Remember Vader: Five of his top matches to watch

Versus Antonio Inoki at NJPW Inoki Toukan Live III – December 27, 1987

This match wasn’t about storytelling, as it was Vader’s first appearance in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Back then, it was rare for a foreign competitor to step into an NJPW ring and get many victories; let alone dominate the way Vader did. This was his debut for the organization and he was going up against an all-out legend in Antonio Inoki.

For a little more than three minutes, Vader absolultely dominated Inoki – beating him all around the ring and on the outside. Inoki didn’t get off one shot of offense, as this match was used to set up Vader as a monster heel in the organization. When he pinned Inoki and the legend was prone on the mat; Vader then proceeded to beat up the staffers that attempted to tend to Inoki. This set off the Japanese crowd which led to a riot breaking out in the arena. At that time, the Sumo Hall was considered to be NJPW’s home location, but this event caused them to be banned from returning for a few years.

This type of reaction is unheard of in today’s wrestling industry; but Vader was a one man destruction crew that blew through one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, setting off a run in NJPW that helped build Vader’s legacy across the world.