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New Japan Pro Wrestling (新日本プロレス, shin nihon puroresu) is a major professional wrestling federation in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it is the largest wrestling promotion in Japan and one of the largest in the world. Although attendance has declined in recent years, it still recorded a yearly attendance of approximately 50,000 fans higher than their closest rival Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2005 according to Weekly Fight. In October 2005, 51.5% of NJPW was sold to YUKE's Future Media Creators, an Osaka based company that markets home videos and video games.
NJPW has working agreements with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Brand Extension
On 31st March, 2006, NJPW announced the creation of two brands who would run shows in addition New Japan. These would be known as LOCK UP and WRESTLELAND. Unlike WWE's brand extension, where it is considered a permanent division of the roster with few shows featuring performers from both brands, the two brands in New Japan will only have occasional shows and workers are able to work on both brands. This is done in the hope that strengths that are found in the brands may be implemented in the more regular New Japan shows in order to make for a better product.
LOCK UP will be booked by Riki Choshu and the focus is intended to be on pure wrestling. The brand will be similar to Choshu's Riki Pro, with some of the same talent appearing.
WRESTLELAND will be presented in the form of sports entertainment similar to that of HUSTLE in Japan and the American WWE. No booker has been announced, though Junji Hirata will serve as a spokesman for the brand. The aces of the brand will be Tiger Mask IV and Hiroshi Tanahashi
Roster
See: New Japan Pro Wrestling roster
Legends
Several wrestlers, Japanese and foreign, have left huge legacies in New Japan:- Natives: Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu, Masa Saito, Akira Maeda, Keiji Mutoh/The Great Muta, Masahiro Chono, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinya Hashimoto, Nobuhiko Takada, Hiroshi Hase, Kensuke Sasaki, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata, Jushin Liger, Tiger Mask (I & IV versions), Koji Kanemoto, Shinjiro Ohtani, Ultimo Dragon, Minoru Tanaka, Satoshi Kojima
- Foreigners: Tony Halme, Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Stan Hansen, Big Van Vader, Rick and Scott Steiner, Scott Norton, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Sabu, Owen Hart, Road Warrior Hawk, Tiger Jeet Singh, Karl Gotch, Brock Lesnar, Dynamite Kid
Titles promoted
New Japan has its own governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP). IWGP titles, in order of founding, and current champions are:
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (1983, only champions since 1987 are recognized) — Hiroshi Tanahashi
- IWGP World Tag Team Championship (1985) — Manabu Nakanishi and Takao Omori (interim champions); Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan are the current champions, however Chono is currently injured
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (weight limit is 100 kg = 220 lb) (1986) — Koji Kanemoto
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1998) — Gedo and Jado
- IWGP U-30 Championship (for wrestlers under 30 years of age) (2003) — Vacated
Before the IWGP's founding, New Japan promoted the following titles:
- NWF World Heavyweight Championship
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship
- WWF International Tag Team Championship
- WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship
- NWF North American Championship
- WWF North American Championship
- NJPW All Asia Heavyweight Championship
- NJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
Abandoned:
Annual Tournaments
These are annual tournaments New Japan holds to determine No. 1 contenders in a division, similar to the World Wrestling Entertainment's King of the Ring tournament. The major difference is that the reigning IWGP champions are allowed to participate (if they win, the runner(s)-up usually become the No. 1 contender(s)), and their format is usually round-robin rather than elimination, although elimination formats are used periodically.- G-1 Climax (heavyweight singles/round robin format - August)
- G-1 Climax Tag League (tag teams, generally restricted to heavyweight teams - Currently inactive)
- Best of the Super Junior (junior heavyweight singles/round robin format - May/June)
- New Japan Cup (openweight singles/single elimination format - April)
Annual Shows
These are annual events New Japan holds similar to the World Wrestling Entertainment's WrestleMania or SummerSlam shows.See also
External links
- NJPW English-language site
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling Title Histories
- Strong Style Spirit, English language support site
- Puroresu.com summary
"New Japan Pro Wrestling"