Inoki held two martial arts tournaments in 2017 called “INOKI ‘ISM'”. In it, he aspired to the birth of a new, true star in the world of martial arts. In his later years, he began to say, “I don’t want to watch professional wrestling or martial arts.” Behind the words that seem to deny the existence of professional wrestling, which was life itself, there was a feeling of love for professional wrestling, wrestlers, and the Japanese people.
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On July 24th, 2017, Inoki held the 1st “INOKI ‘ISM'” at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. The grave of Karl Gotch, who played the main role in the New Japan Pro-Wrestling inauguration match on March 6, 1972, and taught him swastika and German suplex, is located in Arakawa-ku, Tokyo. It was to raise funds to build in Ekoin. “I don’t want to be in the ring, but I’m happy to be cheered on,” said Mr. Inoki, who demonstrated to the audience in the ring how to tighten the Achilles’ tendon directly from Mr. Gotch.
In the ring of “INOKI ISM. 2 Inoki Theater ~Antonio Inoki ‘Namazenso’~” held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on October 21st of the same year, he said:
“In the past, I used to be the only one in all of Japan to stop the bills.
In August 2018, he underwent surgery on his lower back and was repeatedly in and out of the hospital.
“I don’t want to watch professional wrestling or martial arts… there are aspects I don’t want to get involved with.”
At the same time, popular wrestlers such as Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito are making an appearance at New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Even in the martial arts world, RIZIN’s popularity is boiling. His match between Tenshin Nasukawa and former professional boxing champion Floyd Mayweather (USA), and the fight between Kyoji Horiguchi and Kai Asakura also attracted attention.
First, Mr. Inoki affirmed that the origin of current mixed martial arts is the mixed martial arts line he himself stepped into.
“The fight against Muhammad Ali took the form of a mixed martial art that transcends the boundaries of martial arts fighting. Until then, boxing could never have been a non-traditional match. However, by not doing so, new things were born.The starting point of martial arts is what is strong.There are various names such as general.”
On that basis, he concluded in one word.
“From my point of view, I’m scared.”
When I asked him what he really meant, he spoke as if he had cleared his throat.
“Nowadays players just say, “I did it!” In the past, 10,000 or 20,000 people said they would put it on the palm of their hand.Maybe they were mad, but if you don’t want to see it, don’t watch it! There was such a power relationship.”
So, what do you think of professional wrestling and wrestlers?
“I am a post-war person. What was the situation like in post-war Japan? Professional wrestling gave the people the energy to live tomorrow. I don’t think I ever imagined that such a boom would occur, but it was the biggest encouragement after the war.”
“It doesn’t matter if you won or lost in the ring. Your soul and spirit are important in your entire way of life. We have to take care of it. Whether it’s actions or words, it shows the truth, not the disguised message.”
On top of that, he continued.
“I wonder if the times have turned out that way…I wonder if what the fans are looking for has changed.”
Professional wrestling and wrestlers that Mr. Inoki wants to see…I think there is something beyond that that the Japanese once had and lost.[Yukimasa Murakami](End)