Jump to content

New Japan Pro-Wrestling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 188.250.27.52 (talk) at 20:22, 13 October 2018 (Current). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Native name
新日本プロレスリング株式会社
Shin Nihon Puroresuringu Kabushiki-kaisha
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryProfessional wrestling
Sports entertainment
Streaming media
FoundedJanuary 13, 1972; 52 years ago (1972-01-13)
FounderAntonio Inoki
HeadquartersJR Tokyu Meguro Building, 16F, 3-1-1 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Takaaki Kidani
(Representative Director of Bushiroad)
Harold Meij
(President and CEO)[2][3]
Naoki Sugabayashi
(Chairman)[4]
Products
  • Television
  • Music
  • Films
  • Merchandise
  • Streaming network service
  • Live events
ServicesLicensing
RevenueIncrease ¥3.859 billion (2017[4])
OwnersBushiroad[5][4]
(majority owner - 85%)
TV Asahi[4]
(minority owner - 10%)
Amuse, Inc.[4]
(minority owner - 5%)
Number of employees
61 (2017[4])
Divisions
Divisions
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries
  • Lion's Break
  • NJPW LA Dojo
  • NJPW Music Group
Websitewww.njpw.co.jp

New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. (新日本プロレスリング株式会社, Shin Nihon Puroresuringu Kabushiki-kaisha),[4] operating as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) (新日本プロレス, Shin Nihon Puroresu), is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded in January 1972 by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares of the company.[4] Naoki Sugabayashi has served as the promotion's Chairman since September 2013,[6] while Harold Meij has served as the President of the promotion since May 2018.[3]

Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, NJPW is the largest professional wrestling promotion in Japan and the second largest promotion in the world.[7] It was affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance at various points in its history. NJPW has had agreements with various MMA and professional wrestling promotions around the world, including WWE, World Championship Wrestling, American Wrestling Association, World Class Championship Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, WAR, UWFi, Ring of Honor, Pride Fighting Championships, and Jersey All Pro Wrestling.[8] NJPW's biggest event is the January 4 Tokyo Dome Show, held each year since 1992 and currently promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom banner.

History

The promotion was founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972 after his departure from the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance promotion. The first NJPW event took place on March 6, 1972, in Tokyo. Inoki would serve as the president of the promotion until 1989, when he stepped down to pursue a political career as a member of the Japanese House of Councillors. The promotion was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) from 1975 to 1985 and once more from 1992 to 1993. NJPW was briefly reaffiliated with the NWA in the late 2000s to the early 2010s as well.

Also known as "Shin Nihon Puroresu", NJPW is considered the top wrestling promotion in Japan and is comparable to WWE in the United States in terms of popularity in the country. They promote events throughout Japan with their biggest event being their annual supercard held every year on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome, currently billed as Wrestle Kingdom; this serves as Japan's version of WWE's annual WrestleMania event.

In the past NJPW has worked with WWE, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Global Force Wrestling (GFW), and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), among others. The company currently has working agreements with three foreign promotions—Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico, Ring of Honor (ROH) in the U.S., and the British Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW). Occasionally, NJPW will also host cross-promotional matches with other Japanese promotions, such as All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Pro Wrestling Noah.

The promotion is currently owned by Japanese card game company Bushiroad, which parlayed its entry to the world of professional wrestling into a best-selling trading card game, King of Pro Wrestling, and appearances from NJPW stars in its various franchises.

The promotion also has its own governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix, shortened as IWGP. NJPW currently has eight titles: the IWGP Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental, IWGP United States Heavyweight, IWGP Junior Heavyweight, IWGP Tag Team, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team, NEVER Openweight and the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships. It also holds several tournaments each year, including the G1 Climax, World Tag League, New Japan Cup and Best of the Super Juniors.

The promotion debuted a new series called NEVER in August 2010, designed to be a series of events spotlighting younger up-and-coming New Japan talent and feature more outsider participation in the promotion. The final NEVER event was held in November 2012.

On January 4, 2011, New Japan officially announced the NJPW Invasion Tour 2011: Attack on East Coast, the promotion's first tour of the United States to be held in May 2011. The tour featured shows in Rahway, New Jersey on May 13, New York City on May 14 and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 15, as well as cross-promotion with American independent group Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW). As part of the tour, NJPW introduced a new title, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[9] On January 31, 2012, Yuke's announced that it had sold all shares of New Japan Pro-Wrestling to card game company Bushiroad for ¥500 million ($6.5 million).[10]

New Japan aired its first internet pay-per-view, the fourth day of the 2012 G1 Climax, on August 5, 2012.[11] The October 8, 2012, King of Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view marked the first time viewers outside Japan were able to order a pay-per-view by the promotion through Ustream.[12][13] On October 5, 2012, New Japan announced the creation of the NEVER Openweight Championship, which would be contested for on the NEVER series. A two-day tournament to determine the inaugural champion was held between November 15 and 19, 2012.[14]

In February 2014, New Japan announced a partnership with ROH, which saw the promotion return to North America the following May to present two supershows; Global Wars in Toronto and War of the Worlds in New York City.[15][16] During the tour, New Japan wrestlers also took part in an event held by Canadian promotion Border City Wrestling (BCW).[17] A year later, NJPW and ROH announced another tour together to produce four more supershows; War of the Worlds '15 on May 12 and 13 in Philadelphia and Global Wars '15 on May 15 and 16 in Toronto.[18]

In June 2014, New Japan announced a partnership with the new American Global Force Wrestling (GFW) organization helmed by Jeff Jarrett.[19] In November 2014, GFW announced that it would be broadcasting NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome on pay-per-view in the United States as a four-hour event.[20] Also in November 2014, the American AXS TV network announced it had acquired rights to rebroadcast a series of thirteen episodes of NJPW matches from TV Asahi. The series premiered on January 16, 2015, airing weekly on Fridays.[21] Averaging 200,000 viewers per episode, the show was considered a success, leading to AXS TV and TV Asahi signing a multi-year deal to continue airing the show.[22] In June 2016, the show was also acquired by the Canadian Fight Network.[23] On December 1, 2014, NJPW and TV Asahi announced NJPW World, a new worldwide streaming site for the promotion's events.[24]

On July 18, 2015, NJPW announced the "New IWGP Conception", a global expansion strategy centered on their international partnerships with CMLL, GFW, ROH, RPW, wXw and the NWA as well as holding more shows in Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan. Also announced was the Lion's Gate Project, which would feature NJPW rookies as well as up-and-coming outsiders working trial matches in an effort to earn a spot in the promotion. Finally, it was announced that there were plans to take the company public with a listing on the stock market within three to five years.[25][26][27]

On December 21, 2015, NJPW announced the creation of its seventh active title and the first six-man tag team championship in the promotion's history, the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[28] On January 5, 2016, NJPW announced a partnership with the Amuse talent agency with the goal of making the promotion's wrestlers internationally recognized stars in the vein of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.[29]

In March 2017, NJPW partnered with the New Zealand-based Fale Dojo, a pro wrestling training facility run by NJPW performer Bad Luck Fale.[30] NJPW will utilize the partnership as an opportunity to scout talent from Oceania.[30] The following month on April 24, 2017, it was announced that NJPW would co-present the Japanese qualifiers for the Pro Wrestling World Cup tournament hosted by the British What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) promotion.[31]

On May 12, 2017, NJPW announced the creation of a new title: the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, with the inaugural champion to be crowned during the promotion's G1 Special in USA shows in Long Beach, California on July 1 and 2.[32][33] Four days later, NJPW held a press conference to announce plans to establish a subsidiary company, including a dojo, in the United States.[34] A Los Angeles office was scheduled to be opened before the end of 2017, with a dojo scheduled to be opened at the start of 2018.[35] NJPW's second American event, Strong Style Evolved, took place on March 25, 2018, also in Long Beach.[36] In November 2017, NJPW signed a television deal with Discovery Communications, which would see the company's programming brought to 70 million Indian homes through DSport.[37] In 2017, NJPW produces the best matches of the year.[38] In January 2018, NJPW announced the four-show Fallout Down Under tour, the promotion's inaugural tour of Australia spanning from February 16–19.[39] In March 2018, New Japan opened the NJPW LA Dojo with Katsuyori Shibata serving as head trainer and ROH wrestler Scorpio Sky serving as assistant trainer.[40] On May 13, 2018, New Japan hired its first foreign president, Dutch businessman Harold Meij.[3]

Contracts

Up until the 1980s, NJPW signed its workers to multi-year contracts,[41] before changing to a system, where the promotion signed its wrestlers to one-year deals that expired at the end of every January.[42] Following the departures of A.J. Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, NJPW chairman Takaaki Kidani announced in February 2016 that the promotion was returning to the multi-year contract system.[41] The contracts forbid negotiations with other promotions.[43] Any side contracts or agreements offered to wrestlers under NJPW contracts, need the promotion's approval before being signed.[44]

Championships

Current

Championship Current champion(s) Reign Date won Days held Successful defenses Location Notes
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Kenny Omega 1 June 9, 2018 2342 3 Osaka, Japan Defeated Kazuchika Okada in a no time limit two out of three falls match at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
IWGP Intercontinental Championship Chris Jericho 1 June 9, 2018 2342 0 Osaka, Japan Defeated Tetsuya Naito at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Cody 1 September 30, 2018 2229 0 Long Beach, California Defeated Juice Robinson at Fighting Spirit Unleashed
IWGP Tag Team Championship Guerrillas of Destiny
(Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa)
4
(4, 4)
September 30, 2018 2229 0 Long Beach, California Defeated The Young Bucks (Nick Jackson and Matt Jackson) at Fighting Spirit Unleashed
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Kushida 6 October 8, 2018 2221 0 Tokyo, Japan Defeated Marty Scurll at King of Pro-Wrestling to win the vacant title
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Suzuki-gun
(El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
1
(1, 3)
March 6, 2018 2437 4 Tokyo, Japan Defeated Roppongi 3K (Sho and Yoh) and Los Ingobernables de Japon (Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi) in a three-way tag team match at 46th Anniversary Event
NEVER Openweight Championship Taichi 1 September 17, 2018 2242 0 Beppu, Japan Defeated Hirooki Goto at Destruction in Beppu
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship Bullet Club OG
(Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori)
1
(4, 3, 1)
August 12, 2018 2278 1 Tokyo, Japan Defeated Bullet Club Elite (Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson and Marty Scurll) at G1 Climax 28: Final

Abandoned

Championship Last champion(s) Reign Date retired Notes
IWGP Third Belt Championship Shinsuke Nakamura 1 February 17, 2008 Unified with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship after Nakamura defeated the previous champion Kurt Angle.
IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship Hiroshi Tanahashi 2 June 7, 2006 Vacated by Tanahashi at the age of 29 and soon deactivated.
NWF Heavyweight Championship Shinsuke Nakamura 1 January 4, 2004 Unified with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship after Nakamura defeated the previous champion Yoshihiro Takayama.
J-Crown Shinjiro Otani 1 November 5, 1997 A unification of eight different junior heavyweight championship titles from different promotions and countries, including the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. The first unified champion was The Great Sasuke, crowned in a tournament held on August 1996. The J-Crown was dissolved after the WWF reclaimed the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, with Otani keeping the IWGP title and returning the remaining belts to the original promotions.
WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship Antonio Inoki 2 December 31, 1989 Contested in matches billed as shoot wrestling fights.
WWF International Heavyweight Championship Tatsumi Fujinami 3 October 31, 1985 Abandoned after the NJPW and the WWF ended their working relationship.
WWF International Tag Team Championship Kengo Kimura and Tatsumi Fujinami 1
(1, 1)
October 31, 1985 Abandoned after the NJPW and the WWF ended their working relationship.
WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship The Cobra 2 October 31, 1985 Abandoned after the NJPW and the WWF ended their working relationship.
NWA North American Tag Team Championship Riki Choshu and Seiji Sakaguchi 1
(1, 5)
April 23, 1981 It served as NJPW's primary tag team championship between 1973 and 1981. Abandoned for undocumented reasons.

Events

Marquee events

Collaborated events

Developmental events

Tournaments

Active

Tournament Last winner(s) Last held Type Created Notes
G1 Climax Hiroshi Tanahashi 2018 Openweight 1974 The biggest annual tournament in NJPW, primarily for heavyweights but there is no official weight limit. Contested in a round-robin format in two blocks, with the winners of each block meeting in the final. In its current format, the tournament lasts four weeks. Since 2012, the winner has earned a certificate to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the next year's Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome.[Note 1]
World Tag League Los Ingobernables de Japon
(Sanada and Evil)
2017 Openweight tag team 1980 A tag team annual tournament, primarily for heavyweights but there is no official weight limit. Contested in a round-robin format in two blocks, with the winners of each block meeting in the final.[Note 2]
New Japan Cup Zack Sabre Jr. 2018 Openweight 2005 An annual single-elimination tournament, primarily for heavyweights but there is no official weight limit.
Best of the Super Juniors Hiromu Takahashi 2018 Junior heavyweight 1988 An annual tournament for junior heavyweights. Contested in a round-robin format in two blocks, with the winners of each block meeting in the final.[Note 3]
Super Junior Tag Tournament Roppongi 3K
(Sho and Yoh)
2017 Junior heavyweight tag team 2010 An annual single-elimination tournament for junior heavyweight tag teams.[Note 4]
Young Lion Cup Katsuya Kitamura 2017 Rookies 1985 A tournament for rookie wrestlers, referred by NJPW as Young Lions. Actually contested in a round-robin format.[Note 5]

Inactive

Tournament Last winner(s) Last held Type Created Notes
Super J-Cup Kushida 2016 Junior heavyweight 1994 A sporadic single-elimination tournament, featuring junior heavyweights from all over the world. The tournament has been hosted by other promotions other than New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
J Sports Crown Openweight 6-Man Tag Tournament Apollo 555
(Hirooki Goto, Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi)
2011 Openweight six-man tag team 2010 A single-elimination six-man tag team tournament, held in 2010 and 2011.
G2 U-30 Climax Hiroshi Tanahashi 2003 Openweight 2003 A tournament for wrestlers under the age of 30. It was held only once, in 2003.

NJPW Greatest Wrestlers

The NJPW Greatest Wrestlers is New Japan's hall of fame, established in 2007 to honor wrestlers who have wrestled for the promotion. From 2007 to 2011, the inductions begin on March 6, the anniversary of the promotion's founding.[45]

Inductees
Year Ring name
(Birth name)
Accolades
2007 Antonio Inoki
(Kanji Inoki)
NJPW founder and first IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Also won many top titles, including the WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship, NWA United National Championship and NWF Heavyweight Championship.
Seiji Sakaguchi Three-time NWA North American Tag Team Champion and one-time NWF North American Heavyweight and WWF North American Heavyweight Champion.
Kantaro Hoshino
(Tatsuo Hoshino)
One-time IWA World Tag Team Champion with Kotetsu Yamamoto as the Yamaha Brothers. Also known as a promoter and manager.
Kotetsu Yamamoto
(Masaru Yamamoto)
One-time IWA World Tag Team Champion with Kantaro Hoshino as the Yamaha Brothers.
Shoji Kai
(Motoyuki Kitazawa)
Winner of the 1976 Karl Gotch Cup. Famous as the debut opponent of many legends, including Kotetsu Yamamoto, Rusher Kimura, Masa Saito, Tatsumi Fujinami, Osamu Kido, Mitsuo Momota, Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask) and Hiro Saito.
2009 Kuniaki Kobayashi One of NJPW's top junior heavyweights of the 1980s and of a few to win the junior heavyweight titles in both New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Akira Maeda Two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. Founder of the Universal Wrestling Federation and Fighting Network Rings.
Black Cat
(Víctor Manuel Mar)
One-time Mexican National Junior Heavyweight Champion and Naucalpan Tag Team Champion.
2010 Animal Hamaguchi
(Heigo Hamaguchi)
Trainer and two-time All Asia Tag Team Champion. Also four-time IWA World Tag Team Champion.
Shinya Hashimoto One of the Three Musketeers. Three-time IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Tag Team Champion. Founder of Pro Wrestling Zero1.
2011 Don Arakawa
(Makoto Arakawa)
One-time WWC Caribbean Tag Team Champion. Best known as an underdog and comedy wrestler.

Broadcasters

Domestic:

  • TV Asahi (1973–present, currently broadcasting weekly highlights show World Pro Wrestling and live specials)
  • Fighting TV Samurai (1996–present, currently broadcasting live specials, retrospective shows and magazine show NJPW Battle DX)
  • AbemaTV (2014–present, online linear television service, live-streaming episodes of World Pro Wrestling)

International:

  • Eurosport (mid '90s–2007, Europe, dubbed episodes of World Pro Wrestling and major shows for various continental markets)
  • The Wrestling Channel (2002–2005, UK & Ireland, dubbed and undubbed broadcasts of major shows)
  • AXS TV (2014–present, United States, currently broadcasting World Pro Wrestling and major shows, dubbed with English commentary)
  • The Fight Network (2016–present, Canada, broadcasting the AXS version of World Pro Wrestling)
  • DSport (2017–present, India)
  • J-One (May 2018–present, France, dubbed with French commentary)

Worldwide:

  • NJPW World (streaming service, in partnership with TV Asahi, broadcasting most NJPW shows live, as well as on-demand classic, documentary and anime content, as well as content from other promotions, beginning with promotional partner CMLL's weekly Super Viernes shows)

Footnotes

  1. ^ The actual G1 Climax began in 1991, but the tournament's history can be traced back to 1974. It was held under various names: the World League (1974–77), the Madison Square Garden (MSG) League (1978–82), the International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) League (1983–88) and the World Cup Tournament (1989).
  2. ^ Since 1980, the tournament was held under various names: the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Tag League (1980–84), the IWGP Tag Title League (1985), the Japan Cup Tag League (1986–87), the Super Grade Tag League (1991–98) and the G1 Tag League (1999–2011).
  3. ^ Between 1988 and 1993, the tournament was held under the name Top of the Super Juniors.
  4. ^ NJPW has previously held round-robin tournaments for junior heavyweight tag teams: the Junior Heavyweight Super Grade Tag League in 1996, won by Eddie Guerrero as Black Tiger II and The Great Sasuke, the G1 Junior Tag League in 2001, won by El Samurai and Jyushin Thunder Liger and the Super J Tag League in November 13, 2010, won by Jado and Gedo. In 2010, the tournament was held under the name Super J Tag Tournament.
  5. ^ Between 1974 and 1976 NJPW held the Karl Gotch Cup, a similar style rookie wrestler tournament. In 1989, 1991 and 2002, NJPW held tournaments under the name Young Lion Tournament, which are not considered part of the Young Lion Cup lineage.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Company Profile". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  2. ^ "New Japan Pro-Wrestling appoints new president and CEO". May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "新日本プロレス社長にオランダ出身実業家メイ氏就任へ 元タカラトミー社長". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Company Profile". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  5. ^ 5億円!新日オーナー会社 電撃交代 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  6. ^ 新役員人事決定のお知らせ. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  7. ^ "Pro Wrestling: New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV in United States". Miami Herald. November 24, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  8. ^ "New Japan Pro Wrestling comes to the U.S." Wrestling Observer Newsletter. October 3, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  9. ^ Caldwell, James (January 5, 2011). "NJPW News: New Japan to introduce new title on U.S. tour, officially announces dates & venues for "Invasion" tour". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  10. ^ Caldwell, James (January 31, 2012). "NJPW News: New Japan sold to new owners, change-over taking effect February 1". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  11. ^ Caldwell, James (August 1, 2012). "NJPW debuting on iPPV this weekend". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  12. ^ "10月8日『キングオブプロレスリング』 PPV配信が更に規模を拡大して「全世界」へ! Ustream all over the world !". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). September 28, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  13. ^ Caldwell, James (September 28, 2012). "NJPW offering Oct. 8 show on iPPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  14. ^ "あの『NEVER』がリニューアル!! "無差別級王座"も新設!! 11.15&11.19Shibuya Axで再出発!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  15. ^ "今年5月、新日本プロレスが北米再上陸!! ROHとの共同開催で、5月10日カナダ、17日ニューヨーク大会が決定!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). February 24, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  16. ^ Carapola, Stuart (February 22, 2014). "Live ROH HonorCon coverage: the big announcement". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  17. ^ Meltzer, Dave (April 24, 2014). "Notes on New Japan/Border City main matches for 5-9 in Windsor, Ontario". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  18. ^ Caldwell, James (March 7, 2015). "ROH news: ROH adds fourth New Japan show to May tour". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  19. ^ "「G1」出場メンバー、各大会の主要カードを電撃発表!! 開幕戦で、中邑vs柴田が実現! 西武ドームにROH勢が参戦!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). June 21, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Caldwell, James (November 4, 2014). "NJPW/GFW news: Tokyo Dome Show to air on U.S. PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  21. ^ "AXS announces New Japan TV deal, official details, time slot, debut date and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  22. ^ Meltzer, Dave (July 27, 2015). "July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking, and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 24. ISSN 1083-9593.
  23. ^ Caldwell, James (June 13, 2016). "New Japan's English-language TV series to air on Fight Network". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  24. ^ Caldwell, James (December 1, 2014). "NJPW news: New Japan announces streaming service like WWE Network, will include live shows". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  25. ^ "新日本プロレス3~5年後上場目指す". Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  26. ^ "木谷オーナーが「ファーム設立プラン」「21世紀のIWGP構想」、そして「新日本プロレスは株式上場を目指す」と宣言! 【7.18戦略発表会】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  27. ^ Caldwell, James (July 18, 2015). "NJPW news: New Japan announces big int'l expansion plans, including expanded N. America partnerships & NXT-like program". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  28. ^ "Archived copy" 【WK10】1.4東京ドームは“8大選手権”! 第2試合は初代NEVER無差別級6人タッグ王座戦! 第3試合はROH世界選手権に! NJランボー参戦選手も追加!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). December 21, 2015. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. ^ Caldwell, James (January 5, 2016). "New Japan – tons of developments at post-Tokyo Dome show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  30. ^ a b "Fale Dojo Facebook page". Facebook. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  31. ^ "Japanese World Cup Qualifiers Hosted In Association With NJPW & RevPro". What Culture Pro Wrestling. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  32. ^ Meltzer, Dave (May 12, 2017). "ROH War of the Worlds PPV live results: Daniels vs. Cody vs. Lethal". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  33. ^ Johnson, Mike (May 12, 2017). "New Japan announces new championship, unveils belt". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  34. ^ "Archived copy" 戦略発表会で、木谷オーナーが「2020年の東京ドーム満員を目指す」とコメント!さらにアメリカへの“本格進出”、道場の設立も視野に!!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). May 16, 2017. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  35. ^ 【新日LA】木谷オーナー「大成功、超成功。いずれは巡業スタイルも」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  36. ^ Currier, Joseph (November 5, 2017). "NJPW returning to Long Beach, California in March". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  37. ^ "New Japan Pro Wrestling signs India TV deal". Pro Wrestling Insider. November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  38. ^ "2017-2018: Which Wrestling promotion produces the best matches?". Wrestlingculture. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  39. ^ "NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING ANNOUNCE FALLOUT DOWN UNDER TOUR!". Destroy All Lines. January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  40. ^ "Katsuyori Shibata to be Head Coach of New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  41. ^ a b 新日が“至宝”オカダ流出阻止へ2億円プロジェクト. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  42. ^ Rose, Bryan (January 4, 2016). "NJPW stars Nakamura, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson headed to WWE". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  43. ^ 中邑 新日プロ退団しWWEへ!世界に羽ばたく日本プロレス界最高のカリスマ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). January 8, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  44. ^ Csonka, Larry (August 11, 2016). "Will Ospreay Discusses Not Signing With Evolve, Taking Less Independent Dates, More". 411Mania. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  45. ^ "Greatest Wrestlers". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2014.