All-Japan Pro Wrestling, or Zen Nihon Puroresu in Japanese, is what can be considered the #2 promotion in Japan. It was founded in October 1972 by legendary wrestler Shohei “Giant” Baba when he broke away from the Japanese Wrestling Association to form his promotion, coming about 7 months after the debut of rival promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling. It actually was the top promotion in the 1970s & 1980s, and developed many future Hall of Famers into the 1990s, but hard times came in 1999 when Baba died and his widow Motoko took over ownership of the promotion. Top star Mitsuharu Misawa was named President of the promotion, but in 2000 he left and took most of the roster with him to form Pro Wrestling NOAH. In fact, just two wrestlers stayed in All-Japan.
In 2002 another new direction began when legendary wrestler Keiji Muto defected to the promotion and became the new President, beginning a new era with new promotions and efforts to draw attention, including promoting an event in the late 2000s or early 2010s that featured appearances by several top adult film stars. Muto ran the promotion until stepping down in 2011. The promotion was purchased by IT company Speed Partners in 2012, but after rumors Muto would be brought back he was not and another mass roster exodus occurred in 2013, crippling the promotion once again.
All-Japan currently has 6 titles: The Triple Crown, World Junior Heavyweight, World Tag Team, All-Asia Tag Team, 6-Man Tag Team, GAORA TV. They also run a handful of tournaments annually including the Champions Carnival (singles, Heavyweights), Jr. Battle Of Glory, (singles, Jr. Heavyweights) Jr. Tag Battle of Glory and World’s Strongest Tag League.
Current roster:
Atsushi Aoki (deceased)
Atsuki Aoyagi
Yuma Aoyagi
Shotaro Ashino
Ryo Inoue
Takao Omori
Hokuto Omori
Jun Saito
Rei Saito
Suwama
Dan Tamura
Ryoma Tsukamoto
Masanobu Fuchi
Ryuki Honda
Kento Miyahara
Yoshitatsu
Rising HAYATO
Yuma Anzai
Titles & History:
All-Japan Triple Crown
All-Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Championship
All-Japan World Tag Team Championship
All-Asia Tag Team Championship
All-Japan 6-Man Tag Team Championship
GAORA TV Championship
How to watch (outside Japan):
AJPW.TV-All-Japan’s online streaming service. Offers live and on demand broadcasts of most, if not all, events and other special features. Costs the equivalent of 900 Japanese yen per month (around $7 US billed the 1st of the month after initial subscription charge). Some free content available, paid subscription not required for free content. Available worldwide but may have some content restrictions in Mexico.
Official website:
http://all-japan.co.jp
