New Japan Pro-Wrestling

A short history of NJPW

Antonio Inoki launched New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1972 and positioned it around the "King of Sports" idea: a combat-forward, competition-styled presentation that became known worldwide as strong style. The company's domestic television home is TV Asahi, and its calendar is anchored by Wrestle Kingdom, held every January 4 at the Tokyo Dome.

Alongside Wrestle Kingdom, NJPW runs three signature tournaments that shape its year: the summer G1 Climax, the spring New Japan Cup, and the junior-division Best of the Super Jr. In 2012 the trading-card and games company Bushiroad acquired the promotion, funding an international expansion that pulled a generation of Western fans toward the Tokyo Dome main events.

The 2010s peak was defined by Kazuchika Okada, "The Rainmaker," and "The Ace" Hiroshi Tanahashi, whose title series carried the company. That era closed a chapter in January 2026: Tanahashi wrestled his retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026, then moved into an office and executive role. Several other marquee names have since moved on, with Okada, Jay White and Will Ospreay now in AEW and Tetsuya Naito departing the promotion in 2025.

NJPW reworked its top championship during Wrestle Kingdom 20 week. Yota Tsuji won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Konosuke Takeshita on January 4, 2026, then split the belt back into its original parts and restored the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, a title that had been retired since the 2021 unification. The reinstated belt became official on January 6, 2026, with Tsuji recognized as the 87th IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Reign counts beyond the reinstatement are still being reconciled across record-keepers, so this page lists championship status rather than full lineage numbers.

Where to watch NJPW

Watch New Japan on NJPW World, the promotion's own subscription at njpwworld.com, which carries live shows and the full Tokyo Dome archive with apps on Roku, Apple TV and Android. In the United States, NJPW and NJPW of America stream live and on demand through TrillerTV (formerly FITE). In Japan it airs on TV Asahi.

NJPW legends and alumni

These names shaped New Japan but do not yet have a Wrestle Lore profile. Kazuchika Okada, "The Rainmaker," was the defining IWGP Heavyweight Champion of the 2010s and now headlines in AEW. Hiroshi Tanahashi, "The Ace" who rebuilt the company, retired from the ring at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026. Tetsuya Naito led Los Ingobernables de Japon before departing NJPW in 2025. Jay White, the ex-Bullet Club "Switchblade," and Will Ospreay, a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, are both in AEW. Kenny Omega led Bullet Club after AJ Styles and won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Yota Tsuji is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Bullet Club

Bullet Club was founded in NJPW in 2013 by Finn Balor, then wrestling as Prince Devitt. When Devitt left for WWE, AJ Styles succeeded him as leader in 2014, making Styles the faction's second leader. Kenny Omega took over after turning on Styles in January 2016, with Jay White and later David Finlay leading in the years since. The group's "Too Sweet" hand sign spread far beyond Japan, into WWE's Balor Club and AEW's Elite.