This week on Rewind-Mania, we review Antonio Inoki and Jack Brisco’s best two-out-of-three falls match from Aug. 5, 1971 — emanating from the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
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Long before Antonio Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling, Inoki was trained by the “Father of Puroresu,” Rikidozan — alongside Shohei “Giant” Baba. The two were groomed as Rikidozan’s heir apparents, destined to inherit his Japanese Pro Wrestling Alliance.
After Rikidozan’s tragic death in 1963, the duo became the twin aces of the JWA.
Jack Brisco was a prolific collegiate wrestler, winning the NCAA National Championship in 1965 at Oklahoma State — before joining the professional ranks. Brisco was a prodigy, quickly becoming one of the most well-respected performers in the nation.
This match was at an inflection point in both wrestlers’ careers. For Inoki, he was nearing the end of his time in the JWA.
For Brisco, it was less than two years before his inaugural reign as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
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