International Wrestling Enterprise

International Wrestling Enterprise (国際プロレス興行, Kokusai Puroresu Kōgyō) was a professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1966 to 1981.[1] 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[2] and Europe. In 1972, it became the first Japanese promotion to bring European wrestler André the Giant to the country.[3] The promotion cooperated with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and later, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW);[4] the three promotions later came together for an interpromotional event, organized by Tokyo Sports, held at Budokan Hall on August 26, 1979.[5]

This article is about the two promotions that have administered the International Wrestling Alliance titles in Japan. For an earlier Japanese promotion in the 1950s called International Pro Wrestling Force, see Masahiko Kimura. For the IWA Japan promotion established in 1994, see International Wrestling Association of Japan.
International Wrestling Enterprise
AcronymIWE
Founded1966
DefunctSeptember 30, 1981
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Founder(s)Isao Yoshihara
ParentTokyo Broadcasting System

When IWE closed its doors in 1981,[6] 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.[3] Isao Yoshihara eventually became a booker in New Japan, until his death in 1985.

Roster

Championships recognized by IWE

IWE's governing body was called the International Wrestling Alliance and administered the following titles:[7]

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:

  • WWU World Junior Heavyweight Championship[11]

Before the IWA system was created, IWE recognized the Trans-World Wrestling Alliance titles:

  • TWWA World Heavyweight Championship[12]
  • TWWA World Tag Team Championship[13]

See also American Wrestling Association for the AWA World titles.

International Wrestling Promotion (revival)

In 1994, Goro Tsurumi formed 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.

Championships recognized by IWP
  • IWA World Heavyweight Championship — Goro Tsurumi[14]
  • IWA World Mid-Heavyweight Championship — J.R.F. Lion[15]
  • IWA World Middleweight Championship — Phantom Funagoshi[16]
  • IWA World Tag Team Championship (International Pro Wrestling) — Super Iron Hercules and Iron Hercules I[17]
  • IWA World Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship — Tomoya and Macho Bump[18]

See also

References
  1. International Wrestling Enterprise history at Puroresu.com
  2. Laflamme, Steve (2004). "Int'l Wrestling - Montreal #10 Page #2". KayfabeMemories.com. Regional Territories: Int'l Wrestling - Montreal. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  3. Schramm, Chris (2007). "SLAM! Wrestling: "Master of the Steel Cage" Rusher Kimura dead at the age of 68". SLAM! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  4. "New Japan Pro Wrestling". Promotions. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  5. Horie, Masanori (May 15, 2000). "Nippon Budokan". View From the Rising Sun. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  6. History of Puroresu - 1981 at Puroresu.com
  7. International Wrestling Enterprise titles at Wrestling-Titles.com
  8. "IWA World Heavyweight Title (IWE)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  9. "IWA World Mid-Heavyweight Title (IWE)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  10. "IWA World Tag Team Title (IWE)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  11. "WWU World Junior Heavyweight Title (IWE)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  12. "TWWA World Heavyweight Title (IWE)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  13. "TWWA World Tag Team Title (IWE)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  14. "IWA World Heavyweight Title (Kokusai Pro)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  15. "IWA World Mid-Heavyweight Title (Kokusai Pro)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  16. "IWA World Middleweight Title (Kokusai Pro)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  17. "IWA World Tag Team Title (Kokusai Pro)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  18. "IWA World Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title (Kokusai Pro)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
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