Who is the greatest Japanese wrestler of all time?

February 2024 · 1 minute read

A 14-time world champion, Antonio Inoki is the greatest Japanese wrestler of all time.

Muhammad Hussain Inoki was a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.

He was born on February 20, 1943, in Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

Inoki began his professional wrestling career in the 1960s for the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) under the tutelage of Rikidōzan. Inoki quickly became one of the most popular stars in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.

Inoki wrestled his retirement match on April 4, 1998, against Don Frye and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.

Inoki began his promoting career in 1972 when he founded New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

In 1989, while still an active wrestler, Inoki entered politics as he was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors.

His first tenure in the House of Councillors ended in 1995, but he was reelected in 2013. In 2019, Inoki retired from politics.

He was best known by the ring name Antonio Inoki, a homage to fellow professional wrestler Antonino Rocca.

Inoko died on October 1, 2022.

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