Puroresu History

Like wrestling in America, puroresu has a long and rich history dating back to the 1940s. To help get you caught up to current day, I have highlighted each year in puroresu from 1980 to 2000. Each link has information pertaining to promotions opening, closing, major matches, defections, and all the major happenings in Japan for that year.

1980 - Inoki and Giant Baba rule the scene
1981 - The debut of Tiger Mask
1982 - Choshu turns heel
1983 - Tiger Mask retires
1984 - The original UWF is formed
1985 - Akira Maeda stirs up trouble
1986 - The UWF invades New Japan
1987 - The first IWGP Champion is crowned
1988 - Fujinami rules the world
1989 - The debut of FMW
1990 - Inoki and Giant Baba celebrate an anniversary
1991 - Keiji Mutoh and Masa Chono own the G1 Climax
1992 - The early beginnings of WAR
1993 - Michinoku Pro has its first show
1994 - The first Super J Cup is held
1995 - Inoki and Flair battle in front of over 180,000 fans
1996 - Great Sasuke wins eight world titles
1997 - Toshiaki Kawada finally defeats Mitsuharu Misawa
1998 - Antonio Inoki retires
1999 - Giant Baba passes away
2000 - NOAH is formed