Liger as a showcase for junior heavyweights from promotions from Asia and North America on a national level. WAR hosted the second edition of the tournament on December 13, 1995, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Gran Naniwa defeated Damián 666 1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round 6:36
2 Shinjiro Otani defeated Masaaki Mochizuki via submission 1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round 4:00
3 Último Dragón defeated Shoichi Funaki 1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round 6:52
4 Gedo defeated Masayoshi Motegi via submission 1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round 6:56
5 Dos Caras defeated El Samurai 1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round 7:00
6 Lionheart defeated Hanzo Nakajima 1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round 6:48
7 Jushin Liger defeated Gran Naniwa 1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final 9:13
8 Último Dragón defeated Shinjiro Otani 1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final 13:30
9 Gedo defeated Dos Caras 1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final 8:54
10 Wild Pegasus defeated Lionheart 1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final 13:43
11 Jushin Liger defeated Último Dragón 1995 Super J-Cup tournament semi-final 17:19
12 Gedo defeated Wild Pegasus 1995 Super J-Cup tournament semi-final 9:20
13 Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Psicosis Singles match 9:39
14 Jushin Liger defeated Gedo 1995 Super J-Cup tournament final 15:47

WAR vs. UWFI: Super Summer Wars[]

An inter-promotional event featuring wrestlers from WAR and UWFI, among other promotions as well. The event took place a day after the 4th Anniversary Show on July 21, 1996, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Kazushi Sakuraba and Yuhi Sano defeated Nobukazu Hirai and Osamu Taitoko via submission Tag team match 11:24
2 Masao Orihara defeated Nobutaka Araya Singles match 11:24
3 Arashi defeated John Tenta Singles match 7:09
4 Lance Storm, Rey Misterio, Jr., Ultimo Dragon and Yuji Yasuraoka defeated Gedo, Jushin Thunder Liger, Juventud Guerrera and Lion Do Eight-man tag team match 17:35
5 Jado defeated Yoshihiro Takayama Singles match 10:12
6 Riki Choshu and Satoshi Kojima defeated Fuyuki-Gun (Hiromichi Fuyuki and Ti Do) Tag team match 8:34
7 Shiro Koshinaka and Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Hiromitsu Kanehara and Nobuhiko Takada Tag team match 9:20
8 Koki Kitahara defeated Masahito Kakihara via submission Singles match 8:25
9 Genichiro Tenryu defeated Yoji Anjo Singles match 11:44

Final - Reborn to Future[]

Final - Reborn to Future was a reunion event of WAR after the promotion had closed down in 2000 and marked the final event ever in WAR history. The event took place on July 27, 2006, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The event aired via tape delay on Gaora TV on August 17. The event featured a title defense of the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship which had been in possession of Masaaki Mochizuki since WAR closed in 2000 and the main event was an eight-man tag team match, in which WAR wrestlers took on Heisei Ishingun.

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Tomohiro Ishii defeated Koji Ishinriki Singles match 6:14
2 Eagle Sawai and Magnum Tokyo defeated Genichiro Tenryu and Rumi Kazama Mixed tag team match 6:15
3 Dos Caras and Gran Naniwa defeated Damien and Super Battle Ranger Tag team match 7:59
4 Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito defeated Kenichiro Arai, Susumu Yokosuka and Yasushi Kanda Six-man tag team match 14:45
5 Jado and Gedo defeated Gentaro and Kintaro Kanemura Tag team match 14:52
6 Pentagon Black defeated Masaaki Mochizuki (c) Singles match for the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship 19:42
7 Don Fujii, Genichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara and Masao Orihara defeated Heisei Ishingun (Shiro Koshinaka, Akitoshi Saito, Masashi Aoyagi and Michiyoshi Ohara) (with Kuniaki Kobayashi) Eight-man tag team match 15:23
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Hoops, Brian (January 14, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/14): Christian wins NWA World Title". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.

External links[]

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