Today in Pro Wrestling History (September 30): Two Japanese Legends make their debut

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

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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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