FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New World Pro-Wrestling Confirms Official Match Rules and Time Limits​

Las Vegas, NV — New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW) today confirmed the official match rules and time-limit structure that will govern all sanctioned competition under both the NWA and IWGP banners beginning in January 2026.

In line with NWPW’s sports-based presentation, all matches will be contested under strict time limits, reinforcing competitive integrity, win/loss accountability, and championship prestige.

Official Match Time Limit Rules​

• Standard Matches:
  All non-title and divisional matches will be contested under an assigned time limit based on weight class and bout designation.
• Time Limit Draws:
  If a match reaches its allotted time limit with no decisive fall or submission, the bout will be officially ruled a draw, with results reflected accordingly in competitors’ win/loss records.
• World Championship & Cross-Weight Matches:
  All World Title matches and sanctioned cross-weight class bouts will be contested with a 45-minute time limit.

NWPW officials emphasized that time-limit draws are a deliberate feature of the promotion’s structure, encouraging strategic wrestling, endurance, and decisive outcomes over prolonged interference or gimmick-based finishes.

“Every second matters in New World Pro-Wrestling,” an NWPW spokesperson said. “Championships are earned within the confines of competition, conditioning, and discipline.”

Additional regulations, including judging criteria, officiating standards, and championship governance, will be released ahead of the opening events of the 2026 season.

For more information, visit nwpw.com and follow New World Pro-Wrestling across all official platforms.

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About New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW)
Founded in 2025, New World Pro-Wrestling is a global professional wrestling organization built on weight classes, win/loss records, and international competition, operating under the NWA and IWGP governing bodies. All NWPW events stream worldwide on Amazon Prime.

Media Contact:
New World Pro-Wrestling
press@nwpw.com
www.nwpw.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Inaugural NWA Bantamweight Championship Match Confirmed for SuperClash​

Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler​

Live from Madison Square Garden | February 14, 2026 | Amazon Prime PPV​

Las Vegas, NV — New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW) today confirmed that the Inaugural NWA Bantamweight Championship will be decided at SuperClash, live from Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 14, 2026, streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime PPV.

The historic championship bout will see Ronda Rousey face Shayna Baszler, determining the first-ever champion in the NWA Bantamweight division.

The decision was confirmed by Shane McMahon, Executive Authority of the NWA governing body, who emphasized that the match reflects the very foundation of New World Pro-Wrestling’s competitive philosophy.

“When you establish a championship, the first match defines its lineage forever,” McMahon said. “Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler bring unmatched legitimacy, real combat credentials, and championship-level experience. Their history and accomplishments make them the standard-bearers to crown the first NWA Bantamweight Champion.”

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Both competitors enter SuperClash with elite résumés spanning combat sports and professional wrestling, aligning directly with NWPW’s sports-based presentation built on realism, discipline, and competitive integrity.

The winner at Madison Square Garden will become the first-ever NWA Bantamweight Champion, setting the benchmark for the division and establishing a lineage rooted in credibility and excellence.

Further SuperClash match announcements will be revealed in the coming weeks.

SuperClash
Madison Square Garden – New York City
February 14, 2026
Live on Amazon Prime PPV

For more information, visit nwpw.com and follow New World Pro-Wrestling across all official platforms.

About New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW)
Founded in 2025, New World Pro-Wrestling is a global professional wrestling promotion emphasizing weight classes, win/loss records, and competitive legitimacy under the NWA and IWGP governing bodies.

Media Contact:
New World Pro-Wrestling
press@nwpw.com
www.nwpw.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NWPW Confirms FACE/OFF Live Start Time Ahead of WrestleKingdom​

Tokyo, Japan – Friday, January 2nd, 2026

New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW) has officially confirmed the start time for FACE/OFF, the final live fan-and-media event ahead of WrestleKingdom.

FACE/OFF will go live at 6:00 PM JST, broadcasting from Tokyo Big Sight, and streaming live across NWPW’s official social media platforms, including YouTube, X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

The event will feature on-stage, face-to-face confrontations, as competitors scheduled for WrestleKingdom step onto the stage together for final verbal exchanges and staredowns ahead of their matches.

FACE/OFF will include:

• On-stage face-to-face confrontations between World Title challengers and champions
• Final live promos delivered directly to fans and media
• Official staredowns and photo opportunities
• A post-event media scrum with select wrestlers and NWPW officials

Designed to heighten tension and anticipation, FACE/OFF serves as the final stop before NWPW’s historic Tokyo Dome debut.

Event Details

• Event: FACE/OFF
• Date: Friday, January 2nd, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM JST
• Location: Tokyo Big Sight
• Broadcast: Live on NWPW Social Channels

WrestleKingdom takes place Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, live from the Tokyo Dome, exclusively on Amazon Prime PPV.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hiroshi Tanahashi Confirms Retirement at WrestleKingdom 2027​

Final 12-Month Campaign to Pursue One Last World Heavyweight Championship​

Tokyo, Japan — Hiroshi Tanahashi has officially confirmed that his legendary professional wrestling career will come to an end at WrestleKingdom 2027, marking the final chapter of one of the most influential careers in modern wrestling history.

Speaking ahead of WrestleKingdom 2026, Tanahashi announced that the next 12 months will represent his final campaign, during which he intends to challenge for one last World Heavyweight Championship before stepping away from in-ring competition.

“I have one year left,” Tanahashi stated. “One year to compete at the highest level, to test myself against the best, and to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship one final time. WrestleKingdom 2027 will be my last match.”

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Tanahashi’s announcement immediately reshapes the competitive landscape, as every match he competes in over the next year now carries added weight—both emotionally and historically. His pursuit of a final world title will unfold across NWPW’s IWGP-sanctioned events, with win/loss records and rankings determining his path.

NWPW officials acknowledged the significance of the announcement, noting that Tanahashi’s farewell run aligns with the promotion’s emphasis on legacy, merit-based competition, and definitive career conclusions.

WrestleKingdom 2027 will now stand not only as a premier global PPV event, but as the stage for Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final bout, closing a career that helped define an era of professional wrestling.

Further details regarding Tanahashi’s 2026–2027 schedule and championship opportunities will be announced in due course.

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About New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW)
New World Pro-Wrestling is a global professional wrestling organization operating under the NWA and IWGP governing bodies, emphasizing sports-based presentation, weight classes, and win/loss records. All major events stream worldwide on Amazon Prime.

Media Contact:
New World Pro-Wrestling
press@nwpw.com
www.nwpw.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New World Pro-Wrestling Announces Multi-Year Partnership Program for Non-Sanctioned Tune-Up Matches​

Agreements Reached with GLEAT, ZERO1, MLW, and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling​

Las Vegas, NV — New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW) today announced a multi-year partnership initiative with leading professional wrestling organizations in Japan and North America, designed to provide wrestlers with non-sanctioned “tune-up” competition outside of official NWPW events.

The partnerships include GLEAT and ZERO1 in Japan, as well as Major League Wrestling (MLW) and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling in North America.

Under the agreement, NWPW-contracted wrestlers may compete in designated matches for partner promotions. These bouts will be classified as non-sanctioned competition, meaning results will not count toward NWPW win/loss records, rankings, or championship eligibility.

The initiative is intended to support athlete conditioning, ring readiness, and international exposure while preserving the integrity of NWPW’s sports-based competitive system.

“This is about preparation without consequence,” said NWPW officials. “Wrestlers need live competition to stay sharp, but our rankings and championships must remain protected. Non-sanctioned matches allow both.”

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Key Terms of the Partnership​

• Matches contested outside NWPW events are designated non-sanctioned
• Results do not affect NWPW win/loss records or rankings
• Championships cannot be defended in non-sanctioned matches
• Wrestlers remain fully contracted to NWPW while participating
• Talent exchanges subject to medical and scheduling clearance

NWPW emphasized that the partnerships reflect its commitment to athlete health, long-term performance, and global collaboration, while maintaining clear competitive boundaries between sanctioned and non-sanctioned bouts.

“This structure mirrors combat sports,” officials added. “Training fights, exhibitions, and external competition exist—but official records are earned inside the promotion.”

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Further details on participating talent, scheduling windows, and partner event appearances will be announced throughout 2026.

For more information, visit nwpw.com and follow New World Pro-Wrestling across all official platforms.

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About New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW)​

Founded in 2025, New World Pro-Wrestling is a global professional wrestling promotion built on a sports-based model, featuring weight classes, win/loss records, and international competition under the NWA and IWGP governing bodies. NWPW events stream worldwide on Amazon Prime.

Media Contact:
New World Pro-Wrestling
press@nwpw.com
www.nwpw.com

The Ringer — Interview Excerpts​

Bill Simmons sits down with Harold Meji & Shane McMahon on the Birth of New World Pro-Wrestling​

On Amazon Prime & Financial Backing​

Bill Simmons:
A lot of wrestling companies talk about change. Very few have the financial runway to actually do it. What does Amazon Prime change for you?


Harold Meji:
“It changes everything. Amazon gives us global reach on day one, but more importantly, it allows us to present pro wrestling without compromise. We’re not chasing weekly ratings spikes. We’re building an ecosystem.”


Shane McMahon:
“And the backing matters. When you’re supported by one of the largest equity firms in the world, you’re not forced into short-term decisions. You can think five, ten years ahead. Only one other group in wrestling history has truly had that level of freedom.”

On Not Being ‘Like Other Companies’​

Simmons:
You’re clearly distancing yourselves from how wrestling is traditionally presented.


McMahon:
“We’re not trying to be better than everyone else. We’re trying to be different. If you come in expecting the same thing you’ve seen for 30 years, this isn’t that.”


Meji:
“We’re closer to boxing and MMA than we are to traditional sports entertainment. The drama comes from competition, not chaos.”

On Win/Loss Records & Time Limits Creating Stories​

Simmons:
Win-loss records sound restrictive. Wrestling has always been about flexibility.


Meji:
“That’s actually the misconception. Structure creates stories. When time limits matter, when draws exist, when records follow you—that creates pressure. And pressure creates drama.”


McMahon:
“If a match goes to a draw, that’s not a failure. That’s an angle. That’s a rematch. That’s frustration. That’s strategy. The clock becomes a character in the story.”

On Weight Classes​

Simmons:
Weight classes in wrestling is a big philosophical shift.


McMahon:
“It forces honesty. It forces clarity. You know where you stand.”


Meji:
“And it helps fans understand the stakes instantly. This is who belongs here. This is who’s moving up. This is who’s challenging themselves.”

Japanese Influence & Combat Sports Presentation​

Simmons:
There’s a noticeable Japanese influence to everything you’re doing.


Meji:
“Absolutely. Japanese wrestling treats matches like sporting events. Respect for time limits. Respect for weight. Respect for the bell.”


McMahon:
“We’ve taken that foundation and blended it with how MMA and boxing are presented in the West. Clean visuals. Big fights feel big. No excess.”

Final Statement on NWPW’s Identity​

Simmons:
So if someone’s asking, ‘What is NWPW?’—what’s the answer?


McMahon:
“It’s pro wrestling presented as a real sport.”


Meji:
“And if we do our job right, fans won’t be asking what the angle is—they’ll be asking who can win.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New World Pro-Wrestling Confirms PrimeTime Live from The O2 Arena, London​

Sunday, March 15, 2026 | Streaming Live on Amazon Prime​

London, England — New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW) today announced that PrimeTime will emanate live from The O2 Arena in London, England, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime.

PrimeTime will once again serve as a cross-governing body event, featuring sanctioned competition under both the NWA and IWGP banners, bringing together elite talent from across NWPW’s global roster on one of Europe’s most iconic stages.

The O2 Arena, one of the world’s premier live entertainment venues, provides a fitting backdrop for NWPW’s continued international expansion and reinforces the promotion’s commitment to delivering world-class professional wrestling presented through a modern, sports-based lens.

“London is one of the most important wrestling markets in the world,” NWPW officials said. “PrimeTime at The O2 represents our commitment to global competition, premium presentation, and meaningful matchups that matter in the standings.”

Match announcements, championship implications, and broadcast details will be revealed in the weeks leading up to the event.

PrimeTime
The O2 Arena – London, England
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Live on Amazon Prime

For more information, visit nwpw.com and follow New World Pro-Wrestling across all official platforms.

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About New World Pro-Wrestling (NWPW)​

Founded in 2025, New World Pro-Wrestling is a global professional wrestling promotion built on a sports-based presentation emphasizing weight classes, win/loss records, and international competition under the NWA and IWGP governing bodies. NWPW events stream worldwide on Amazon Prime.

Media Contact:
New World Pro-Wrestling
press@nwpw.com
www.nwpw.com

PrimeAccess Delivers Global Media and Partner Engagement on Day One of WrestleKingdom Week​

Tokyo, Japan — PrimeAccess officially opened WrestleKingdom week with a full day of international media engagement, talent access, and executive networking, setting the tone for NWPW’s flagship event and its global reach.

The Day 1 program brought together international press, IWGP talent, broadcasters, and commercial partners for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the heart of WrestleKingdom.

Global Media Focus​

The morning session featured an international press junket with leading outlets including Tokyo Sports, Nikkan Sports, Wrestling Observer, and major overseas media. Talent interviews and official WrestleKingdom photo opportunities provided broadcast-ready content while reinforcing WrestleKingdom’s status as a world-class combat sports event.

Vision & Industry Engagement​

In the afternoon, PrimeAccess hosted media panels with top IWGP competitors, followed by a WrestleKingdom Vision Q&A outlining NWPW’s sports-based philosophy and long-term competitive direction. Executive networking sessions connected Japanese sponsors and broadcasters with NWPW leadership, strengthening strategic relationships ahead of the event.

Partners & VIP Experience​

The day concluded with sponsor and partner activations, VIP meet-and-greets, and a private hospitality reception, offering premium access and relationship-building opportunities in an exclusive setting.

PrimeAccess Day 1 highlighted NWPW’s commitment to transparency, global media engagement, and premium partner experiences as WrestleKingdom approaches.

PrimeAccess continues throughout WrestleKingdom week, delivering unprecedented access to the world’s elite competitors and the future of professional wrestling.