The career and legacy of Antonio Inoki: Wrestling Observer Radio

[@tylenolpringle2040]

We had a lot more people in wrestling that died before the age of 60 than after the age of 60, I'm glad Antonio Inoki got a chance to live a full life, may he rest in peace

[@timlewis232]

The wrestling world is crazy right now.😞

[@Am71919]

I'm glad Sheik is still with us at 82

[@DavidKArrrrgh]

Statistically that’s completely untrue

[@ShootItALBY]

I’m glad the Dark Side of The Ring crew got a chance to interview Inoki for an episode before it was to late. True visionary

[@erichammer8434]

A legend and a pioneer. God bless that man and thanks for everything he started!!

[@Primetime210237]

RIP Antonio Inoki . He was a great legend. He will be miss . 10 bells salute .

[@random__itch]

He didn't die. He *ascended.* LEGEND 💪🏼

[@laxer123]

I am honored to have met Sensei Inoki Antonio as a friend in the past. We flew together from L.A. to Japan. I will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace.

[@Jaxsinholt]

U never met him stop THe BS

[@IrishPuroFan]

Rest in peace Inoki. A king among men

[@gilavalos2400]

Fitting tribute to a wrestling ledgend.

[@KingHayabusa384]

One of the most important figures in the history of this business. Rest in Peace.

[@MattSingh1]

*Inoki's retirement match with Don Frye in January 1998 drew 38 million viewers, four million more than Hogan/Andre II in February 1988.*

[@Martijn_Steinpatz]

We'll be mourning him at Royal Quest 2 in a few hours. A great man indeed, he shall be missed.

[@DrewKane]

I'm honoured to have walked the earth at the same time as this titan. RIP Antonio Anoki.

[@televiper11]

Larger than life legend with a long resume of great matches.

[@ayceeonethirty]

Idk how holidays work in Japan, but I feel like he'd deserve one to keep his legacy and importance to their culture alive.

[@mongomongo7664]

i know antonio from the antonio inoki vs great antonio match December 8 1977

[@graemenicol6377]

Rip a true Legend of pro wrestling 😥

[@sonnysatar5916]

Yesterday was also same date back in 1990 that new Japan Pro Wreastling show celebrated his 30 year wrestling anniversary

[@chriswhittome7231]

a legend of wrestling. RIP big man.

[@Daniel-hn7nd]

New Japan getting NWA membership in the 70s is an interesting story too. Making the NWA Jr. title important and many smaller wrestlers became stars due to Inoki with the creation of Tiger Mask. RIP Legend

[@itsX2024]

RIP the goat

[@SamoIsKing]

Arguably the second biggest influence in pro wrestling after Vince. Honestly cant overstate his importance enough. A sad day for the business.

[@superlyger]

The bigger overall influence.

[@richardcoreno]

Inoki was very public with his declining health through videos on his KZbin channel. A true hero inside the ring and in trying to be lasting peace to the region.....he proved to be an inspiration to so many around the world in his battle over the past several years. As Jim Valvano said -- "Don't give up. Don't ever give up.".

[@TwinOpinion]

Crazy. Had no idea his health was failing. He was larger than life. I was convinced he'd live to 100. RIP Antonio Inoki. Pro Wrestling and MMA was forever changed by your influence.

[@sullyb23511]

I was convinced that he'd live to be 100, too.

[@cyberpunkgrappling6447]

INB4 all the Modern smartasses comments about the state of New Japan in the 2000s despite having never watched it. Inoki was a good worker. Never the best in his own country nor in his own company... but the biggest draw of the past 40 years (in Japan at least) He also had a great eye for talent as well and was promoting female wrestling before any japanese male wrestler started doing it. Sitting in the commentary table of JWP going back to 1987. Not a fan of his long matches but his fast-paced sprints holds up great. IMO the greatest Handicap match of all times is his Rematch against Rusher Kimura, Animal Hamaguchi and Isamu Teranishi from February 7th 1983.

[@sinsinawa9830]

NJPW got me back into pro wrestling in 2015 and I'm so thankful Thank you Inoki

[@MattSingh1]

*Crazy to think that Inoki out-lived Baba by 23 years.*

[@jasonjimerson7046]

I finally hung my 50th Anniversary NJPW towel on my wall and learn this in the same morning. The timing just absolutely sucks! RIP to the legendary Antonio Inoki.

[@zubrhero5270]

Inoki has been referenced and celebrated for my entire lifetime (nearly 40 years) in Japanese culture. I've seen his likeness referenced/parodied for video games, movies and TV, comic books and cartoons. With such distinguished features, voice and mannerisms, and such a storied history... I genuinely doubt death will stop that, and in another 40 years time, when a young kid is watching a cartoon or reading a comic and see's a caricature of a wrestler or man in a suit and scarf with the distinguished iron chin even they'll understand the reference. And that's just his appearance as a public figure in modern pop culture to people on the outside of wrestling. In sports, _especially wrestling,_ they celebrate and uphold legacies practically forever.

[@luckydog89]

Reat in Peace Antonio Inoki. You will one of the best Japanese wrestlers.

[@mariomicelli4818]

Ciao Antonio un grandissimo indimenticabile campione grande atleta ti porteremo sempre nel nostro cuore ❤️ .ciao . Mario Gorizia.Ita.

[@carmeloguadagno5064]

E venuto a mancare per me una leggenda alla quale io sono cresciuto insieme ad underteker i miei idoli di sempre inoki per me e stato uno dei 5 wtestler più importanti di tutti i tempi non i buffoni che ci sono in wwe inoki era un grande sia nel ring che nella vita per il Giappone e per tutto il mondo sportivo oggi è un giorno triste possa la sua anima riposare in pace in paradiso dove merita le mie più dovute condoglianze alla sua famiglia e parenti cari

[@yardape99]

Dave, you forgot to mention Inoki coming to the ring on a cross like he was Jesus Christ for a DREAM MMA event. On the flipside, Inoki met with Saddam Hussein, presented Hussein with an authentic Samari sword in exchange for the freedom of Japanese journalists during the Gulf War.

[@jasonjimerson7046]

I would like to know if New Japan will do an Inoki tribute show just like All Japan did for Giant Baba's passing.

[@TheFinishedArticle]

Legend

[@rangelo8908]

RIP The Greatest ❤🥋

[@mikey777799]

I watched the Brody match with Inoki where Brody knocks out an audience member countless times as a teen. Inoki had an amazing connection with the Japanese audience and did a very rare thing when he put on a show in North Korea.

[@MrRyanlennie2005]

God speed Antonio Inoki. A near mythical figure in the history of the business.

[@creel999]

RIP. this is what Dave should stick to he is excellent when talking historical

[@SuperGamerB]

RIP, goat of Japanese wrestling.

[@matthewthomas9194]

Now hes up there with his old rival giant baba!!!!!

[@doug2731]

Inoki was a long-time WON subscriber

[@xmuta]

RIP Antonio

[@timlewis232]

THANK YOU INOKI🌹🌹🌹😞🎉🎉🎉😞😞😞

[@unregierbar7694]

RIP Antonio Inoki

[@morningstar577]

RIP Antonio Inoki! Giant Baba vs Inoki in heaven

[@CaptainKeithMark]

Inoki has a feud with Lord Steven Regal

[@MistaTofMaine]

Rip inoki, a legend, did so much for wrestling and one of only a few people that can say he kicked Muhammed alis ass.

[@unclesquatch7934]

He's reunited with Giant Baba now.

[@albalog2449]

I hate to break the truth, but Inoki and Baba never liked each other, unfortunately. I remember this very well online as an addict of old AJPW who has basic understanding of Japanese. The Baba family was very fed up with Inoki's yakuza dealings, where NJPW would use the yakuza and play dirty to outsell AJPW stadiums. In reality, AJPW was the bigger company as it was all naturally homegrown fans and had better TV viewership. And after Baba died, Inoki made false accusations about Baba being "the yakuza guy". Don Muraco laid the issue to rest that Giant Baba didn't have yakuza ties (at least in the 80s/90s era, not sure if prior), and Dr. Death said that Mrs. Baba hated the yakuza, so much so that it lead to the NOAH split, which is a whole nother story. Other than ego I have no idea why Inoki would speak ill of the dead like that, let alone a false accusation.

[@ihavetubes]

Rest in peace

[@wrestlingwithjay3770]

R.I.P.

[@michaelsinger4638]

It’d be a cool tribute if WWE officially recognized his WWE Title reign.

[@TheTruth-mv7hm]

I mean they already put him in the hof

[@dildarbhai5767]

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un وَإِنَّا رَاجِعُونَ May Allah grant Kanji Inoki a beautiful place in paradise, Ameen

[@sonnysatar5916]

Yep, i read he comverted to shia muslim being japaness

[@X_Blake]

RIP Inoki

[@Hepler-s2b]

RIP FIGHTING SPIRIT. 😥

[@sionrouge1697]

RIP Champ

[@raharuko]

he was crazy and his head was 10% brain 90% chin but he was a legend and i hope hes slapping buddha in paradise rip toni

[@huflungdung8252]

Bruno humbled him back in the 60s.

[@thevoice6961]

In his dream. Just a nasty comment by someone couldn't get Ali give him two seconds. In other words, it comes from jealousy.

[@sardarbootasingh2708]

A great-man also pretty tough but not a genuine wrestler a Noora Pehalwan. He was an entertainer of the highest order with a great heart. Gama was a genuine wrestler. This man in not known in the genuine wrestling world but in the fixed fake league of wrestling. See on U-tube two great genuine wrestlers: Aleksandr Karelin || The Most Feared Wrestler of All Time 6 KG Finals - Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) vs Reineris Salas (CUB)

[@brainofwombat]

"Never did get that match with Idi Amin." I'm sorry, what?!

[@arthurhex770]

Man sometimes Dave is really weird, man passed away and he's here talking about which audience were louder his or hogan's or which event made more money, just stop with the damned comparison and pay respects to the man.

[@Jim-so3to]

Dave can't help it, he rambles on and gets lost and confused.. he absolutely should stick to writing. He seems old and senile for a man in his 60s. Erm... eh... Well... so here's the thing... yah... er... erm... you know... like... erm... oh god erm... eh... oh... so here's the thing... yea you know that... erm... eh............... I don't know.

[@DewlayLomo]

Any chance he will take to minimize Hogan’s impact in wrestling

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Weird people cope with grief in their weird ways. Don't get me wrong but he did cover Inoki's history in the business more or less here throughout the majority of this clip.

[@reubenelite]

Bruh he's literally paying respects to the man by explaining his impact on the business Cmon

[@marti5420]

RIP slap happy japanese vince

[@effherdecebey2372]

He was a bit like Hogan and then Vince in the same time, RIP Inoki. your fighting spirit will burn forever.

[@Rainmanking]

First few minutes were rough. Just say he was huge and a big star. Don’t need to hear he was #2 or not as big as this person or that person.

[@roninmikeclips]

Didn’t Brock do Beast in the East for WWE only because Inoki was in the hospital and he wanted to see him?

[@azraahmed4111]

A graceful personality, honest, quiet, winner, helper, and a true Muslim. May ALLAH forgives Inoki's sins, rest his soul in eternal peace, and grant him at the highest rank in Heaven. Aameen

[@TrollFace93]

Aameen

[@radyoung779]

Inoki is the biggest Japanese star if you aren't a super smark.

[@jonahda0mega]

Mjf is doing a promo dissing Inoki and new Japan watch

[@jasonjimerson7046]

I will not be surprised if he did next week on Dynamite.

[@rustyflowers1696]

Smh man

[@duncanbishop1836]

Y'know I mean, Y'know I mean, Y'know I mean, Y'know I mean, Y'know I mean.

[@duncanbishop1836]

@Cold Snap Well it's like, y'know, it's kinda like when The Queen died, well, not exactly like when the Queen died because obviously she was 96 and Inoki was 79, but y'know, I mean it kinda is the same. Obviously the Queen didn't wrestle and she rarely went to Japan, but Inoki didn't visit the UK either! So here's the thing: I'd heard that y'know, it was kinda similar, there were things that can change, b-b-b-but I mean nobody knew. There was this one time that I thought I knew, but I mean, y'know, you never know.

[@MarsofAritia]

no i don't know

[@xShoTime83x]

@Cold Snap 🤣🤣🤣 Dude. You're never nice to anyone here and make shit up all the time, your comments in this thread are all BS, just striving to get a little clout.

[@majidhussain3896]

إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ To Allāh we belong and to Him we shall return May Allāh grant him Janat ul Firdaus aameen say - Ash hadu anna la ilaha il ul la wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasulalah Say - I bear witness there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah and prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is the last and final messenger of Allah Upon saying the above Shahada all of your sins will be removed and all of your good deeds will be added on and you will insha'Allaah enter Paradise by the mercy of Allah

[@salvatorecangialosi3264]

Rlp

[@chikowashere]

Dave really stumbled through this and made Inoki seem overrated in doing so. I know that it wasn't his intention but Jesus he didn't sell Inoki well at all with his stumbling.

[@cmurphy0707]

To be fair, anyone trying their best to explain just what Antonio Inoki meant and continues to mean to professional wrestling and MMA worldwide not just in Japan will struggle.

[@stayfaded69]

Inoki fucked up the lives of many wrestlers after him. His fucking up mind set almost killed a lot of ppl and for sure shorten careers.... Cuz he knew he was royalty. No one was gonna hit him like he hit them. Smh he almost destroyed Japanese wrestling

[@albalog2449]

I feel exactly the same way. I was always a Giant Baba guy, who was like Vince McMahon Sr. in the MSG era. Baba in the 1980s even played the cocky heel CEO (with his own stooges), having a feud against the babyface Texan Stan Hansen (who wore a very similar jacket to Austin). It was a very innovative angle and a direct inspiration for the Attitude Era. Baba was about storytelling, Inoki hurting people.

[@ScumDog420]

A True Wrestling legend. May he finally rest in peace.