Antonio Inoki vs. Tiger Toguchi
IWGP preliminary match
Sept 23, 1981 Denen Colosseum (Tokyo)
The theme music of Inoki (The Fighter of Fire) sounded in the stadium, Antonio Inoki appeared.
In fact, this music was Ali's theme, and Inoki used it as his own theme in memory of the fight with Ali.
It was an official match of IWGP.
IWGP was proposed by Inoki. It was a big tournament which decide the real world champion. Probably that was a fantasy, but in those days, many good wrestlers joined NEW JAPAN, such as Bob Backlund, Andore The Giant, Stan Hansen, Hulk Hogan, that was an interesting plan.
Tiger Toguchi had fought with BABA. His former name was Kim Duk.
His height was 193cm, He was taller than Inoki.
Toguchi attacked Inoki hard. His Pile Driver, Brain Buster, and Side Suplex beat Inoki.
However, these were Inoki's favorite tactics.
When the attacks of Toguchi ended, Inoki made a counterattack harshly.
Inoki's Enzui Giri (high angle kick for the back of the head) hit Toguchi. The finishing hold was Manji Gatame (Octopus Hold).
Though Toguchi was a strong wrestler, he was not active in NEW JAPAN. I think this was the only good match for him.
May be Inoki didn't like a conservative wrestler.
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