Japanese professional wrestling, commonly known as Puroresu, is a unique blend of athletic competition and theatrical storytelling. While it shares some similarities with American professional wrestling, it is often treated more like a legitimate combat sport in Japan. This guide provides a clear overview of the history, styles, and major organizations within the industry.
Whether you are a longtime fan of wrestling or a curious newcomer, understanding the cultural significance of Puroresu can enhance your viewing experience. It is characterized by its physical intensity, respect for tradition, and a focus on fighting spirit. This article will help you navigate the different promotions and show you how to start watching today.
The History of Japanese Wrestling
Professional wrestling was introduced to Japan in the early 1950s. The most influential figure in its history was Rikidozan, a former sumo wrestler who became a national hero. He represented Japan in matches against American wrestlers, helping to rebuild national pride after World War II.
Following Rikidozan’s death, his two top students, Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, founded their own promotions in 1972. Inoki created New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), while Baba created All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). These two companies formed the foundation of the modern industry and established the distinct styles still seen today.
Over the decades, Puroresu has evolved to include various sub-genres. These range from technical grappling and high-flying acrobatics to “deathmatches” involving weapons. Despite these variations, the core emphasis remains on the endurance and resilience of the performers.
Understanding the Different Styles
One of the first things viewers notice about Japanese wrestling is the physical impact. Unlike the more entertainment-focused style often seen in the United States, Puroresu emphasizes Strong Style and King’s Road.
- Strong Style: Developed by Antonio Inoki, this style incorporates elements of martial arts, including stiff kicks and realistic submission holds. It focuses on the idea of wrestling as the ultimate fighting art.
- King’s Road: Popularized by All Japan Pro Wrestling, this style focuses on long-form storytelling through high-stakes matches. It emphasizes heavy strikes and complex sequences of power moves.
- Junior Heavyweight Style: This style features smaller, faster wrestlers who perform acrobatic maneuvers and high-speed aerial attacks. It is often more fast-paced than the heavyweight divisions.
These styles are built around the concept of Fighting Spirit (Toushi). This is the idea that a wrestler can overcome extreme physical pain through sheer willpower, which is a central theme in many Japanese matches.
Major Japanese Wrestling Promotions
There are many wrestling organizations in Japan, ranging from massive corporations to small independent groups. Knowing the major players will help you decide which style of wrestling you prefer to watch.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
NJPW is the largest and most successful promotion in Japan. It is known for its high production values and the prestigious IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Their biggest event of the year is Wrestle Kingdom, held every January 4th at the Tokyo Dome.
World Wonder Ring Stardom
Stardom is the premier women’s wrestling promotion in Japan, often referred to as Joshi Puroresu. It features some of the most skilled athletes in the world. Stardom is known for its fast-paced action and colorful characters.
Pro Wrestling NOAH
NOAH was founded in 2000 by wrestlers who left All Japan Pro Wrestling. It is known for its hard-hitting style and has a dedicated following. The promotion often uses a green ring mat, which has become its visual trademark.
Dragon Gate
Dragon Gate is famous for its incredibly fast, lucha-libre inspired style. It focuses heavily on multi-man tag team matches and intricate choreography. It is a great choice for fans who enjoy high-energy, athletic displays.
Women’s Wrestling: Joshi Puroresu
Women’s wrestling in Japan, or Joshi Puroresu, has a long and storied history independent of men’s wrestling. In the 1980s and 90s, Joshi was a massive cultural phenomenon, often drawing huge television audiences.
Joshi wrestlers are known for being just as physical, if not more so, than their male counterparts. Today, promotions like Stardom and Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW) continue this tradition. They offer a mix of high-level athleticism and idol-style presentation that is unique to Japan.
How to Watch Japanese Wrestling
In the past, it was difficult for international fans to follow Japanese wrestling. However, most major promotions now have their own dedicated streaming services, many of which offer English commentary for major events.
- NJPW World: This is the streaming service for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It offers a massive archive of historical matches and live broadcasts of current events.
- Stardom World: This service provides coverage of Stardom events. While it does not always offer live streaming, matches are usually uploaded shortly after they occur with English subtitles for promos.
- Wrestle Universe: This is a subscription service that includes several promotions, including Pro Wrestling NOAH, TJPW, and DDT Pro-Wrestling. It is considered one of the best values for fans.
Many promotions also maintain active YouTube channels. These channels often post free matches, highlights, and documentary-style videos to help new fans get acquainted with the roster.
Common Terminology to Know
To follow the action and the commentary, it helps to be familiar with a few common terms used in the industry. These words are frequently used by fans and announcers alike.
- Dojo: The training facility where wrestlers learn their craft. Each major promotion has its own dojo with a strict training regimen.
- Young Lion: A trainee or rookie wrestler. They usually wear plain black trunks and boots and perform opening matches while learning the ropes.
- Gaijin: A foreign wrestler. Many famous Western wrestlers, such as Hulk Hogan and Kenny Omega, built their reputations as gaijins in Japan.
- Tour: Unlike the weekly television model in the US, Japanese wrestling usually operates on tours. A promotion will travel to different cities for several weeks, culminating in a large “Big Show.”
Attending a Live Event in Japan
If you have the opportunity to attend a live show in Japan, the experience is quite different from Western events. The audience is traditionally more quiet and respectful during the early stages of a match.
Fans often show their appreciation through rhythmic clapping rather than constant chanting. However, as the match reaches its climax, the crowd becomes very vocal. It is also common for fans to throw streamers (tape) into the ring for their favorite wrestlers during introductions, though this depends on the specific venue’s rules.
The most famous venue for wrestling is Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. It is often called the “Mecca of Puroresu” because of its intimate atmosphere and historical significance. Most fans consider a visit to Korakuen Hall a must-do experience.
Conclusion
Japanese wrestling offers a compelling alternative to mainstream Western wrestling, focusing on sportsmanship, physical endurance, and deep-rooted traditions. By exploring different promotions like NJPW or Stardom, you can find the specific style that appeals to you most. With the availability of international streaming services, it has never been easier to dive into the world of Puroresu.
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