More About Me

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Since the "About Me" section of this blog is limited to a specific number of characters, I decided to write a post that discusses more about what I have done in the pro-wrestling industry, beginning with when I first started in it and leading up to now.

Technically, I started back in the 1990s, contributing to "Pro Wrestling Illustrated" and then "Pro Wrestling Torch". In 1997, I contributed to The Official Website of the NWO. That same year, I briefly published my own newsletter, "The Wrestling Express".

In 1998, I taught myself how to design websites and served as a consultant for various independent promotions. That next year, I worked as a website designer/maintainer for Dylan Summers (Necro Butcher), who was running the Texas-based Power Pro Wrestling Federation, and later was involved with Texas Outlaw Promotions.

During the period of 2000-2002, I was involved in many different projects at once. I was working as a website designer/publicist for talent, contributing to WCW.com, writing columns for independent promotions and the website of former WCW star The Stro, and writing for a variety of pro-wrestling media sites (including WrestlingObserver.com and PWTorch.com). In 2003, I began running my own website, World Wrestling Optimum, which consisted of news, articles, and interviews.

From 2001 to 2013, I worked as a Sports Desk Assistant for Southern Westchester BOCES Athletics, responsible for inputting schedules and assigning officials for all public high school athletic events in the greater New York metropolitan area. This gave me an opportunity to hone my skills in organization and logistics. I also acted as in-house technical support.

In 2004, I started working for the Michigan-based Ultimate Championship Wrestling as a publicist/columnist. They were an affiliate of American Wrestling Association Superstars Of Wrestling, and I soon became the publicist/columnist of the main governing body of AWA as well. During my time working for UCW, I played a major role in bringing in new talent, due to my having come into contact with many talents being underused and going unnoticed in the industry over the years. Also, attendance increased by a significant amount.

In 2005, I started doing a column for 3PW. With DVDs sold nationwide, they had the potential to become much bigger than they already were at the time, and they were very open to my ideas. I pushed for many changes behind the scenes. I had encouraged management to improve the production quality of their DVDs, which led to them dealing with a different production company. 3PW management had planned on waiting for its fan base to increase before getting TV for 3PW. I explained how getting TV for 3PW is what would increase its fan base, and I was then given the green light to find networks that were interested. Two networks were very interested, and I encouraged 3PW management to meet with them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the owner of the company instead opted to shut 3PW down, due to losing interest. Working for 3PW put me in connection with the UK-based 1PW, where I worked as a columnist.

After 3PW shut down, I began working as a publicist for independent promotions, including CHIKARA. I also worked as a columnist for CZW. Interestingly, though, it was 2006 at this point, yet I was still most recognized for the work that I had done for 3PW and AWA/UCW.

In 2007, I started working as a columnist for XCW, a promotion that was seen nationally on MAVTV, had a national DVD deal, and also had PPV events. Working for a promotion of national status was my biggest achievement at that point, and two years later, I reached a bigger achievement- Big Japan Pro-Wrestling. Along with working for them as a columnist and an Administrator for their Facebook page, I helped bring Big Japan Pro-Wrestling together with Combat Zone Wrestling to form a working relationship after a previous working relationship between the two promotions had fallen apart. This new working relationship led to Big Japan Pro-Wrestling having its first event in the United States.

In October 2009, I assisted publicity & promotions company MGM Management with the HULKAMANIA- Let the Battle Begin tour by distributing their press release to pro-wrestling news sites that are popular with Australian fans, and conducting an interview with Solofa Fatu Jr. (better known as, "Rikishi"). Also, in 2012, I wrote a number of columns for Women Superstars United, which was known as Women Superstars Uncensored at the time.

In May 2018 I did social media for Great North Wrestling.

In April and May 2021, I did blogging and social media for Kyushu Pro Wrestling. During that time, the promotion gained 220 new subscribers and 52,746 new views on its official YouTube channel.

Recently, I have done blogging and social media for Yanagase Pro Wrestling. Since the time I began writing for them, Yanagase Pro Wrestling has their anniversary events at a venue where they have had 300 fans. All previous Yanagase Pro Wrestling events took place at a 50-seat venue.

I have also recently written for the China-based Middle Kingdom Wrestling in a Publicist capacity. My work is an essential piece in the multilingual activation, with it being adapted to traditional Chinese for readers in China. I am the first native English writer to have written for a Chinese wrestling organization in history.

In 2019, I began writing for Michinoku Pro Wrestling, in charge of international wrestling as its International Officer. Since the time that I began writing for them, Michinoku Pro stopped choosing Shin-Kiba 1st Ring for its Tokyo events and began focusing on the much larger Korakuen Hall for its Tokyo appearances. The Korakuen Hall is known as a place where many historical moments in the Japanese pro-wrestling scene have occurred. It's to Japan what Madison Square Garden is to the pro-wrestling scene in the United States. Michinoku Pro had a sellout, standing-room-only event on December 13, 2019 at the Korakuen Hall. The event had an attendance of 1,890. That was the highest reported attendance at the Korakuen Hall to date for a pro-wrestling event since April 2015.

In addition, I have blogged for the Allied Independent Wrestling Federations.

My articles, "A Look at the History and Future of WOW", "Will WOW Go From Las Vegas Residency to an Even Higher Level?", and "How WOW’s 'Human First' Digital Strategy Works in 2026" were endorsed by WOW - Women Of Wrestling on social media in August 2025, October 2025, and June 2026, respectively. In May 2026, my article, "An Education on The Enlightened: WOW's Psychological Supergroup," was endorsed on social media by the group's founder, Samantha Smart, which was followed by an exclusive Q&A with her, which she shared on social media. My articles, "WOW Superhero Spotlight: Gabriella Cruz - A Brazilian Bombshell With Lucha Libre Influence", "Why Florida Makes a Perfect WOW Superhero Stronghold", "Miami’s Sweet Heat on Beast Games Season 2: A Major Win for WOW", "WOW Hits the Jackpot: Women Of Wrestling Secures Season 4 & Groundbreaking Las Vegas Residency", A History of Women's Wrestling in America", "The 11 Most Must-See WOW Matches Right Now", "A Potential Game-Changer for Sophie Cunningham: The WOW Opportunity", "Independent Gaijin Dreams and the Japanese Experience of WOW's Superheroes" and, "A History of Wrestling Managers" were endorsed by WOW as well. In November 2025 and December 2025, WOW's official website saw a 122% increase in monthly visits, as my analyses initiated search traffic that the official domain then converted into brand engagement.

My article, "How World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Is Succeeding Globally," was endorsed by World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana President Taishi Fuwa. I have also written event previews/wrestler spotlights and done social media for Diana.

Many of my articles have been cited as sources in online encyclopedias Wikipedia, Grokipedia, and Hubbry entries on topics including Women of Wrestling, the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), Michinoku Pro Wrestling, Kyushu Pro-Wrestling, MLW, 3PW, Japan's MMA business, WWE house shows from a business perspective, Right to Censor, the York Foundation, the history of wrestling commentary, Hisashi Shinma as WWE President, the true power of joshi puroresu, the history of wrestling in South Carolina, Alex Shelley, Mad Man Pondo, the early history of WWE video games, WWE Raw on Netflix, Strong Style Pro Wrestling, and more. Additionally, my 2013 interviews with the original cast of GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) served as a primary historical resource for The Telegraph in their coverage of the true stories behind the hit Netflix series.

My work is used as a resource on learning platforms. My ebook "The Business Side of Wrestling: A Look Behind the Curtain" has been available for lending internationally, across two major library systems: CLEVNET Library in Ohio and Dubai Public Library in the Middle East. My article, "The History of American Wrestling," has been used in Google Classroom by an educator.

In July 2025, I developed the core corporate communications and original strategic press release for the founding team of youth sports platform True Lacrosse announcing their strategic partnership with the incoming Private Equity partner, TZP Group, launching the new national platform, True Sports. The final deliverables were used as the basis and foundation for the final, official, public-facing, published corporate release and announcement. The document passed final approval by the founders and TZP Group.

After living in Japan for ten years and writing English content for Asian companies during that time, I am currently based in the US and open to new writing opportunities in the US, Japan, and globally, from event previews & results reports, to press releases, to wrestler spotlights & social media. I offer sponsored content and an international audience. Check out my samples and see how I can take your brand to the next level:
https://harold-williams.com/2012/05/samples-of-my-work.html


My platform averages over 100,000 monthly impressions across the digital ecosystem. This includes direct traffic, high-authority visibility on Google, Bing, ChatGPT, Yahoo, and Yandex, as well as significant engagement from networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Threads, and Reddit.

My rate typically falls within the range of $500 to $800. info@harold-williams.com

I graduated from university with a major in Business and a minor in Computer Applications, which makes me an asset not only as a writer but in a business and technological capacity as well.

I am also a Technology Writer specializing in AI, VR, AR, NFTs, 5G, Web3, streaming, and the metaverse in the context of wrestling. I am also a Technology Writer specializing in AI, VR, AR, NFTs, 5G, Web3, streaming, and the metaverse in the context of wrestling. My insights on this frontier have been recognized by wrestling-related outlets, including Fightful, which cited my deep dive into specific applications of AI in wrestling as a key resource in an article.

I am a subject matter expert in the business side of Japan's MMA, baseball, soccer/football, lacrosse, and other sports.

In addition, I am working for TELUS Digital as an Online Data Analyst, developing and improving AI models by contributing data, assessments, and insights via writing and data collection/annotation/labeling.

The $500 Launch Phase: Why Your Promotion Isn’t Growing (And How to Fix It)

In the professional wrestling industry, there is a massive gap between a high-quality in-ring product and a global digital footprint. Many promoters want to take things slow, but in a digital-first economy, slow often leads to being invisible.

When I work as a Strategic Communications Consultant, I don’t only offer marketing. I offer a 30-Day Launch Phase designed to turn local promotions into international destinations. Here is the blueprint I use to bridge that gap.

1. Stop Being Local and Start Being Global
If your digital reach is limited to your local zip code, you’re leaving money on the table. My background in the US (working with promotions like WOW - Women Of Wrestling) and Japan (like being the International Officer of Michinoku Pro and a social media writer & blogger for Yanagase Pro Wrestling) have shown me that fans internationally are hungry for new content- they just need a reason to care about that content.

- The Strategy: Position your brand as a premier destination by framing it through a business lens. If a promotion features international stars, their reputations should be leveraged to ensure the promotion's digital reach matches the talents' in-ring reputations.

2. Leverage Search Authority Over Social Media
Social media is rented land. Search authority is real estate. Most promotions have YouTube channels with solid foundations, but they aren't converting that into ticket sales.

- The Strategy: Use a high-ranking global platform to create strategic event previews. By funneling active search traffic from fans looking for a specific style of wrestling product directly to your ticket pages, you create a measurable ROI.

3. The Power of the Narrative
For unique promotions, growth is about more than the matches; it's about the presentation.

- The Strategy: If it's a medium-size or larger promotion, frame it as an evolving entertainment property. If it's a charity organization, highlight its charitable impact so that it becomes eligible for community-focused media coverage that traditional promotions can't access.

4. Making Small Look Large
By creating high-impact brand analysis, a promotion can be made to appear bigger than it actually is. This can take it from a venue that seats 50 fans to one that seats 600.

- The Strategy: It’s about search authority. If your promotion looks like an international property online, the fans (and sponsors) will treat it like one.

The Bottom Line
If you're driven by a desire for growth, you need a digital strategy. My Launch Phase covers content optimization, search authority, and media syndication for a flat fee, ensuring the work pays for itself through increased visibility and sales. Reach out at info@harold-williams.com

Why Pro-Wrestling Promoters are Switching to Flat-Rate Box Office Software

Ticket sales are a cornerstone of revenue generation for wrestling promotions. A strong advance gate covers venue costs, insurance, and talent deposits before the doors even open. Yet, many promotions struggle with low online conversions, leaving them dependent on unpredictable walk-up crowds. A solution to securing their revenue while at the same time streamlining operations is shifting from the ticketing agency model to flat-rate office software.

Eliminating Checkout Friction and Gate Anxiety

Standard ticketing agencies add fees at checkout to make their own profit, which usually leads to fans purchasing the tickets at the event to avoid the extra cost. This creates a lot of anxiety for a promoter who cannot gauge the event's turnout in advance, calculate logistical needs, or know whether they are going to make a profit from the event. Plus, between the time that a fan could purchase a ticket online and the day of the show, they might decide to go to a different promotion's show.

Alternatively, flat-rate platform Ticket Tailor in particular wouldn't charge your customers a handling or service fee, and would instead bill you (the promoter) directly for using their software. In addition, it's generally much easier and faster to buy tickets through a flat-rate platform than from a traditional ticket agency, which turns casual online browsers into fans of your promotion who become guaranteed advance ticket holders.

Fee Control: Direct Billing vs. Commission Deductions

If you've ever hosted an event and sold tickets via a ticketing agency, then you probably have experienced being charged percentage commissions on the total ticket cost. Ticket Tailor never takes a percentage commission from your ticket sales. With Ticket Tailor operating strictly on a flat, fixed fee per ticket, you control the revenue. Ticket Tailor makes the same amount whether you sell a ticket for $15 or $150.

Since you would be billed directly, this model would completely preserve your pricing integrity while you retain 100% control over your ticket pricing. If you choose to absorb the flat fee as a minor cost of doing business, the price the fan sees is exactly what they pay. If you choose to pass a small, transparent fee onto the buyer to keep your base gate untouched (canceling out costs from software, credit card processing, and venue facility expenses), you dictate the exact amount- not an outside agency.

Zero Upfront Risk to Launch

Ticket Tailor does not require any initial membership, signup, or subscription fee. It is completely free to create an account, build your event page, and launch your box office. You would only be charged when you actively process a paid ticket, aligning your software expenses perfectly with your actual revenue generation.

Trusted by over 73,000 Event Creators across 120 countries, Ticket Tailor makes it simple and affordable to sell event tickets online, thanks to industry-leading low fees, important features (time-slot ticketing to seating charts, self-serve and hundreds more), and 24/7 support. Last year, the platform processed 25M tickets for events of all sizes. Discounts are available for charities, low-price tickets, PTA's, not-for-profits, and B Corps. Free tickets are free.

If you're a promoter looking to eliminate checkout friction, protect advance gate revenue, and regain complete control over your fee structures, sign up via this article, and you will receive 50 free ticket credits. In addition, your promotion will be spotlighted on Harold-Williams.com

Guide to Attending Your First Japanese Wrestling Event: Korakuen Hall and Shinkiba 1stRING

Japanese wrestling emphasizes competitiveness more than any other style, and if you are planning your first trip to Japan and want to see it live, having an understanding of things ranging from the ticketing systems to venue etiquette in advance will be beneficial. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything a first-time visitor needs to know to experience live Japanese professional wrestling as smoothly as possible.

1. Preparation for the Venue Experience

Where you watch a show in Japan dictates the entire vibe of the event, and Korakuen Hall and Shinkiba 1stRING are two combat sport-dedicated venues located in Tokyo that are very popular with pro-wrestling fans while being very different in atmosphere. The Madison Square Garden of Japan, the Korakuen Hall is a highly respected 1,000+ seat venue known as a place where many historical moments in the Japanese pro-wrestling scene have occurred.

Shinkiba 1stRING is a 300-people-capacity small, wood-paneled converted storage warehouse that has a fun and laid-back atmosphere as it provides an intimate experience, focusing on in-ring action and interaction between the pro-wrestlers and the crowd.

2. Choosing the Promotion to See

Many wrestling promotions have shows at Korakuen Hall regularly, each with its unique style and loyal following. While NJPW quickly comes to mind for many, there are other notable promotions, including STARDOM, NOAH, AJPW, BJW, Michinoku Pro, Dream Star Fighting Marigold, SEAdLINNNG, and World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana- which celebrated its 15th anniversary at Korakuen Hall this past April.

Meanwhile, promotions ranging from small-sized to major can be seen at Shinkiba 1stRING. Along with STARDOM, NOAH, AJPW, BJW, and Diana, SEAdLINNNG, ZERO1, Actwres girl'Z, Marvelous, and Sendai Girls can be seen there as well.

Each offers a distinct style of puroresu, from the power of joshi to the King's Road style to the hardcore style to the lucha libre style to promotions that have a unique blend of wrestling styles.

3. Navigating the Ticket Landscape

If you want to see a show at Korakuen Hall, the easiest ways to get tickets if you are visiting Japan will be via Korakuen Hall 5th Floor Office (same-day tickets are sold at the 1st-floor box office near the main entrance) or pro-wrestling shop Champion, with an alternative being ticket agencies. If you want to see an NJPW event, you can also purchase tickets at Tokon Shop.

As for shows at Shinkiba 1stRING, tickets for these events are not as easy to get if you are visiting Japan, since the most common way to get them is by reserving tickets via promotions directly, via an online shop, phone, social media, or by joining a promotion's fan club. However, Korakuen Hall 5th Floor Office does handle advance tickets for select Shinkiba 1stRING events.

4. Understanding Venue Etiquette

The atmosphere in a Japanese venue during a pro-wrestling event is a mix of deep respect and enthusiastic energy. Cheering and clapping are encouraged, but there is often silence during technical wrestling, with the crowd focused on the action. While fans at Korakuen Hall wrestling events are generally more likely to be quieter at events than fans at many other venues in Japan (as they analyze the wrestlers and the matches), they are loud at both the hall and Shinkiba 1stRING when it appears that a match is going to end, as it seems that a wrestler they like is about to win or lose.

When it comes to sitting at ringside, the rule is the same at both venues: Be prepared to run. When a brawl carries out of the ring, it will soon go into the crowd. Stand up and get out of the way immediately.

Most promotions allow still photography but not video recording of the matches. Any unauthorized recording is a subject of copyright infringement, and putting recorded videos online is against the law and is punishable.

5. Post-Show
Keep in mind that the Japanese train system usually stops running around midnight. If you stay in the area past this time, night buses, bicycles, or staying in a karaoke box or capsule hotel until the first train runs at roughly 5:00 AM are common solutions. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or stay overnight at a hotel near the venue.

With Japanese wrestling having competitiveness at such a high level that many pro-wrestlers in America study the style, watching an event live is a very memorable experience. Pick a promotion, secure your ticket, respect the venue etiquette, and get ready to see the fighting spirit of Japanese wrestling in-person.

Misa Kagura: A Combination of Charisma and Fighting Spirit

With Misa Kagura recently having had a homecoming show as part of World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana's "Diana Season 3 - 2nd Leg" event this month, now is a perfect time to look at her many accomplishments. Kagura's name evokes images of a charismatic and resilient joshi who in a short period of time has made a very impressive impact on the Japanese wrestling scene.

Misa Kagura returned to her home prefecture of Iwate leading Diana's card as a successful and notable member of the pro-wrestling industry. Kagura's debut was in November 2020 as a member of the JTO roster, where she was the first JTO Girls Champion in the promotion's history, and was a three-time JTO Girls Tag Team Champion, with her third, first, and second reigns being the third, fourth, and fifth-longest reigns in the history of the championship, respectively.

Outside of JTO, Misa Kagura has seen title success in Ice Ribbon as a three-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion, and in PURE-J as Princess Of Pro Wrestling Champion. She has also held the UWA World Middleweight Championship, a title which has a very historical past that began in the Mexico-based Universal Wrestling Association and is currently active in JTO.

What makes Misa Kagura stand out in the ring is her ability to balance natural, expressive charisma with fighting spirit, as she builds a connection with the audience that is a foundation for support. Whether Kagura is delivering strikes or applying a submission hold, the emotion on her face says "I don't only want to win, I need to win." It's easy to get behind someone like that, and a perfect example of Kagura's in-ring work was presented in her July 2024 match with Honoka at WAVE Det⁠ras De Lazona Vol. 23



At Misa Kagura’s homecoming show this month, she teamed with Ice Ribbon star Sumika Yanagawa (who was her tag team partner during all three of her JTO Girls Tag Team Championship reigns) and ring veteran Haruka Kato to face former W.W.W.D Singles Champion Ayako Sato, and legends/former WWWA Champions Jaguar Yokota and Kyoko Inoue. Although Sato, Yokota, and Inoue leveraged their combined 110 years of in-ring experience to secure a victory, the match lasted 14 minutes and 40 seconds, as Kagura's team proved that they could hold their own against three of the best in the industry's history.

Misa Kagura is a standout wrestler in modern joshi puroresu, consistently delivering highly physical and emotionally intense matches that showcase why she is one of the scene's fastest-rising stars.

How Tormenta’s Free Agency Benefits Both Her and WOW

At the Mexico-based RIOT Lucha Libre's La Riña 4 event on July 18, Tormenta, who was a significant presence in AAA, announced that she is now a free agent. Along with giving her more control over her career trajectory, this path has an impact on her relationship with WOW - Women Of Wrestling, as the company becomes the centerpiece of her market value.

With AAA being one of the biggest lucha libre companies in Mexico, Tormenta's reign as co-holder of the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship was highly respected. But becoming WOW World Champion cemented her legacy, as she became an established top-tier singles star and the face of an integrated media company with a major distribution deal, seen in 100% of US markets and being a source of inspiration for women in Mexico, as a Superhero from their country wrestles at such a high level.

Now that Tormenta is a free agent, she gains distinct structural benefits as a result of how WOW operates. The company films its weekly television show in seasons, and tapings are often concentrated over a few days or weeks at a specific location, with its newest residency being the iconic Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. This approach allows Tormenta to have a predictable work schedule with significant periods off between seasons, during which time she can wrestle in multiple promotions in the US and Mexico throughout the year. And considering the national TV exposure that Tormenta gets and her reputation in Mexico, many promotions will book her, drawing WOW and lucha libre fans alike.



WOW benefits from Tormenta's free agency as well. Juggling commitments between a major company in Mexico and a US television taping schedule can be a balancing act, but free agency changes the dynamic entirely- WOW, the company that provided the platform for her to prove that she could carry the weight of responsibility that comes with being a world champion, can now have more priority in Tormenta's pro-wrestling career.

For WOW, having Tormenta as a part of its world is a premium asset. She brings her lucha libre background and almost two decades of in-ring experience, quickly approaching her 20-year milestone in September 2026. For Tormenta, having more freedom while also enjoying a national platform marks a stage of her career where her status as an international star, former WOW World Champion, and former AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champion, is reaping its rewards.

WOW Superhero Spotlight: Gabriella Cruz - A Brazilian Bombshell With Lucha Libre Influence

With backgrounds in judo / jiu-jitsu and professional wrestling experience internationally, Brazil-born Gabriella Cruz brings a unique fighting style to WOW - Women Of Wrestling.



As the first female from her region to win a bronze medal at the Judo World Championship and a former Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, Gabriella Cruz had a great foundation for pro-wrestling capability when she began her sports entertainment journey. After being promoted to a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Cruz further developed her wrestling skills in Mexico, where the high-flying lucha libre style is traditional. Promotions there where Cruz honed her craft included AAA, one of the biggest lucha libre companies in Mexico, and KAOZ Lucha Libre, where she saw title success as KAOZ Women's Champion and KAOZ Women's Tag Team Champion.

Upon returning to the United States, Gabriella Cruz joined WOW, carrying the lessons learned in Mexican rings. When she was wrestling in the US previously, she displayed a combination of natural athleticism and mastery of judo and jiu-jitsu. Now that Cruz has embraced the aerial moves that are trademarks of lucha libre, she has added a new dimension of excitement and visual display to matches. This addition of aerial artistry brought a faster pace and more energy to Cruz's matches, as she outmaneuvers her opponents.



Recently, Gabriella Cruz began getting involved with WOW's tag team scene, teaming with fellow WOW Superhero Lil J-Boogie. Their friendship has been a learning experience for both of them- while Lil J-Boogie is learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Cruz, she is learning dance moves from Lil J-Boogie, who is a professional dancer outside of WOW. Acquiring these skills will enable Cruz to enhance her in-ring timing, agility, and showmanship, blending rhythmic movement with her martial arts background and lucha libre/American wrestling talents.



Whether Gabriella Cruz is in singles or tag team action, her mission is always the same: To inspire young women to believe in their dreams and pursue them.