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Hall of Famer


Antonino “Argentina” Rocca stands as a paramount figure within the annals of professional wrestling, heralding anera of innovation and spearheading the domain of “high flying” grapplers. Beyond his groundbreaking wrestling technique, Rocca emerges as an unrivaled box office draw, securing his position as the preeminent attraction of his time. At the pinnacle of his celebrity, “Argentina” Rocca transcends the confines of wrestling to become a universally recognizable sporting icon. Antonino, also acknowledged as Antonio, plays a pivotal role in the surge of wrestling’s popularity spurred by the advent of television, standing as a quintessential figure of the “Golden Age,” inspiring generations of wrestlers.

Real Name: Antonino Biasetton
Stats:6′ 0″, 224 lbs.
Born: April 13, 1921

 

Early Life

Born Antonino Biasetton on April 13, 1921, in Treviso, Veneto, Italy, Rocca found himself living in the midst of a post-World War I village in recovery. Years later, his family moved to Rosario, a city in the province of Santa zFe in Argentina. As a young man, he was considered very talented in both soccer and rugby and starred in rugby for Rosario University before graduating in 1949 with a degree in electrical engineering.
 

Career

He was purportedly trained by the great Polish legend Stanislaus Zbyszko, and because of his athletic prowess, he eventually came to the attention of Karl Nowina, a promoter in Buenos Aires, debuting in 1942. in 1945, nimble, agile, and acrobatic, he came under the eye of wrestler Kola Kwariani who once wrestled against Jim Londos in front of more than 80,000 fans in Greece. While Kwariani would become his booking agent years later, it was Nick Ellitch, a Yugoslavian-born wrestler popular in the 1930s and 1940s, who coaxed Rocca to journey to the United States. He arrived in 1948 under the moniker “Argentina” Rocca and began working in Galveston, Texas, and on August 6, 1948, in Houston, Texas he defeated Dizzy Davis for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. He held the belt for six months and then recaptured it later that year. His regional title put him on the map, and the young wrestler was soon taking on some of the top men in the business, including Kwariani, Angelo Savoldi, and the great Lou Thesz, whom he wrestled several times for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
 
By now, Kwariani was booking him throughout the Texas area, but the word of his showmanship put him in the focus of Joseph “Toots” Month, the powerful Northeastern promoter who was looking to pack the fabled Madison Square Garden. Mondt became his exclusive promoter but did loan him out to other promoters on occasion. The exposure to performing in New York City caused him to become a national sensation.
 
Rocca was unlike any performer before him, at least nationally. He demonstrated incredible high-flying maneuvers, from flying dropkicks to victory rolls to a version of the modern-day hurricanrana. Crowds were dazzled and packed auditoriums to see him.
 
While contemporaries often cast Rocca as a marquee attraction but an average wrestler, he defied the mold. Not just an exhilarating entertainer for his era, Rocca illuminated the prospect that a wrestler can infuse humor while commanding respect. The wrestling world was dominated at the time by brawling tough men or technical wrestlers specializing in submission holds. Rocca, instead, was an aerial specialist, wrestling only in his bare feet. “I was poor,” he once said. “I didn’t have enough money to buy shoes. I wrestled barefoot. By being barefoot, I get a better grip on an opponent and have better balance.” A signature spectacle involved him slapping an opponent’s visage, using bare feet to administer a humiliating flurry instead of hands. Beyond entertainment, this maneuver and his exceptional dropkick epitomized his extraordinary balance and coordination. He also originated the Argentine Backbreaker (similar to a modern-day torture rack). Additionally, Rocca expertly entangled adversaries in “pretzel holds,” eliciting delight from his legions of fans.
 
Mondt introduced him to Vince McMahon, Sr., who ran the Northeaster territory his Capitol Wrestling Corporation. While arenas in major cities like Washington, DC, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were major stages for Capitol’s performers, Madison Square Garden was indeed the Mecca of venues. Rocca, with roots in both Italy and Argentina, appealed greatly to the ethnic population in the New York/New Jersey area. “I am their hero,” he once said of the city’s Spanish-speaking population. “Poor people identify with me,” Rocca said. “I wrestle, and I beat a bad, bad man, and they are glad.” He was presented as a blue-collar hero, pitted against heelish opponents such as Buddy Rogers, Gene Stanlee, Dr. Jerry Graham, and Dick the Bruiser. The latter two opponents were so villainous that in a tag-team matchup on November 19th, 1957, Rocca caused the Bruiser to submit while in the Argentina Backbreaker hold. As Rocca and his tag team partner began celebrating in front of the largely Puerto Rican crowd, Graham punched him in the face, causing him to bleed. An infuriated Rocca grabbed the larger man and began bashing his head against the ring post, opening up a cut on Graham’s forehead that turned him into a bloody mess.
 
Hundreds of fans rushed the ring, and Graham and the Bruiser had to legitimate fight for their lives. Eventually, seeing the dangerous nature of the situation, Rocca and Carpentier had to fend off many of the fans in order to protect their opponents.  With the crowd having tasted blood, more than 60 members of the New York City police department had to wade into the melee. Finally, Rocca had to get on the public address system and plead for calm before Graham and the Bruiser could be led to safety. The fans lifted Rocca onto their shoulders and carried him through his adoring fans.
 
 
So frightening was the riot that had taken place that the four participating wrestlers had to appear at a hearing in front of the New York Athletic Commission, where they were fined $2,600. It was estimated that more than 500 fans had been involved, and the four were suspended until the fine had been paid. In the aftermath, there were calls to ban professional wrestling in the state of New York, but instead, it was decided that children under the age of 14 would be banned from attending matches, a ban which lasted for 20 years.
 
 
 Notwithstanding his prominence and tenure at its zenith, Rocca gained only a few championships during his career. More than this being an indictment of his capability to carry the title belt, it was more of an indication that his popularity and drawing power were not dependent on a belt. Nonetheless, he carried the belt for several promotions, including the old American Wrestling Association (Ohio) World Heavyweight Championship in 1953 and the Montreal World Heavyweight Champion in 1954. Furthermore, he held belts with his frequent tag team partner, Miguel Perez, including the Capital Sports’ version of the NWA World Tag Team championship in 1957 and the World Wrestling Council North American Tag Team Championship on September 11, 1976.
 
His partnership with Perez made for a lucrative run within in the New York market. Perez was Puerto Rican and helped to draw from the strong ethnic fan base that Rocca had already tapped into. From 1957 to 1960, the tandem headlined Madison Square Garden 28 times, battling the likes of The Grahams, the Fabulous Kangaroos, the  Tolos Brothers, and Johnny Valentine and The Sheik.
 

Rivalries

As a show stopper everywhere he went, Rocca was in high demand from promoters and fans and other wrestlers. From his earliest days, where he worked in main events with Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne, he would match up against the biggest names in the sport over the years, including Johnny Valentin, “Classy” Freddie Blassie, Jerry Graham, Dick the Bruiser, Buddy Rogers, Karl Gotch, Gorilla Monsoon and  Killer Kowalski.
 

Retirement

In late 1959 or early 1 960, promoter Jack Pfefer brought in Kwariani and Rocca to help him run the Madison Square Garden wrestling booking office as McMahon was pushed aside. They met with great early success as Rooca drew a Garden-record 21,950 fans for a singles match against a wrestler named “The Amazing Zuma.” Subsequent matches also drew well, but eventually, business soured as Rocca began to show his age.
 
McMahon fought his way back in and took control of the MSG wrestling office. He decided to go in a different direction as he featured showman Buddy Rogers as his champion and brought in Pittsburgh strongman Bruno Sammartino as his new ethnic drawing card. Relegated to third in the pecking order, Rocca left Capitol Wrestling and branched out, booking himself in territories through his company, “the World Booking Agency,” and ran a competing promotion based at the Sunnyside Arena in Queens, New York, and supported by Jim Crockett. 
 
While he succeeded in this endeavor (including booking some acts at the 1964 World’s Fair), Rocca suffered financial losses due to bad investments. Lou Thesz recalled in his autobiography “Hooker” that “The picture crystallized when I unearthed Rocca’s deal with the New York cabal (Vincent J. McMahon, Toots Mondt, and Kola Kwariani), which secured Rocca a 25% stake. Given that the enterprise’s finances pivot primarily on Rocca’s bookings, his partners claim 75% of his earnings.” He was forced to take on some side jobs (often working as a security guard). He still tried to wrestle in the Ohio and upstate New York territories but saw his career wind down until he decided to retire in 1969. But like most wrestlers, he couldn’t stay away from the ring, wrestling in California in June 1972 and a reunion tag team match alongside Miguel Perez in Puerto Rico in October 1976. His final foray in the sport came when he rejoined Capitol Wrestling (now known as the World-Wide Wrestling Federation), working as an announcer for McMahon’s television shows.
 

Personal Life

Antonino was married twice, the second time to Joyce. He had three children: Natella, Eric, and Antonino Jr.
His popularity extended beyond his work in the ring. He was very active with local charities and was noted for visiting sick children in local New York hospitals. He participated in community events, supported local businesses and gave speeches to youth groups. His popularity extended beyond New York, however, as he appeared on national tv shows and even appeared on the cover of the August 1962 edition of the Superman comic book, where he through the Man of Steel out of the ring in a charity exhibition match.
 
At one point, Rocca had his legs insured for $250,000 and earned $100,000 a year for a while. H carried himself as a star and was an impeccable dresser. He often slept more than 12 hours a day and, occasionally, for as much as 30 straight hours before a match. He bragged that he would live to be 100. “And why not,” he once said: “Next to good blood circulation, the secret of life is rest. I expect to live to be at least 100.”

 

Antonino Rocca - wrestlingbiographies.com

Death

After experiencing severe abdominal pain, Rocca checked himself into Roosevelt Hospital in New York. He passed away two weeks later due to a urinary infection on March 15, 1977, at the age of 55.
 

Awards & Titles

Antonini Rocca remains a distinguished member of the WWE Hall of Fame (1995), the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1995), the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (1996), and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2003). In recognition of his impact on Latin fans, Rocca was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame in 2000, cementing his legacy as a true icon of Latin culture.
 

Legacy

 Antonino Rocca’s legacy in the world of professional wrestling is a profound one. He was not only one of the most talented wrestlers of his era but also helped redefine the sport itself, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the ring and inspiring countless wrestlers who came after him. Vincent J. McMahon said of him, “Next to Milton Berle, Rocca sold more TVs in the country than anyone else. He was wrestling on five different TV stations at that time. There was never a more likableand more personable fellow in sports. There was nothing phony about Tony.”

 

Resources

  1. History of Wrestling. “Antonino Rocca.” Available at: https://historyofwrestling.com/antonino-rocca/
  2.  Wikipedia contributors. “Antonino Rocca.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonino_Rocca
  3.  Classic Wrestling Articles. “Antonino Rocca Dies At 49.” Available at: https://classicwrestlingarticles.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/antonino-rocca-dies-at-49/
  4.  WWE. “Antonino Rocca.” Available at: https://www.wwe.com/superstars/antoninorocca
  5.  CageMatch. “Antonino Rocca.” Available at: https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1178
  6.  Pro Wrestling Stories. “The Night Wrestling Erupted into a Riot at Madison Square Garden.” Available at: https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/1957-msg-riot/
  7.  Project WWF. “Profile: Antonino ‘Argentina’ Rocca.” Posted on April 5, 2021. Available at: https://projectwwf.com/2021/04/05/profile-antonino-argentina-rocca/

Frequently Asked Questions

Antonino Rocca, also known as “Argentina,” was a transformative figure in the world of professional wrestling. He was acclaimed for his innovative, high-flying wrestling style and was a significant box office draw. Outside of wrestling, he became a universally recognized sports icon.

Born on April 13, 1921, in Treviso, Italy, as Antonino Biasetton, Rocca grew up during the post-WWI era. His family moved to Rosario, Argentina, where he excelled in soccer and rugby. He graduated from Rosario University in 1949 with a degree in electrical engineering.

Rocca was renowned for his high-flying maneuvers and was an aerial specialist. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he wrestled barefoot. He was known for moves like the Argentine Backbreaker and was applauded for his extraordinary balance and coordination.

Yes, he had major matchups against stars like Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Jerry Graham, Dick the Bruiser, and many others.

Rocca retired initially in 1969 but made occasional appearances later on. He finally left the ring and joined Capitol Wrestling (later the World-Wide Wrestling Federation) as an announcer.

Rocca is remembered for redefining wrestling with his unique style. He is inducted into several Halls of Fame, including WWE and the Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame. Vincent J. McMahon once said that Rocca, along with Milton Berle, sold more TVs than anyone else during his time.

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Bill Goldberg - wrestlingbiographies.com

Bill Goldberg - wrestlingbiographies.com

 

He was an immediate success, capturing the World Championship within a year of his debut in the sport. He became the biggest name in all of professional wrestling until an injury threatened to cut short his career.

Bill Goldberg
Real Name: William Scott Goldberg
Stats: 6′ 4″ 295 lbs.
Born: December 27, 1966

Early Life

Bill Goldberg followed in the long path of wrestlers who have made the transition from the gridiron to the squared circle and become a wrestling star – he just did so faster and to a greater magnitude than anyone else in history. In only his second year in the business, Goldberg became the biggest name and biggest star in the business.

Goldberg was never a wrestling fan growing up, but instead focused most of his attention on football. Born in Tulsa, Oklahomahe attended Tulsa Edison High School, where he played football as a linebacker and was a talented amateur wrestler. After high school, Goldberg attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship, where he continued to display his athletic abilities on the field, being named as an All-SEC Nose Guard. 

When his career as a Bulldog was over, he eyed stardom in the National Football League. Drafted in the 11th round (301st overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, he spent time with the team as well as with the Sacramento Surge of the World League of American Football. Eventually he caught on with the Atlanta Falcons in 1992 and played for the team for two years before suffering a torn abdominal muscle which put him out for the 1994 season. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers in 1995, but could not rebound from the injury sufficiently enough to play. He was thus forced to retire from football.

 

Early Training

While in a bar a year later, Goldberg met Diamond Dallas Page. Page was impressed with his size and look and recommended that he take a look at a career in professional wrestling. Later, Goldberg was working out in a gym owned by Lex Luger and Sting and was further convinced by Sting to take a chance in the squared circle. After months of training in the WCW Power Plant, Goldberg appeared in a nationally televised fight against Roddy Piper. Months later, he made his official professional debut in World Championship Wrestling against Hugh Morrus, pinning the 300 pound wrestler. The next year and a half would be one of the most remarkable in professional wrestling history.

Career

Goldberg began quickly mowing down his opponents with his patented spear and jackhammer combination. Eventually he got his chance at the gold when he wrestled Raven for the WCW United States title. Showing little nervousness in his first title match, he quickly overpowered Raven and pinned him for the title belt. With his reputation and winning streak growing, everyone looked forward to a showdown between Goldberg and Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight championship. In front of a red hot crowd in Atlanta, Georgia on July 6, 1998, Goldberg speared Hogan and then hit the Jackhammer to obtain the pinfall. With the championship belt around his waist, he was now the biggest name in the sport and finished the year as the PWI Rookie of the Year. Goldberg’s meteoric rise in WCW was unprecedented, as he went on a legendary winning streak of 173 consecutive victories without a single loss

Over the next year, Goldberg found himself battling members of the NWO and other wrestlers striving for his title. Finally, Kevin Nash, after interference from Scott Hall (who used a tazer on Goldberg), was able to pin the champion. Goldberg subsequently placed himself in a hunt to reclaim his gold, often taking on various factions of the NWO. During one of these confrontations, Goldberg ran out into the parking lot of an arena and punched his fist through the windshield of a car. In doing so, he suffered a cut to his arm that took almost 190 stitches to close and which almost hit a nerve, seriously placing his career in jeopardy. For almost six months he was forced to the sidelines and relegated to making publicity appearances and participating in the many charities supports. Finally after a lot of speculation that he might not be able to make it back to the ring, he did so in June 2000 to a great ovation from his fans.

In 2001, WCW was purchased by WWE, and Goldberg eventually made his WWE debut in 2003. He had a memorable run with the company, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship and engaging in memorable feuds with some of the biggest names in the industry, including The Rock, Triple H, and Brock Lesnar.

Goldberg left WWE in 2004, taking a hiatus from professional wrestling to pursue other interests, including acting. He appeared in several films and television shows, such as “The Longest Yard,” “Universal Soldier: The Return,” and the reality TV show, “Bullrun.”

 

Personal Life

Goldberg married Wanda Ferraton, a stuntwoman, in 2005. The couple has one son, Gage, who was born in 2006. Goldberg’s devotion to his family has been a driving force in his life, and he often cites them as his primary motivation for returning to the ring.

During his time away from wrestling, Goldberg also became an advocate for animal welfare and environmental causes. He worked with organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society, using his fame to bring attention to the plight of animals in need.

In 2016, Goldberg made a triumphant return to WWE, embarking on a series of high-profile matches and capturing the WWE Universal Championship. This final run in the company further cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant and beloved figures in professional wrestling history.

Bill Goldberg - wrestlingbiographies.comThroughout his career, Goldberg has been widely respected for his work ethic, intensity, and dedication to his craft. He has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including multiple championships and a 2018 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. However, his career was not without controversy. Many wrestlers soured with his immaturity and failure to recognize that his success was due in large part to the large push he was given by WCW management and the willingness of his fellow wrestlers to put him over, despite his limitations in the ring. He got into numerous backstage scrapes (including famously with Chris Jericho) and was een as sloppy and careless in the ring. In a match at Starrcade 1990, Goldberg kicked Bret Hart so hard in the head that Hart suffered a concussion so severe that it effectively ended his career. He was also very outspoken politically what turned off numerous fans. However, most people who knew him described as a very nice, genuine person.

Bill Goldberg’s journey from professional football to wrestling superstardom was atypical for a professional wrestler. He became the biggest name in the sport and was able to parlay that into an entertainment career beyond wrestling. But he is often remembered as a wrestler who was able to expand beyond his technical and verbal limitations in the short-term, but was unable to extend his popularity over the long run of his career.

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Antonio Inoki - wrestlingbiographies.com

Antonio Inoki - wrestlingbiographies.com

 

He was so beloved by his fans that they elected him to the Japanese parliament after he retired from the ring. What he did inside of the ring made him a respected statesman and a great champion for professional wrestling.

Real Name: Kanji Inoki
Stats: 6′ 1″ 240 lbs.
Born: February 20, 1943

Antonio Inoki is one of wrestling’s all-time greatest competitors, teachers, and promoters, as well as serving as wrestling’s Ambassador to the World. The noble and refined inoki has made it his career-long goal to bring respect to, and acceptance of, puroresu (Japanese pro wrestling) in the mainstream. Although some accuse Inoki of having the biggest ego in wrestling, eclipsing even the Hulkster…those people could not be further from the truth. The reality is, Inoki is a man with a vision…and, oftentimes, if you want something done right, you do it yourself. Inoki has done more to help wrestling than nearly anyone in the history of the sport. He loves pro wrestling deeply…and even used the slogans “King of Sports” and “Civil Rights For Puroresu” as the mottos of New Japan Pro Wrestling when he started the federation in 1972.

 

Early Life

Antonio Inoki, born as Kanji Inoki on February 20, 1943, spent his early years in Yokohama, Japan. His family faced financial difficulties during his childhood, and Inoki also had to deal with bullying due to his mixed Japanese and Brazilian ancestry. Despite these challenges, Inoki was determined to rise above his circumstances and find success.

Inoki’s dedication and talent paid off, as he made his professional wrestling debut later that same year against Kintaro Oki. He quickly established himself as a formidable competitor, and his reputation grew within the wrestling community. In the years that followed, Inoki would go on to build an illustrious career as a professional wrestler, promoter, and innovator, leaving a lasting impact on the sport in Japan and around the world.

Inoki’s interest in professional wrestling was sparked by Rikidōzan, who is widely considered the father of Japanese professional wrestling. Rikidōzan’s impact on the sport in Japan inspired Inoki to pursue a career in wrestling, setting him on the path that would ultimately lead to his legendary status in the industry.

 

Early Training

In 1960, at the age of 17, he began training under the tutelage of Toyonobori, a former sumo wrestler, and Karl Gotch, a European wrestling expert. Gotch, who was renowned for his technical wrestling skills and knowledge, helped Inoki hone his in-ring abilities, particularly in catch wrestling and submission techniques. This training laid the foundation for Inoki’s innovative “strong style” that later came to define his wrestling career and impact Japanese professional wrestling as a whole.Their guidance helped Inoki develop his wrestling skills, including his technical prowess and mastery of submission techniques.

Inoki’s dedication and talent paid off, as he made his professional wrestling debut later that same year against Kintaro Oki. He quickly established himself as a formidable competitor, and his reputation grew within the wrestling community. In the years that followed, Inoki would go on to build an illustrious career as a professional wrestler, promoter, and innovator, leaving a lasting impact on the sport in Japan and around the world.

 

Career

On September 30, 1960 he made his pro wrestling debut, losing to Kintaro Ohki. The name “Antonio” is said to have been given to him by his mentor and hero Rikidozan, after the legendary Antonio Rocca. Before forming N.J.P.W., Inoki wrestled for the N.W.A.’s Japan Wrestling Association (J.W.A.). During those years, he gained valuable experience and learned great deal about the sport. But in 1966, he decided to try wrestling for Tokyo Pro, a rival of the JWA. Inoki’s relationship with Tokyo Pro didn’t last long, though, and by 1967 he was back with the JWA until he left to create New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in 1972, a promotion that would go on to become one of the most successful and influential organizations in professional wrestling. Inoki’s vision for NJPW was to create a platform for showcasing the best wrestling talent in Japan and from around the world, with a unique style that would set it apart from other promotions.

Inoki’s experience as a wrestler and his training under Karl Gotch and Toyonobori greatly influenced the style of wrestling he wanted to promote in NJPW. He emphasized the “strong style,” which combined elements of martial arts, catch wrestling, and traditional professional wrestling. This innovative approach was characterized by hard-hitting strikes, submission holds, and a focus on realism, setting NJPW apart from other wrestling organizations of the time.

Under Inoki’s leadership, NJPW quickly gained popularity and began attracting top talent both domestically and internationally. The promotion forged relationships with other major wrestling organizations, such as the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), which enabled NJPW to feature high-profile matches and cross-promotional events.

Throughout the years, NJPW has been home to many legendary wrestlers, including Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu, Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Mutoh, and Hiroshi Tanahashi. The promotion has also been a breeding ground for the development of new stars, such as Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, and Kota Ibushi.

The founding of NJPW not only provided an opportunity for Japanese wrestlers to compete at the highest level, but it also allowed the unique strong style to gain worldwide recognition. NJPW’s continued success and influence are a testament to Inoki’s vision and dedication to elevating the sport of professional wrestling.

 

Rivalries

Although Inoki was often linked as a rival of Baba,  he engaged in numerous high profile programs with other wrestlers that were considered some of the rivalries in Japanese wrestling history. Inoki’s feud with Indian-Canadian wrestler Tiger Jeet Singh during the 1970s was an intense and heated rivalry. Their matches were known for their brutal, no-holds-barred style, with both competitors using weapons and engaging in bloody battles. His rivalry with American wrestler Stan Hansen in the late 1970s and early 1980s was marked by hard-hitting and physical matches. The intense battles between these two warriors showcased the strong style that Inoki helped popularize in Japan, and their matches were highly regarded by fans and critics alike. In the 1980s, Inoki had an intense feud with Riki Choshu, another top star in Japanese wrestling. Their rivalry saw them clashing over various titles, including the NWF Heavyweight Championship, and their matches featured a blend of technical wrestling and brawling. This feud helped solidify both wrestlers’ legacies as icons of Japanese professional wrestling. Finally, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Inoki engaged in a rivalry with Tatsumi Fujinami, one of NJPW’s rising stars. Their matches showcased the best of Japanese professional wrestling, with a focus on technical ability and hard-hitting action. This feud helped establish Fujinami as a top wrestler and further cemented Inoki’s legacy as a living legend.

These rivalries, among others, contributed to Inoki’s status as a trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling. They allowed him to showcase his unique “strong style” and helped popularize the sport in Japan and around the globe.

 

Awards & Titles

During his long and successful career, Inoki won numerous titles…the NWA Texas Heavyweight title (under the somewhat insulting name of Tokyo Tom) in 1964, the NWA (Texas) World Tag Team title in 1965, the NWA (Tenn.) World Tag Team title (w/Hiro Matsuda), 4 All-Asian Tag Team titles (w/Michiak Yoshimura), 4 NWA International Tag Team titles (w/Giant Baba), and the NWA United National title in 1971. He also went on to win the National Wrestling Federation (N.W.F.) World Heavyweight title 4 different times between 1973-1981 as well as the N.W.A. North American Tag Team title twice, the U.W.A. (Mexico) World Heavyweight title, and also the I.W.G.P. Heavyweight championship, among others. 

Many times throughout his career he has faced champions of other sports (Judo Gold Medal winner Willem Ruska, World Karate champion Willie Wlliams, and boxer Chuck Wepner) in an effort to bring credibility to the sport of wrestling. In 1976 he fought his famous (although somewhat disappointing) “Boxer vs. Wrestler” match with World Boxing champion Muhammed Ali. Although the match was fairly uneventful, it did give pro wrestling an aura of legitimacy.

Antonio Inoki - Muhammad Ali - wrestlingbiographies.comAs a promoter, Inoki is a genuine trailblazer — bringing pro wrestling to countries like Russia, China, Korea, and Taiwan that had never had a pro wrestling event in their country, or even seen the sport on TV. The two cards he promoted in Korea drew crowds (with a little help from the Korean gov’t.) of 150,000 and 190,000! Talk about bringing wrestling to the world…

 

In 1979, Inoki was involved in a very controversial title switch involving Bob Backlund and the WWF Heavyweight title. On November 30, 1979 in Tokushima, Japan, Backlund was pinned by Inoki for the WWF title. The next day, the two wrestlers had a rematch, and this time Backlund regained the title. However, the WWF President Hisashi Shinma declared the match a “no-contest” because of interference from Tiger Jeet Signh. Shinma awarded the title back to Inoki, who refused to accept the championship. A match between Backlund and “Big, Bad” Bobby Duncum (of all people) on December 12, 1979 in New York City took place to decide the winner of the “held up” WWF title, with Backlund winning.

Ironically, American fans never knew of the controversy in Japan, and thought the Backlund/Duncum match was just a regular monthly title defense for Backlund. The WWF has never acknowledged the title switch, and to this day does not count Inoki as a former WWF Heavyweight champion.

The “Collision in Korea” was a historic professional wrestling event held over two days, April 28 and 29, 1995, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Organized by Antonio Inoki, the event was a joint production between his New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and the American promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event was officially titled “International Sports and Cultural Festival for Peace” and aimed to promote peace and diplomacy through sports, particularly professional wrestling.

The event took place at the May Day Stadium, drawing a massive crowd, reportedly over 150,000 people on each day, making it one of the largest audiences ever recorded for a professional wrestling event. Many top stars from both NJPW and WCW participated in the event, including Ric Flair, Scott Norton, Shinya Hashimoto, and Kensuke Sasaki, among others.

One of the most notable matches of the event was the main event on the second day, where Antonio Inoki faced Ric Flair. This match was significant not only due to the high-profile nature of the two competitors but also because it symbolized the collaboration between Japanese and American wrestling promotions. Inoki emerged victorious in the match, further solidifying his status as a legend in the wrestling world.

The Collision in Korea event was a unique and ambitious effort to use professional wrestling as a means to bring people together and promote peace. The event’s success and historic nature have left a lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling, and it remains a testament to Inoki’s vision and influence in the industry.

In the early 1980s, Antonio Inoki was involved in a scandal related to his professional wrestling promotion, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). The scandal was centered around Inoki’s alleged connections with the infamous Japanese yakuza (organized crime syndicates). It was claimed that Inoki had sought financial support from yakuza members to help fund NJPW events and maintain the promotion’s operations.

The scandal came to light in 1981 when the tabloid magazine Shukan Gendai published an article accusing Inoki of having ties with the yakuza. The accusations had a significant impact on Inoki’s reputation and the public perception of NJPW at the time.

In response to the allegations, Inoki held a press conference in which he denied any involvement with the yakuza. Although no concrete evidence was produced to prove Inoki’s direct connections with the criminal underworld, the scandal tarnished his image and cast a shadow over his otherwise impressive career.

Despite the controversy, Inoki managed to overcome the scandal, and NJPW continued to grow and thrive in the years that followed. 

 

Retirement

Inoki transitioned from professional wrestling to politics in the early 21st century, leveraging his fame and popularity to enter the world of Japanese politics. In 1989, Inoki founded the Sports and Peace Party and ran for a seat in the Japanese House of Councillors but was unsuccessful in his bid. However, his political aspirations did not end there.

In 1995, Inoki ran again, this time as an independent candidate, and was elected to the House of Councillors, serving as a member of Japan’s National Diet for a six-year term. During his tenure in office, Inoki focused on issues related to sports, culture, and diplomacy, continuing the themes that had defined his wrestling career.

In addition to the “Collision in Korea” event, Inoki made numerous trips to North Korea as part of his diplomatic efforts. He also established the Antonio Inoki Peace Foundation, an organization dedicated to fostering peace through sports and cultural exchanges.

Though Inoki did not seek re-election after completing his term in the House of Councillors, his political career demonstrated his commitment to using his influence to promote peace and diplomacy, particularly through the medium of professional wrestling and sports in general.

 

Personal Life

Inoki was married twice and has children from both marriages. Inoki’s first marriage was to a woman named Tazuko, with whom he had two children: a daughter named Hiroko and a son named Hiroaki. Hiroaki, who was born in 1972, followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in professional wrestling under the ring name “Kendo Kashin.” Hiroaki gained success in the wrestling world, winning several championships in different promotions throughout his career.

In 2000, Inoki married his second wife, Mitsuko Baisho, a Japanese actress known for her work in both film and television. The couple has a daughter together named Maria Inoki, who was born in 2001. Despite the high-profile nature of Inoki’s career, his family has generally maintained a private life away from the spotlight.

Antonio Inoki - wrestlingbiographies.com

In addition to his immediate family, Antonio Inoki has a brother named Simon Inoki (real name: Kenji Inoki), who also had a career in professional wrestling and later became an executive in the wrestling industry. Simon Inoki played a significant role in the operation of NJPW Antonio sold the promotion in 2005.

Inoki converted to Shia Islam in 1990 during a pilgrimage to Karbala, the Shiite holy city in Iraq. Hdescribed himself as both a Muslim convert and a Buddhist

Antonio Inoki died on On October 1, 2022, at age 79, Inoki died from systemic transthyretin amyloidosis.

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The Macho Man, Randy Savage. After a brief carrer as a minor league baseball player, Savage joined his father and brother in the ranks of Professional Wrestling and became one of the most pooular wrestlers of his era.

Real Name: Randy Poffo
Stats: 6′ 2″ 237 lbs.
Born: November 15, 1952

A second generation wrestler, “the Macho Man” Randy Savage has one championship has worn more than five different championship belts. The son of Wrestling Hall of Famer Angelo Poffo and brother of “Leaping” Lanny Poffo, was at one time the most athletically gifted individuals in all of Professional Wrestling. This athleticism was demonstrated during several years spent as a professional baseball player on the minor league teams of the Cincinatti Reds, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, during which time he once finished third in the league in home runs and runs batted in.

After wrestling alongside of and sometimes against his father and brother, Randy entered the World Wrestling Federation where he was courted by all of the top managers in the organization. He suprised everyone when he rejected their offers to sign on with an unknown, the Lovely Miss Elizabeth. In truth, Elizabeth was not only known to Randy, she was in fact his wife. Through her coaching and his talent he secured the WWF Intercontinental Championship by defeating Tito Santana for the belt in 1986.

After losing the Interciontinental Champioship title to Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat in what many contend was the greatest wrestling match of the 1980’s, Savage claimed the WWF Heavywight title at Wrestlemania IV by defeating Ted Dibiase.He lost the title at Wrestlmania V to Hulk Hogan and later went into a semi-retirement.

In front of more than 60,000 fans at the Indianappolis Hoosierdome, Savage defeated Ric Flair to regain the Heavyweight championship belt. In recent years, Savage has moved on the wrestle in the WCW, where he was able to win that organizations Heavyweight Championship.

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