NJPW Toukon Series II, Tokyo, Japan
This is a request via Ko-fi, an infamous match featuring a big gimmick wrestler from Montreal, originally from what is now Croatia, was then Yugoslavia, The Great Antonio.
Born Antonio Barichievich, The Great Antonio was a huge man, billed 6’4″ and 465 pounds, and a strongman, getting into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1952 for pulling a train really far or whatever, and again for pulling buses. There were all kinds of myths and legends about his eating and whatnot, sort of like Andre the Giant. He was a lifelong eccentric, did some movies, was on Ed Sullivan and Carson, met a lot of celebrities, and he was famous in Montreal until his death in 2003 at age 77.
Antonio had a long and fascinating life, and part of it included pro wrestling. When he was younger and fitter, he wrestled as Narcissus, but by the late 50s he made a name as The Great Antonio. But this is the late 70s, and he’s in Japan, doing a tour for NJPW. Mostly he wrestled a few guys at once in handicaps, defeating two or three or four or even five guys at a time. There were some names involved who would go on to become stars in their own right: Riki Choshu was in one match, Kengo Kimura in another, Seiji Sakaguchi was in one of the matches and he was an established star.
And then on Dec. 8 in Tokyo, he was matched with Antonio Inoki for a singles match. Japan long loved the big western attraction as a foil for its native stars, and Inoki was the guy. In 1977, he had his battles with Andre the Giant and Blackjack Mulligan and Killer Karl Krupp and Victor Rivera and Johnny Powers and the Masked Superstar and a young Roddy Piper and Stan Hansen and Pat Patterson. Antonio was just someone in line for him, albeit a big someone.
Inoki rolls forward to start, showing off the agility as Antonio looks to get in close. Inoki with a top wristlock and Antonio shoves him away, then does some weird shit. Antonio lumbering after Inoki, grabs a weak side headlock and the referee tries to break it up because Inoki got to the corner, making a show of not being able to loosen Antonio’s grip.
Inoki tries a waistlock but Antonio is too big and strong. Inoki throws a dropkick, Antonio doesn’t budge, then slaps his big fat belly a few times, offering it up to Inoki for punches. Inoki throws one, Antonio no-sells again and slaps it some more. Inoki goes for a takedown, then grabs an arm and Antonio counters with another headlock. Antonio “runs the ropes,” but Inoki just moves out of the way.
Antonio sends Inoki in, Inoki throws himself into Antonio, who again doesn’t budge, with Inoki bouncing off of him. Big weirdo Antonio still doing weirdo shit, then throws a couple forearms and awkwardly paws at Inoki after Inoki slaps at him.
And then Antonio decides to really club the fuck out of Inoki’s back and the back of his neck, and, well, that’s it.
Inoki palm strikes the shit out of the big guy, then kicks at the legs, ducks under, and takes Antonio down. He kicks him in the face, Antonio tries to get away, and Inoki won’t let him, just kicking and stomping his face and head repeatedly until Antonio is down in a bloody heap and the referee calls it off, declaring Inoki winner by knockout.
Rating: NR. It’s not really possible to rate it, as it’s not really a wrestling match. Inoki came for one, Antonio fucked around, and Inoki beat the fucking shit out of him. As a historical curiosity, though, it retains value. The match has become notorious enough over 40 years that it’s been ridiculed and written about and whatnot many times over. Antonio didn’t exactly live it up the rest of his life — and he never wrestled again after this — but end of the day, there is or at least was a big fuckin mural and a plaque on a park bench dedicated to him in Montreal, and he’s a lot more remembered than the most of us ever will be.
Tape Machines Are Rolling 
You must be logged in to post a comment.