Since the news broke of Antonio Inoki passing away at the age of 79, the wrestling world has been reacting.
Inoki is one of the biggest names ever in pro wrestling history. He broke into the business in 1972 when he founded New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he remained the promotion owner until 2005 when he sold his controlling shares to Yuke’s video game company.
He founded the Inoki Genome Federation in 2007. Inoki entered politics in 1989, where he was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors and served from 1989 until 1995 and again from 2013 until 2019.
Inoki trained several wrestlers, including Akira Maeda, Bad News Allen, the first Tiger Mask, Keiji Muto, Riki Choshu, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tatsumi Fujinami, Rocky Romero, and several other major names.
You can see the reactions from various wrestlers and promotions here:
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its condolences to the friends and family of pro wrestling pioneer Antonio Inoki.
An NWA Tag Team and United National Champion and most importantly, a legend that will forever be remembered in our business and beyond. pic.twitter.com/sqyG8Y26QC
— NWA (@nwa) October 1, 2022
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its condolences to the friends and family of pro wrestling pioneer Antonio Inoki.
An NWA Tag Team and United National Champion and most importantly, a legend that will forever be remembered in our business and beyond. pic.twitter.com/sqyG8Y26QC
— NWA (@nwa) October 1, 2022
One of the most important figures in the history of our business, and a man who embodied the term “fighting spirit.” The legacy of WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki will live on forever.
— Triple H (@TripleH) October 1, 2022
Rest in Peace Inoki san… https://t.co/0JDIBLuf84
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) October 1, 2022
RIP Antonio Inoki, a pioneer in the pro wrestling industry. Inoki’s influence and his achievements will live on forever in the wrestling world; he’s an inspiration to all of the dreamers. Thank you sir.
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) October 1, 2022
I found my road… Thank you for everything Inoki-sama Rest in Power.
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) October 1, 2022
Very sad to hear the passing of a true icon of Professional Wrestling worldwide. Antonio Inoki inspired so many wrestlers for so many decades including me in my in ring days. I had the opportunity to wrestle on several tours for Inoki in NJPW – he truly changed the game. RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/WSyAKB9XCY
— taz (@OfficialTAZ) October 1, 2022
RIP Antonio Inoki…a legend in every sense of the word. 🙏
— Adam Cole (@AdamColePro) October 1, 2022
Some of the moments in my career that I am most grateful for are a result of the friendship that evolved from our business together. Inoki san was a visionary. In some ways-too ahead of his time. 安らかに眠る
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) October 1, 2022
.@IMPACTWrestling would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Antonio Inoki. We are saddened to learn of his passing and know his legacy will live forever. pic.twitter.com/acCxKxDNK7
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) October 1, 2022
お疲れ様でございました🙏#燃える闘魂 #アントニオ猪木 pic.twitter.com/sFADReF0aY
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) October 1, 2022
猪木さんが亡くなった。
走馬灯のように数々の思い出が溢れてくる。
きっと俺の中にも猪木イズムが流れている。。
「来年の引退まで精一杯頑張っていきます！」心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。 pic.twitter.com/UHRuSEdz1u
— 武藤 敬司 (@muto_keiji) October 1, 2022
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Antonio Inoki, the legendary Japanese Pro https://t.co/eB0872a4FJ Inoki chose to Wrestle me in 1994 and then we became friends,kept in touch and was always very kind to https://t.co/jqwYii836k deepest condolences to his family & fans. pic.twitter.com/qqvk8j4Vak
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) October 1, 2022
My grandfather had so much respect for Antonio Inoki and his passion for pro-wrestling.
(Gene Kiniski, Stu Hart, Antonio Inoki) pic.twitter.com/OlVPOklZ9K
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) October 1, 2022
