A Brief History of Maximum Japan Pro-Wrestling

Maximum Japan Pro-Wrestling (MAX-J, MAX or MJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling group founded in August 2017 by optometry manufacturing magnate Chikashi Enatsu. A medium-size company with significant financial backing, MAX tours across the country and seldom overseas (aside from Genki Sano's ambitious TOUKON ROAD series). The company rose to prominence in late 2017 when it became the official "international territory" of the North American based Laurentide Athletic Commission. The resulting exposure earned MAX a worldwide following with its events often simulcast across numerous multimedia platforms around the globe. Having secured independent distribution contracts with ENSOU! TV and RYUUSEI Satellite Radio, MAX formally withdrew from the LAC during the summer of 2018 to forge its own independent entity on the world's stage.

J1 SUMMIT 2017 (8/10/2017 - 8/25/2017)

MAXIMUM Japan Pro-Wrestling (also known as MAX or MAX-J) began on 10 August 2017 when Owner and Founder Chikashi Enatsu announced the J1 SUMMIT, a tournament designed to bring the best wrestlers from around the world into Japan to inaugurate the MAX Heavyweight Champion.

Ten fighters would compete on the grand stage, with foreign fighter and native fighters in separate blocks, culminating in a final match between “Mighty Fine” Mike Musket and “Demon Lord” ZENKI that would see the foreigner Musket overcome the native ZENKI to become the company’s first champion.

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The Affiliate Era (8/25/2017 – 6/3/2018)

Following this performance, the North American-based Laurentide Athletic Commission reached across the Pacific to offer MJPW official affiliate status, a partnership which Enatsu was happy to accept, hiring General Manager Masaaki "Genki" Sano to manage the company and its overseas relations.

Headlining the show’s first pay-per-view, MAXIMUM POWER, would witness the rematch of the J1 finals between Musket and ZENKI where once again the Mountain Man would show why he won the title in the first place, establishing himself at the face of the company and in the process endearing himself to not only Japan but a worldwide audience.

In a joint venture with Yokohama-based Shining Road Pro-Wrestling in the Sword of Lite Grand Prix, Matt Pulver won a 16-man junior heavyweight tournament to inaugurate the MAX Junior Heavyweight Championship, where once again ZENKI made it to the finals but was defeated by a gaijin competitor. In the second pay-per-view, HOLY MOUNTAIN, would see a new champion emerge in the “Crippler” Ben Chrenshaw, defeating Musket.

As a response to the company’s top two belts being firmly ensconced by foreigners, ZENKI joined forces with two mysterious fighters, GRIM and Tokyo Zombie, to form the Demon Brigade, a stable composed of Japanese-borne wrestlers with their sole purpose being to bring back the titles their native countrymen and drive the foreign influence out of Japan. The group would explode in popularity and have great success. GRIM and Tokyo Zombie would claim the World Tag Team Championship in March 2018 and ZENKI would finally fulfill his ambition and defeat Chrenshaw to become the MAX Heavyweight Champion.

The Nationalist Zeitgeist (6/3/2018 – 2/8/2019)

Despite the Demon Brigade at the top of MAX-J, Chikashi Enatsu began a talent-sharing program with Lion’s Road Pro-Wrestling that would see North America vs. Japan. In the series known as MAX vs. LION’S ROAD, the Japan-based company would go on to win nearly every match. Furthermore, with the mysterious freedom fighter from JAPAN, METAL HERO, entered the company and defeated Matt Pulver for the MAX Jr. Heavyweight Championship, we would see for the first time all of the titles in the hands of the Japanese wrestlers.

This fact certified what become known as the “Nationalist Zeitgeist” as MAX toured throughout Japan proudly showcasing the company’s talent. Even with the introduction of new heavyweight contenders such as Shinjiro Nakama and Jun Vegas, the Demon Brigade would dominate the company as ZENKI would hold onto the title throughout the year and his lieutenant Tokyo Zombie would win the 2018 J1 SUMMIT against the Jacob Hammerstein, one of the top fighters in North America. The popularity of the faction would result in the rise of fanatical devotees known as zealots, who would make up about 20% of the audience and buy large blocks of seats ringside to sit in unity and lend their support to the Demon Brigade. On occasion, they are even known to attempt to distract opponents, with several fans' zealotry resulting in ejections from arenas.

Around this time, a power struggle developed between Owner Chikashi Enatsu and GM Masaaki Sano centered on the status of MAX-J’s integration with the rest of the world. Enatsu, who wanted to keep the company within the confines of Japan but import numerous gaijin wrestlers, versus Sano, who wanted to send the fighters of the company into foreign lands to expand its footprint. This feud would see Enatsu launch rival shows, using the recently instituted MAX Dojo as a base for his talent, culminating in a birthday jamboree culminating in the only time-limit draw in the company’s history with Jr. Champion LYNX and Tokyo Zombie going the full 60 minutes. In the end, Enatsu’s actions would see him booted from the board of directors, resulting in financial peril for the company.

Many believed PRO-WRESTLING TOUKON Volume 2, held on Emperor Akihito’s birthday, would be the company’s last show where ZENKI would defend MAX Heavyweight Championship and finally overcome his eternal rival Mike Musket, who announced his retirement after his last match at the jointly produced BLACK LION'S ROAD BOM-BA-YE III. Headlining the event was the all-Demon Brigade showdown of ZENKI versus Tokyo Zombie in the main event for the MAX Heavyweight Championship was billed as the last time we would see the title defended. But at the end of the show, BLACK LION’S ROAD Chairman Wesley J. Chubbman took the stage and announced that a major asset windfall, enabling General Manager Sano to fulfill his dream of sending the company on an overseas excursion.

The fighters would embark on the TOUKON ROAD, making their way through southern Asia and into Africa and Europe with plans to cross the Atlantic into North America.  The tour was initially a success with heartwarming tales like Chris Ravenna dethroning Jr. Heavyweight kingpin Lynx in his hometown of Manila, Phillipines and shocking moments such as former sumo "God-Beast" Mushigihara ending the Heavyweight title reign of company ace ZENKI, then dropping to it monster gaijin Frank Dylan James a month later. 

However, a planned event in the United Arab Emirates was at the eleventh hour due to financial concerns and instead, MAX hosted an event on board the TOUKON Sakura Maru - the cruiseliner being used to navigate to these various locales.  Frank Dylan James would be unseated as Heavyweight Champion by Hammerstein, defeating him in a gruelling sixteen minute fight.  Shinjiro Nakama would continue his Royal Road Championship reign by defeating the now former Jr. Heavyweight Champion Chris Ravenna.  The man who defeated Ravenna, James Edwards, would make a successful first defense against junior legend Thunder Mask.  And last but certainly not least, the Demon Brigade would get their hands on championship gold once more as GRIM and Falcon Hamada would defeat the unlikely gaijin duo of Alexander Irvine & AJ Knight. 

Masaaki "Genki" Sano would resign immediately following the event, claiming negotiations were ongoing to save the promotion.

On April 24th, the Saikyo Agency and Pollo Bucket revealed that they had entered into a "harmonious" agreement to purchase Maximum Japan Pro-Wrestling.  Changes were immediate and costs were cut as high paid fighters were released, super tours and big arena stops were cancelled.  Maximum Japan became an "indie" and though the crowds and venues were smaller, the fighters were still leaving it all in the ring.  Ownership gave their blessing, allowing referees to relax the rules and only call disqualifications on their own discretion - meaning fighters were able to utilize tactics they had previously been unable to.  Fan reaction was split - this was NOT the Maximum Japan of old... but the other fans? Well, they just wanted blood!