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{{Short description|Japanese professional wrestling}}
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{{nihongo|'''Puroresu'''|プロレス}} is a Japanese term used for [[professional wrestling in Japan|professional wrestling in and outside of Japan]]. The term comes from the [[Gairaigo|Japanese]] pronunciation of {{nihongo|"professional wrestling"|プロフェッショナル・レスリング|purofesshonaru resuringu}}, which in Japanese is abbreviated to “puro” (プロ- “pro”) & “resu” (レス - an abbreviation of “wrestling”). The term became popular among [[English language|English]]-speaking fans due to Hisaharu Tanabe's activities in the online [[Usenet]] community.<ref name="usenet">{{cite web|url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.sport.pro-wrestling/browse_thread/thread/a336dac3032877e9/d75506e7b2e81f21|title=Chono vs. Takada (one of the earliest reference to "puroresu" by Hisaharu Tanabe)|last=Tanabe|first=Hisaharu|publisher=Google Groups|date=1992-11-12|access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref><ref name="dojo">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresu.com/intro.html|title=Puroresu Dojo Introduction|publisher=Puroresu.com|year=1995|access-date=2009-07-08}}</ref> Growing out of origins in the traditional [[United States|US]] style of wrestling, it has become an entity in itself. Japanese pro wrestling is distinct in its [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#ring psychology|psychology]] and presentation of the sport and how it functions based on Japanese culture.<ref name="dojo" /> It is treated closer to a legitimate competition, with fewer [[theatrics]]; the [[Angle (professional wrestling)|stories]] told in Japanese matches are about a fighter's spirit and perseverance.<ref name="dojo" /> Pro wrestling in Japan led to the development of [[shoot wrestling]] and has been closely related to [[mixed martial arts]] (MMA) starting with [[Shooto]] and [[Pancrase]], organizations which predate the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] (UFC), along with influencing subsequent promotions such as [[Fighting Network Rings|RINGS]] and [[Pride Fighting Championships|PRIDE]]. It is common for pro wrestlers and mixed martial artists in Japan to [[Comparison of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts|cross over]].
== Overview ==
Despite some similarities to the popular style of [[professional wrestling in the United States]], Japanese wrestling is known for many differences from the Western style. ''Puroresu'' in Japan is known for its "''fighting spirit''" ({{Nihongo2|闘魂}}, ''tōkon''), and the wrestlers are known for their [[full contact sport|full contact]] strikes. Many Japanese wrestlers have some degree of knowledge in many different [[martial arts]] and [[wrestling]] styles; because of this, there are usually doctors and trainers at ringside for assisting the wrestlers after a match.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1119449|title=Puroresu - Pro Wrestling Japanese Style|publisher=BBC - h2g2|date=2003-08-05}}</ref> Most matches have clean finishes and many of the promotions do not use any [[List of professional wrestling terms|angles]] or [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmicks]]. Japanese wrestling is also known for its relationship with fellow [[mixed martial arts]] promotions. Puroresu remains popular, and it draws huge crowds from the major promotions. With this and its relationship with other [[martial arts]] disciplines, the audiences and wrestlers treat puroresu as a [[combat sport]].<ref name="esl">{{cite web
|url=http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/japan-info/index.pl?read=1005|last=Allen|first=Ethan|title=Travel, Teach, Live in Japan - Professional Wrestling In Japan: A Brief History of Puroresu|publisher=ESL Teachers Board}}</ref>
It should be also noted that the term "Puroresu" in Japan refers to all professional wrestling, regardless of country of origin. For example, American promotions [[WWE]] and [[Ring of Honor]] are referred to as "Puroresu" in Japan. Japanese wrestling historian Fumi Saito noted: "Puroresu is completely Japanese-English, and in the U.S. the same word is used for both pro and amateur wrestling. It may be easier to understand if you think of wrestling in the U.S. as having the same nuance as '[[sumo]]' in Japanese. You call both 'wrestling' even if it's competitive or professional wrestling."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saito |first1=Fumi |title=Q&A: Fumi Saito, for DROPKICK Magazine |url=https://monthlypuroresu.com/portfolio-item/fumi-saito-dropkick-magazine-monthly-puroresu/ |website=Monthly Puroresu |publisher=Monthly Puroresu/Dropkick Magazine |access-date=22 November 2021 |language=English |date=November 18, 2021 }}</ref>
== Rules ==
Puroresu has a variety of different rules, which can differ greatly from wrestling in other countries. While there is no governing authority for puroresu, there is a general standard which has developed. Each promotion has its own variation, but all are similar enough to avoid confusion. Any convention described here is simply a standard, and may or may not correspond exactly with any given promotion's codified rules.
=== General structure ===
Matches are held between two or more sides ("corners"). Each corner may consist of one wrestler, or a team of two or more. Most team matches are governed by tag team rules (see below).
The match is won by scoring a "fall", which is generally consistent with standard professional wrestling:
* ''[[Pin (professional wrestling)|Pinning]]'' an opponent's shoulders to the mat for the referee's count of three
* ''[[Submission wrestling|Submission]]'' victory, which sees the wrestler either tap out or verbally submit to their opponent
* ''Knockout'', the failure to regain composure at the referee's command
* ''Countout'', the failure of a party to return to the ring at the referee's command, which is determined by a count of twenty (some federations use ten, but in Japanese wrestling they use twenty)
* ''Disqualification'', the act of one wrestler breaking the rules
* ''Referee stoppage'', when an official deems a participant unfit to continue wrestling (either pre-planned or due to legitimate injury)<ref>{{cite web |title= Kazuchika Okada wins NJPW G1 Climax 31 after Kota Ibushi injury |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/kazuchika-okada-wins-njpw-g1-climax-31-after-kota-ibushi-injury-356941 |access-date=5 April 2022 |language=en |date=October 21, 2021}}</ref>
Additional rules govern how the outcome of the match is to take place. One such example would be the Japanese [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Japan)|Universal Wrestling Federation]], as it does not allow pinfall victories in favor of submissions and knockouts; this is seen as an early influence of [[mixed martial arts]], as some wrestlers broke away from traditional wrestling endings to matches in favor of [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|legitimate outcomes]]. Another example is that most promotions disallow punches, so many wrestlers utilize open handed strikes and stiff forearms; this rule was also applied in the early stages of [[Pancrase]].
== Styles ==
=== ''Strong style'' ===
[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]], headed by [[Antonio Inoki]], used Inoki's "strong style" approach of wrestling as a combat sport, influenced strongly by the styles of [[Catch wrestling|catch wrestlers]] such as [[Lou Thesz]], [[Karl Gotch]], and [[Billy Robinson]]. Wrestlers incorporated kicks and strikes from [[martial arts]] disciplines, and a strong emphasis was placed on [[submission wrestling]]. Inoki became known for "different styles fights" which were predetermined matches against practitioners of various martial arts. This led to a [[Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki|real fight against Muhammad Ali]] in 1976 that was watched by an estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide. Many of New Japan's wrestlers, including top stars such as [[Seiji Sakaguchi]], [[Tatsumi Fujinami]], [[Akira Maeda]], [[Satoru Sayama]], [[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]], [[Nobuhiko Takada]], [[Masakatsu Funaki]], [[Masahiro Chono]], [[Shinya Hashimoto]], [[Riki Choshu]], [[Minoru Suzuki]], [[Shinsuke Nakamura]], and [[Keiji Mutoh]], came from a legitimate martial arts background. This style led to the development of [[shoot wrestling]] and the spin-off [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Japan)|Universal Wrestling Federation]]. Sayama developed and founded [[Shooto]], a pioneer [[mixed martial arts]] (MMA) organization, in 1985. That same year, Sayama's student [[Caesar Takeshi]] founded [[Shoot boxing|Shootboxing]]. Funaki, Suzuki and others would found [[Pancrase]] and hold their first event almost two months before [[UFC 1]]. Maeda founded [[Fighting Network Rings|RINGS]] in 1991 as a shoot-style promotion, which began transitioning to legitimate MMA competition in 1995. Takada was a co-founder of [[Pride Fighting Championships|PRIDE]] and [[Rizin Fighting Federation|Rizin]].
=== ''Ōdō'' ("King's Road") ===
{{nihongo||王道|Ōdō|"King's Road"; also translated as "Royal Road"}} is a style which originated in [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]], and is most closely associated with the {{nihongo|Four Pillars|四天王|''Shitennō''}}, the informal Western fan’s nomenclature for 1990s AJPW wrestlers [[Toshiaki Kawada]], [[Kenta Kobashi]], [[Mitsuharu Misawa]], and [[Akira Taue]].<ref name="Eggshells">{{cite book |last1=Charlton |first1=Chris |title=EGGSHELLS: Pro Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome |date=July 17, 2018 |isbn=9784990865856 |edition=Kindle}}</ref> However, matches involving these four have been also referred to in Japan as {{nihongo||四天王プロレス|Shitennō puroresu}}.<ref name="2009 Masanobu Fuchi interview">{{cite web |title=現場責任者・渕正信が語る四天王プロレスの深層 |url=https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/column/detail/200909290008-spnavi&xid=17259,15700002,15700023,15700186,15700190,15700256,15700259,15700262,15700265,15700271,15700301&usg=ALkJrhjDtK_R3myL5aSufziyIYpFcZ3yrA |website=Sportsnavi |access-date=18 January 2020 |language=ja |date=September 29, 2009}}</ref> As opposed to ''strong style's'' European [[catch wrestling]] influences, ''ōdō'' opted for a more "narrative" style,<ref name="Eggshells"/> derived from the American model of professional wrestling as physical storytelling.<ref name="KingsRoadR&F1">{{cite web |last1=Lindsay |first1=Mat |title=King's Road: The Rise and Fall of All Japan Pro Wrestling - Part 1 |url=https://vulturehound.co.uk/2016/08/kings-road-the-rise-and-fall-of-all-japan-pro-wrestling-part-1/ |website=VultureHound |access-date=10 December 2019 |date=August 15, 2016}}</ref> However, ''ōdō'' distinguished itself from American professional wrestling by largely eschewing many of its storytelling devices. [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#angle|Angles]] and [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmicks]] were virtually non-existent, as all the storytelling in ''ōdō'' occurred through the matches themselves.<ref name="KingsRoadR&F1"/> [[Blading (professional wrestling)|Blading]] was also banned outright.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=UFC IX nearly shut down, Tommy Morrison and the blood issue in pro-wrestling, WWE's latest In Your House PPV, tons more |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/feb-26-1996-wrestling-observer-newsletter-ufc-ix-nearly-shut-down |access-date=13 January 2020 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=February 26, 1996}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Because Baba disliked submissions,<ref name="90Nendai">{{cite news |title=90 Nendai no Zen Nihon Puroresu |work=G Spirits |publisher=Tatsumi Publishing |date=August 5, 2011 |language=ja}}</ref> they were also eschewed for decisive pinfalls.{{sfn|Charlton|2018}} In 2011, Japanese wrestling magazine ''G Spirits'' cited Misawa's July 29, 1993 [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]] title defense against Kawada as the first match in the ''Shitennō'' style,<ref>{{cite book |title=G Spirits Vol.20 |date=December 2011 |publisher=Tatsumi Publishing |isbn=978-4777809219 |page=8 |language=ja}}</ref> and the 1993 [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] final, in which Misawa and Kobashi wrestled [[The Holy Demon Army|Kawada and Taue]], was referred to as the "completed form" of the style by ''Tokyo Sports'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=「すごい試合だった…」馬場さんが絶句した"四天王プロレス"の完成形 |url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/329592/ |website=Tokyo Sports |access-date=12 February 2020 |language=ja |date=November 9, 2014}}</ref> According to Kawada, ''ōdō'' matches, which placed a heavy emphasis on ''fighting spirit'', were about "breaking the limit you set in the last".{{sfn|Charlton|2018}}<ref name="90Nendai"/> AJPW referee [[Kyohei Wada]], who recounted that Baba told his talent "whatever you want to do, do it, and whatever you can show the people, show it", would later compare his job officiating these matches to "conducting a symphony".<ref name="WadaAutobio">{{cite book |last1=Wada |first1=Kyohei |title=Jinsei ha Mitsu Oshiete Choudo Ii |date=December 25, 2004 |publisher=Media Factory |isbn=484011188X |language=ja}}</ref>
However, this escalation eventually manifested through the use of dangerous maneuvers that focused on the head and neck,<ref name="2009 Masanobu Fuchi interview"/> particularly during the finishing stretches of ''ōdō'' matches.{{sfn|Charlton|2018}} The physical consequences of this style, or at least its use of head drops, has often been cited as the underlying reason for Misawa's death after an in-ring accident in 2009.{{sfn|Charlton|2018}}<ref name="KingsRoadR&F2">{{cite web |last1=Lindsay |first1=Mat |title=King's Road: The Rise and Fall of All Japan Pro Wrestling - Part 2 |url=https://vulturehound.co.uk/2016/08/kings-road-the-rise-and-fall-of-all-japan-pro-wrestling-part-2/ |website=VultureHound |access-date=10 December 2019 |date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> Professional wrestling journalist and historian [[Dave Meltzer]] noted, after his death, that Misawa "regularly took psychotic bumps", including back suplexes where he would land on his head.<ref name="WON6222009">{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=Misawa tragic death, UFC 99, Trump angle, TripleMania, Sylvia |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/june-22-2009-observer-newsletter-misawa-tragic-death-ufc-99-trump |access-date=21 December 2019 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=June 22, 2009 |issn=1083-9593}}{{subscription required}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Meltzer credits the popularization of the "head dropping back suplex" in ''ōdō'' to a Triple Crown title match between Kobashi and [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|Steve Williams]] on September 3, 1994.<ref name="WON7012009">{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=Part II of Misawa bio, big match history, news updates on TNA, WWE |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/july-1-2009-observer-newsletter-part-ii-misawa-bio-big-match-history |access-date=8 January 2020 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=July 1, 2009}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="WON5212013">{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=Kenta Kobashi retirement and career history, Budokan Hall history, WWE annual directory, tons more, second issue of the week |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/may-21-2013-wrestling-observer-newsletter-kenta-kobashi-retirement-and |access-date=30 December 2019 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=May 21, 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref>}} AJPW would steer away from ''ōdō'' after Misawa led a [[2000 All Japan Pro Wrestling mass exodus|mass exodus]] to form [[Pro Wrestling Noah]], particularly when Motoko Baba sold her stock to Keiji Mutoh, but Noah would continue to practice ''ōdō'' (referred to as Royal Road with Ark by the promotion) in its booking.{{sfn|Charlton|2018}} This element of ''ōdō'' has been criticized for its negative influence on professional wrestling,<ref name="G Spirits Vol. 13">{{cite book |title=G Spirits Vol. 13 |date=September 30, 2009 |publisher=Tatsumi Publishing Co, Ltd. |isbn=978-4777807154 |language=ja}}</ref> and 1990s All Japan been cited as a cautionary tale in response to legitimately dangerous maneuvers.<ref name="WON6172019">{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=SCARY INCIDENTS IN THE RING, NJPW DOMINION REVIEW, MORE |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/june-17-2019-observer-newsletter-scary-incidents-ring-njpw-dominion |access-date=28 January 2020 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=June 17, 2019}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Meltzer wrote in 2009 that head drops were "never necessary" as Misawa and his peers in AJPW were already "having the best matches in wrestling" before they incorporated these maneuvers into their style.<ref name="WON7012009"/>
=== Other styles ===
Throughout the 1990s, three individual styles—[[shoot style]], [[lucha libre]], and [[hardcore wrestling|hardcore]]—were the main divisions of [[independent promotion]]s, but as a result of interpromoting, it is not unusual to see all three styles on the same card.
== Joshi puroresu ==
Pro wrestling done by female wrestlers is called ''joshi puroresu,'' or women’s wrestling, and is usually promoted by companies that specialize in women’s wrestling, rather than divisions of otherwise male-dominated promotions as is the case in the United States (a major exception was [[FMW]], a men's promotion which had a small women's division, but even then depended on talent from women's federations to provide competition). However, ''joshi puroresu'' promotions usually have agreements with male puroresu promotions such that they recognize each other's titles as legitimate, and may share [[card (professional wrestling)|card]]s.
[[All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling]] was the dominant ''joshi'' organization from the 1970s to the 1990s. AJW's first major star was Mach Fumiake in 1974, followed in 1975 by [[Jackie Sato]] and Maki Ueda, known as the "[[Beauty Pair]]". The early 1980s saw the fame of [[Jaguar Yokota]] and [[Devil Masami]], major stars of the second wave of excellent workers who took the place of the glamour-based "Beauty Pair" generation. That decade would later see the rise of [[Chigusa Nagayo]] and [[Lioness Asuka]], known as the "[[Crush Gals]]", who as a tag team achieved a level of unprecedented mainstream success in Japan, unheard of by any female wrestler in the history of professional wrestling all over the world.<ref name="Von Bandenburg">{{cite book |last=Von Bandenburg |first=Heather |author-link= |date=2019 |title=Unladylike: A Grrrl's Guide to Wrestling |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5pSgDwAAQBAJ&dq=The+Crush+Gals&pg=PT270 |location= |publisher=Unbound Digital |page= |isbn=978-1-78965-034-1}}</ref><ref name="WOR March 2024">{{cite podcast |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/podcasts/wrestling-observer-radio/wrestling-observer-radio-raw-with-an-incredible-final-angle-wheeler-yuta-tons-more |title=Wrestling Observer Radio: RAW with an incredible final angle, Wheeler Yuta, tons more |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |publisher= |host=[[Bryan Alvarez]], [[Dave Meltzer]] |date=26 March 2024 |time=4:17 |access-date=27 March 2024 |url-access=subscription}} </ref><ref name="Laprade">{{cite book |author1=[[Pat Laprade]] |last2=Murphy |first2=Dan |author-link= |date= 11 April 2017|title=Sisterhood of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women's Wrestling |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f_lsDQAAQBAJ&dq=The+Crush+Gals&pg=PT389 |location= |publisher= ECW Press|page= |isbn=978-1-77305-014-0}}</ref><ref name="Solomon ">{{cite book |last=Solomon |first=Brian  |author-link= |date=2015 |title=Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know about the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A5DqCgAAQBAJ&dq=The+Crush+Gals&pg=PT192 |location= |publisher= Hal Leonard Corporation|page= |isbn=978-1-61713-627-6}}</ref> Their long running feud with [[Kaoru Matsumoto|Dump Matsumoto]] and her "Gokuaku Domei" ("Atrocious Alliance") stable would become extremely popular in Japan during the 1980s, with their televised matches resulting in some of the highest rated broadcasts in Japanese television as well as the promotion regularly selling out arenas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puroresu.com/zenjo/ |title=All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling |date= August 2001 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref>
In 1985, Japan's second women's wrestling promotion formed in [[Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling]]. The promotion ran their first show on August 17, 1986. It featured [[Jackie Sato]] who returned from retirement and future stars such as [[Shinobu Kandori]], [[Mayumi Ozaki]], [[Cutie Suzuki]], and [[Dynamite Kansai]], who would go on to be top stars in [[Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling|LLPW]] and [[JWP Joshi Puroresu|JWP]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://ladysring.jp/archives/3499 | title = 【無料公開】僕たちはハーレー斉藤を忘れない…  | date=March 31, 2017 | access-date=March 16, 2019 | work=Lady's Ring Online | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://victorysportsnews.com/articles/4675/original | title = VICTORYアスリート名鑑  | date=n.d.| access-date=March 16, 2019 | work=Victory Sports News | language=ja}}</ref>
In 1992, [[Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling]] dissolved, splitting into [[Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling|LLPW]] and [[JWP Joshi Puroresu|JWP]].<ref name=wrestling-titles.com>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/jwpw/|title=Japan Woman Pro Wrestling |publisher=wrestling-titles.com|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref> These promotions worked together with [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling|FMW]] and [[All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling]] to create a critically acclaimed era with several classic matches authorized by the [[United States|American]] wrestling publication ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'' featuring wrestlers such as [[Manami Toyota]], [[Aja Kong]], [[Kyoko Inoue]], [[Bull Nakano]], [[Mayumi Ozaki]], [[Megumi Kudo]], [[Dynamite Kansai]], amongst others. This era was also notable for multiple wrestlers returning from retirement such as [[Chigusa Nagayo]], [[Lioness Asuka]], [[Jaguar Yokota]], [[Devil Masami]], and [[Bison Kimura]], which increased interest.
In 2022, [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] inaugurated their own [[IWGP Women's Championship]].
== See also ==
* [[Japanese martial arts]]
* [[Mixed martial arts]]
* [[Global Professional Wrestling Alliance]]
* [[List of professional wrestling promotions in Japan]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.puroresu.com/ Puroresu.com]
* [http://www.puroresucentral.com PuroresuCentral.com]
* [https://archive.today/20130123140052/www.freewebs.com/marcuspuro/ Marcus' Puro]
* [http://www.purolove.com/ PuroLove.com] (in German)
* [http://www.bahufmw.com/ BAHU's FMW World]
{{Professional wrestling in Japan}}
[[Category:Puroresu| ]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling genres]]