10 Most Influential Wrestlers Ever
5. Antonio Inoki
Japanese legend Antonio Inoki is one of the most respected figures in all of professional wrestling, as well as a significant figure in mixed martial arts. The founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972, Inoki managed to maintain a consistent level of success as promoter, booker and performer for decades.
Inoki innovated the concept of strong style in Japan, a style incorporating shoot wrestling techniques, stiff martial arts striking and submission moves thats crossed international borders and become an incredible influence upon many western wrestlers over the decades. His relaxed attitude towards interpromotional matches and feuds allowed many European and American wrestlers the opportunity to make names for themselves in Japan before returning to their home countries. That includes such legendary performers as the Dynamite Kid, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero.
Given all of that, it's difficult to overestimate the effect that multiple Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki has had on professional wrestling worldwide. However, as well as his success in that industry, Inoki has been elected to the Japanese House of Councillors to serve his country in politics - twice - and was responsible for singlehandedly negotiating the release of Japanese hostages from Iraq just prior to the first Gulf War.
He also infamously took on boxing icon Muhammad Ali in a controversial match in 1976, although both men would probably prefer to forget that one clashing egos and differences of opinion over whether the match would be a work or a shoot rendered the bout itself a massive clusterf*ck.
His headlining defeat of Ric Flair at Collision In Korea in 1995 was something to be proud of, however. Held jointly between WCW and NJPW, the two day event reputedly drew 150,000 and 190,000 fans: still the largest pay-per-view pro wrestling event in history.