Antonio Inoki Lands Posthumous NJPW Honour

By Andy H Murray / October 4, 2022

The late, great Antonio Inoki has today been named Honorary Lifetime Chairman of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

The puroresu market leaders broke the news via the following release:-

New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes once again to express profound grief at the passing of founder Antonio Inoki, and our deepest sympathies to fans, family and friends.

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, and to celebrate Antonio Inoki’s role as a founder, wrestler and beyond, NJPW had planned to name Mr. Inoki the Honorary Lifetime Chairman of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. After Antonio Inoki graciously accepted the invitation, he was officially named Honorary Lifetime Chairman on September 1 2022.

This information was due to be made public on October 10 at Declaration of Power in Ryogoku Sumo Hall. It is to our deep sadness that this announcement cannot take place as previously planned. However, in accordance with Mr. Inoki’s wishes, all of us at New Japan Pro-Wrestling will continue to move forward and lead the professional wrestling world to the utmost of our abilities.

This honour comes just three days after Inoki's sad passing on 1 October. Plagued by a number of health issues throughout the latter stages of his life, systemic transthyretin amyloidosis was given as the cause of Inoki's death.

A maverick who forever changed the face of professional wrestling as both a competitor and executive, Inoki's biggest impact came through his ownership of NJPW - the company he founded in 1972.