Rossy Ogawa Departs STARDOM After Months of Speculation

The founder and executive producer of World Wonder Ring Stardom has left the company after its thirteenth anniversary show.

By: James Carlin

Hiroshi “Rossy” Ogawa has officially left STARDOM. He founded the company in September 2010 alongside Nanae Takahashi and Fuka Kakimoto, with the aim of creating new stars in the world of women’s professional wrestling.

Bushiroad Fight, the parent company of STARDOM, said that he was fired with cause. It’s suspected his fraying relationship with Bushiroad CEO and President Takaaki Kidani played a large part in this decision.

Ogawa has played an instrumental part in the development of Japanese women’s pro-wrestling since 1977, beginning as ringside photographer before becoming an improtant part of All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling’s office during the peak of the Crush Gals era, whom which he managed. After leaving AJW, he formed Hyper Visual Fighting Arsion with Aja Kong – but he would leave after only a few years and sold the company to Yumiko Hotta, who renamed it to AtoZ.

In 2010, STARDOM was born, with their first show Birth of Nova taking place on January 23, 2011 – it featured the only singles encounter between Mayu Iwatani and Arisa Hoshiki, and was main evented by Yoko Bito who defeated Yoshiko and was the first to end a show with the now iconic company motto “Believe now, shine tomorrow – We are STARDOM!”.

Under Ogawa, STARDOM rose into becoming the number one women’s professional wrestling company in the world, where it remains today.

STARDOM’s biggest event so far, All Star Grand Queendom, was at Yokohama Arena – featuring Mercedes Mone defending her IWGP Women’s Title against Mayu Iwatani, and Giulia defending her World of Stardom championship against arch-rival Tam Nakano.