List of professional wrestling promotions in Japan

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, Kanagawa 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 three brands under the CyberFight umbrella.[1][4]
Dragon Gate Kobe, Hyōgo Gaora 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 three brands under the CyberFight umbrella.[1][9][10]

Joshi

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
World Wonder Ring Stardom Tokyo Bushiroad 2010– As of July 2024, The company become a Fully-owned subsidiary of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling Tokyo CyberAgent 2012– As of July 2020, TJPW is promoted as one of the three brands under the CyberFight umbrella.

Independent promotions

Puroresu

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
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]
Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling [ja] Tokyo Tomokazu Taniguchi 2018– [12]
Big Japan Pro Wrestling Yokohama, Kanagawa Eiji Tosaka 1995–
Braves Tokyo Hyper Brave G Valion 2006– [13]
Capture International Tokyo Koki Kitahara 1997– [14]
Colega Pro Wrestling Osaka The Bodyguard 2021– [15]
Come on Wrestling Party Tokyo Shinichiro Tominaga [ja] 2012– Previously named COWPER until 2015.[16]
Dotonbori Pro Wrestling [ja] Osaka Dotonbori Entertainment System 2013– [17]
Dove Pro Wrestling [ja] Hiroshima Gunso [ja] 2005–
Dradition Tokyo Tatsumi Fujinami 2008–
Ehime Pro-Wrestling [ja] Ehime Erina Tanaka 2016– [18]
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling Explosion Greater Tokyo Area Akihito Ichihara
Yukihide Ueno 		1989–2002
2015– 		Previously named Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling.[1][19][20]
Gamshara Pro-Wrestling [ja] Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Smith 2003– [21]
Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Ken Ohka 2013– Originally a special event by parent company DDT, GanPro became its own promotion and became part of the CyberFight umbrella in July 2020, along with DDT. In April 2024, the promotion split from CyberFight to become independent.[22]
Gleat 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 [ja] Tokyo Hikaru Sato 2015– Originally a series of events under DDT Pro-Wrestling, Hard Hit established itself as an independent promotion in 2015.[23]
Hitachi Pro Wrestling Kanto region 2008– [24]
Hokuto Pro Wrestling Hokkaido Crane Nakajo 2004–
Hot Shushu [ja] Saitama Chiharu [ja] 2023– Sister promotion of Ice Ribbon.[25]
Itabashi Pro-Wrestling [ja] Itabashi, Tokyo Hayate [ja] 2014– [26]
Kyushu Pro-Wrestling Fukuoka Ryota Chikuzen [ja] 2007– [27]
Land's End Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Ryoji Sai 2016– [28]
Lion's Gate Project Tokyo Bushiroad 2015– Developmental branch of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Michinoku Pro Wrestling Morioka, Iwate Jinsei Shinzaki 1993–
Mobius Fukuoka Masao Orihara 1997– [29]
Mutoha Pro-Wrestling Japan Hidekazu Yoshino 2007– Previously named Mumeijuku until 2016. Also produces events under the BKF and Third Brand brands.[30]
New Nemuro Pro Wrestling Nemuro, Hokkaido Kenji Miyamoto 2006– [31]
Osaka Pro Wrestling Osaka Zeus 1999–
Ossan Style Wrestling Osaka 2019– Originally called Osaka Style Wrestling, the promotion restarted as Ossan Style Wrestling in 2020.[32]
P.P.P. Tokyo Tokyo Masayuki Mitomi 2019–
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– [33]
Pro Wrestling Freedoms Tokyo Takashi Sasaki 2009– [34]
Pro Wrestling FTO [ja] Ōita Skull Reaper A-ji 2004– [35]
Pro Wrestling Heat-Up [ja] Kawasaki Kazuhiro Tamura 2012– [36]
Pro-Wrestling Kageki [ja] Fukuoka Azteca [ja] 1997– Stylized as Pro-Wrestling Ka☆geki.[37]
Pro Wrestling Secret Base [ja] Tokyo Mototsugu Shimizu
Jun Ogawauchi 		2009– Continuation of El Dorado Wrestling.
Pro-Wrestling Shi-En Osaka Eiji Sahara 2010– [38]
Pro-Wrestling Team Dera [ja] Nagoya, Aichi Kengo Takai [ja] 2008– Founded in 2008 as Dera Nagoya Pro-Wrestling. Closed and then relaunched as Team Dera in 2009.[39]
Pro Wrestling Zero1 Tokyo First On Stage Inc. 2001– [1][40][41]
Professional Wrestling Burst Kanzaki, Saga Towa Iwasaki 2021–
Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out Tokyo Taka Michinoku 2019–
Professional Wrestling Wallabee [ja] Saitama Prefecture Keita Yano 2009– [42]
Ryukyu Dragon Pro-Wrestling [ja] Okinawa Gurukun Mask [ja] 2013– [43]
Strong Style Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Satoru Sayama 2005– Known as Real Japan Pro-Wrestling until 2019.
Tenryu Project Tokyo Genichiro Tenryu 2010–2015
2020– 		Closed in 2015 after promoters retirement, re-established in 2020.
Tochigi Pro-Wrestling [ja] Utsunomiya, Tochigi Kamiu Trust Holdings, Inc. 2021– Antenna of Zero1 in the Tochigi Prefecture.[44]
Tokyo Gurentai Tokyo Nosawa Rongai
Mazada 		2010–
TTT Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Guts Ishijima 2020– Also known as Total Triumph Team, Indie Unified TTT Pro-Wrestling and Triple T.[45]
Underground Wrestling Exit Tokyo Fugofugo Yumeji 2008– Associated with World Underground Wrestling in Austria.[46]
Wrestling of Darkness 666 Tokyo Onryo 2003– Also known as Triple Six.

Joshi

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Actwres girl'Z Tokyo Super Project Co. Ltd. 2015–
Dream Star Fighting Marigold Tokyo Rossy Ogawa 2024–
Gatoh Move Tokyo[47][48] Emi Sakura 2012– Formerly based in Thailand.
Girl's Prowrestling Unit Color's Tokyo Saki 2022–
Ice Ribbon Warabi Rebellions Co. Ltd. 2006–
Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling-X Toshima Rumi Kazama
Shinobu Kandori 		1992–
Marvelous That's Women Pro Wrestling Funabashi Marvelcompany, Inc. 2014–
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– [49][50]
Seadlinnng Kawasaki Nanae Takahashi 2015–
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling Sendai Meiko Satomura 2005–
World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Kawasaki, Kanagawa Kyoko Inoue 2011- [51]

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
Big Mouth Loud [ja] Tokyo Fumihiko Uwai 2005–2006
Diamond Ring Yoshikawa Kensuke Sasaki
Akira Hokuto 		2003–2013 Previously named Kensuke Office.
Dragondoor Project [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.
Fu-Ten Promotion [ja] Fukuoka Daisuke Ikeda 2005–2015 [52]
Global Professional Wrestling Alliance Tokyo Yoshiyuki Nakamura 2006–2009
Hustle Greater Tokyo Area Nobuhiko Takada 2004–2011 [53]
Inoki Genome Federation Tokyo Simon Inoki 2007–2019
International Wrestling Association of Japan Tokyo Tatsukuni Asano 1994–2014 Continuation of W*ING.[1][54][55]
In the 2000s evolved into a King's Road style promotion featuring sports-entertainment elements. Known to consistently feature AJPW talents and 1980s era WWE Hall of Famers on TV, where they wrestled on a regular basis.
International Wrestling Enterprise Tokyo Isao Yoshiwara 1966–1981 Associated with the American Wrestling Association from 1970, and the Japan Pro-Wrestling Commission with New Japan Pro Wrestling until 1981.[56]
Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Riki Choshu 1984–1987
Japan Wrestling Association Tokyo Rikidōzan 1953–1973 Affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance. Membership was transferred to AJPW.[1][57][58]
Kingdom Tokyo Ken Suzuki 1997–1998 Continuation of UWF International.
New Tokyo Pro Wrestling Tokyo Takashi Ishikawa 1994–1996
Onita Pro Tokyo Atsushi Onita 1999–2012 Also known as Onita FMW in 2002.
Pioneer Senshi [ja] Tokyo Ryuma Go
Apollo Sugawara [ja]
Masahiko Takasugi [ja] 		1988–1990
Pro Wrestling Crusaders [ja] Tokyo Shunji Takano
George Takano 		1993–1997 Branched out of Super World of Sports.
Pro Wrestling El Dorado [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
PWC Promotion [ja] Tokyo Toshiyuki Moriya 2003–2005 Continuation of Pro Wrestling Crusaders.
Riki Pro Tokyo Riki Choshu
Katsuji Nagashima 		2004–2010 Also known as World Japan Pro Wrestling or Fighting of World Japan.[1][59][60]
Smash Tokyo Yoshihiro Tajiri
Akira Shoji 		2010–2012 Continuation of Hustle.[61]
Super World of Sports Tokyo Hachiro Tanaka 1990–1992 Associated with the World Wrestling Federation.[62]
Tokyo Pro Wrestling Tokyo Toyonobori 1966–1967
Union Pro Wrestling Shinjuku, Tokyo Naomi Susan
DDT Pro-Wrestling 		1993–1995
2004–2015
Universal Lucha Libre Tokyo Hisashi Shinma 1990–1995
1998
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).
Uwai Station Freestyle Pro-Wrestling [ja] Tokyo Fumihiko Uwai 2006–2007 Continuation of Big Mouth Loud.
UWF International Tokyo Nobuhiko Takada 1991–1996 Continuation of Universal Wrestling Federation.
Wrestle-1 Tokyo Keiji Mutoh 2013–2020 [63]
Wrestle Association "R" Tokyo Genichiro Tenryu
Masatomo Takei 		1992–2006 Branched out of Super World of Sports.[64][65]
Wrestling International New Generations Tokyo Kiyoshi Ibaragi
Víctor Quiñones 		1991–1994 Associated with the World Wrestling Council.[66][67]
Wrestling Marvelous Future Tokyo Hayabusa 2002–2008 [68]
Wrestling New Classic Tokyo Yoshihiro Tajiri 2012–2014 Continuation of Smash. Sister promotion of Reina Joshi Puroresu.

Joshi

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Kunimatsu Matsunaga
Takashi Matsunaga 		1972–2005 [1][69][70]
Arsion Tokyo Rossy Ogawa 1997–2003 [71][72]
Gaea Japan Tokyo Yuka Sugiyama
Chigusa Nagayo 		1995–2005 [1][73][74]
Ibuki Tokyo 2005-2010 [75]
JDStar Tokyo Yoshimoto Kogyo Company
J Office Group 		1995–2007 [76]
JWP Joshi Puroresu Tokyo Kiyoshi Shinozaki
Masatoshi Yamamoto 		1992–2017 [77][78]
NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling Yokohama Kyoko Inoue 1997–2010

See also

References

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