10 Most Shocking NJPW Upsets

2. Vader Vs. Antonio Inoki - Year End In Kokugikan 1987

Okada Naito
NJPW

Almost too effective in its aim, the Sumo Hall crowd were not merely shocked by this result; absolutely seething, a set of fans known for their mild manners set fire to and threw cushions around a venue New Japan was subsequently banned from running for years.

Already incensed at being deprived of the huge Riki Choshu Vs. Antonio Inoki main event, the equally mild-mannered Vader used his preternatural, menacing instincts - and association with reviled comedian Takeshi Kitano - to exacerbate the situation following his impromptu, stunning win over Inoki.

In spite of its disastrous outcome, New Japan did something right by doing something wrong; orchestrated as an assault of fan relations, the debuting Vader didn't merely beat Inoki; he destroyed a weakened shadow of him in a clubbing, one-sided exhibition. New Japan demolished its monuments of brand trust and top act to put Vader over as a star.

A victory of both intention and happenstance, eventually, fans redirected their anger towards the intended target, and shaped the folklore of Vader as the last of the old-fashioned foreign invaders - to an extent that his stint in the East was as mythical as the legend that inspired the act.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!