Antonio Inoki

A legendary Japanese professional wrestler and NJPW founder, Antonio Inoki passed away on October 1, 2022, at age 79. Best known as the founder and 33-year owner of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Inoki is credited with developing strong style and shoot style wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s. Inoki held the championship and battled top competitors including Stan Hansen, Tiger Jeet Singh, and Hulk Hogan, with his most famous bout against Muhammad Ali in 1976 featuring leg kicks and uneventful action.

While still an active wrestler, Inoki entered politics in 1989 when he was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors. Following his retirement from professional wrestling, Inoki promoted MMA events featuring the best of NJPW against world-renowned fighters, including an exhibition match with Renzo Gracie at the 2000 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye. His legacy remains closely tied to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the idea that Japanese wrestling could be presented with a tougher, more sports-like edge, bridging wrestling’s postwar foundations and its modern global reach.