ANTONIO INOKI HOME PAGE best match1

Origin of His Fights

1966/10/12 - Kuramae Kokugikan (old Sumo Hall) - Tokyo Pro-Wrestling Opening Card
Antonio Inoki (31'56" COR) Johnny Valentine

His first main event match. He was only 23. Although he had some experiences overseas, he was only a young prelim to the fans in Japan. However, this match is still talked about today as "the origin of the strong style".
America's top wrestler Johnny Valentine, known as "Blond Monster" in Japan, has continuous offenses on Inoki with his famous sleeper hold and elbow stub. Inoki responds with chops and his famous punches which he showed for the first time in this match. Inoki wins by countout of the ring after a series of the Antonio drivers.

1969/05/12 - Tokyo Gym - The 11th Annual World League Final
Antonio Inoki (17'45" fylfot hold) Chris Markoff

Until this match, Inoki was rather known as a technitial. However, he showed a rough fight in this match. This is match is known as the original of the "Evil Fighting Spirit".
He wins with a bloody fylfot hold and wins the World League for the first time.

1969/12/02 - Osaka Prefectural Gym - N.W.A. World Heavyweight Title Match
Dory Funk, Jr. (60min time limit draw) Antonio Inoki

Dory's first match in Japan. This was also Inoki's first challenge for the NWA World title. Inoki had his broken finger bandaged for this match.
There was not much of flashy moves, but two wrestled through 60 minutes with a miraculously nice control of their stamina and techiniques.

1970/08/02 - Fukuoka Sports Center - N.W.A. World Heavyweight Title Match
Dory Funk, Jr. (60min time limit draw) Antonio Inoki 1. Dory (30'48" pin)
2. Inoki (7'04" german suplex hold)

The importance of this match is that Inoki pinned the NWA World champion.
Inoki had the unexpected great matches with Dory, but this was the last match between two.

1972/03/06 - Ohta Ward Gym - New Japan Pro-Wrestling Opening Card
Karl Gotch (15'40" pin) Antonio Inoki

It was surprising that Gotch was very strong at the age of 48. Although Inoki escaped Gotch's german suplex to the rope, Gotch also escaped from Inoki's fylfot hold and finally won with a beautiful reverse suplex.

1972/10/04 - Kuramae Kokugikan - World Heavyweight Title Match
Antonio Inoki (27/17" COR) Karl Gotch

Inoki defeated his teacher for the first time and won Gotch's legendary championship belt. Lou Thesz was the special referee. Gotch tried a german suplex outside the ring, but Inoki reversed his body and quickly got back into the ring for the win.