Universal Lucha Libre

Universal Lucha Libre
Founded	1990
Defunct	1995
Style	Lucha Libre
Headquarters	Japan
Predecessor	Newborn UWF
Successor	Michinoku Pro Wrestling; Oita Attactive Merry World Pro-Wrestling;

Universal Lucha Libre (Universal Pro-Wrestling until 1991, Federación Universal de Lucha Libre afterward; UWF and FULL used as acronyms) was a

professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1990 to 1995 and again briefly in 1998. The name Universal Lucha Libre is used to differentiate the promotion from the Japanese UWF

, a predecessor promotion which presented a very different style of professional wrestling.

Overview

The promotion was the first in Japan to be based around the Mexican style of professional wrestling, known as

Lucha Libre

(free fighting). Although since 1956 some Mexican wrestlers had appeared in Japanese promotions, their style was mixed with the American-originated standard, and not many of them could rise above mid-card level because of their size, which on average was less than Japanese wrestlers.

The first Mexican luchador (wrestler) to become a star in Japan was

Giant Baba. However, the first Japanese to fully and truly adopt the fast, high flying Lucha Libre style actually came from rival New Japan Pro-Wrestling: Gran Hamada, who had gone on excursion several times to Mexico due to his lack of size and won many titles there. In 1990, after passing through New Japan, the original Japanese UWF, and All-Japan, Hamada decided to form his own promotion, with the aid of his student Yoshihiro Asai, his former New Japan boss Hisashi Shinma

, and some Mexican wrestlers and Japanese rookies he had recruited.

In 1991, the promotion had a brief working relationship with the World Wrestling Federation, this led to the creation of the WWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship.

In 1993, with Universal Lucha Libre on the decline, competitors Great Sasuke (Masa Michinoku), Taka Michinoku and Jinsei Shinzaki (Mongolian Yuga) decided to form their own promotion, Michinoku Pro. Jado and Gedo (Coolie SZ and Bulldog KT) moved to hardcore independent promotions such as Wrestling International New Generations and Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, while Ultimo Dragon (Yoshihiro Asai) joined Genichiro Tenryu's WAR group. Hamada continued promoting shows until he himself joined Michinoku Pro in 1995, which brought Universal Lucha Libre to an end. Hamada would briefly run shows under the Universal banner again in 1998 before joining Oita Attactive Merry World Pro-Wrestling.

Alumni

Over the years, the roster of Universal's trainees would go on to become major stars in both the Japanese major promotions and the independents. Among Universal Lucha Libre alumni, they include:

Yoshihiro Asai (later
Ultimo Dragon
)
Masa Michinoku (later The Great Sasuke)
Monkey Magic Wakita (later Super Delfin)
Bulldog KT (later Gedo)
Coolie SZ (later Jado)
Taka Michinoku
Shiryu (later Kaz Hayashi)
Mongolian Yuga (later Jinsei Shinzaki)
Terry Boy (later Men's Teioh)
Sakigake Gantetsu (later Dick Togo)

Among the few foreigners of American origin who competed for the promotion were Lightning Kid and Jerry Lynn.

Championships

Championship	Date retired
UWF Super Middleweight Championship	1995
UWF Super Welterweight Championship	November 28, 1999
UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship	March 6, 2005
WWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship	1991

References

External links

Universal Pro/FULL Title Histories

v t e Professional wrestling in Mexico
Major promotions	Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide International Wrestling Revolution Group
Independent promotions	Alianza Universal De Lucha Libre Desastre Total Ultraviolento Federacion Universal de Lucha Libre Nación Lucha Libre The Crash Lucha Libre Toryumon Mexico Universal Wrestling Entertainment Other promotions
Defunct promotions	Global Professional Wrestling Alliance International Wrestling League Perros del Mal Producciones Promo Azteca World Wrestling Association Lucha Libre Elite NWA Mexico Universal Lucha Libre Universal Wrestling Association Xtreme Latin American Wrestling
Lucha Libre culture	Masks Luchas de Apuestas Mini-Estrella Exótico
Mexican championships	Mexican National Lightweight Championship Mexican National Welterweight Championship Mexican National Middleweight Championship Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship Mexican National Cruiserweight Championship Mexican National Heavyweight Championship Mexican National Women's Championship Mexican National Mini-Estrella Championship Mexican National Tag Team Championship Mexican National Women's Tag Team Championship Mexican National Trios Championship Mexican National Atómicos Championship
Other	Attendance records Weight divisions
Category

Overview

Alumni

Championships

See also

References

External links