Antonio Inoki, the legendary WWE star, passed away and the tributes have been pouring in for the 79-year-old. Hailing from Japan, the veteran went on to make a name for himself, and his passing away has left a great void in the wrestling world.
The Yokohoma-born passed away on October 1, Saturday, and Triple H joined many former stars like William Regal and Mick Foley in pouring the tributes for the legendary wrestler. For the unversed, Inoki was the hall of fame inductee in 2010 and the first Japanese to win the WWF Heavyweight Championship.
Triple H was among the first to pen down an emotional note for the competitor on his Twitter account. He said that the legacy of Inoki will live on forever and he will be missed. “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 tweeted.
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
Tributes pour in for Antonio Inoki
Born in 1943, Inoki made a name for himself in the WWE and for Japan. He was one of the earliest wrestlers from Japan, and the aspirants from the country look up to him to this day. Although Inoki has left the world, the memories will stay with his fans forever. Regal, another former legend, took to Twitter to express his condolences and paid tributes to the departed legend.
“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Antonio Inoki, the legendary Japanese Pro Wrestler. Mr Inoki chose to Wrestle me in 1994 and then we became friends, kept in touch and was always very kind to me. Deepest condolences to his family & fans,” Regal tweeted.
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
Foley, an ambassador of the WWE Legends, tweeted about Inoki’s death and also expressed his sorrow on the same. “Very sorry to learn of the loss of Antonio Inoki. What a towering presence in our business! I loved his matches – especially his classic brawls with Bruiser Brody. #RIPInoki,” he wrote.
Very sorry to learn of the loss of Antonio Inoki. What a towering presence in our business! I loved his matches – especially his classic brawls with Bruiser Brody.#RIPInoki pic.twitter.com/fTgOwhpTja
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) October 1, 2022
Former wrestler Tazz also opened up on the demise and expressed his grief for the same.
“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,” Tazz wrote.
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
The wrestling world will miss him and so will his fans. Inoki has departed but definitely not his history and legacy.
