A new Japanese wrestling promotion featuring the very best of various existing promotions will be premiering in May of next year.
In a statement, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced ‘United Japan Pro Wrestling’ which will feature nine existing promotions working together. It’s stated that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that there was a need for companies to work closely together to relay accurate information and best operating practices between promotions. United Japan Pro Wrestling will work with the following 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.”
Who’s In?
New Japan Pro Wrestling is just one of the nine promotions coming together for ‘The Group.’ The full listing of promotions is as follows:
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- All Japan Pro-Wrestling
- Pro-Wrestling NOAH
- DDT Pro-Wrestling
- Ganbare ? Pro-Wrestling
- Big Japan Pro-Wrestling
- DRAGONGATE
- STARDOM
- Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling
The Group’s founding chair is Seiji Sakaguchi who after retiring from the ring, currently works with New Japan as an advisor. The Group’s executive office will be with New Japan and NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi will serve as Executive Chief.
First Show
The nine members of The Group will continue to operate as individual businesses and as competition in the market, but will work to ensure that Japanese wrestling continues to thrive. 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.
