All Japan Pro Wrestling

All Japan Pro Wrestling
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Name	All Japan Pro Wrestling
Caption	AJPW logo and Giant Baba portrait
Established	1972
Location	Tokyo, Japan
Founder	Shohei "Giant" Baba
Owner	Motoko Baba (1972–1999), Keiji Mutoh (2013–2014), Jun Akiyama (2002–present)

All Japan Pro Wrestling is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 1972 by Shohei "Giant" Baba. The organization became one of the leading promotions in Japan alongside New Japan Pro-Wrestling, known for producing top-tier performers, classic championship matches, and major tournaments. Throughout its history the promotion has featured international talent from United States, Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, and has maintained influential relationships with organizations such as National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling.

History

Founded by Shohei "Giant" Baba after the dissolution of Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance, the promotion emerged during a pivotal era that included figures like Antonio Inoki and organizations such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Early years saw stars like Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask linked by talent exchanges with All-Star Wrestling (UK) and Stampede Wrestling. In the 1980s AJPW cultivated major feuds featuring Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, Kenta Kobashi, and Stan Hansen, with key events at venues including Korakuen Hall and Budokan. Following the death of Giant Baba in 1999, ownership disputes and a mass exodus led by Misawa resulted in the formation of Pro Wrestling Noah; remaining personnel reorganized under Motoko Baba and later leaders. Subsequent eras involved figures such as Keiji Mutoh, Jun Akiyama, and partnerships with promotions like WWE, Ring of Honor, and ROH-adjacent talent exchanges, shaping crossover tours and co-promoted events.

Wrestlers and Personnel

AJPW's roster has included legendary names from Japan and abroad. Japanese headliners historically include Giant Baba (founder), Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada, Jun Akiyama, Kento Miyahara, and Naoya Nomura. International stars have included Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, Jerry Lawler, Samoa Joe, Rob Conway, and Terry Funk. Junior heavyweight and tag divisions featured performers like Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama), The Dynamite Kid, Jushin Thunder Liger, Steve Williams, and Foreign Legion alumni. Behind the scenes, significant personnel include promoters and bookers such as Motoko Baba, booking staff with links to Giant Baba, and trainers associated with the dojo system shared with NJPW dojo graduates and freelance wrestlers. Referees, ring announcers, and production staff have often overlapped with personnel from FMW and DDT Pro-Wrestling during joint shows.

Championships and Tournaments

AJPW established signature titles and competitions that define its legacy. The top title, the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, unified belts from PWF Heavyweight Championship, NWA United National Championship, and NWA International Heavyweight Championship. Tag team gold includes the World Tag Team Championship (formerly NWA International Tag Team Championship). Junior and secondary accolades have connections to tournaments like the Champion Carnival—one of Japan’s premier singles tournaments comparable in prestige to G1 Climax—and the Real World Tag League (formerly World's Strongest Tag Determination League). Other honors and tournaments have included memorial cups and one-off events featuring wrestlers from All-Star Pro Wrestling and international partner promotions.

Events and Tours

AJPW ran regular cards at Korakuen Hall, seasonal tours across regions such as Hokkaido, Kansai, and Kyushu, and marquee shows at venues like Nippon Budokan and Tokyo Dome on special occasions. Annual tours often coincided with Japanese holidays and integrated talent exchanges with NWA and North American tours featuring WCW and ECW performers. Co-promoted events and international tours have taken place with promotions including Pro Wrestling NOAH, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and Mexican organizations like CMLL, enhancing global exposure through cross-continental cards.

Style and Legacy

AJPW is renowned for a "King's Road" in-ring philosophy emphasizing hard-hitting strikes, escalating drama, and long-term storytelling exemplified by series between Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi and tag battles featuring Toshiaki Kawada. This style influenced generations of wrestlers across United States independents, European promotions, and Mexican lucha libre exchanges. Its legacy includes the development of training methodologies akin to the dojo approach used by NJPW and contributing to hallmarks of modern puroresu adopted by promotions such as Pro Wrestling Noah and Dragon Gate.

Business Operations and Ownership

Originally controlled by Giant Baba and his family, the promotion underwent ownership changes after Baba’s death, with Motoko Baba stewarding the company before management transitions involving corporate restructuring. Leadership figures like Keiji Mutoh and Jun Akiyama have assumed executive and creative roles, coordinating with corporate entities, sponsorships, and television partners such as Nippon Television affiliates and syndication deals. Business strategies have included merchandise licensing, talent development contracts, international partnerships with NWA and WCW, and navigating competition with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and independent circuits during shifts in Japanese sports entertainment markets.

Media, Broadcasting, and Merchandise

AJPW programming has been broadcast on networks and pay-per-view platforms, with historic TV presence similar to contemporaries on channels linked to Fuji Television and Nippon TV affiliates. Home video, DVD collections, and streaming archives distribute classic matches featuring names like Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi to domestic and international audiences. Merchandise lines have included action figures, apparel, and commemorative publications produced in collaboration with distributors who also handle goods for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and international partners. The promotion’s media footprint expanded through collaborations with wrestling magazines such as Weekly Pro Wrestling and digital streaming services that host archive content and live shows.

Category:Professional wrestling promotions in Japan