10 Shocking Japanese Wrestling Incidents That You Need To Know About

6. The Not-So-Great Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lXAGZtMxU8 Antonio Inoki might be an erratic, crazy old man who once bought an island from Fidel Castro because he thought treasure was buried there, but he is also one of the most respected wrestlers in Japanese wrestling history. A genuine tough guy, you wouldn't want to p*** Inoki off, especially not in his 1970s prime. Canadian strongman The Great Antonio decided to laugh in the face of logic and common sense by treating his match with Inoki, held before around 10,000 fans in Sumo Hall, as a joke. Instead of selling Inoki's offense the way he should have, The Great Antonio shrugged it off and tried to batter the Japanese legend himself. Big mistake. Big, big mistake. Inoki played along for a little while before deciding that enough was enough and unleashed with a flurry of strikes directed towards the blubbery buffoon's face. He then took him down to the mat and proceeded to stomp and kick him in the face. His point made and The Great Antonio a bloodied and defeated mess, Inoki walked off. It was a shocking incident that demonstrated just how seriously Japanese wrestlers take the business and the lengths they would go to to protect it.