IWA Japan was a Indie and Hardcore pro wrestling promotion based in Tokyo, Japan.
The IWA JAPAN promotion was founded on April 8, 1994 by Victor Quiñones, and it ceased operations on October 13, 2014.
Formed by promoter Victor Quiñones as a successor to the recently closed W*ING, International Wrestling Association Japan sought to continue the deathmatch legacy of their predecessor. Featuring talent such as Yukihiro Kanemura and Mick Foley, IWA Japan would form partnerships with the World Wrestling Council and Extreme Championship Wrestling, and would host the iconic Kawasaki Dream card on August 20, 1995, an important event of deathmatch wrestling history.
After a couple years of ownership exchanges, IWA Japan survived crises through holding box offices in smaller venues, as well as scooping up several of AJPW’s pre-2000 gaijin talent and WWF legends from the 1980s. Following years of decline due to Dr. Death Steve Williams’ retirement, IWA Japan closed shortly after its 20th anniversary, when owner Tatsukuni Asano retired in 2014.
IWA Japan: Info
- Promotion TypeIndie, Hardcore
- Continent
Asia - Date EstablishedApril 8, 1994
- Country
Japan - LocationTokyo, Japan
- Date RetiredOctober 13, 2014
- FounderVictor Quiñones
- Owners
- Real NameTatsukuni Asano (May 16, 1999 - October 13, 2014)
- Real NameKeisuke Yamada (October 26, 1996 - May 15, 1999)
- Real NameTatsukuni Asano (January 1, 1996 - October 25, 1996)
- Real NameVictor Quiñones (April 8, 1994 - December 31, 1995)
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Promotion Names
- International Wrestling Association of Japan - IWA Japan (April 8, 1994 - October 13, 2014)
- Logo History
- Original logoApril 8, 1994October 13, 2014
- NWA Affiliation
- LocationJapan (January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1996)