Antonio Inoki VS The Great Hossein Arab (Iron Sheik) 12.17.1979 MSG

Classic match for the "Japanese Heavyweight Championship". From Madison Square Garden, New York. December 17, 1979.
NWF Champion: Antonio Inoki
VS
Challenger: The Great Hossien Arab (The Iron Sheik)

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• classic
• wwwf
• msg
• wrestling
• the
• iron
• sheik
• great
• hossein
• hussein
• hossien
• arab
• antoni
• inoki
• 1979

[mastermold2009]

Dude, you have the best vintage wrestling videos. Some great obscure stuff. I've dug everything you've posted. Thanks so much.

[shootbinary]

I love fake WWWF titles! Just like their "martial arts" title…

[jimmychuang]

I don't know inoki also do this kind of stuff

[Tubewings]

@81carlos Inoki was actually given the Martial Arts title by Vincent J. McMahon on December 18, 1978, one year before this event.

[81carlos]

@shootbinary One week before on 11/30/79,Antonio Inoki defeated Bob Backlund for the WWF title in Japan in what is called "The Phantom title match".They had a rematch on 12/6/79 which ended in a no contest due to outside interference.So Inoki vacated the title afterward.Bob Backlund and Bobby Duncum wrestle for the title on this day and Backlund would regain the championship.Inoki should've been given a longer title run here in the States.I believe that's why he was given the Martial arts title.

[TheUnfunnyComedian]

@Tubewings Well Inoki wouldn't come to MSG to lose.

[Tubewings]

@TheUnfunnyComedian Oh, it was Frank MONTE he competed against, not Frank Fonte. A little mistake on my part.

[Tubewings]

@TheUnfunnyComedian Inoki wrestled at MSG twice before this match--on December 15, 1975 against Frank Fonte, and on December 18, 1978 against Texas Red (Red Bastien). Inoki won both of those matches.

[TheUnfunnyComedian]

I don’t know if Antonio Inoki ever wrestled in New York before this match but the Iron Sheik (Great Hossein Arab) attacking Inoki from behind before the start of the match quickly establishes with the crowd who is the heel and who is the face.

[LT9856]

@shootbinary I'm pretty sure the "martial arts" title belt Inoki was wearing here was the NWF (Japanese) World Title, which he held at the time.