New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) was founded in 1972 by Antonio Inoki, a renowned professional wrestler who had competed in both Japan and the United States. Inoki wanted to create a wrestling promotion that would showcase the traditional wrestling techniques of Japan while also incorporating elements from other wrestling styles around the world.
NJPW quickly gained popularity in Japan, as well as in other parts of Asia, and became known for its dramatic matches and larger-than-life characters. In the 1980s, NJPW began to expand internationally, with wrestlers like Jushin Liger and Keiji Mutoh (known as The Great Muta) becoming international stars.
The 1990s saw NJPW continue to grow as a global wrestling brand, with stars like Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero competing in the promotion. In 2002, NJPW formed a partnership with Mexican wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), giving NJPW wrestlers the opportunity to compete in Mexico and CMLL wrestlers the opportunity to compete in Japan.
Today, NJPW is one of the largest and most prestigious wrestling promotions in the world, with a roster of talented wrestlers from around the globe. The company continues to innovate and evolve, incorporating new technologies like virtual reality and expanding into new markets like the United States and the United Kingdom.