The WWE Hall of Fame inducted Antonio Inoki, who might lay claim as the greatest Japanese wrestler of all time. However, he was not the most important, that would be Rikidozan, who is not only the “Father of puroresu” but the man who helped restore pride to the Japanese after World War II.
Rikidozan was actually of Korean descent, and ventured to Japan to compete in Sumo Wrestling. After he left Sumo, he took to Professional Wrestling (puroresu) which had taken foothold in Japan. With his size and strength, he was an instant sensation and was booked to stand up to the evil Americans. Like El Santo did in Mexico and Hulk Hogan would later do in the United States, Rikidozan transcended the industry and his matches set records for viewership on Japanese Television.
He would die as the result of complications from a stab wound in 1963 from a member of the Yakuza at a Tokyo nightclub that he owned. Details are sketchy, but it is believed that he refused medical attention and continued to party, and the lack of proper treatment caused a fatal infection.
The end of Rikidozan may be a bit of a mystery but the impact in Japan was undeniable. He trained future legends Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki and created a legacy that ran throughout wrestling and not just in Japan. Should the WWE Hall of Fame ever present itself as a complete wrestling Hall of Fame (and some of their inductions do show this), Rikidozan would have to be included.
Should Rikidozan be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 8.3%
Should Rikidozan be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 8.3%
Warning: Undefined variable $values in /home/notinhal/public_html/modules/mod_seatgeek/helper.php on line 81
Comments powered by CComment