Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling

(Redirected from Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling)

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (東京女子プロレス, Tōkyō Joshi Puroresu, TJPW) is a Japanese joshi puroresu or women's professional wrestling promotion founded in 2012 as a sister promotion of DDT Pro-Wrestling. Initially running alongside other shows such as live music and other idol performances, it became its own standalone promotion starting on February 28, 2015. TJPW's biggest show of the year is the annual January 4th "Ittenyon" show held at Korakuen Hall.

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling
AcronymTJPW
FoundedJune 4, 2012[1][2][3]
StyleJoshi puroresu
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Founder(s)
  • Tetsuya Koda
  • Nozomi
ParentCyberFight (CyberAgent)
Sister
Websitewww.ddtpro.com/tjpw

As of 2020, TJPW is promoted under the CyberFight banner as a sister promotion to both DDT Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah.

History

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Formation (2012–2013)

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On June 4, 2012, Tokyo Joshi Pro was announced by DDT Pro-Wrestling. Set to be run by former Ice Ribbon and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling promoter and booker Tetsuya Koda and wrestler Nozomi, the promotion was established in late 2012 and thus a recruitment process began for wrestlers. Four of the first wrestlers recruited were Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Kanna and Chikage Kiba. The training of the wrestlers was mostly handled by Nozomi herself, with help from DDT wrestler Kyohei Mikami.[1][2][3] Nozomi left DDT on November 30, 2012, but on the same day the trainees were introduced to the public in a press conference and it was announced they would debut in 2013. The trainees were required to follow three rules - no drinking, no smoking, and no boyfriends.

Early years (2013–2015)

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Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling's debut show took place on January 30, 2013 at Akihabara Twin Box in Tokyo. The show featured just two matches, a sambo exhibition between trainee Chikage Kiba and DDT referee and former sambo competitor Daisuke Kiso, and a singles match between trainees Miyu Yamashita and Kanna. The show did not use a wrestling ring, and instead all matches took place on training mats, similar to the Ice Ribbon promotion in its early years.[4] Along with wrestling matches, the debut show featured live music from idol units. As TJP's roster was very small at the start, most of their early shows followed this same formula and only ran small venues. Entry to their first few shows was free as a way of introducing themselves to a bigger audience, and their first paid show was held on April 26.[5][6][7][8] As their roster of trainees expanded in 2014, TJPW began including more matches on their cards, and began using a ring. They also ran a show with an appearance from voice actress/wrestler Ai Shimizu in November 2014.[9][10][11] TJPW held its first full show without an idol performance on February 28, 2015 at Shinjuku Face. At the show, Ai Shimizu and Saki Akai confirmed they would be competing with the promotion regularly, and more trainees debuted at the show.[12]

Rise in popularity (2016–present)

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On January 4, 2016, TJPW held its first ever show in Korakuen Hall, a famed wrestling venue in puroresu. Main evented by Miyu Yamashita defeating Shoko Nakajima to become the first ever Tokyo Princess of Princess Champion, it also featured the debut of Yuu and an appearance from American wrestler Candice LeRae.[13] In the spring of 2016, Ai Shimizu and Erin announced their departure from the promotion, however, the summer was a success for the promotion, and TJPW earned a broadcasting deal to be shown on idol-centric channel Pigoo.[14]

On January 4, 2017, TJPW held its second annual Korakuen show, main evented by Yuu retaining the Tokyo Princess of Princess title over Shoko Nakajima.[15] On May 29, an audition was held for four young wrestlers to form a wrestling/idol group to be known as the "Up-Up Girls". On July 20, four women were picked and began training to wrestle shortly after. On December 4, the Up-Up Girls debuted with an idol performance, but didn't appear in ring until January 4, 2018.

On January 4, 2018, TJP's third annual Korakuen show proved to be a success, drawing over 1000 fans for the first time ever. The show was also broadcast on AbemaTV for the first time, as well as DDT's streaming service DDT Universe. The show was main evented by TJPW ace Miyu Yamashita defeating Reika Saiki to win back the Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship.[16] On February 28, the TJPW show from Shinjuku Face was once again broadcast on AbemaTV, and it was announced Abema had picked up TJPW to broadcast it regularly. This also marked the end of TJPW being broadcast on Pigoo. On November 1, 2018, the three trainee rules were officially bought to an end, allowing wrestlers to drink, smoke and have relationships on their own accord.

The 2019 January 4 show was once again a success, drawing 1,300 fans to Korakuen Hall.[17]

On July 16, 2019, TJPW announced, via their Twitter account, a new title called the International Princess Championship. They also announced that the Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship and the Tokyo Princess Tag Team Championship would be dropping "Tokyo" from their names.[18]

On March 31, 2023, TJPW held their first event in the United States in Los Angeles, California at the Globe Theater.[19] On December 15, TJPW was announced as one of the founding members of the United Japan Pro-Wrestling alliance, a joint effort to further develop professional wrestling in Japan through promotion and organization, with Seiji Sakaguchi being named as the chairman of the project.[20]

Roster

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Wrestlers

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Miyu Yamashita
Rika Tatsumi
Ring nameReal nameNotes
Arisu Endo[21]UnknownPrincess Tag Team Champion
Ami YumotoAmi YumotoStyle Office
Former AKB48
Haruna Neko [ja][22]Unknown
Haru Kazashiro[23]Unknown
Hikari Noa[24]UnknownUp Up Girls (Pro-Wrestling)
Hyper Misao [25]Unknown
HIMAWARI[26]Unknown
Kaya Toribami [ja][27]Unknown
Mahiro Kiryu [ja][28]Unknown
Maki Itoh[29]UnknownFreelancer
Tokiwoikiru
Miu Watanabe[30]UnknownUp Up Girls (Pro-Wrestling)
Princess of Princess Champion
Miyu Yamashita[31]Miyu Yamashita
Mizuki [32]Mizuki Kaminade
Moka Miyamoto [ja][33]Unknown
Nao Kakuta[34]UnknownFreelancer
Pom Harajuku [ja][35]Unknown
Raku[36]UnknownUp Up Girls (Pro-Wrestling)
Rika Tatsumi[37]Unknown
Ryo MizunamiAyane MizumuraFreelancer
Runa Okubo[38]Unknown
Shino Suzuki [ja][39]UnknownUp Up Girls (Pro-Wrestling)
Shoko Nakajima[40]Shoko Nakajima
Suzume[41]UnknownPrincess Tag Team Champion
Toga[42]Unknown
Wakana Uehara [ja][43]Wakana UeharaOne Eight Promotion
Yuki Aino[44]Unknown
Yuki Arai[45]Yuki AraiInternational Princess Champion
SKE48
Yuki Kamifuku[46]Yuki KamifukuFreelancer

Alumni

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Ring nameReal nameNotes
Akane MiuraUnknownGraduated on March 25, 2017
Ayumi TakadaAyumi TakadaRetired on March 19, 2014
Azusa TakigawaUnknownGraduated on October 27, 2018
Chikage KibaUnknownGraduated on March 27, 2018
ErinEri KatoRetired on May 28, 2016
Unagi SayakaUnknownContract expired September 30, 2020[47]
KannaKanna ShinmeiGraduated on September 22, 2016
Maho KuroneUnknownGraduated on July 30, 2018
Marika KobashiUnknownGraduated on April 17, 2022
Mina ShirakawaUnknownResigned on September 21, 2020[48]
Mirai MaiumiUnknownResigned on August 31, 2021
MizuhoUnknownGraduated on January 11, 2017
Natsumi MakiNatsumi MakiResigned on September 21, 2020[48]
Nodoka TenmaUnknownRetired on March 26, 2022
NonokoUnknownGraduated on February 3, 2018
NozomiNozomi DaiRetired on November 30, 2012
Pinano PipipipiUnknownUp Up Girls (Pro-Wrestling), Graduated on April 5, 2019
Reika SaikiReika SaikiResigned on June 22, 2019[49]
Saki AkaiSaki AkaiRetired on November 12, 2023
Shiori SenaUnknownGraduated on April 24, 2021[50]
Yuka SakazakiUnknownGraduated on December 6, 2023[51]
YuuUnknownResigned on December 1, 2018

Notable guests

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Championships and accomplishments

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Current championships

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ChampionshipCurrent champion(s)ReignDate wonDays
held
Successful
defenses
LocationNotesRef.
Princess of Princess ChampionshipMiu Watanabe1March 31, 2024872Tokyo, JapanDefeated Miyu Yamashita at Grand Princess '24.[52]
Princess Tag Team ChampionshipDaisy Monkey
(Arisu Endo and Suzume)
1
(1, 1)
March 31, 2024871Tokyo, JapanDefeated Ryo Mizunami and Yuki Aino at Grand Princess '24.[52]
International Princess ChampionshipYuki Arai1January 4, 20241743Tokyo, JapanDefeated Max the Impaler at Tokyo Joshi Pro '24.[53]

Other accomplishments

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TournamentLast winner(s)Date wonNotes
Tokyo Princess CupMiyu YamashitaAugust 13, 2023Single elimination tournament
"Futari wa Princess" Max Heart TournamentDaisy Monkey
(Suzume and Arisu Endo)
February 10, 2024Single elimination tournament

Notable events

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#EventDateCityVenueAttendanceMain eventRef.
1Wrestle Princess INovember 7, 2020Tokyo, JapanTokyo Dome City HallN/AYuka Sakazaki (c) vs. Mizuki for the Princess of Princess Championship[54]
2Wrestle Princess IIOctober 9, 2021Ota City General Gymnasium914Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Maki Itoh for the Princess of Princess Championship[55]
3Wrestle Princess IIIOctober 9, 2022Tokyo Dome City Hall1,007Shoko Nakajima (c) vs. Yuka Sakazaki for the Princess of Princess Championship[56]
4Wrestle Princess IVOctober 9, 2023Tama Mirai Messe868Mizuki (c) vs. Miyu Yamashita for the Princess of Princess Championship[57]

Grand Slam champions

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In TJPW, the Grand Slam consists of all the available titles promoted by the company. They are the Princess of Princess Championship, the Princess Tag Team Championship, and the International Princess Championship. On March 18, 2023, during the Grand Princess event, Rika Tatsumi became the first Grand Slam champion in TJPW's history.[58]

Text
Dates in boldThe date the wrestler completed the Grand Slam
ChampionPrimary championshipSecondary championshipTag team championship
Princess of Princess ChampionshipInternational Princess ChampionshipPrincess Tag Team Championship
Rika Tatsumi[58]January 4, 2021March 18, 2023November 3, 2019
(with Miu Watanabe)
Miu WatanabeMarch 31, 2024October 9, 2022November 3, 2019
(with Rika Tatsumi)

References

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  1. ^ a b "【会見】DDT内事業部に東京女子プロレス設立。代表は甲田氏". Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  2. ^ a b "【6・17リポート②】東女・NOZOMI始動、花月に完敗". Retrieved 2012-06-17.
  3. ^ a b "アイスリボン398 18時00分開始". Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  4. ^ "TJP The First Meeting « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  5. ^ "2012年11月30日(金) 【会見】東京女子プロレスが1月からプレデビューイベント開催". 株式会社DDTプロレスリング. Archived from the original on 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  6. ^ "2012年12月26日(水) 【会見】東京女子プロレスが1・30秋葉原でプレイベント開催". 株式会社DDTプロレスリング. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  7. ^ "2013年01月30日(水) 【1・30リポート】東京女子プレイベントは大盛況!!". 株式会社DDTプロレスリング. Retrieved 2013-01-31.
  8. ^ "2013年07月11日(木) 【東女7・11リポート②】東女4選手の両国デビュー決定". 株式会社DDTプロレスリング. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
  9. ^ "TJP Ai Shimizu Appearance « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  10. ^ "◆東京女子プロレス初のシングルトーナメント『東京プリンセスカップ』開催、6月4日(水)渋谷で組み合わせ抽選(2014.5.30)" (Press release). 2014-05-30.
  11. ^ "◆「東京プリンセスカップ」に清水愛が参戦、1回戦の組み合わせが決定(2014.6.4)" (Press release). 2014-06-04.
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