Strong Style Spirit - Bringing you closer to Japanese wrestling

Antonio Inoki founded and for years led New Japan to the top, paving the way for future generations of superstars. But with the coming of the 1990's, Inoki's role in New Japan began to lessen, as he was no longer a young man, and on 2/24/94 he announced a retirement countdown that would last for over four years. From 5/1/94 to 4/4/98, he wrestled eight matches to commemorate his career and bring it to a close. Opponents ranged from past rivals to foreign superstars, and when all was said and done, Inoki had defeated them all. The finale would come before a record-breaking crowd of 70,000 at the Tokyo Dome on 4/4/98.

Antonio Inoki Final Countdown (5/1/94 to 4/4/98)

1. (5/1/94 @ Fukuoka Dome): Antonio Inoki beat The Great Muta (20:10) by pinfall after a sleeper hold.
2. (9/23/94 @ Yokohama Arena): Antonio Inoki beat Willem Ruska (11:37) with a sleeper hold.
3. (1/4/95 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Gerard Gordeau (6:37) with a sleeper hold.
4. (1/4/95 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Sting (10:26) with a sleeper hold.
5. (3/19/95 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Yoshiaki Fujiwara (18:05) by pinfall.
6. (1/4/96 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Big Van Vader (14:16) with a cross armbreaker.
7. (1/4/97 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Willie Williams (4:19) with a ground Cobra Twist.
8. (4/12/97 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Tiger King (Satoru Sayama) (6:46) with a Cobra Twist.
9. (4/4/98 @ Tokyo Dome): Antonio Inoki beat Don Frye (4:09) with a ground Cobra Twist.