1983 International Wrestling Gran Prix Tournament Final: Antonio Inoki vs. Hulk Hogan
New Japan Pro Wrestling - June 2, 1983
Antonio Inoki is God in Japan. He founded New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972, fought Ali in a wrestler vs. boxer match in '76 and made "The Greatest" look like a fool, and won every major tournament and title in NJPW over the last 10 year period. Now he's up against a young new sensation. An extremely charismatic American named Hulk Hogan who has captured the hearts of the Japanese audience. This is the finals of the inaugural International Wrestling Gran Prix, a tournament designed to decide who is not only the best in New Japan, but the entire world. The prize is a huge trophy and a brand new shiny IWGP belt.
This is a battle of seemingly invincible men. It's a brutal heavyweight match not unlike a boxing main event. The biggest star in Japan, a world class veteran in a prime that seems to never end versus the man who would become the biggest star in the United States and the entire history of wrestling. Inoki brings his martial arts influenced "strong style" and Hogan brings his power and even takes Inoki to the mat and succeeds at Inoki's own game. If you want to see what Hogan was like before Hulkamania, this is as good a place as any to see it.
P.S. I must admit, Hogan was pretty handsome before he had peroxide hair and the skin of a hot dog.
Link here.
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