!BANG! TV Report – A Challenge from Dory Funk Jr. to Antonio Inoki
New Japan Pro Wrestling will celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on 3-4-12. My congratulations to New Japan Pro Wrestling – “Omedeto Goziamasu.”
It is also 40 years since Antonio Inoki walked out on an NWA World Championship Match with Me in Osaka Japan at 5:30 in the evening the night of the show.This was my 3rd trip to Japan having wrestled Antonio Inoki to consecutive 1 hour time limit draws in 1970 and 1971. Word was that Inoki would take the belt that night in a shoot. Then at 5:30 in the evening word came that Inoki had backed out of the match and that Seiji Sakaguchi would take his place challenging for the NWA World Title.
Inoki left the company (Japan Pro Wrestling) and joined a new company, New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Now 40 years later on the Anniversary of Inoki backing out of a return match I offer a challenge to Antonio Inoki to step into the ring to settle the issue in Japan or right here on !BANG! TV.
Dory Funk Jr. – Coach of Funking Conservatory Wrestling.
For the Record
12/02/70 Osaka, Japan @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match, 2 out of 3 falls, 1 hour time limit
Dory Funk Jr.(c) & Antonio Inoki went to a draw.Funk retained the title.
1st fall: Funk & Inoki went to a time limit draw.
Highlights of this match are now online at http://www.dory-funk.com –
8/02/71 Fukuoka, Japan @ Fukuoka Sport Center
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match, 2 out of 3 falls, 1 hour time limit
Dory Funk Jr.(c) & Antonio Inoki went to a draw.Funk retained the title.
1st fall: Funk pinned Inoki at 30: 28.
2nd fall: Inoki pinned Funk with a German Suplex into a bridge at 7: 04.
3rd fall: Funk & Inoki went to a time limit draw.
12/09/72 Osaka, Japan @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match, 2 out of 3 falls, 1 hour time limit
Dory Funk Jr.(c) defeated Seiji Sakaguchi (sub for Antonio Inoki) to retain the title.
1st fall: Sakaguchi pinned Funk at 17:17.
2nd fall: Funk pinned Sakaguchi at 4:21.
3rd fall: Funk pinned Sakaguchi at 2:15.
Now online on !BANG! TV at http://www.dory-funk.com From Osaka Japan NWA World Title Match (Highlights) Dory Funk Jr. vs Antonio Inoki
