Riki Choshu, NJPW's head booker at the time, was blamed for their departure and removed from his position by the president Antonio Inoki in February.

Shiro Koshinaka, Kenzo Suzuki and referee Masao "Tiger" Hattori also announced they would not be renewing their contracts with New Japan in January, and the three committed to join WJ in December.

Choshu filled his roster with young independent stars such as Tomohiro Ishii and Takashi Uwano, freelancers such as Genichiro Tenryu, Takao Omori and Atsushi Onita, gaijin including Vader, The Road Warriors, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Big Vito, and young American wrestlers such as Lex Lovett, Steve Madison, The Maximos, and The Shane Twins.

It eventually took place on March 1, 2003 in Yokohama Arena, running the same day that Pro Wrestling NOAH and K-1 were also promoting major events in Nippon Budokan and Ariake Coliseum, respectively.

They suffered their first setback on that very tour when Choshu himself was injured during the third match of his planned six-match series with Genichiro Tenryu and forced to pull out of all events for the foreseeable future.

A tournament took place in July to crown the first WMG (World Magma the Greatest) Heavyweight Champion, won by Sasaki, but did not receive the belt until weeks later due to it remaining incomplete by the supplier.

On July 28, 2003, MMA fighter turned pro wrestler Giant Ochiai was training under Kenzo Suzuki in the WJ dojo when he lost consciousness and eventually fell into a coma, dying of an acute subdural hematoma on August 8, 2003.

WJ's unpaid salaries were later parodied in the promotion, with Shiro Koshinaka forming the "Labour Union" stable and feuding with Choshu in kayfabe over his numerous debts to them.