If there is one name that arguably doesn’t get much appreciation for his work from western fans, it is probably Antonio Inoki. The man who brought NJPW to life was as expert in the sport as his western counterpart, Vince McMahon. They were great friends in the past. However, unlike Vince McMahon, Inoki was more than just a promoter. WWE even inducted Antonio Inoki into the Hall of Fame class of 2010.

In his prime, there was perhaps no one who could take on Inoki. His stature, wrestling ability, and everything surrounding his aura was breathtaking. He was at such a level that he wanted pro wrestling to be considered a real sport in leagues with boxing and MMA. While we all know that pro wrestling is scripted, Inoki gave the audience a feeling of reality to wrestling.

WWE Legend on the Japanese Hulk Hogan That Was a Draw Across the Globe: “People Just Fell in Love With Him”

This became a benchmark for NJPW’s wrestling in the years that he was in control of the company. But the peak of his realist wrestling came when he fought Muhammed Ali, the greatest boxer to have lived. The feeling was likely equivalent to watching Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor, perhaps even greater.

Triple H tweets heartfelt message WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki dies at 79

But sadly, earlier today, Antonio Inoki passed away. The wrestling industry would always remember his legacy with the highest of regard. Just like the tweet that Triple H posted soon after the news broke. Dubbing Inoki as the embodiment of the term ‘fighting spirit’, the current WWE Head of Creative also called Inoki one of the most important figures in wrestling history.

Trending

“Ricky Starks and”: Triple H’s WWE Backed to Sign Three Top AEW Talents From Tony Khan Following Dynasty

April 23, 2024 06:29 AM EDT

Will Brock Lesnar Return at WWE Draft? Potential Spoiler Spotted Days Before Roster Selection

April 25, 2024 10:18 AM EDT

“Men Like It”: Sexual Connotation in Rhea Ripley’s Replacement Angle With Dominik Mysterio Highlighted After Major Raw Moment

April 24, 2024 10:34 AM EDT

“Money I’ve Given”: Shad Khan’s Rumored Reaction to Tony Khan Getting Hurt on Dynamite Discussed

April 25, 2024 08:05 AM EDT

Jey Uso Teases New Alliance With Roman Reigns & Bloodline After Unscripted Matching Gifts Emerge

April 24, 2024 11:26 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest WWE stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

In his prime, the man wrestled some of the greatest wrestlers in history, including Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. With Hogan, the man also had a run as a tag team in NJPW. At one point he even defeated Bob Backlund for the WWE Championship, but WWE didn’t recognize that title change in their history books.

But his biggest contribution to the wrestling industry would be the founding of the NJPW. A company that only created legends and masters of pro wrestling. Some names include Hiroshi Tanahashi, The Great Muta, and Kazuchika Okada, among many others.

WATCH THIS STORY: Oldest Wrestlers to Hold the WWE Championship

Tell us your favorite moment of Inoki’s career in the comments below.