Bushiroad is taking STARDOM and NJPW to Southeast Asia
By: Thom Fain
In an interesting turn of events, Bushiroad has taken its sights off the American market ever so slightly with an expanded effort to bring its live events to the venues of Southeast Asia. Earlier this week, they announced the formation of an Asian-Pacific Pro Wrestling Alliance seemingly in the vein of the former National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The APPWA’s focus appears to be on the developing nations and big cities outside of Japan, with a 21st approach to creating an olive branch to fans in the region throwing their support behind STARDOM and NJPW by the tens of thousands. It also gives Bushiroad new grounds from which to scout for future talent.
“It might take time,” said Kidani this week, “but this alliance will be a strong way to help find and develop star wrestlers within these countries through Asia and help form a pro-wrestling culture where there hasn’t been one before.”
During a business presentation over Summer, it was revealed that the majority of new YouTube subscribers hail from Eastern countries hungry for more wrestling.
As NJPW advances into Asia, announcing the formation of the Asia Pacific Pro-Wrestling Alliance.
There will be exciting collaborations to come with the likes of PUZZLE (Taiwan), DFW (China) SETUP (Thailand), GrappleMAX (Singapore) and more! Stay tuned…#NJPWxSTARDOM pic.twitter.com/4fvbgV3A9o
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 10, 2023
The news follows a statement by Bushiroad Director Takaaki Kidani in August that indicated Bushiroad’s belief that AEW and WWE run a duopoly in America, making it a poor fit for STARDOM’s unique and aggressively Japanese presentation style. The indication seems to be that Bushiroad believes its top stars to be
Takaaki Kidani: "…advantage of our geographical advantage to explore Asia, especially Southeast Asia.
Recently, about 200,000 subscribers have suddenly increased on the YouTube channel of STARDOM in a month and a half. Most of the registrations are…" [2/3]#njpw #STARDOM
— Himanshu Doi (@Himanshu_Doi) August 18, 2023
STARDOM is already set to participate in multiple events across Southeast Asia this Fall with things warming up at Bushiroad Expo in Thailand on October 20–21, 2023, with several talents already announced:
Syuri (God’s Eye)
Mina Shirakawa and Waka Tsukiyama (Club Venus)
Yuna Mizumori (COSMIC ANGELS)
Stardom's Asia strategy
Oct 21st and 22nd Stardom will be represented in Thailand @ Bushiroad ExpoNov 24th to 26th Stardom will be represented in Singapore @ Bushiroad Expo
Stardom returns to Asia, outside of Japan, for the first time since our October 21, 2017 show in Taipei!
— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) October 10, 2023
The president of Bushiroad Fight, the subgroup responsible for managing STARDOM’s business, personally visited Thailand alongside budding star Waka Tsukiyama whose trust with the organization is reflected by her multiple International tours and her recent Produce show that was greenlit by the company – MOONDOM, which MP attended live. Over the past four years, Mr. Harada explained, the region has seen a sharp rise in interest of STARDOM.
With IWGP Women’s Champion and “Ace” of STARDOM Mayu Iwatani on stage, the executive said they are actively expanding in Southeast Asia.
For fans concerned about IWGP Women’s Gold booking, Bushiroad finally gave them something to look forward to – and more talent announcements are expected soon.
@Waka_Mm3 welcome to Thailand 🇹🇭#STARDOM #SETUPTH pic.twitter.com/Pc9JqAjjzP
— ฉันของเธอ (@pumi_gtmv) September 6, 2023
Mr. Harada, Bushiroad Fight President:
I went to Thailand the other day.
I believe that Thailand has great potential with its rapidly growing economy.
We, Stardom, would like to actively expand into the Southeast Asian region.
— Shigeo 🇯🇵 (@sg_oxxt) October 13, 2023
Date:
October 14, 2023
Category:
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