10 Infamous Pro Wrestling Squash Matches
Not every squash match is forgettable
7. Big Van Vader vs. Antonio Inoki
New Japan Pro-Wrestling founder Antonio Inoki wasn’t just a star – he was an icon and a cultural institution.
One of his country’s most cherished wrestlers, Inoki rarely, if ever, lost. If he did, you can bet your chin he didn’t go down without a fight or due to some serious shenanigans.
He certainly had a fight on his hands when he met a debuting Big Van Vader on December 12, 1987. Inoki had just beaten Riki Choshu by disqualification in a short but feisty match when he was challenged by The Mastadon.
The big man proceeded to completely swallow him up, ending Inoki’s long winning streak by pinning him for the first time in years after a completely one-sided match in a paltry 2 minutes and 49 seconds.
Disbelief turned to anger when Vader continued his assault after the bell had sounded and the Japanese fans rioted in protest.
It took police an hour to calm the situation down and Sumo Hall subsequently banned New Japan from running the building for close to two years.
On the plus side, the convincing victory established Vader as a major star from the get-go and he would go on to be a money-spinning draw for the promotion for years to come.
