New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced its partnership with the newly founded United Japan Pro-Wrestling industry group.
United Japan Pro-Wrestling is a recently formed industry group that currently has nine constituent Japan-based promotions. The formation of the group stemmed from the need of consolidated operating procedures amongst wrestling promotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. United Japan Pro-Wrestling also aims for a more centralized management system and ease of communication with national government protocols.
NJPW also released a statement on the establishment of the group. They emphasized on their collective goal through their official mission statement: “To further the presence of pro-wrestling and its cultural merit in Japanese society at large, allow professional wrestling to contribute further to cultural and sporting sectors, and work toward continued health and prosperity of the industry.”
The complete list of promotions under the United Japan Pro-Wrestling group are as follows:
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- All Japan Pro-Wrestling
- Pro-Wrestling NOAH
- DDT Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
- Ganbare ☆ Pro-Wrestling
- Big Japan Pro-Wrestling
- DRAGONGATE
- World Wonder Ring STARDOM
- Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling
The group executives mentioned that they are open to welcoming other Japanese wrestling companies into the team down the line. Furthermore, United Japan Pro-Wrestling only serves as the main body for overseeing operations within the companies involved. Business identities of each promotion under the group shall be preserved, allowing themselves to retain the competitive nature of the Japanese wrestling scene.
United Japan Pro-Wrestling executives include Founding Chair Seiji Sakaguchi while NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi serves as the group’s Executive Chief. The group’s executive office shall be with New Japan Pro Wrestling Co. Ltd.
Inaugural joint show
To formally celebrate its formation, United Japan Pro-Wrestling will hold its first show at Nippon Budokan on May 6, 2024. Further details on the joint event are yet to be disclosed publicly. However, the show is expected to showcase talent from all nine promotions under the United Japan Pro-Wrestling banner.
