All Japan Pro Wrestling

All Japan Pro Wrestling is a Major pro wrestling promotion based in Tokyo, Japan.

The AJPW promotion was founded on October 21, 1972 by Shohei "Giant" Baba.

AJPW quickly established itself as a major promotion in Japan, especially prominent in the mid-1970s through the 1990s.

In the early 1990s, AJPW saw significant success with a roster of stars including Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, and Toshiaki Kawada, contributing to a highly profitable period for the company. However, the death of Giant Baba in 1999 led to a period of instability. Misawa was named president but left in 2000 due to conflicts with Motoko Baba, resulting in the creation of Pro Wrestling Noah and a mass exodus of talent from AJPW.

Despite a challenging period marked by the loss of its TV deal, AJPW managed to stabilize through a cross-promotion agreement with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2001. In January 2002, Keiji Muto joined AJPW and became its president by September 2003, acquiring the company's rights and family stock. The promotion faced further talent departures but saw recovery with new sponsors and the emergence of new stars like KAI and Suwama from the mid-2000s onward.

By the late 2000s, AJPW continued to thrive with a blend of established stars and rising talent, including Keiji Muto, Satoshi Kojima, and Minoru Suzuki. Although the promotion has struggled with TV deals, it has persevered through multiple historical setbacks, making it the second-longest-running wrestling promotion in Japan.

All Japan Pro Wrestling: Info

Promotion TypeMajor
ContinentAsia
Date EstablishedOctober 21, 1972
CountryJapan
LocationTokyo, Japan
FounderShohei "Giant" Baba
Owners
- Real NameTsuyoki Fukuda (October 11, 2019 - Present)
- Real NameJun Akiyama (June 5, 2014 - October 10, 2019)
- Real NameHirota Inoue (September 11, 2013 - June 4, 2014)
- Real NameNobuo Shiraishi (Speed Partners) (June 1, 2013 - September 10, 2013)
- Real NameMasayuki Uchida (June 8, 2011 - May 31, 2013)
- Real NameKeiji Muto (September 30, 2002 - June 7, 2011)
- Real NameMotoko Baba (June 19, 2000 - September 29, 2002)
- Real NameMitsuharu Misawa (February 1, 1999 - June 18, 2000)
- Real NameShohei Baba (October 21, 1972 - January 31, 1999)
Promotion Names
- All Japan Pro Wrestling - AJPW (October 21, 1972 - Present)
Logo History
- October 21, 1972
NWA Affiliation
- LocationJapan (February 3, 1973 - December 31, 1986)