Lion's Pride

Lion's Pride chronicles the history and rise of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) from its founding in 1972 through its modern era. The book details the company's origins under Antonio Inoki and follows its evolution through multiple eras and leadership changes. The narrative tracks key figures and events that shaped NJPW, including important matches, business decisions, and relationships with other wrestling promotions. Major storylines and characters are examined through interviews with wrestlers, executives, and industry insiders who witnessed these developments firsthand. The book documents NJPW's international expansion and its efforts to blend traditional Japanese strong style wrestling with global influences. Cultural context is provided to help readers understand the unique position of professional wrestling in Japanese society and sports entertainment. This examination of NJPW serves as both a historical record and an analysis of how wrestling promotions adapt to changing times while maintaining their core identity. The themes of tradition versus innovation and Eastern versus Western approaches to professional wrestling run throughout the narrative.

Readers appreciate the detailed historical account of New Japan Pro Wrestling and its business struggles through the 1990s and 2000s. Many reviews highlight Charlton's research and interviews with key figures, with one Amazon reader noting it "gets into the nitty-gritty of corporate decisions." The book's coverage of behind-the-scenes politics and financial challenges resonates with fans. Multiple readers point to strong coverage of Antonio Inoki's leadership and the company's near-collapse. Some readers wanted more personal stories about the wrestlers themselves rather than business focus. A few note redundant sections and occasional dry writing when covering financial details. Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (32 reviews) Goodreads: 4.4/5 (103 ratings) "The most complete English account of NJPW's darkest period" - Wrestling Observer reader review "Needed better editing in places" - Goodreads reviewer "A bit too focused on spreadsheets over storytelling" - Amazon reviewer

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🦁 In Japan, professional wrestling is treated with the same level of prestige as other major sports, and NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) matches are regularly covered in mainstream sports newspapers. 🎤 The book chronicles the story of Tanahashi Hiroshi, nicknamed "The Ace of the Universe," who is credited with saving NJPW from near-bankruptcy in the 2000s through his charismatic performances and dedication. 📚 Author Chris Charlton is one of the few Western writers to gain extensive access to NJPW's archives and personnel, having lived in Japan and worked as an English-language commentator for the promotion. 🤼 The book covers the dramatic transition period when Antonio Inoki, NJPW's founder, left the company in 2005, leading to a complete restructuring of the organization's business and wrestling style. 🌏 NJPW's influence extended beyond Japan, with the promotion having significant impact on modern wrestling styles worldwide, particularly through its "Strong Style" approach which emphasizes realistic striking and technical wrestling.