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Why Bushiroad purchasing STARDOM is a good thing

BySamantha Schipman|
TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 17: Bushiroad owner Takaaki Kidani (C) and Stardom president Rossy Ogawa (L) and Kicksroad president Katsuhiko Harada (R) pose for photographs during the press conference Bushiroad and Stardom on October 17, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 17: Bushiroad owner Takaaki Kidani (C) and Stardom president Rossy Ogawa (L) and Kicksroad president Katsuhiko Harada (R) pose for photographs during the press conference Bushiroad and Stardom on October 17, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

Bushiroad, the owners of New Japan Pro Wrestling, has purchased Japan’s largest women’s wrestling company, STARDOM.

Japanese entertainment company and owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Bushiroad, has purchased World Wonder Ring Stardom (better known as STARDOM). STARDOM is Japan’s largest joshi puroresu (women’s wrestling) promotion.

This is a huge deal in the world of wrestling, particularly in the Japanese wrestling world. NJPW is one of the largest and most popular wrestling promotions in the world. They do not have women’s wrestling. By purchasing STARDOM, there can potentially be partnerships between the two promotions such as adding female talent in places that want women’s wrestling. The partnership will also allow for STARDOM to run shows in the historic Korakuen Hall.

At this point, streaming will remain on separate platforms (STARDOM World & NJPW World). As Wrestling Observer points out, NJPW is partially owned by TV-Asahi while STARDOM has a TV deal with their rival, NTV. Down the road, maybe this partnership could lead to STARDOM being aired on AXS in the US since they also air NJPW.

NJPW has been expanding into the United States and United Kingdom by having live shows in both countries. STARDOM will be part of CharaRoad Expo in Anaheim, CA on December 7 and 8. Women’s wrestling has gotten more popular in recent years, especially on the independent scene. Traveling to other countries would be a huge step for not only STARDOM, but joshi puroresu as well.

The purchase of STARDOM is also a preemptive strike against the rumors of NXT Japan. It protects talent from getting raided or hoarded by WWE. From the press conference, it was stated that the company “[wants] to create an environment where the wrestlers can concentrate on pro wrestling.” The company also will “listen to the thoughts of each wrestler and take those thoughts into account when creating this new work environment.”

Advertising will also increase for STARDOM starting next year, which will include weekly coverage, television spots and traffic ads. With this kind of push, it can help bring STARDOM to a bigger level on par with NJPW in Japan.

Overall, this is great for STARDOM. Even if most of the promotion and TV is in Japan at this early stage, it sets them up for more global attention. With more knowledge of STARDOM, there are bound to be more eyes on the product which will lead to more growth.

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