| Type | Professional wrestling promotion |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Owner(s) | Bushiroad |
| Known for | Producing top technical wrestlers • Defining the 'strong style' of wrestling in Japan • Being a cultural force in Japan for over 80 years |
| Key people | Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Tetsuya Naito |
| Popularity | Lesser known internationally than in our timeline, but remains Japan's dominant wrestling organization |
| Headquarters | |
| Partnerships | Major American promotions • Major European promotions |
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (日本プロレス, Nippon Puroresu), often shortened to NJPW, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion that was founded in 1933. It is the oldest and most prestigious wrestling organization in Japan, known for its focus on technical, hard-hitting "strong style" wrestling.
NJPW was founded in 1933 by former sumo wrestler Antonio Inoki and several other pioneers of Japanese professional wrestling. In its early years, the promotion laid the foundations of what would become the distinctive Japanese wrestling style, emphasizing grappling, martial arts-inspired strikes, and dramatic, psychologically compelling matches over the more theatrical, high-flying American style.
During the 1940s and 1950s, NJPW established itself as the top wrestling draw in Japan, attracting huge crowds to its events. It also began establishing partnerships with American and European promotions, sending its wrestlers abroad and hosting international superstars. This global exposure helped spread the reputation of NJPW's technical, "strong style" approach worldwide.
In the 1960s and 1970s, NJPW continued to grow in popularity, becoming deeply embedded in Japanese popular culture. It formed especially close ties with the National Wrestling Alliance in the United States, with many top NJPW stars like Tatsumi Fujinami and Riki Chōshū competing and finding success in NWA rings.
During this period, NJPW also began expanding across Asia, establishing its presence in South Korea, Taiwan, and other markets. It became a rival to sumo wrestling in terms of mainstream popularity in Japan. The promotion's global partnerships allowed it to bring in major American and European talents, further expanding its fanbase.
Over its 80+ year history, NJPW has produced many of the most revered wrestlers in the history of the sport. Figures like Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Chōshū, Shinya Hashimoto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kazuchika Okada have become cultural icons in Japan through their technical mastery, charismatic personas, and dramatic title reigns.
These wrestlers, along with many others, defined the NJPW "strong style" - a unique blend of hard-hitting strikes, mat-based submissions, and complex, nuanced in-ring storytelling. This style has influenced wrestling around the world and inspired countless imitators.
Today, NJPW remains the dominant professional wrestling promotion in Japan, far outpacing its domestic competitors in popularity and prestige. It continues to host some of the biggest annual events in the sport, such as the G1 Climax and Wrestle Kingdom pay-per-views, which attract fans from across the globe.
While less well-known internationally than in our timeline, NJPW maintains strong ties to major American and European promotions, regularly exchanging top talent. Its distinctive technical style and emphasis on athletic, dramatic matches continues to influence the broader wrestling world. As Japan's oldest and most respected wrestling organization, NJPW seems poised to remain a crucial part of the global industry for generations to come.
