STARDOM Founder Rossy Ogawa To Launch New Wrestling Promotion

Having now been fired by Bushiroad, STARDOM co-founder Rossy Ogawa has laid out his intentions to start a new wrestling promotion.

Speaking to Tokyo Sports (via the Wrestling Observer), Ogawa announced his plans to launch a new promotion where he'll be able to do the things he was unable to do in STARDOM. No further details were given about this new company at this stage.

Ogawa was fired by Bushiroad on Sunday following STARDOM 13th Anniversary Supreme Fight 2024: Osaka Minami Rebellion, with the organisation - which owns both STARDOM and New Japan Pro-Wrestling - accusing Rossy of poaching talent and staff. Ogawa denies these allegations.

Rossy Ogawa founded all-women's promotion STARDOM back in 2010 with Fuka Kakimoto and Nanae Takahashi, with the company soon becoming the go-to place for some of the very best female wrestlers on the planet. Bushiroad purchased STARDOM in 2019, and Ogawa maintained his executive producer position under the belief he'd have final say on STARDOM decisions.

Frustrated at being overruled by then-Bushiroad President Katsuhiko Harada and later Harada's replacement, Taro Okada, Ogawa gave his notice to Bushiroad and intended to finish up with the company on 18 February. Instead, Bushiroad has since opted to fire Ogawa and have him depart the organisation a little earlier than expected.

Interestingly, the news of Rossy Ogawa's firing was accompanied by reports of a possible mass talent exodus from STARDOM, as the vast majority of talent will be out of contract in March. So much so, the only STARDOM wrestler tied to a long-term deal is IWGP Women's Champion Mayu Iwatani. Given how many STARDOM names have a strong sense of loyalty to Ogawa for giving them their big break, this is certainly a situation to keep an eye on.