10 Best Wrestling Invasions
2. The UWF Pioneer Invasions With New Japan
When people discuss the formation of the New World Order in WCW, most point to an angle co-promoted by the UWF and New Japan Pro Wrestling as inspiration.
The invasion angle presented by both companies is considered one of the first major examples of a staged war between different organisations.
Starting in 1984, the Universal Wrestling Federation was a splinter group formed by wrestlers who had left New Japan. Most notably, names like Nobuhiko Takada and Akira Maeda had elected to leave, despite being big stars in New Japan for years. The basis for a rivalry was already there.
Returning in 1985, the UWF roster returned to feud with a New Japan team led by Antonio Inoki. The basis of the storyline was simple: UWF talent didn't like how Inoki had been running things, and they wished to overthrow him for good and prove that their way of doing things was far superior.
Inevitably, New Japan would come out on top, but the angle did run successfully for a good few years. UWF vs. New Japan matches would routinely headline shows, usually as multi-man tag bouts.