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|image_size =
|acronym = IWE
|established = October 1966
|folded = September 30, 1981
|style =
|location = Harada Building, 2-14-2, [[Takadanobaba]], [[Shinjuku]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
|founder = Isao Yoshihara
|owner =
|parent = [[TBS Television (Japan)|Tokyo Broadcasting System]]
|formerly =
▲|sister =
|
|split = [[Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance]]
|predecessor =
|successor = IWA Kakutō Shijuku/International Wrestling Promotion (''unofficial'')
}}
{{nihongo|'''International Wrestling Enterprise'''
When IWE closed its doors in 1981,<ref>[http://www.puroresu.com/history/?decade=1980s#1981 History of Puroresu - 1981] at Puroresu.com</ref> Inoue, Hara, Tsurumi, and Fuyuki joined
==
===Formation and partnership with Tokyo Pro Wrestling===
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]],{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 15''|2010|p=68}} and on October 5, 1966, Yoshihara left JWA to found International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE).{{sfn|BBM|2014|p=108}} Initially facing 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.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 15''|2010|p=69}} 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.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 15''|2010|p=71}}
[[Hiro Matsuda]], who was active in the United States, was appointed as [[Booker (professional wrestling)|booker]] and "[[Ace (professional wrestling)|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.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 15''|2010|p=69}} The tour was highlighted by the participation of [[Danny Hodge]], The Kentuckians ([[Grizzly Smith|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.{{sfn|BBM|2014|p=108}} However, due to the inability to secure a television deal, the promotion struggled, and the partnership with TPW fell through after the Pioneer Series.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 15''|2010|p=70}} 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.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 52''|2019|p=61}}
*'''Japanese talent''': [[Toyonobori]], [[Shozo Kobayashi|Strong Kobayashi]], [[Rusher Kimura]], [[Yasuhiro Kojima|Hiro Matsuda]], [[Tsuneharu Sugiyama|Thunder Sugiyama]], [[Kiyomasa Kusatsu|Great Kusatsu]], [[Sueo Inoue|Mighty Inoue]], [[Animal Hamaguchi]], [[Ashura Hara]], [[Isamu Teranishi]], [[Goro Tsurumi]], [[Hiromichi Fuyuki]], [[Ryuma Go]], [[Ichimasa Wakamatsu|K.Y. Wakamatsu]], [[Mach Hayato]], [[Kintarō Ōki]], [[Kim Duk]], [[Mr. Hito]], [[Umanosuke Ueda]], [[Masa Saito]], [[Mr. Pogo|Mr. Seki]]▼
*'''Foreign talent''': [[Billy Robinson|Bill Robinson]], [[Verne Gagne]], [[André the Giant]], [[George Gordienko]], [[Lou Thesz]], [[Karl Gotch]], [[Danny Hodge]], [[Don Leo Jonathan]], [[Bill Miller (wrestler)|Bill Miller]], [[Dick the Bruiser]], [[The Crusher (wrestler)|Crusher Lisowski]], [[Maurice Vachon|Mad Dog Vachon]], [[Nick Bockwinkel]], [[Ray Stevens (wrestler)|Ray Stevens]], [[Baron von Raschke|Baron Von Raschke]], [[Horst Hoffman]], [[Édouard Carpentier]], [[Peter Maivia]], [[John da Silva]], [[Ivan Koloff]], [[Tarzan Tyler]], [[Larry Hennig]], [[Bobby Heenan]], [[Blackjack Lanza]], [[Blackjack Mulligan]], [[Superstar Billy Graham]], [[Wahoo McDaniel]], [[Red Bastien]], [[The Minnesota Wrecking Crew (professional wrestling)|The Minnesota Wrecking Crew]], [[Bill Watts]], [[Dusty Rhodes]], [[Dick Murdoch]], [[Buddy Wolfe]], [[Ox Baker]], [[Frank Hoy|Wild Angus]], [[Tor Kamata|Killer Tor Kamata]], [[Gypsy Joe]], [[Alexis Smirnoff]], [[Archie Gouldie|The Mongolian Stomper]], [[Ángel Acevedo|The Cuban Assassin]], [[Killer Tim Brooks|Killer Brooks]], [[Jos LeDuc]], [[Moondog King|Sailor White]], [[John Quinn (wrestler)|Big John Quinn]], [[Kurt Von Hess]], [[Professor Tanaka]], [[Dean Ho (wrestler)|Dean Ho]], [[The Wild Samoans]], [[Gil Hayes]], [[Frenchy Martin|Pierre Martin]], [[Michel Martel]], [[Rick Martel|Ricky Martel]], [[Jake Roberts]], [[Junkyard Dog|Big Daddy Ritter]], [[David Schultz (professional wrestler)|David Schultz]], [[Dynamite Kid]], [[Mike George (wrestler)|Mike George]], [[Bob Sweetan]], [[Johnny Powers (wrestler)|Johnny Powers]], [[Killer Karl Krupp]], [[Ron Bass (wrestler)|Ron Bass]], [[Randy Rose]], [[Norvell Austin]], [[Invader II|The Invader]], [[Luke Graham (wrestler)|Luke Graham]], [[Ray Candy]], [[Paul Ellering]], [[Steve Olsonoski]], [[Paul Bearer|Percy Pringle III]], [[Ric Flair]], [[The Bushwhackers|The Sheepherders]].▼
In early 1967, Yoshihara initiated negotiations with [[TBS Television (Japan)|TBS]] and [[Fuji Television]] regarding television broadcasting. TBS began a credit investigation into IWE, and by February 1967, they concluded that 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.{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 8''|2015|p=48}} However, disagreements between the two of them over a joint show with TPW led to a deterioration of their relations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2022 |title=Shin Nihon Puroresu bāsasus Zen Nihon Puroresu "Jingi-naki" gojū-nen tōsōshi [3] Matto-kai no niji ni natta Inoki no hataage |script-title=ja:新日本プロレスVS全日本プロレス「仁義なき」50年闘争史【3】マット界の孤児になった猪木の旗揚げ |trans-title=New Japan Pro-Wrestling vs. All Japan Pro Wrestling "Honorless" History of a 50-Year War [3] Inoki's New Venture, Orphaned in the Mat World |url=https://asagei.biz/excerpt/43415 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Asagei Biz |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2022 |title=Shin Nihon Puroresu bāsasus Zen Nihon Puroresu "Jingi-naki" gojū-nen tōsōshi [19] Baba bāsasus Inoki "chōjō kessen" no omowanu yukue |script-title=ja:新日本プロレスVS全日本プロレス「仁義なき」50年闘争史【19】馬場VS木村“頂上決戦”の思わぬ行方 |trans-title=New Japan Pro-Wrestling vs. All Japan Pro Wrestling "Honorless" History of a 50-Year War [19] The Unexpected Outcome of Baba vs. Inoki's "Battle to the Top" |url=https://asagei.biz/excerpt/48843 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Asagei Biz |language=ja}}</ref> On April 4, TBS President Junzo Imamichi announced to the press that TBS was considering broadcasting professional wrestling and had started discussions with IWE.{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 2''|2014|p=46}} Just two days later, Inoki announced he was returning to JWA. After parting ways with IWE, TPW folded and [[Haruka Eigen|Masaru Eigen]], Tomoyuki Kitazawa, and Katsuhisa Shibata followed Inoki back to JWA;{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 8''|2015|p=48}} meanwhile [[Masao Kimura]] and Isamu Teranishi stayed with IWE. Coincidentally, [[Toyonobori]], who did not take part in the Pioneer Series, joined IWE, and his tag team with Matsuda became central to the promotion.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Sekai resurā sen-nin meikan |publisher=[[:ja:日本スポーツ出版社|Nippon Sports Publishing]] |publication-date=April 1996 |language=ja |script-title=ja:世界レスラー1000人名鑑～THE WRESTLER BEST 1000～ |page=126}}</ref> Eventually, both TBS and Fuji Television would greenlight an IWE broadcast, but Yoshihara ultimately chose to work with TBS.{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 2''|2014|p=46}}
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 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|best 2-out-of-3 falls match]], and IWE presenting a main event with Hiro Matsuda and [[Sammy Steamboat|Sam Steamboat]] facing Bill Dromo and [[Roger Kirby (wrestler)|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.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 15''|2010|p=71}}{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 8''|2015|pp=34,40}}
===Reboot as TBS Pro-Wrestling===
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.{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 2''|2014|p=47}} In order to raise funds, IWE, through 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.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 19''|2011|pp=84-85}} Around the same time, Hiro Matsuda left IWE after a dispute with Yoshihara over how to handle debts.{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 8''|2015|pp=34,40}} [[Kazuo Okamura|The Great Togo]], whose contract with JWA ended four years ago, was brought in to replace Matsuda as the booker for the foreign wrestlers.{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 19''|2011|p=84}}
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".{{sfn|''NPJ vol. 2''|2014|p=47}} In January 1968, the Opening World Series featured [[Lou Thesz]], [[Danny Hodge]], [[Hans Schmidt (wrestler)|Hans Schmidt]], [[Waldo Von Erich]], [[Bulldog Brower]], and referee [[Fred Atkins]].{{sfn|''G Spirits Vol. 19''|2011|p=88}}
==Roster==
▲*'''Japanese talent''': [[Toyonobori]], [[Shozo Kobayashi|Strong Kobayashi]], [[Rusher Kimura]], [[Yasuhiro Kojima|Hiro Matsuda]], [[Tsuneharu Sugiyama|Thunder Sugiyama]], [[Kiyomasa Kusatsu|Great Kusatsu]], [[Sueo Inoue|Mighty Inoue]], [[Animal Hamaguchi]], [[Ashura Hara]], [[Isamu Teranishi]], [[Goro Tsurumi]], [[Hiromichi Fuyuki]], [[Ryuma Go]], [[
▲*'''Foreign talent''': [[Billy Robinson|Bill Robinson]], [[Verne Gagne]], [[André the Giant]], [[George Gordienko]], [[Lou Thesz]], [[Karl Gotch]], [[Danny Hodge]], [[Don Leo Jonathan]], [[Bill Miller (wrestler)|Bill Miller]], [[Dick the Bruiser]], [[The Crusher (wrestler)|Crusher Lisowski]], [[Maurice Vachon|Mad Dog Vachon]], [[Paul Vachon|Butcher Vachon]], [[Nick Bockwinkel]], [[Ray Stevens (wrestler)|Ray Stevens]], [[Baron von Raschke|Baron Von Raschke]], [[Horst Hoffman]], [[Édouard Carpentier]], [[Peter Maivia]], [[John da Silva]], [[Ivan Koloff]], [[Tarzan Tyler]], [[Larry Hennig]], [[Bobby Heenan]], [[Blackjack Lanza]], [[Blackjack Mulligan]], [[Superstar Billy Graham]], [[Wahoo McDaniel]], [[Red Bastien]], [[The Minnesota Wrecking Crew (professional wrestling)|The Minnesota Wrecking Crew]], [[The Bushwhackers|The Kiwis]], [[Mario Milano]], [[Bill Watts]], [[Dusty Rhodes]], [[Dick Murdoch]], [[Buddy Wolfe]], [[Skandor Akbar]], [[Dale Lewis (wrestler)|Dale Lewis]], [[Greg Gagne (wrestler)|Greg Gagne]], [[Jim Brunzell]], [[Bugsy McGraw|The Brute]], [[Tony Marino]], [[Tex McKenzie]], [[Cowboy Bob Ellis]], [[Moose Morowski]], [[Ox Baker]], [[Frank Hoy|Wild Angus]], [[Tor Kamata|Killer Tor Kamata]], [[Gypsy Joe]], [[Alexis Smirnoff]], [[Archie Gouldie|The Mongolian Stomper]], [[Ángel Acevedo|The Cuban Assassin]], [[Killer Tim Brooks|Killer Brooks]], [[Jos LeDuc]], [[Moondog King|Sailor White]], [[John Quinn (wrestler)|Big John Quinn]], [[Kurt Von Hess]], [[Professor Tanaka]], [[Dean Ho (wrestler)|Dean Ho]], [[Haystacks Calhoun]], [[The Wild Samoans]], [[John Tolos]], [[Gil Hayes]], [[Frenchy Martin|Pierre Martin]], [[Michel Martel]], [[Rick Martel|Ricky Martel]], [[Jake Roberts]], [[Junkyard Dog|Big Daddy Ritter]], [[David Schultz (professional wrestler)|David Schultz]], [[Dynamite Kid]], [[Mark Rocco]], [[Mike George (wrestler)|Mike George]], [[Bob Sweetan]], [[Johnny Powers (wrestler)|Johnny Powers]], [[Killer Karl Krupp]], [[Ron Bass (wrestler)|Ron Bass]], [[Spike Huber]], [[Randy Rose]], [[Norvell Austin]], [[Invader II|The Invader]], [[Luke Graham (wrestler)|Luke Graham]], [[Ray Candy]], [[Paul Ellering]], [[Steve Olsonoski]], [[
==Championships recognized by IWE==
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==International Wrestling Promotion (revival)==
In 1994, [[Goro Tsurumi]] formed a promotion called {{nihongo|'''IWA Kakutō Shijuku'''
===Championships recognized by IWP===
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*[[Professional wrestling in Japan]]
*[[List of professional wrestling promotions in Japan]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Blibliography===
{{Refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Jitsuroku Kokusai Puroresu daigokai |script-title=ja:実録・国際プロレス 第5回 |trans-title=True Account of International Wrestling Enterprise vol. 5 |date=March 31, 2010 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=15 |isbn=978-4777807727 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 15|2010}}}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Jitsuroku Kokusai Puroresu dairokkai |script-title=ja:実録・国際プロレス 第6回 |trans-title=True Account of International Wrestling Enterprise vol. 6 |date=June 23, 2010 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=16 |isbn=978-4777808014 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 16|2010}}}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Jitsuroku Kokusai Puroresu dainanakai |script-title=ja:実録・国際プロレス 第7回 |trans-title=True Account of International Wrestling Enterprise vol. 7 |date=September 29, 2010 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=17 |isbn=978-4777808298 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 17|2010}}}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Jitsuroku Kokusai Puroresu daikyūkai |script-title=ja:実録・国際プロレス 第9回 |trans-title=True Account of International Wrestling Enterprise vol. 9 |date=March 30, 2011 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=19 |isbn=978-4777808922 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 19|2011}}}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Jitsuroku Kokusai Puroresu daijūrokkai |script-title=ja:実録・国際プロレス 第16回 |trans-title=True Account of International Wrestling Enterprise vol. 16 |date=December 26, 2012 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=26 |isbn=978-4777811168 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 26|2012}}}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Jitsuroku Kokusai Puroresu daijūhachikai |script-title=ja:実録――国際プロレス 第18回 |trans-title=True Account of International Wrestling Enterprise vol. 18 |date=June 26, 2013 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=28 |isbn=978-4777811748 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 28|2013}}}}
*{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Tōkyō Jūni-channeru no Kokusai Puroresu |script-title=ja:東京12チャンネルの国際プロレス |trans-title=International Wrestling Enterprise on Tokyo Channel 12 |date=June 26, 2019 |work=Jī Supirittsu |script-work=ja:[[:ja:週刊ゴング#『Gスピリッツ』|Gスピリッツ]] |trans-work=G Spirits |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:辰巳出版|Tatsumi Publishing]] |issue=52 |isbn=978-4777823390 |ref={{sfnref|G Spirits Vol. 52|2019}}}}
*{{Cite book |author=<!-- Not stated --> |title=Wasureji no Kokusai Puroresu |script-title=ja:忘れじの国際プロレス |trans-title=Unforgettable International Wrestling Enterprise |date=February 3, 2014 |publisher=[[:ja:ベースボール・マガジン社|Baseball Magazine Sha]] |isbn=978-4583620800 |language=ja |ref={{sfnref|BBM|2014}}}}
*{{Cite book |author=<!-- Not stated --> |title=Nihon puroresu jikenshi boryūmu tsū: Terebi puroresu no seisui |script-title=ja:日本プロレス事件史 vol.2 テレビプロレスの盛衰 |trans-title=History of Japanese Pro-Wrestling vol. 2: Rise and Fall of TV Wrestling |date=October 17, 2014 |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:ベースボール・マガジン社|Baseball Magazine Sha]] |isbn=978-4583621876 |ref={{sfnref|NPJ vol. 2|2014}}}}
*{{Cite book |author=<!-- Not stated --> |title=Nihon puroresu jikenshi boryūmu eito: Iseki, hikinuki, kōgyō sensō |script-title=ja:日本プロレス事件史 vol.8 移籍・引き抜き・興行戦争 |trans-title=History of Japanese Pro-Wrestling vol. 8: Transfers, poaching, and promotional wars |date=April 17, 2015 |language=ja |publisher=[[:ja:ベースボール・マガジン社|Baseball Magazine Sha]] |isbn=978-4583622699 |ref={{sfnref|NPJ vol. 8|2015}}}}
{{Refend}}
==External links==
Line 72 ⟶ 105:
[[Category:1966 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:1981 disestablishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Defunct professional wrestling promotions]]
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