Japanese Wrestling Styles

Strong Style

Strong Style is a promotional argument, not a move set.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling was established in January 1972 with Antonio Inoki as its central figure, presenting pro wrestling as a fighting discipline that could stand beside judo, karate, boxing, and catch wrestling.

The label changed by era: Inoki used different-styles fights to test legitimacy, Hashimoto made the 1990s version heavier, and later NJPW wrestlers borrowed the language selectively.

Documented Record

Origin
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. was established in January 1972.
Technical Base
Gotch-associated catch wrestling shaped Inoki's realism claim and early NJPW presentation.
Landmark
Inoki vs Muhammad Ali took place at Nippon Budokan on June 26, 1976.

Canonical Viewing Path

Kazuchika Okada wrestling Katsuyori Shibata in 2017

Modern Echo

Kazuchika Okada
vs Katsuyori Shibata

NJPW / Sakura Genesis 2017 / April 9, 2017

A useful origin stop because Robinson gives Inoki's realism claim a catch-wrestling opponent with international credibility.

1 of 3
Watch Path Match

Style Timeline

  1. NJPW is established, with Inoki presenting pro wrestling as a fighting discipline.
  2. Inoki vs Ali pushes the style toward the real-fight border.
  3. Hashimoto turns kicks and heavyweight pride into the core image.