• Booker T Says WWE Hall Of Famer Was Twice As Big As Hulk Hogan In Japan
Old School Wrestling Legend Antonio Inoki recently passed away at the age of 79.
He passed away on the 62nd anniversary of his wrestling debut.
He died in his home on October 1st and was ill for many years, as he was dealing with systemic amyloidosis.
During his career that lasted almost 4 decades, Inoki wrestled for several companies such as his own promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (which he founded in 1972), the World Wrestling Federation, and even Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010 by Stan Hansen.
Inoki was the 1st ever IWGP Heavyweight Champion and even had an exhibition match with Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali.
During an interview with Bill Apter, 2-time WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T had the following to say about Inoki:
“I never got a chance to work with (Antonio) Inoki. I never got a chance to work with New Japan Pro Wrestling coming up, but Inoki was very well respected as far as the business goes, as far as what he gave to the business. He was a legend. We talk about how big Hulk Hogan was here, but Inoki in Japan was twice as big as Hulk Hogan was.”
Speaking of Hogan, the Hulkster wrote the following about Inoki’s death:
“It seems like I spent half my wrestling career working with New Japan, after many years I became accepted and traveled on the Japanese bus, worked out, lived,and sometimes fought the Americans, Inoki was truly ICHIBAN ,rip my brother, love you Ax Bomba.”
Also Read: Ric Flair, Triple H, Tony Khan & More React To Antonio Inoki’s Death
New Video: More Revealing Photos Of Brooke Hogan (Hulk Hogan’s Daughter) Leaked:
• ON THIS DAY IN WWF HISTORY (October 7, 2000) – WWF Jakked / WWF Metal
On this day in 2000, the World Wrestling Federation aired an episode of their weekly syndicated TV show ‘WWF Jakked’ (night version) aka ‘WWF Metal’ (afternoon version).
It featured matches on the road to the ‘WWF No Mercy 2000’ PPV.
The card can be found right here:
Just Joe vs. Essa Rios
Gangrel vs. Perry Saturn
T&A vs. J.R. Ryder & Vincent Goodnight
Dean Malenko & Crash Holly vs. Lo Down
