Wrestling History Message Forum

[kwilson83]

I was always led to believe, from copious Internet reports, that during his New Japan debut match, Vader defeated Inoki in under three minutes.

So I finally got to see a match from that time period. It is definitely Vader and Inoki. I was informed it was their 12/27/87 encounter. According to purodvd.com who sells the event (see screenshot <a href='http://www.purodvd.com/njpwclassics111504.htm' target='_blank'>here</a>), I do indeed have the right match (you can see screens from the match I have below).

[CENTER] [/CENTER]

The problem is.... not only does Vader not win in 3 minutes, but he doesn't win at all. The match goes around 10 minutes, and the match is thrown out due to interferance and the referee getting knocked out. Now I realize that sometimes the "legend" of a match can grow over the years, but this is a huge difference. Anyone have any insight as to why there is apparently this mistake in puroresu results around the web??

[One to Remember V]

Why's he wearing that suit? Is that how he used to always wrestle in Japan?

[stunning_grover]

I think that's how he wrestled in the late 1980s. But I'm not sure.

[kwilson83]

This actually is the only match I have seen him with the full suit, and the full mask, and the sceptor. They went all out with his character. For the 1/88 fight with Inoki he wore the mask but actually had on no shirt at all.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Not a wrong result. I actually saw the match (my mother was nice enough to tape it in Japan and sent me right away in 87/88).

Vander actually beat Inoki in few minutes right after Inoki had a match against Choshu on the same card which also included the first two matches on the list (tag match with UWF guys and IWGP jr. title match).

[kwilson83]

Thanks Hisa, I thought you might know. I looked literally everywhere I know to look and I can't find when this match is, but I will just assume it is early 1988 during one of their lesser shows.

[matt farmer]

Yes not only did he beat Inoki, but due to the outrage of the crowd. They had a small scale RIOT. Which cause the Sumo Hall to ban wrestling in the building for a short period.