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 | Website | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | ||||||
| All Japan Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Tsuyoki Fukuda | 1972– | Yes | [1][2][3] | |
| DDT Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Sanshiro Takagi | 1997– | Yes | [1][4] | |
| Dragon Gate | Kobe | Toru Kido | 2004– | Yes | Known as Toryumon Japan from 1997 to 2004.[1][5] | |
| New Japan Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Bushiroad | 1971– | Yes | [1][6][7] | |
| Pro Wrestling NOAH | Tokyo | CyberAgent | 2000– | Yes | [1][8][9] | |
| Defunct | ||||||
| International Wrestling Enterprise | Tokyo | Isao Yoshiwara | 1967–1981 | No | Associated with the American Wrestling Association from 1970, and the Japan Pro-Wrestling Commission with New Japan Pro Wrestling until 1981.[10] | |
| Japan Wrestling Association | Tokyo | Rikidozan | 1953–1973 | No | Affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance from 1969 to 1973 when it merged with AJPW.[1][11][12] | |
| Toryumon 2000 Project | Odaiba | Ultimo Dragon | 2001–2003 | No | ||
| Toryumon Japan | Tokyo | Ultimo Dragon | 1999–2004 | No | Sister promotion of Toryumon Mexico | |
| Toryumon X | Odaiba | Ultimo Dragon | 2003–2004 | No | ||
Joshi[]
| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | ||||||
| Stardom | Tokyo | Rossy Ogawa Bushiroad |
2010– | Yes | ||
| Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | CyberAgent | 2013– | Yes | ||
| Defunct | ||||||
| All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Kunimatsu Matsunaga Takashi Matsunaga |
1972–2005 | Yes | [1][13][14] | |
| Gaea Japan | Tokyo | Yuka Sugiyama Chigusa Nagayo |
1995–2005 | Yes | [1][15][16] | |
Independent promotions[]
Puroresu[]
| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | |||||
| 666 | Tokyo | Crazy SKB Onryo |
2003– | Yes | Also known as Triple 6. |
| Active Advance Pro-Wrestling | Chiba | 2002– | Yes | Formerly known as Kaientai Dojo | |
| Pro Wrestling A-TEAM | Tokyo | Tomohiko Hashimoto | 2017– | No | Continuation of Apache Pro-Wrestling Army |
| Big Japan Pro Wrestling | Yokohama | Shinya Kojika | 1995– | Yes | [1][17][18] |
| Colega Pro-Wrestling | Osaka | Shinsuke Watanabe | 2021– | Yes | |
| Dradition | Tokyo | Tatsumi Fujinami | 2008– | Yes | |
| Doutonbori Pro-Wrestling | Osaka | Doutonbori Entertaniment Systems | 2013– | Yes | |
| Dove Pro-Wrestling | Hiroshima | GUNSO | 2005– | Yes | |
| Fu-Ten | Fukuoka | Daisuke Ikeda | 2005– | Yes | |
| Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling-Explosion | Greater Tokyo Area | Atushi Onita | 1989–2002 2015-2021 |
Yes | Previously named Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling.[1][19][20] |
| Ganbare☆Wrestling | Tokyo | CyberAgent | 2013– | Yes | |
| GLEAT | Tokyo | LIDET Entertainment | 2020– | Yes | |
| Guts World Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Guts Ishijima | 2004– | Yes | |
| Hard Hit | Tokyo | Hikaru Sato | 2015– | Yes | |
| J STAGE Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | 2015– | Yes | ||
| JUST TAP OUT Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Taka Michinoku | 2019– | Yes | |
| Kyushu Pro-Wrestling | Fukuoka | Ryota Chikuzen | 2007– | Yes | |
| Michinoku Pro Wrestling | Morioka | The Great Sasuke | 1993– | Yes | [1][21][22] |
| Legend The Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Tatsumi Fujinami Riki Choshu Shodai Tiger Mask |
2011– | Yes | |
| Osaka Pro Wrestling | Osaka | Yuji Sakagami Zeus |
1998– | Yes | [1][23][24] |
| Oudou | Tokyo | Akebono | 2015- | No | |
| P.P.P. Tokyo | Tokyo | Masayuki Mitomi | 2019– | No | |
| Pro Wrestling Basara | Shinjuku, Tokyo | Isami Kodaka | 2015– | Yes | Continuation of Union Pro Wrestling. |
| Pro Wrestling Freedoms | Tokyo | Takashi Sasaki | 2009– | Yes | |
| Pro Wrestling Heat Up | Tokyo | Kazuhiro Tamura | 2013– | Yes | Continuation of Style-E Pro Wrestling. |
| Pro Wrestling Kageki | Fukuoka | Azteca | 1997– | Yes | |
| Pro Wrestling Zero1 | Tokyo | First On Stage Inc. | 2001– | Yes | [1][25][26] |
| Real Japan Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Satoru Sayama | 2005– | Yes | |
| Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling | Kadena | Gurukun Mask | 2013– | Yes | |
| Secret Base | Tokyo | Mototsugu Shimizu Jun Ogawauchi |
2009– | Yes | Continuation of El Dorado Wrestling. |
| Sportiva Entertainment | Nagoya | 2008– | Yes | ||
| Tenryu Project | Tokyo | Genichiro Tenryu | 2010– | Yes | |
| Tokyo Gurentai | Tokyo | Nosawa Rongai Mazada |
2010– | No | |
| VAMOSTAR Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Andy Wu Masayuki Kono |
2021– | No | |
| VKF Puroresu | Osaka | Toshiyuki Kawamura | 2007– | Yes | |
| YMZ Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Kaori Yoneyama | 2013– | Yes | |
| Defunct | |||||
| Apache Pro-Wrestling Army | Tokyo | Kintaro Kanemura | 2004–2016 | Yes | |
| Apple Star Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Apple Star Inc | 2015–2017 | Yes | |
| Battlarts | Koshigaya | Yuki Ishikawa | 1996–2011 | Yes | |
| Big Mouth Loud | Tokyo | Fumihiko Uwai Kazunari Murakami |
2004–2006 | Yes | |
| Diamond Ring | Yoshikawa | Kensuke Sasaki Akira Hokuto |
2003–2013 | Yes | Previously named Kensuke Office. |
| Dragondoor | Tokyo | Noriaki Kawabata | 2005–2006 | No | |
| El Dorado Wrestling | Tokyo | Noriaki Kawabata Koji Fujinaga |
2006–2008 | Yes | Continuation of DragonDoor |
| Federacion Universal de Lucha Libre | Hisatsune Shinma | 1990–1995 | No | Known as Universal Pro Wrestling from 1990 to 1993, the promotion was affiliated with the Universal Wrestling Association.[27] | |
| Fighting Network Rings | Tokyo | Akira Maeda | 1991–2002 | Yes | Continuation of Newborn UWF Revived as a pure mixed martial arts promotion (The Outsider series) in 2008. |
| Fighting of World Japan Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Riki Choshu Katsuji Nagashima |
2003-2004 | No | |
| Global Professional Wrestling Alliance | Tokyo | Yoshiyuki Nakamura | 2006–2009 | No | |
| Hustle | Tokyo | Nobuhiko Takada | 2004–2011 | Yes | [28] |
| IWA Japan | Tokyo | Tatsukuni Asano | 1994–2014 | Yes | Continuation of W*ING.[1][29][30] |
| Inoki Genome Federation | Tokyo | Antonio Inoki | 2007–2019 | Yes | |
| Kingdom | Tokyo | 1997–1998 | No | Continuation of UWF International. | |
| Kokusai Promotion | Chigasaki | Goro Tsurumi | 1994–2007 | No | Originally known as I.W.A. Kakutoushijuku from 1994 to 1998. The original IWA World Heavyweight Championship was later revived by the promotion.[31] |
| Pioneer Senshi | Tokyo | Ryuma Go Apollo Sugawara Masahiko Takasugi |
1988–1991 | No | First-ever independent promotion in Japan. |
| Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi | Tokyo | Yoshiaki Fujiwara Masakatsu Funaki Minoru Suzuki |
1991–1995 | No | |
| Riki Pro | Tokyo | Riki Choshu Katsuji Nagashima |
2004–2010 | Yes | Also known as World Japan Pro Wrestling or Fighting of World Japan.[1][32][33] |
| Okinawa Pro Wrestling | Naha, Okinawa | Super Delfin | 2008–2012 | Yes | |
| SMASH | Tokyo | Yoshihiro Tajiri Akira Shoji |
2010–2012 | Yes | Continuation of HUSTLE.[34] |
| Social Pro Wrestling Federation | Tokyo | Yoshiaki Yatsu | 1993–1997 | No | Also known as the Social Progress Wrestling Federation. |
| Super World of Sports | Tokyo | Hachiro Tanaka | 1990–1992 | No | Associated with the World Wrestling Federation.[35] |
| STYLE-E Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Kazuhiro Tamura Masato Shibata |
2004–2012 | Yes | |
| Tokyo Pro Wrestling | Tokyo | Takashi Ishikawa | 1994–1996 | No | |
| Universal Wrestling Federation | Matsumoto | Hisashi Shinma | 1984–1986 | No | Revived as the Newborn UWF in 1988 and again in 1991 as Union of Wrestling Forces International (UWF International or UWFi). |
| UWF International | Tokyo | Nobuhiko Takada | 1991–1996 | No | Continuation of Universal Wrestling Federation. |
| Union Pro Wrestling | Shinjuku, Tokyo | Naomi Susan DDT Pro Wrestling |
1993–1995 2004–2015 |
No | |
| Wrestle-1 | Tokyo | Keiji Mutoh | 2013–2020 | Yes | |
| Wrestle Association "R" | Tokyo | Genichiro Tenryu Masatomo Takei |
1992–2006 | No | [36][37] |
| Wrestling International New Generations | Tokyo | Kiyoshi Ibaragi Victor Quiñonez |
1991–1994 | No | Associated with the World Wrestling Council.[38][39] |
| Wrestling Marvelous of the Future | Tokyo | Eiji Ezaki Masashi Honda |
2003–2005 | Yes | [1][40] |
| Wrestling New Classic | Tokyo | Yoshihiro Tajiri | 2012–2014 | Yes | Continuation of Smash. Sister promotion of Reina Joshi Puroresu. |
| World Entertainment Wrestling | Tokyo | Hiromichi Fuyuki | 2002–2008 | Yes | [1][41] |
Joshi[]
| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Website | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | ||||||
| Actwres girl'Z | Tokyo | Super Project Co. Ltd. | 2015– | Yes | ||
| Diana | Kawasaki | Kyoko Inoue | 2011– | Yes | ||
| Gatoh Move | Tokyo | Emi Sakura | 2012- | Yes | Formerly based in Thailand. | |
| Ice Ribbon | Warabi | Neoplus | 2006– | Yes | ||
| JWP Joshi Puroresu | Tokyo | Kiyoshi Shinozaki Masatoshi Yamamoto |
1992– | Yes | [42][43] | |
| Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Rumie Kazama Shinobu Kandori |
1992– | Yes | [44] | |
| Marvelous | Funabashi | Chigusa Nagayo | 2014– | Yes | ||
| Osaka Joshi Pro Wrestling | Osaka | Zabun Co, Ltd. | 2010– | Yes | Sister promotion of Pro Wrestling Wave.[45] | |
| Oz Academy | Tokyo | Mayumi Ozaki | 1998– | Yes | ||
| Pro Wrestling Wave | Tokyo | Zabun Co, Ltd. | 2007– | Yes | Sister promotion of Osaka Joshi Pro-Wrestling. | |
| Reina Joshi Puroresu | Chiba | Hideaki Hatakeyama | 2012– | Yes | Sister promotion of Wrestling New Classic. | |
| Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling | Sendai | Meiko Satomura | 2005– | Yes | ||
| World Pro-Wrestling Association | Tokyo | Aki Kanbayashi | 2013– | Yes | ||
| Defunct | ||||||
| Arsion | Tokyo | Hiroshi Ogawa | 1997–2003 | Yes | [46][47] | |
| Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Jackie Sato | 1986–1992 | No | Affiliated with Universal Wrestling Association. In 1992, the promotion split into two groups: the JWP Project and Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling.[48][49] | |
| Ibuki | Tokyo | Mariko Yoshida | 2005–2010 | Yes | ||
| Jd' | Tokyo | Yoshimoto Kogyo Company J Office Group |
1995–2007 | Yes | [50] | |
| Major Girl's Fighting AtoZ | Tokyo | Mariko Yoshida Yumiko Hotta |
2003–2006 | Yes | Continuation of Arsion.[46][51] | |
| M's Style | Tokyo | Momoe Nakanishi Mariko Yoshida Akino Michiko Ohmukai |
2004–2006 | No | ||
| NEO | Kawasaki | Tetsuya Koda | 1998–2010 | Yes | [52][53] | |
| Pro Wrestling Sun | Tokyo | First On Stage Inc. (FOS) | 2006–2009 | No | Sister promotion of Pro Wrestling Zero1. | |
See also[]
- Global Professional Wrestling Alliance
External links[]
- Pro-Wrestling Organizations in Japan at Puroresu.com
- A beginners guide to Joshi Puroresu at Wrestling101.com
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Japanese Promotions . Promotions. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com (2010). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ All Japan Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ AJPW - All Japan Pro-Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Dramatic Dream Team . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Toryumon / Dragon Gate . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ New Japan Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ New Japan . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Pro-Wrestling NOAH . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ PWN - Pro Wrestling NOAH . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2007). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ International Wrestling Enterprise . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Japan Pro Wrestling Association . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Duncan, Royal and Gary Will (2004). JWA - Japan Wrestling Association . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Duncan, Royal and Gary Will (2004). AJWPW - All Japan Womens' Pro-Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ GAEA Japan . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ GAEA Japan . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Big Japan Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ BJPW - Big Japan Pro Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Frontier Martial-arts Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ FMW - Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Michinoku Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Palma, Richard (2004). MPW - Michinoku Pro Wrestling (North Eastern Wrestling) . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Osaka / Okinawa Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Osaka Pro Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2006). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Pro-Wrestling ZERO-ONE . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Zero One-MAX (formerly NWA - Zero One) . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2006). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Universal/F.U.L.L. . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Hustle . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ International Wrestling Association Japan . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ IWA - International Wrestling Association (Japan) . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Kokusai Promotion . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Fighting of World-Japan / Riki Pro . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Westcott, Brian (2004). WJPW - World Japan Pro Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Byers, Ryan 2010-04-27. Into the Indies 04.27.10: HUSTLE Gets SMASHed . 411Mania. Retrieved on 2010-06-13.
- ↑ Super World Sports . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Wrestle Association "R" . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Westcott, Brian (2004). WAR - Wrestle and Romance . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Wrestling International New Generations . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ W*ING (Wrestling International New Generations) . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Wrestling Marvelous of the Future . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ World Entertainment Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ JWP Project . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ JWPP - Japanese Women Pro-Wrestling Project . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org (2004). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ OSAKA Woman's Pro-Wrestling Results . Joshi Puroresu. www.purolove.com (2010). Retrieved on 2012-09-09.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Samuel Eanes, Earl Oliver, Hisaharu Tanabe and Brian Westcott (2004). AtoZ/ARSION . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ ARSION . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Japan Women's Pro . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Duncan, Royal and Gary Will (2005). JWP - Japanese Women Pro-Wrestling . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Jd' . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Major Girl's Fighting AtoZ . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ NEO . The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com (2003). Retrieved on 2010-05-18.
- ↑ Westcott, Brian (2005). NEO . Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved on 2010-05-18.