International Wrestling Enterprise ( 国際プロレス , Kokusai Puroresu ) was a professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1966 to 1981. Founded by Isao Yoshihara, it was affiliated with the American Wrestling Association in the United States and also had tie-ins with promotions in Canada and Europe . In 1972, it became the first Japanese promotion to bring European wrestler André the Giant to the country. The promotion cooperated with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and later, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW); the three promotions later came together for an interpromotional event, organized by Tokyo Sports , held at Budokan Hall on August 26, 1979.
21-692: When IWE closed its doors in 1981, Inoue, Hara, Tsurumi, and Fuyuki joined AJPW, while Kimura, Hamaguchi and Teranishi joined NJPW as a stable that formed the first "invasion" angle in history, later copied by the Japanese UWF , Japan Pro-Wrestling , and the nWo in WCW in America. The promotion is also credited for making Rusher Kimura a major star in Japanese Puroresu and holding Japan's first steel cage match . Isao Yoshihara eventually became
42-743: A booker in New Japan, until his death in 1985. Isao Yoshihara was a former professional wrestler and member of the wrestling team at Waseda University . He had also served as sales manager for the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA). However, following Rikidōzan 's death in 1963, conflicts arose between Yoshihara and JWA head of accounting Kokichi Endo over the sale of Riki Sports Palace, a 9-storey building located in Shibuya , and on October 5, 1966, Yoshihara left JWA to found International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE). Initially facing
63-459: A considerable amount of jargon throughout its existence. Much of it stems from the industry's origins in the days of carnivals and circuses. In the past, professional wrestlers used such terms in the presence of fans so as not to reveal the worked nature of the business. Into the 21st century, widespread discussion on the Internet has popularized these terms. Many of the terms refer to
84-743: A main event with Hiro Matsuda and Sam Steamboat facing Bill Dromo and Roger Kirby . Although IWE had announced their event first, JWA successfully attracted 20,000 spectators at the Osaka Stadium; in contrast, IWE struggled in terms of attendance, only drawing 4,200 spectators in the Prefectural Gymnasium. On September 11, 1967, the TBS Television deal was signed, and a signing ceremony was attended by Isao Yoshihara, TBS Sports Director Masao Tsuruta and TBS Sports Vice Director Tadahiro Mori. In order to raise funds, IWE, through
105-659: A promotion called IWA Kakutō Shijuku ( IWA格闘志塾 , International Wrestling Alliance Fighting Hope Training School) , but in 1997 he renamed the promotion International Wrestling Promotion ( 国際プロレス・プロモーション , Kokusai Puroresu Puromōshon ) . The only recognizable name in the promotion was Tsurumi himself; the rest of the roster used masked identities. Wrestlers from other independents were invited to participate, including Shoji Nakamaki and Yukihide Ueno . List of professional wrestling terms#S Mid 20th Century 1970s and 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s and 2020s Professional wrestling has accrued
126-533: A shortage of talents, the promotion did not follow the traditional wrestling promotion structure, opting instead to implement a freelance system more akin to the American wrestling industry, where wrestlers were contracted for each tour. This system rapidly proved ineffective, and after Yoshihara's attempt at seeking a partnership with JWA didn't go through, IWE transitioned to a more traditional structure with its own roster of contracted wrestlers. Hiro Matsuda , who
147-547: A three-year deal for the arena's naming rights, renaming it Edion Arena Osaka ( エディオンアリーナ大阪 , Edion Arīna Ōsaka ) . It has hosted several professional wrestling shows, including Osaka Hurricane from 2005 to 2012, NJPW Dominion from 2009 to 2014, NJPW Power Struggle since 2011, and The New Beginning in Osaka since 2012. On October 12, 2019, the venue hosted the Rizin 19 mixed martial arts fight. On February 22, 2023,
168-634: Is an indoor sporting arena located in Namba , Osaka , Japan . It first opened in 1952 and the current building was constructed in 1987. It is the venue of a professional sumo tournament ( honbasho ) held in March every year. The capacity of the arena is 8,000 people. Its total revenue for the 2006 fiscal year was 260 million yen , of which sumo provided 80 million. In April 2008 the Japan Sumo Association made clear its surprise at plans by
189-616: The Pioneer Series, joined IWE, and his tag team with Matsuda became central to the promotion. Eventually, both TBS and Fuji Television would greenlight an IWE broadcast, but Yoshihara ultimately chose to work with TBS. Throughout July and August 1967, IWE held the Pioneer Summer Series. As part of the tour, an event was scheduled at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on August 14. Shortly after
210-568: The announce, JWA announced their own event at the Osaka Stadium to be held on the same day as part of their Summer Series I. This promotional war, later dubbed the "Osaka Summer Battle", gained a lot of attention, with JWA hosting a main event featuring Giant Baba defending the NWA International Heavyweight Championship against Gene Kiniski in a best 2-out-of-3 falls match , and IWE presenting
231-634: The financial aspects of professional wrestling in addition to in-ring terms. Also road agent , producer and coach . Also juicing , gigging , getting color , and running the razor . Also booker and booking . Also going broadway . Also bury and buried . Also championship advantage . Also forbidden door . Also getting the heat . Also lackey or heavy Also babyface , blue-eye (England), or técnico (Mexico). Also playing Ricky Morton . Also hope spot . Also cross-promotion . Also persona . Also jobber to
SECTION 10
#1732793907661252-528: The intermediary of Mori, who was a friend of Yoshihara from their days at Waseda University, transferred its shares to Hiroshi Iwata, the president of a dairy company in Hiroshima , and asked him for a loan. Iwata thus became the new owner of IWE, and the company was restructured with the backing of TBS. Around the same time, Hiro Matsuda left IWE after a dispute with Yoshihara over how to handle debts. The Great Togo , whose contract with JWA ended four years ago,
273-452: The organization was "worthy of regular broadcasting." In the report, they added a clause stating that "broadcasting Inoki and Matsuda's matches would be an absolute requirement." TBS then requested Yoshihara to have Inoki join IWE. However, disagreements between the two of them over a joint show with TPW led to a deterioration of their relations. On April 4, TBS President Junzo Imamichi announced to
294-415: The partnership with TPW fell through after the Pioneer Series. Matsuda had plans to invite José Lothario , Tarzan Tyler , Sputnik Monroe and Bob Orton for the second tour, but they didn't come to fruition. In early 1967, Yoshihara initiated negotiations with TBS and Fuji Television regarding television broadcasting. TBS began a credit investigation into IWE, and by February 1967, they concluded that
315-460: The prefectural government to demolish the gymnasium and sell the vacant lot . In March 2012, the arena was renamed Bodymaker Colosseum ( ボディメーカー コロシアム , Bodimēkā koroshiamu ) after the naming rights were sold to sports apparel company BB Sports for the next three years. The name was changed back in April 2015, when BB Sports did not renew their deal. In June 2015, EDION Corporation signed
336-416: The press that TBS was considering broadcasting professional wrestling and had started discussions with IWE. Just two days later, Inoki announced he was returning to JWA. After parting ways with IWE, TPW folded and Masaru Eigen , Tomoyuki Kitazawa, and Katsuhisa Shibata followed Inoki back to JWA; meanwhile Masao Kimura and Isamu Teranishi stayed with IWE. Coincidentally, Toyonobori , who did not take part in
357-705: The stars . Also rudo (Mexico). Also live event . Also indie promotion . Also enhancement talent . Short-form of "legitimate". Also link up . Also simply Jannetty . Also microphone work . Also blown spot and mis-selling . Also house shooter . Also sandbag . Also kickoff show Also wrasslin' , southern style or, more specifically, Memphis style . Also return clause . Also audible finish . Also potato-sacking . Also write off television . Also young lion . Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium ( 大阪府立体育会館 , Ōsaka furitsu taiikukaikan )
378-539: Was active in the United States, was appointed as booker and " ace " of the promotion. He was accompanied by Matty Suzuki, Thunder Sugiyama and Great Kusatsu. In its early days, IWE faced financial difficulties and lost the ability to host events independently. The promotion was then approached by Antonio Inoki and Tokyo Pro Wrestling (TPW) to hold a joint tour titled "Pioneer Series" in January 1967. The tour
399-498: Was brought in to replace Matsuda as the booker for the foreign wrestlers. On December 22, 1967, Mori held a press conference and announced the promotion would change its name to TBS Pro-Wrestling to "take advantage of the name value of TBS". In January 1968, the Opening World Series featured Lou Thesz , Danny Hodge , Hans Schmidt , Waldo Von Erich , Bulldog Brower , and referee Fred Atkins . IWE's governing body
420-772: Was called the International Wrestling Alliance and administered the following titles: Near the end of IWE's existence, it billed a World Wrestling Union title, supposedly based in Germany , to give a push to wrestler Ashura Hara: Before the IWA system was created, IWE recognized the Trans-World Wrestling Alliance titles: See also American Wrestling Association for the AWA World titles. In 1994, Goro Tsurumi formed
441-419: Was highlighted by the participation of Danny Hodge , The Kentuckians ( Jake Smith and Luke Brown ), Eddie Graham and Johnny Valentine . Furthermore, the tag team of Inoki and Matsuda, the use of an American-sized ring, and theatrical elements such as ring announcements performed by entertainers stood out to the audience. However, due to the inability to secure a television deal, the promotion struggled, and
SECTION 20
#1732793907661#660339