Had to break countdown with an honorable mention for wrestling hotspots. Japan is an incredible place for professional wrestling and could have easily made the the top 5 list and I am sure is on somebody’s countdown. The land of the rising sun has an incredible history and present in professional wrestling. Many superstars have fine tuned their skills in Japan. Names like Chris Jericho, Mick Foley and Brock Lesnar have all fine tuned their skills in Japan at one time or another.
Puroresu (プロレス) is the popular term for the predominant style or genre of wrestling that originated in Japan. The is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of “professional wrestling” (プロフェッショナル・レスリング), which is shortened to puroresu (“purofesshonaru resuringu”).
Japan also produced its own great homegrown talent that have made names for themselves around the world. Names like The Great Muta, Jushin Liger and Kenta Kobashi have had success in the United States.
Japan has had a few promotions over the years that have thrived in Japan. Names like WAR, All Japan Pro Wrestling and Big Japan Wrestling are all names of promotions that have thrived in Japan. On of the popular and up and coming promotions is Dragon Gate. Japan based since 1999 Dragon Gate does over 250 shows a year in the land of the rising sun. It has also lent its name to Dragon Gate USA where both promotions thrive on a talent exchange of some of the best wrestlers in the world.
New Japan has been a place where many American wrestlers have been able to have successful runs. As a part of NJPW or in the cross promotion. Tag teams like The Steiners, The British Invasion and Team 3D(Dudley’s) have all won tag team gold during cross promotional matches. Guys like Brock Lesnar and Big Van Vader have had success under New Japan banner.
The promotion has had several big cross promotional matches like Antonio Anoki taking on “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Also this year NJPW had their first tour of the United States where they introduced their new Intercontinental Championship, which was won by former WWE superstar MVP.
Tanashasi vs AJ Styles(TNA)