All Japan Pro Wrestling purchased!!

The Japanese corporation Speed Partners purchased 100% of the stock of All Japan Pro Wrestling, and will be forming two separate companies to handle both the wrestling and merchandising end.

Nobuo Shiraishi, the president of Speed Partners, made the announcement on Tuesday in Japan.  It is expected to lead to major changes in the struggling company.

All Japan Pro Wrestling was formed in 1972 by Shohei "Giant" Baba, and had major popularity booms in the 80s on televison and in the 90s as a big show promotion until the death of Baba and eventually, almost every top star leaving to form Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Over the past decade, the company has struggled while being run for much of the period by Keiji Muto.