What Happened to All Japan Pro Wrestling?By Coder| August 30, 2023 Wrestling What Happened to All Japan Pro Wrestling? All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) was once a prominent force in the world of professional wrestling, known for its hard-hitting style and legendary wrestlers. However, over the years, the promotion has faced numerous challenges and undergone significant changes that have affected its position in the industry. The Golden Era In the 1980s and early 1990s, AJPW experienced its golden era. Led by legendary figures such as Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta, the promotion enjoyed immense success both domestically and internationally. It attracted a loyal fanbase and showcased some of the most memorable matches in wrestling history. The Split However, in 2000, tragedy struck when Giant Baba passed away. This led to a power struggle within AJPW as different factions vied for control of the promotion. Eventually, Mitsuharu Misawa, one of Baba’s top stars, left AJPW along with several other wrestlers to form Pro Wrestling NOAH. This mass exodus severely depleted AJPW’s roster and left them struggling to regain their footing. The Keiji Mutoh Era In an attempt to revive AJPW, Keiji Mutoh, also known as The Great Muta, took over as president in 2002. Mutoh brought in new talent and tried to introduce fresh ideas to rejuvenate the promotion. However, despite his efforts, AJPW continued to face an uphill battle against rival promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Financial Troubles One of the biggest challenges that AJPW faced was financial instability. The company struggled to secure television deals and sponsorships, which significantly impacted their revenue. This, coupled with a decline in attendance numbers, made it difficult for AJPW to compete with its rivals. Change in Ownership In 2012, AJPW faced another setback when Keiji Mutoh resigned as president and sold his shares in the company. The promotion changed hands multiple times over the years, resulting in a lack of stability and direction. These frequent ownership changes further hindered AJPW’s ability to regain its former glory. Recent Developments In recent years, AJPW has shown signs of a resurgence. Under new leadership, the promotion has focused on rebuilding its roster and cultivating young talent. They have also forged partnerships with international Promotions like Impact Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah to expand their reach. Increased emphasis on strong style wrestling Introduction of new championships Collaboration with international promotions Investment in talent development AJPW continues to face challenges, but there is hope that it can regain its former glory. With a dedicated fanbase and a renewed commitment to excellence, All Japan Pro Wrestling aims to reclaim its position as one of the premier wrestling promotions in the world.
