International Wrestling Enterprise
International Wrestling Enterprise (国際プロレス, Kokusai Puroresu) was a professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1966 to 1981. Founded by Isao Yoshihara, it was affiliated with the American Wrestling Association in the United States and also had tie-ins with promotions in Canada and Europe. In 1972, it became the first Japanese promotion to bring European wrestler André the Giant to the country. The promotion cooperated with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and later, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW); the three promotions later came together for an interpromotional event, organized by Tokyo Sports, held at Budokan Hall on August 26, 1979.
| Acronym | IWE |
|---|---|
| Founded | October 1966 |
| Defunct | September 30, 1981 |
| Headquarters | Harada Building, 2-14-2, Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Founder(s) | Isao Yoshihara |
| Parent | Tokyo Broadcasting System |
| Split from | Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance |
| Successor | IWA Kakutō Shijuku/International Wrestling Promotion (unofficial) |
When IWE closed its doors in 1981, Inoue, Hara, Tsurumi, and Fuyuki joined AJPW, while Kimura, Hamaguchi and Teranishi joined NJPW as a stable that formed the first "invasion" angle in history, later copied by the Japanese UWF, Japan Pro-Wrestling, and the nWo in WCW in America. The promotion is also credited for making Rusher Kimura a major star in Japanese Puroresu and holding Japan's first steel cage match. Isao Yoshihara eventually became a booker in New Japan, until his death in 1985.