>>16639433Choshu took over the book around 1987 when Inoki got in some hot water with the public about embezzling money (kek) and presumably didn't give it up until he exited the company to start World Japan around 2002.
There are a billion sources because NJPW showed the backstage operation of its company at this point and worked it into angles. Inoki's scandal was an angle for example, and when Choshu got caught planning to leave for World Japan, NJPW also made that a televised angle and part of the actual kayfabe story. It's what they do. So, Choshu was typically the guy backstage involved in all of the administrative angles of the 90s. Inoki showed up in what was effectively a big guest spot every now and then but he was no longer a constant presence.
There is a very obvious tonal shift in the booking when Choshu leaves and Inoki takes back over in 2002 also
But if you're really curious and don't want to dig through years of archival footage and you're not fluent in Japanese, you're going to have to more or less believe in the Meltzman because he's the only guy who reported on this shit in English during that era.
