NJPW has joined forces with the biggest promotions in Japan as part of a new venture.
The United Japan Pro-Wrestling group will see the top nine promotions within the country be able to exchange information regarding any concerns within the industry in the hopes that they will be able to adapt to any sudden changes that could take place in the future. The formation was created following the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly affected the industry.
The 9 promotions involved in the collaborative project are as follows:
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling (New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co. Ltd.)
- All Japan Pro-Wrestling (All Japan Pro-Wrestling Co. Ltd.)
- Pro-Wrestling NOAH (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
- DDT Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
- Ganbare ☆ Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
- Big Japan Pro-Wrestling （Yotsuba Industries Ltd.)
- DRAGONGATE (DRAGONGATE Co. Ltd.)
- STARDOM (BushiRoad Fight Co. Ltd.)
- Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
Each promotion will still retain their individual identities and will see a United Japan Pro-Wrestling event held on Monday, May 6th. The group is said to be the spokesgroup for all of Japanese wrestling and will be a recognised and public organisation worldwide.
The press release detailing the reasons why this venture is going ahead and the core values is as follows:
December 15, Tokyo Japan
New Japan Pro-Wrestling today announces that it is one of nine organizations that will constitute United Japan Pro-Wrestling, a new industry group representing professional wrestling in Japan.
Without an industry wide group for professional wrestling in Japan, the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic made it all the more clear that there was a need to consolidate and express accurate information and best operating practices between promotions, as well as to communicate effectively with national and municipal governments. In a bid to better anticipate and adapt to societal changes in the future, nine Japanese promotions at the forefront of pro-wrestling in the country will be be part of a collective industry group (henceforth ‘the Group’).
The members of the Group will maintain their individual business identities and competition in the marketplace, but the Group will provide a space to discuss issues that concern the industry at large, and to exchange information with an interest in maintaining its growth. The formation of the Group will be marked by an event on May 6 2024 in Nippon Budokan under the banner of United Japan Pro-Wrestling.
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.
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic made it apparent that there was a lack of communication and unified approach to event guidelines, and no common point of contact between the industry and national and municipal governments. There was also a desire to discuss issues surrounding wrestler health and safety (including in their online presence), to create a pipeline to other sporting organizations and to further the image of professional wrestling through issues of corporate social responsibility. There was a shared desire between members of the Group to continue existing competition within the marketplace while also sharing relevant information and know-how on these and other socio-economic issues.
Core tenets
Unity and integrity. The Group will be the representative spokesgroup for all of professional wrestling in Japan.
Representation. The Group will be the public facing symbol for the collective whole of professional wrestling in Japan.
Continuity. The Group will have a continuous presence and activity in the future.
As a result, the existence of the Group will be made known worldwide, and its members will be actively engaged in actions of merit.
NJPW Builds To Wrestle Kingdom 18
NJPW are just a few weeks away from their biggest show of the year; Wrestle Kingdom 18. Taking place on January 4th, some of the biggest matches announced include SANADA defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito, a rematch between Kazuchika Okada and Bryan Danielson and a 3-way match to crown an inaugural NJPW champion.