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Quoted By: >>15016437 >>15016489 >>15016835 >>15017918
>The "Super Burning Fighting Spirit Antonio Inoki Exhibition" opened at Keio Department Store Shinjuku, Tokyo, on June 20. Former UFC World Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett (46=USA) talked about his respect for Mr. Inoki, who mentored him.
>Barnett came to the Super Inoki Exhibition with Davey Boy Smith Jr. (38=Canada) and Erik Hammer (56), who are competing in his pro wrestling event "Bloodsport Bushido" (June 22, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo). They offered fan services such as taking pictures with the general public.
>Barnett, who met Inoki for the first time in July 2003 at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Tsukisamu Green Dome in Hokkaido, said, "I don't know why, but suddenly, Mr. Inoki called me into his waiting room. There he told me many things about his life and his spirit in pro wrestling. As I listened to what he had to say, I felt as if Mr. Inoki had recognized me as his disciple. From there, I began to look at Mr. Inoki as the best example of a professional wrestler and a fighter," he smiled.
>Hammer said that he had encountered Mr. Inoki at a bar once during his visit to Japan. He said, "Mr. Inoki was at the bar smoking a cigar and drinking whiskey. I quickly asked him if I could sit next to him, and we talked about the aesthetics of pro wrestling for about two hours. Then Mr. Inoki stood up suddenly and said, "You have a good crossface, but it won't be as good as this," and he crossfaced me all night. I think Mr. Inoki was about 70 years old at the time, and I think he probably broke my nose," he said, recalling the shock he received.
>In 2010, Mr. Inoki was inducted into the U.S. WWE Hall of Fame, and he participated in the ceremony that same year. Former WWE wrestler Smith Jr. said, "I met Mr. Inoki once at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. At that time, he spoke to me about the philosophy and spirit of professional wrestling, and I learned a lot from him," he said.
>Barnett came to the Super Inoki Exhibition with Davey Boy Smith Jr. (38=Canada) and Erik Hammer (56), who are competing in his pro wrestling event "Bloodsport Bushido" (June 22, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo). They offered fan services such as taking pictures with the general public.
>Barnett, who met Inoki for the first time in July 2003 at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Tsukisamu Green Dome in Hokkaido, said, "I don't know why, but suddenly, Mr. Inoki called me into his waiting room. There he told me many things about his life and his spirit in pro wrestling. As I listened to what he had to say, I felt as if Mr. Inoki had recognized me as his disciple. From there, I began to look at Mr. Inoki as the best example of a professional wrestler and a fighter," he smiled.
>Hammer said that he had encountered Mr. Inoki at a bar once during his visit to Japan. He said, "Mr. Inoki was at the bar smoking a cigar and drinking whiskey. I quickly asked him if I could sit next to him, and we talked about the aesthetics of pro wrestling for about two hours. Then Mr. Inoki stood up suddenly and said, "You have a good crossface, but it won't be as good as this," and he crossfaced me all night. I think Mr. Inoki was about 70 years old at the time, and I think he probably broke my nose," he said, recalling the shock he received.
>In 2010, Mr. Inoki was inducted into the U.S. WWE Hall of Fame, and he participated in the ceremony that same year. Former WWE wrestler Smith Jr. said, "I met Mr. Inoki once at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. At that time, he spoke to me about the philosophy and spirit of professional wrestling, and I learned a lot from him," he said.
