WAR (wrestling promotion)

Wrestle Association R (formerly known as Wrestle and Romance and abbreviated as WAR) was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded and run by Genichiro Tenryu as the successor to Super World of Sports, and which lasted from 1992 to 2000. The promotion initially established as Wrestle and Romance in 1992 and had very few regular contracted workers; instead most of the workers were either freelance or employed in other promotions. Because of this WAR ran many all-star cards. It had inter-promotional feuds against New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, the new Tokyo Pro Wrestling, and UWF International. WAR also continued, albeit in a loose fashion, SWS's old working agreement with the World Wrestling Federation, when they backed the WWF's first Japanese tour, in 1994.

Wrestle Association R
AcronymWAR
Founded1992
Defunct2000 (reunion show in 2006)
StylePuroresu
Strong style
HeadquartersJapan
Founder(s)Genichiro Tenryu
Owner(s)Genichiro Tenryu
FormerlyWrestling And Romance
PredecessorSuper World of Sports
SuccessorTenryu Project

On July 28, 1995, WAR was renamed "Wrestle Association R" at a show held in the Korakuen Hall. In 1998, WAR cancelled contracts to the roster and began running fewer and fewer events due to Tenryu's comeback in New Japan, and in July 2000, it promoted a farewell show that served as the prelude to Tenryu's return to All Japan Pro Wrestling (many wrestlers from WAR also joined AJPW to fill the void by those who joined Mitsuharu Misawa in forming Pro Wrestling Noah). The WAR name was kept for the use of a stable led by Tenryu during brief angles in All Japan and FMW in 2001.

On July 27, 2006, WAR staged a reunion show at Tokyo Korakuen Hall. The show was supported by various Japanese wrestling promotions including New Japan, All Japan Pro Wrestling and Dragon Gate. This was also the final card promoted under the WAR banner.

WAR was the first promotion to create a steady junior heavyweight tag team title long before New Japan Pro-Wrestling, WCW, and Pro Wrestling Noah hit upon the idea.

In 2010 the Tenryu Project was organised and is somewhat of a successor to WAR.

Championships

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J-1 Heavyweight Championship

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J-1 Heavyweight Championship
Details
PromotionJapan Pro Wrestling Alliance
Statistics
First champion(s)Rikidōzan
Final champion(s)Genichiro Tenryu
Longest reignRikidōzan

This title used the championship belt originally used in the 1950s by the old Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance for their JWA Japanese Heavyweight Championship, held throughout its existence by Rikidōzan.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Genichiro Tenryu 1 January 14, 1998 Tokyo, Japan Defeated Nobutaka Araya in a tournament final to become the first champion.[1]
Title abandoned July 23, 2000 Title was abandoned when WAR closed and Tenryu joined All Japan Pro Wrestling (may have been abandoned earlier when Tenryu won IWGP Heavyweight Championship on December 10, 1999). The company held their official final event on July 27, 2006.

Other titles

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Alumni

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These are not exhaustive lists. Guest Japanese wrestlers from other promotions, such as Nobuhiko Takada from UWF International and The Great Sasuke from Michinoku Pro Wrestling, are not listed.

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure:
Genichiro Shimada Genichiro Tenryu 1992–2000
2006
Masao Orihara Masao Orihara 1992–1999
2006
Susumu Hara Ashura Hara 1992–1994
Takashi Ishikawa Takashi Ishikawa 1992–1994
1996–1997
Hiromichi Fuyuki Hiromichi Fuyuki 1992–1996
Keiji Takayama Gedo 1994–1996
Shoji Akiyoshi Jado 1994–1996
Heigo Hamaguchi Animal Hamaguchi 1994–1995
Yoshihiro Asai Ultimo Dragon 1992–1997
Kōji Kitao Kōji Kitao 1994–1998
Isao Takagi Arashi 1995–1999
Tatsumi Kitahara Koki Kitahara 1992–2000
2006
Nobutaka Araya Nobutaka Araya 1995–2000
Nobukazu Hirai Nobukazu Hirai 1992–2000
Osamu Kawahara Osamu Tachihikari 1994–2000
Tomohiro Ishii Tomohiro Ishii 1996–2000
2006
Masaaki Mochizuki Masaaki Mochizuki 1994–2000
2006
Koji Iibashi Koji Ishinriki 1993–1994
2006
Yuji Yasuraoka Yuji Yasuraoka 1992–1999
Chris Irvine Lionheart / Lion Do 1994–1996
Scott Bigelow Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow 1994
1996
Rick Bognar Big Titan / Ti Do 1995–1996
Rick Wilson Rio, Lord of the Jungle 1993–1994
Lance Evers Lance Storm 1995–1998
Robert Backlund Bob Backlund 1994–1995
James Bernardski Scott Putski 1994
Terry Szopinski The Warlord 1993–1994
Terry Gordy Terry Gordy 1998
Oscar Gutierrez Rey Misterio, Jr. 1995–1996
Lawrence Shreve Abdullah the Butcher 1997–1998
John Tenta John Tenta 1993–1996
Dionicio Torres Psicosis 1995–1996
Tonga Fifita King Haku 1992–1994

Notable events

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WAR/WWF

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An inter-promotional show between WAR and the World Wrestling Federation was held on September 15, 1992, at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Yuji Yasuraoka defeated Koji InomataSingles match8:48
2Chavo Guerrero and Paul Diamond defeated Nobukazu Hirai and Yoshiro ItoTag team match10:11
3Masashi Aoyagi defeated Masao Orihara by count-outSingles match9:29
4Ultimo Dragon defeated Negro CasasSingles match14:55
5Heisei Ishingun (Kengo Kimura and Shiro Koshinaka) defeated Hiromichi Fuyuki and Tatsumi KitaharaTag team match13:44
6The Great Kabuki defeated Takashi IshikawaSingles match9:36
7Animal Warrior defeated The Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake)Handicap match6:14
8The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) defeated King HakuSingles match5:22
9Ric Flair (c) vs. Genichiro Tenryu ended in a drawTwo out of three falls match for the WWF Championship37:50
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

WAR Anniversary Show

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WAR Anniversary Show was the flagship event of WAR which was used to celebrate the anniversary of the promotion. The event was held between 1993 and 2000, when the promotion was discontinued.

WAR/LLPW

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An inter-promotional event featuring talent from WAR and Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling was held on November 28, 1993, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No.ResultsStipulations
1Noriyo Tateno defeated Carol MidoriSingles match
2Michiko Nagashima and Rumi Kazama defeated Shara and Utako HozumiTag team match
3Carol Midori wonBattle royal
4Nobukazu Hirai defeated Yuji YasuraokaSingles match
5Koki Kitahara defeated Shigekazu TajiriSingles match
6Hiromichi Fuyuki vs. Super Strong Machine ended in a drawSingles match
7Genichiro Tenryu and Masao Orihara defeated Ashura Hara and Ultimo DragonTag team match

Revolution

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Revolution was a special event held on December 15, 1993, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Nobukazu Hirai and Yuji Yasuraoka defeated Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Yuji NagataTag team match9:02
2The Great Kabuki defeated Black CatSingles match7:20
3Ultimo Dragon (c) defeated AtlantisSingles match for the UWA World Middleweight Championship15:54
4John Tenta defeated The WarlordSingles match9:19
5Ashura Hara and Ishinriki defeated King Haku and Masao OriharaTag team natch17:04
6Hiroshi Hase defeated Koki KitaharaSingles match20:24
7Mil Mascaras defeated Gran Markus Jr.Singles match8:08
8Hiromichi Fuyuki and Super Strong Machine defeated Heisei Ishingun (Shiro Koshinaka and Tatsutoshi GotoTag team match11:36
9Genichiro Tenryu defeated Tatsumi FujinamiSingles match14:14
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Revolution Rumble '94 In Ryogoku Kokugikan

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Revolution Rumble '94 In Ryogoku Kokugikan was a special event held on March 2, 1994, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. The event was notable for an inter-promotional tag team main event match in which Genichiro Tenryu and Ashura Hara represented WAR against Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling's Atsushi Onita and Tarzan Goto. Onita pinned Tenryu and the match set up a major main event between Tenryu and Onita for FMW's 5th Anniversary Show at the Kawasaki Stadium on May 5, 1994.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Jado and Gedo defeated Masanobu Kurisu and Nobukazu HiraiTag team match11:02
2Koki Kitahara defeated Kim DukSingles match10:44
3Arashi versus Hiromichi Fuyuki ended in a time limit draw in Round 5Singles match
4Hiromichi Fuyuki defeated ArashiSingles match1:27
5Masao Orihara and Ultimo Dragon defeated Sato and The Great SasukeTag team match28:13
6Super Strong Machine defeated LionheartSingles match8:11
7King Haku defeated Mr. HughesSingles match10:36
8Koji Kitao defeated Ishinriki by knockoutSingles match4:05
9Atsushi Onita and Tarzan Goto defeated Ashura Hara and Genichiro TenryuTag team match18:13

Super J-Cup

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Super J-Cup is a professional wrestling tournament featuring junior heavyweight wrestlers from all over the world. The tournament was originally conceived by Japanese wrestler Jushin Thunder Liger as a showcase for junior heavyweights from promotions from Asia and North America on a national level. WAR hosted the second edition of the tournament on December 13, 1995, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Gran Naniwa defeated Damián 6661995 Super J-Cup tournament first round6:36
2Shinjiro Otani defeated Masaaki Mochizuki via submission1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round4:00
3Último Dragón defeated Shoichi Funaki1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round6:52
4Gedo defeated Masayoshi Motegi via submission1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round6:56
5Dos Caras defeated El Samurai1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round7:00
6Lionheart defeated Hanzo Nakajima1995 Super J-Cup tournament first round6:48
7Jushin Liger defeated Gran Naniwa1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final9:13
8Último Dragón defeated Shinjiro Otani1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final13:30
9Gedo defeated Dos Caras1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final8:54
10Wild Pegasus defeated Lionheart1995 Super J-Cup tournament quarter-final13:43
11Jushin Liger defeated Último Dragón1995 Super J-Cup tournament semi-final17:19
12Gedo defeated Wild Pegasus1995 Super J-Cup tournament semi-final9:20
13Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated PsicosisSingles match9:39
14Jushin Liger defeated Gedo1995 Super J-Cup tournament final15:47

WAR vs. UWFI: Super Summer Wars

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An inter-promotional event featuring wrestlers from WAR and UWFI, among other promotions as well. The event took place a day after the 4th Anniversary Show on July 21, 1996, at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Kazushi Sakuraba and Yuhi Sano defeated Nobukazu Hirai and Osamu Taitoko via submissionTag team match11:24
2Masao Orihara defeated Nobutaka ArayaSingles match11:24
3Arashi defeated John TentaSingles match7:09
4Lance Storm, Rey Misterio, Jr., Ultimo Dragon and Yuji Yasuraoka defeated Gedo, Jushin Thunder Liger, Juventud Guerrera and Lion DoEight-man tag team match17:35
5Jado defeated Yoshihiro TakayamaSingles match10:12
6Riki Choshu and Satoshi Kojima defeated Fuyuki-Gun (Hiromichi Fuyuki and Ti Do)Tag team match8:34
7Shiro Koshinaka and Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Hiromitsu Kanehara and Nobuhiko TakadaTag team match9:20
8Koki Kitahara defeated Masahito Kakihara via submissionSingles match8:25
9Genichiro Tenryu defeated Yoji AnjoSingles match11:44

Final - Reborn to Future

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Final - Reborn to Future was a reunion event of WAR after the promotion had closed down in 2000 and marked the final event ever in WAR history. The event took place on July 27, 2006, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The event aired via tape delay on Gaora TV on August 17. The event featured a title defense of the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship which had been in possession of Masaaki Mochizuki since WAR closed in 2000 and the main event was an eight-man tag team match, in which WAR wrestlers took on Heisei Ishingun.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Tomohiro Ishii defeated Koji IshinrikiSingles match6:14
2Eagle Sawai and Magnum Tokyo defeated Genichiro Tenryu and Rumi KazamaMixed tag team match6:15
3Dos Caras and Gran Naniwa defeated Damien and Super Battle RangerTag team match7:59
4Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito defeated Kenichiro Arai, Susumu Yokosuka and Yasushi KandaSix-man tag team match14:45
5Jado and Gedo defeated Gentaro and Kintaro KanemuraTag team match14:52
6Pentagon Black defeated Masaaki Mochizuki (c)Singles match for the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship19:42
7Don Fujii, Genichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara and Masao Orihara defeated Heisei Ishingun (Shiro Koshinaka, Akitoshi Saito, Masashi Aoyagi and Michiyoshi Ohara) (with Kuniaki Kobayashi)Eight-man tag team match15:23
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hoops, Brian (January 14, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/14): Christian wins NWA World Title". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
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