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Pro Wrestling in the Philippines - Part 1 - A Brief History

If you're from somewhere else around the world, the Philippines might not be the first place that comes to mind when you combine the words wrestling and Asia. However, surprisingly, the country has an impressive history with the sport that has blossomed into a vibrant, Manila-based scene today.

Philippines Pro Wrestling Origins - 1980s - 1990s

Although my mind suggested that Ric Flair once defended his NWA Title in the country, I could not find any evidence dating back quite as far. The earliest public record of professional wrestling occurring in the Philippines begins in February 1984, when New Japan Pro Wrestling held a card at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila. In the first-night main event at the Araneta Coliseum, Antonio Inoki defeated Bad News Allen. The following night in Quezon City, Inoki and Akira Maeda defeated Riki Choshu and Animal Hamaguchi. Other appearances on the tour included Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu, and Black Tiger.

The company would return at the end of the year with perhaps an even more impressive card of wrestlers, when looking back with a modern eye, including Keiji Muto, Shinya Hashimoto, Adrian Adonis, and none other than Andre the Giant.

According to sources, these shows drew well into the 15,000s. This leads me to believe that NJPW must have had some televised presence.

Following this, there seems to have been a few gaps. However, in 1989, the first local televised promotion began. Professional wrestling in the Philippines started with Pinoy Wrestling, a national TV program broadcast on PTV-4. Hosted by Johnny Revilla and featuring comedian Jimmy Fabregas as the ringside reporter, the show showcased local talent such as Joe Pogi, King Cobra, Macho Franco, Caloy Bakal, and Max Buwaya. Notable tag teams included The Smoky Mountain Brothers and The Bakal Boys. Although it gained popularity at first, Pinoy Wrestling was short-lived and ended in early 1990. The action seemed to blend elements of American wrestling, Japanese Puroresu, and European styles, resembling something that could fit into an Otto Wanz tent show.

There are some sources that state Pinoy Wrestling continued until 2000, but I can’t find any records or evidence of this apart from one video labeled 1992, which I believe is mis-labeled. Sources are also unclear on what TV shows from around the world were available, but it is likely that WWF’s All Star Wrestling and some form of NJPW were shown on television.

The Dark Ages of the 1990s

Little happened inside the country during the 1990s. However, much like my home country, the rise of paid TV through satellite and cable saw the introduction of TNT, Cartoon Network, and other channels offering some form of WWF and WCW.

The next major international shows to come along were some WWF House Shows in 1994/1995, with the earliest being headlined by what I am sure was a Bret-Owen classic. The 1995 shows were headlined by Undertaker vs. Bam Bam Bigelow, and quite honestly, they look about as appetizing as any WWF card from that era— not very! Eleven years would then pass until WWE made a return with some Raw shows in 2006, headlined by Cena vs. Edge, and then SmackDown in 2009. A WWEX (international spot shows filled with recent WWE releases) show came along in 2012 with quite a full roster, and WWE would visit once more

Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR)

In 2012, the successor to Pinoy Wrestling was born through what could be described as an early example of a crowdfunded project. Local fans worked together online to discuss ideas and plans, which eventually came together thanks to funding from Joe E. Legend.

Between late 2013 and early 2014, the group was approached by Japanese promoter Ankei Tamashiro, who was organizing a WNC-Reina show in the Philippines. The event featured two major stars: former WWE and ECW superstar Tajiri and half-Filipina triple crown champion Shuri Kondo. A representative of the Japanese promoter in Manila discovered PWR's Facebook page and reached out to the group for assistance in organizing and promoting the event locally. This experience inspired the group to move forward with their plans to establish the first wrestling promotion in the country.

Held at the Makati Square Arena, PWR’s first card, Renaissance, in 2014 showcased locally trained talent, including some of the top Pinoy names today—Jake De Leon, Main Maxx, and Robin Sane.

The promotion would go on to run more than monthly cards from 2016 through to 2020, featuring a mix of local stars and international names such as Jeff Cobb, Riho, Robbie Eagles, and TJP.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, PWR was unable to continue. Apart from a joint show in 2022 with a number of other local promotions, they closed down in 2020.

The Manila Wrestling Federation

Much like buses with wrestling promotions, you often wait for one to come around, and then multiple do at the same time.

In 2014, due to some conflicts of interest, some wrestlers left the PWR sphere to create their own promotion, the Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF). Although they would not have their official debut show (excluding some joint shows with SPW in 2016) until 2017, after four more shows, MWF relaunched its product in February 2018 at MWF Open House: Level UP, at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

MWF would go so far as to hold high-production-value TV tapings for their own show, Aksyonovela TV, that was broadcast on YouTube regularly and eventually expanded its reach by airing on Rock of Manila TV every Monday at 9 PM.

Unfortunately, once again, good fortune was not with MWF, and they announced their closure last year.

Wrestling promotions in The Philippines Today

You could be fooled into thinking that, after two local promotions pushed hard and ended up closing in the last 10 years, wrestling in the Philippines is finished. Well, you would be completely wrong. This writer is pleased to announce that it is alive and well.

Currently, there are four promotions running regular cards all around the Manila area, giving fans with an insatiable appetite for pro wrestling an absolute buffet of shows.

Filipino Pro Wrestling (FPW)

One of the newcomers is FPW, a new TV-based promotion taping shows in Baked Studios in Makati City. Their roster includes longtime local wrestlers like Nina and Chino Guinto, as well as their current champion, Jeff Cobb of NJPW fame, who recently wore the promotion's main strap to his match at Wrestle Kingdom. In the Philippines, the TV show Astig is broadcast on TAP Sports and Blast TV, with shows often being uploaded to YouTube.

DEXCON Wrestling

Although starting later than its cousin World Underground Wrestling Philippines (WUW), DEXCON is probably the most established and traditional of the other three promotions in the country, all promoting shows from the Brawl Pit in Bulusan.

Established in 2023, the promotion has had no trouble selling out its shows by providing exciting cards focused on a balanced array of characters and athletic matches. What’s really put the promotion in the hearts of Pinoy fans is its ability to use international talent to help build up local athletes and provide an enthralling, anything-can-happen atmosphere. Since its inception, DEXCON has seen appearances from SEA region legends Alexis Lee and Dr. Gore, rising Joshi star Yuki Kamifuku, and most notably, current IWGP World Champion Zack Sabre Jr.

Tickets are selling fast for their next major show, Wrestlestorm 2, where former WWE superstar Yoshitatsu will be in action.

World Underground Wrestling - Philippines

World Underground Wrestling (WUW) is a professional wrestling promotion that originated in Japan and has expanded internationally, including a presence in the Philippines. WUW is renowned for its unique "underground" style, which emphasizes hard-hitting action and a raw, unfiltered approach to professional wrestling.

In a unique twist, the promotion uses chains rather than ring ropes, which adds even more to the dark, backlot fight room feeling of the Brawpit.

PUSO Wrestling

Last but definitely not least is the Philippines' newest promotion, Puso Wrestling, which is now also promoting from the Brawlpit. Billed as MWF’s spiritual successor, the promotion has taken on most of their roster and highlighted some up-and-comers.

Although similar in presentation to DEXCON, Puso tends to push the fun and vibrancy a little further, with acts such as The Super Friends being featured and a selection of comedy matches.

Puso has also started to broadcast fun shows called “Livestream” on YouTube, featuring a mix of new and old faces wrestling behind closed doors.

With four promotions running steadily, closer ties between wrestlers and promoters, and even more international eyes on the product, it looks as if wrestling in the country has a promising future.

Note: Some information was difficult to clarify. Please reach out via contact@seawrestling.net if anything needs correcting.