Formation (2012–2013) On June 4, 2012, Tokyo Joshi Pro was announced by
DDT Pro-Wrestling. Set to be run by former
Ice Ribbon and
NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling promoter and booker Tetsuya Koda and wrestler Nozomi, the promotion was established in late 2012 and thus a recruitment process began for wrestlers. Four of the first wrestlers recruited were
Miyu Yamashita,
Shoko Nakajima, Kanna and Chikage Kiba. The training of the wrestlers was mostly handled by Nozomi herself, with help from DDT wrestler
Kyohei Mikami. Along with wrestling matches, the debut show featured live music from
idol units. As TJP's roster was very small at the start, most of their early shows followed this same formula and only ran small venues. Entry to their first few shows was free as a way of introducing themselves to a bigger audience, and their first paid show was held on April 26. As their roster of trainees expanded in 2014, TJPW began including more matches on their cards, and began using a ring. They also ran a show with an appearance from
voice actress/wrestler
Ai Shimizu in November 2014. TJPW held its first full show without an idol performance on February 28, 2015 at
Shinjuku Face. At the show, Ai Shimizu and Saki Akai confirmed they would be competing with the promotion regularly, and more trainees debuted at the show.
Rise in popularity (2016–present) On January 4, 2016, TJPW held its first ever show in
Korakuen Hall, a famed wrestling venue in
puroresu. Main evented by
Miyu Yamashita defeating Shoko Nakajima to become the first ever
Tokyo Princess of Princess Champion, it also featured the debut of
Yuu and an appearance from
American wrestler
Candice LeRae. In the spring of 2016, Ai Shimizu and Erin announced their departure from the promotion, however, the summer was a success for the promotion, and TJPW earned a broadcasting deal to be shown on idol-centric channel Pigoo. On January 4, 2017, TJPW held its second annual Korakuen show, main evented by Yuu retaining the Tokyo Princess of Princess title over Shoko Nakajima. On May 29, an audition was held for four young wrestlers to form a wrestling/idol group to be known as the "Up-Up Girls". On July 20, four women were picked and began training to wrestle shortly after. On December 4, the Up-Up Girls debuted with an idol performance, but didn't appear in ring until January 4, 2018. On January 4, 2018, TJP's third annual Korakuen show proved to be a success, drawing over 1000 fans for the first time ever. The show was also broadcast on
AbemaTV for the first time, as well as DDT's
streaming service DDT Universe. The show was main evented by TJPW ace
Miyu Yamashita defeating
Reika Saiki to win back the Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship. On February 28, the TJPW show from Shinjuku Face was once again broadcast on AbemaTV, and it was announced Abema had picked up TJPW to broadcast it regularly. This also marked the end of TJPW being broadcast on Pigoo. On November 1, 2018, the three trainee rules were officially bought to an end, allowing wrestlers to drink, smoke and have relationships on their own accord. The 2019 January 4 show was once again a success, drawing 1,300 fans to Korakuen Hall. On July 16, 2019, TJPW announced, via their
Twitter account, a new title called the
International Princess Championship. They also announced that the Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship and the
Tokyo Princess Tag Team Championship would be dropping "Tokyo" from their names. On March 31, 2023, TJPW held their first event in the
United States in
Los Angeles,
California at the Globe Theater. On December 15, TJPW was announced as one of the founding members of the
United Japan Pro-Wrestling alliance, a joint effort to further develop professional wrestling in Japan through promotion and organization, with
Seiji Sakaguchi being named as the chairman of the project. == Roster ==