In the 2000s, a martial arts boom occurred in Japan. K-1 and PRIDE became popular, and on New Year’s Eve, commercial TV stations were all broadcasting martial arts programs on the other side of the red and white. But pro wrestling fans of the Showa era will remember that there was a much more ferocious martial arts boom in the late 70s.
The 70’s martial arts boom was driven by New Japan Pro-Wrestling led by “Burning Fighting Spirit” Antonio Inoki and Karate Kyokushin Kaikan headed by “God Hand” Masutatsu Oyama.
At that time, Inoki began fighting against judo gold medalist Williem Ruska, and then engaged in mixed martial arts battles with fighters of various genres, advocating that “professional wrestling is the strongest”. On the other hand, Kyokushin gained popularity with the graphic novel “Karate Baka Ichidai” based on Ikki Kajiwara, and the illusion of strength became huge with the documentary film “The Strongest Karate on Earth”.
The finale of the martial arts boom where the two major powers, both wearing the image of being the “strongest”, will finally decide the sexes. That was the match between Antonio Inoki and Willie Williams held at Kuramae Kokugikan on February 27, 1980.
