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Only Rikidozan, the father of puroresu, can match the importance of New Japan founder, Antonio Inoki. For years Inoki led New Japan to the top, defending the pride of the company against outside MMA fighters and gaijin brawlers. Throughout the 1990's he held a drawn out retirement countdown series that would eventuate at the Tokyo Dome on 4/4/98. To find a worthy final opponent for him, a tournament was held, featuring MMA fighters like former UFC star, Don Frye, and a couple of New Japan wrestlers. The tournament began on the "HYPER BATTLE 1998" tour climax, before concluding at the Tokyo Dome. A record-breaking 70,000 fans turned out, the largest attendance ever in that building, to farewell Inoki from the ring. He would defeat the winner of this tournament, Don Frye, and retire in style.
Inoki Final Tournament (3/22/98 to 4/4/98)
Round 1: Igor Meindert beat Kazuyuki Fujita (6:33) by referee stop.
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