10 Times Pro Wrestling Got Way Too Real

6. Antonio Inoki Vs. The Great Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lXAGZtMxU8 If there's one thing you don't want to do against a Japanese wrestler, it's no-sell his offense and start clowning around in the ring. You definitely don't want to do that with Antonio Inoki, a Japanese icon and one of the most famous wrestlers of all time. Japanese wrestlers, generally speaking, know how to handle themselves should things get out of hand and there have been many instances of Japanese wrestlers shooting during matches to get a situation under control. This is exactly what happened when Antonio Inoki met The Great Antonio on December 7th, 1977. The Croatian-Canadian Great Antonio certainly didn't look like he lived up to his moniker: he was grossly overweight, had a terrible hair and beard combination and wore unsightly yellow trousers. He didn't look like he had an athletic bone in his body (despite being a former strongman). Like a lot of matches, the two were to trade the advantage a little before the inevitable Inoki win but things didn't go exactly according to the script. The Great Antonio, who hadn't done a great deal of pro-wrestling, began to no-sell Inoki's moves and strikes and started clowning around, slapping his considerable stomach and pulling cartoonish facial expressions. The crowd started to laugh, which wasn't the reaction Inoki desired. Inoki got even angrier after his clumsy opponent starting hitting him with clubs to the back which were delivered with excessive force. Taking matters into his own hands, Inoki began to legitimately slap the not-so-great Antonio before tackling him to the ground and kicking him in the face. His point made and his opponent bloodied, Inoki walked off and declared himself the winner.
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Contributor

Student of film. Former professional wrestler. Supporter of Newcastle United. Don't cry for me, I'm already dead...