NNew Japan Pro Wrestling

NJPW founder Antonio Inoki has passed away


NJPW founder Antonio Inoki has passed away

31 comments

  3. Gonna copy what I said in the r/SquaredCircle thread:

    Holy shit. Inoki absolutely was a legend of the industry in Japan, on the same level as Baba and Rikidozan. Inoki founding NJPW absolutely changed the game there, pretty much ending the JWA’s monopoly. His other work, including his out there partnership with the USSR, North Korea show and Iraqi show. Also to be noted, the time he bought an island off Castro that he had been told contained treasure. His epic feuds will also be remembered, alongside the time he fought Ali. Inoki was the last link to a different era of the industry, and it is sad to see him go. Rest in piece Inoki, may he continue to slap people and reunite with Baba on the other side, if it exists. INOKI BOM-BA-YE!

  4. Such a cultural icon. When I tell people here in Japan that I like pro-wrestling, 9 times out of 10 their reply is simply “Ah, Inoki.”

  7. I was just talking about him at home a couple hours ago. Surreal.

    I know his legacy is a bit complicated, but seeing such an icon & important figure in wrestling history go will always be sad. And even outside of wrestling he lived such a colorful life. RIP

  8. An absolute, actual legend.

    I recently rewatched his phantom title switch series with Bob Backlund, great stuff!

  9. Inoki helped make Hogan – his G1 final match against him cemented Hogan’s rep. I couldn’t tell you if it was real or kayfabe, but knocking Inoki out with an Axe Bomber MADE him.

  10. I’ll be going back and watching some of his matches on NJPW world. A true legend.

  11. My first exposure to anything puroresu is being terrified by [this rubber mask that my dad had](https://www.toudoukan.com/@en/cms_img/shop.shop,goods_base./3716902/image1/width/300/height/400/c/efb34e6659598f63db46736844a6426b/) when I was 4-5 years old.

    Now my fondest memory of him is [Bill Burr’s recounting of him shoot beating the fuck out of the Great Antonio when he wouldn’t cooperate.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmuzdFmMmRQ)

    Went to Japan in 2019 and regretted not having enough time to go to the Antonio Inoki themed restaurant in Tokyo, which has since closed down.

    RIP

  12. WWE made tribute to him on Smackdown tonight BTW.

    They even referenced his WWE Title reign.

  14. This one is heartbreaking. So profound that he passed away on the 50th year of his greatest creation. Shin Nihon Puroresu. Thank you Inoki. Godspeed.

  20. I don’t know why, but I’m heart broken.😢Rest In Peace you Wrestling Legend…

  23. Rest in Peace to one of the biggest inovators in the history of both Pro Wrestling and Combat Sports. He is gone, but his legacy is immortal.

  24. Inoki! Inoki! Inoki! 4 ever!

    A real Legend will never die or be forgotten!

    Rest in Glory!

  25. Rip Inoki and his jawline. I think there are very few on Earth who can claim to have lived a life as eventful as his.

  28. RIP

    The first thing that came to my mind was words from a speech given as the lights of legendary Hollywood Park racetrack in California were turned off for the final time.

    “For 75 years, Betfair Hollywood Park meant something. And the light from our collective memories will shine on and ensure that it always will.” (Todd Schrupp)

    I think those words apply here.

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