Stardom president addresses expansion efforts, Tokyo Dome ambitions
Getting Stardom to the point where it can run the Tokyo Dome is a huge ambition for company president Taro Okada.
Okada, speaking with Japanese outlet Pro Wrestling Today, opened up about Stardom’s expansion efforts both domestically and internationally. Because of the costs involved, the promotion is not overly concerned with staging its own standalone international events. Instead, Stardom is focused on partnering with establish promotions overseas to showcase the talent in each organization.
“Regarding our international expansion, our policy is that, given the costs and risks involved in organizing events on our own, we should actively seek partnerships with local organizations,” Okada said. “Sending wrestlers to CMLL not only enhances their experience but also helps spread the name of Stardom worldwide. Conversely, when unknown top-tier wrestlers from overseas come to Japan, it serves as a major source of excitement for Japanese fans. Streamlining our respective businesses and strengthening our collaboration is essential to prevent the industry as a whole from shrinking.”
Okada also serves as a director for NJPW in addition to being Stardom’s president. In his Stardom role, he believes strengthening the promotion’s communications and advertising is an important step that needs to be taken. He ultimately wants to get Stardom to the Tokyo Dome because of how much value that stage holds in the entertainment industry.
“In the Japanese entertainment industry, the ‘Tokyo Dome’ brand is unrivaled,” he told Pro Wrestling Today. “Whether it’s an overseas artist performing in Japan or a comedian holding a live show, the fact that it took place at the Tokyo Dome is the ultimate status symbol and the most compelling argument to the public. Making the Tokyo Dome event a success — that is the proof of being number one in the Japanese pro-wrestling industry as a world-class entertainment business, and it will completely set us apart from the rest. I want to achieve this goal head-on, no matter what it takes.”
Saya Kamitani (who won MVP in the 2025 Tokyo Sports Awards) and new roster addition Maki Itoh have also mentioned a Tokyo Dome show as being among their Stardom goals.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.