NJPW To Acquire STARDOM

From June 28, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will be the new owners of World Wonder Ring STARDOM. 

It was announced today that a meeting of NJPW's board of directors determined that New Japan will fully acquire STARDOM from parent company Bushiroad. The transfer of stock will take place on June 28. Bushiroad will continue to be the parent company of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Bushiroad purchased STARDOM from Rossy Ogawa in 2019 and the promotion very much operated independently of NJPW outside of some crossover shows. The change in STARDOM's ownership was done to "improve operating efficiency and reduce redundancies within Bushiroad's sports unit", according to New Japan. 

STARDOM President/CEO Taro Okada said: "Since STARDOM joined the Bushiroad Group in 2019, our co-operation with New Japan Pro-Wrestling has seen STARDOM matches in the Tokyo Dome, the establishment of the IWGP and NJPW STRONG Women's Championships, and our first co-promoted event in November 2022. Now more than four years into this relationship, and with changes being undertaken in the management and operating structure of the company, there was a desire for a stronger connection between our offices, which is being put into place with this announcement. I hope we can find new ways to show the world just how impressive Japanese pro-wrestling can be, and as athletes in both STARDOM and NJPW rings continue to push new boundaries, we look forward to your continued support."

NJPW President/CEO Hiroshi Tanahashi added: "Our fans have seen a lot of crossover between NJPW and STARDOM with our co-promoted event, as well as the IWGP and STRONG Women’s titles, but there is still a lot that can be done to strengthen connections between our companies behind the scenes. From arranging event schedules and building reservations to make sure fans have time to take in big matches from both companies, to improving our promotional efforts and sponsor acquisition, I’m excited at the opportunity to further both NJPW and STARDOM’s appeal to a broader audience. This acquisition will speed up decision making processes and improve our operating efficiency, freeing both companies up to further professional wrestling in the eyes and hearts of fans in Japan and worldwide. I look forward to fans’ continued support of both NJPW and STARDOM."

NJPW commentator Chris Charlton noted on X (FKA Twitter) the situation will prevent the two promotions from running major shows on the same day and allow for better cross-promotion. 

Outside of the ownership change, STARDOM is expected to be involved with the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view in June. According to reports, AZM is scheduled to be in action at the show.