Author: Today in Pro Wrestling History: On September 30th, 1960, future legends Shohei “Giant” Baba and Antonio Inoki made their professional wrestling debuts for the Japanese Wrestling Association.
Today in Pro Wrestling History (September 30): Two Japanese Legends make their debut
Baba defeated Yonetaru Tanaka, while Inoki lost his inaugural match to Kintaro Oki. The two went on to win dozens of championships and had legendary careers, shaping a generation of Japanese wrestling.
Both founded their own companies in 1972: Antonio Inoki’s New Japan Pro Wrestling in June, and Giant Baba’s All Japan in October.
Here’s another great story about Antonio Inoki: The Great Antonio and Antonio Inoki Match that Ended in Disaster
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