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 Type Major
Continent Asia
Date Established October 21, 1972
Country Japan
Location Tokyo, Japan
Founder Shohei "Giant" Baba
Owners
- Real Name Tsuyoki Fukuda ( October 11, 2019 - Present)
- Real Name Jun Akiyama ( June 5, 2014 - October 10, 2019)
- Real Name Hirota Inoue ( September 11, 2013 - June 4, 2014)
- Real Name Nobuo Shiraishi (Speed Partners) ( June 1, 2013 - September 10, 2013)
- Real Name Masayuki Uchida ( June 8, 2011 - May 31, 2013)
- Real Name Keiji Muto ( September 30, 2002 - June 7, 2011)
- Real Name Motoko Baba ( June 19, 2000 - September 29, 2002)
- Real Name Mitsuharu Misawa ( February 1, 1999 - June 18, 2000)
- Real Name Shohei 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
- Location Japan ( February 3, 1973 - December 31, 1986)