First Round: Dallas - Antonio Inoki vs. CM Punk

[klunderbunker]

This is a first round matchup in the Dallas Subregion. The ring and arena are universal throughout the first round and the organization is not a factor. There is a 20 minute time limit. Vote using any criteria you like. Most votes in the poll at the end of the time period wins. In the case of a tie we will go off of the number of written votes. In the case of a second tie, both are eliminated.

Location: Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas.

Antonio Inoki

Vs.

CM Punk

Voting is open for 4 days.

 

[CH David]

Inoki is likely to go over here. He is a tough son of a gun, both an MMA fighter and professional wrestler. A huuuuuge name in Japan, holding numerous titles, both in Japan and the United States. I agree that Inoki deserves his praise, and likely deserves to go over here. However, Punk is my guy, and is getting my vote. I am basing this on the 1 in a million chance that Inoki misses one instance and Punk hits the GTS. I can dream can't I?

 

[Ty Burna]

Inoki is a legend. I understand all that and I'm supposed to be pushing the Japanese wrestlers and all, but this match I have to go against Inoki. Anybody else I would be voting for Inoki, but he's going against my current favorite wrestler in Punk. CM's matches in ROH are among my favorites of all time, and his current work in the WWE is outstanding. Punk's a three time World Heavyweight Champion, and has show the ability to get victories out of nowhere. Inoki is vicious, and his submission game is top notch.

Like CH says, Inoki probably deserves to go over in this match but I have to go with Punk just on the principle that I"m a huge mark for him. There's no way to compare Punk's career to Inoki's, but I will say Punk is better at working a gimmick than Inoki. I"m grasping for straws for a reason to vote Punk, other than I'm a Punk fanboy.

 

[D-Man]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, I love CM Punk as much as the next guy... but there is NO FUCKING WAY he would've been able to defeat Antonio Inoki in any type of match.

Sure, Punk is extremely skilled in the ring. He cuts great promos, and he gets to (kayfabe) tap Serena's man-made boobies on a nightly basis.

But he's got to face Inoki... a LEGITIMATE wrestler, MMA fighter, and legend in the sport of pro-wrestling. All of this pisses on Punk's indy career.

Do the right thing: Vote Inoki

 

[GenMe]

Cm Punk is great with good mic skills and good ring skills, with a good MMA fighting background, But I can't see him getting a win over Antonio Inoki.

Inoki is a legendary japanese wrestler, He is known all over the world. And he has capture gold in all the wresling industries that he had worked for.

Winner: Antonio Inoki.

 

[RVDgurl]

Inoki is a legend. I understand all that and I'm supposed to be pushing the Japanese wrestlers and all, but this match I have to go against Inoki. Anybody else I would be voting for Inoki, but he's going against my current favorite wrestler in Punk. CM's matches in ROH are among my favorites of all time, and his current work in the WWE is outstanding. Punk's a three time World Heavyweight Champion, and has show the ability to get victories out of nowhere. Inoki is vicious, and his submission game is top notch.

Like CH says, Inoki probably deserves to go over in this match but I have to go with Punk just on the principle that I"m a huge mark for him. There's no way to compare Punk's career to Inoki's, but I will say Punk is better at working a gimmick than Inoki. I"m grasping for straws for a reason to vote Punk, other than I'm a Punk fanboy.

I'm in this boat. Inoki is a legend and deserves a mass amount of respect for his accomplishments. But make no mistake about it, Punk is damn good. I sincerely believe that Punk v. Joe II was the best match of the previous decade. That's saying something. Punk can work his ass off and cuts a promo as good as anyone in the business. He's not yet a legend like Inoki, but someday he will be. Punk's my boy and I'm going to support him.

 

[Ferbian]

This match up kinda saddens me, because I know of the impact Inoki had and still has on the business, and the fact that he was both a WWWF (I believe that was the name back then) champion, and MMA champion (when WWE put on that kind of stuff), and was an overall great talent.

But..

First of all, CM Punk fan, yep I said it.. I'm gonna be biased here, but not without a slight kayfabe / non kayfabe view to it, seeing as CM Punk has some fantastic wrestling abilities, even with his now limited move set (as opposed to the stuff he'd put on in the independent scene and in his ECW run) he's still able to put on some great matches, especially the ones he's been putting on as of late, and the matches he had in 2009 against Jeff and Morrison.
And of course, the mic skills, who in the hell is gonna ignore CM Punks mic skills? skills like his, you'd have to search long for, until you bump into Miz and Jericho of course, but other than those.. yeah.. Ric Flair perhaps.. but would you really complain about my choice to put him on to be a great guy on the mic when he's sharing that scene alongside those 3 guys?

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Oh my GOD, what is wrong with you people!?

Punk is a bona fide "WWE superstar" sure. But he's not overly special. Great on the mic, fine. But he's nowhere near Inoki's stature. Not even close. Inoki is the only man to my knowledge to ever have a submission victory over Andre the Giant. Punk's resume includes some runs in a 3rd tier promotion and a few relatively forgettable WWE Title Reigns.

Inoki goes over Punk in every single way imaginable. He's a WWE Hall of Famer - AND HE DIDN'T EVEN WRESTLER THERE!

Inoki would crush Punk inside of 4 minutes. Right now, more and more, Punk is looking like an entertaining jobber to the stars. He's not in Inoki's league, and I doubt he ever will be.

Would you people PLEASE smarten up!?

 

[Mr. TM]

Inoki is the easy choice here. CM Punk has had a hard time to get over on a single brand time and time again as champion. Its the reason that right now he is still in the midcard.

Inoki on the other hand changed the scene of Japanese Puroresu building a new company out of the ashes of a backwards one. thats pretty huge, and thats before he evern got in the ring.

 

[SHAYAN_CENA_Y2J]

Come on people , how dare you vote Punk?

How can somebody compare a man who had kicked Mohamad Ali's ass , or had beaten Rick Flair in front of 200,000 people to a guy who has recently jobbed to Rey Mysterio.Inoki is one of the greatest of all time.He has broken his opponents' arms only via Arm bar.Wrestling owes Inoki.I know SES is interesting these days but there is no reason to put Punk over one of wrestling gods.Shame on Punk voters.

Inoki to win.

 

[Serious Mozzarella]

Oh god, I was really hoping Punk would go farther in the tournament. Him having to go up against Inoki in the first round is just unfair ;D

I'm going Inoki. Punk has a long way to go before he can beat someone like Inoki.

 

[shattered dreams]

It is pretty sad that Punk has this many votes yet basically every written vote admits they should not be voting for him but they are too big of fans of his to not do it. When the biggest fans of a guy admit he should not win that should tell you who the obvious victor should be.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

It is pretty sad that Punk has this many votes yet basically every written vote admits they should not be voting for him but they are too big of fans of his to not do it. When the biggest fans of a guy admit he should not win that should tell you who the obvious victor should be.

I hadn't even noticed that, but this is a brilliant point. People are such fan boys of Punk that they cannot admit when he's outclassed. The guy has 15 good years left ahead of him, so in the 12th or even the 20th annual wrestlezone tournament, when I am 43 years old and my kids can log on, we will vote for Punk over someone. But Geez, to suggest that he goes over Antonio Inoki is just irresponsible blind fan boy love. At least when I back Yokozuna and Vader I have something to back myself up with other than "he cuts a great promo."

 

[Theo Mays]

Punk is awesome no doubt, but this is Antonio Inoki we are talking about people. The guy is arguably the biggest name out of Japanese wrestlers. The guy is the Hulk Hogan of Japan and he could wrestle anyone. Punk should feel honored to get to battle such a legend. Punk will get his fair share of offense in, but no way Inoki wins.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

It's just plain embarrassing that Punk is actually getting votes over Inoki. I've been told my many people about Paunk's great matches. Inoki would go over Samoa Joe in a minute and he lost most of his matches against Morrison. I remember Punk cutting what might have been the greatest promo in 2009 and he went on and lost. Inoki has the size and the strength to throw Punk around as he pleases. Punk hasn't done well with guys with strength as evidenced by losing to wrestlers like Kane and Umaga which Inoki is certainly better than.
Inoki wins this in about seven minutes.

 

[jmt225]

Looky here, another case of people reading a Wikipedia page and thinking they know the ins and outs of a professional wrestler.

Listen, I respect what Inoki has done for the business. He IS a legend. But I know something that all you refuse to acknowledge: He was not a very good professional wrestler. He simply wasn't. Was he a fantastic promoter and booker? Absolutely, one of the best that ever lived, but as a professional wrestler he honestly wasn't anything special, especially when you compare him to the great Japanese wrestlers throughout the years.

Honestly, a vote for Inoki here, would be like voting for Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, or Paul Heyman over CM Punk. If you vote Inoki, you're voting for a legendary PROMOTER, not a legendary wrestler.

CM Punk, in 10 short years in the business, has already done it all. Wrestling 90 minute matches in a barn in front of 25 people against Chris Hero, dominating the indy scene for 6 great years while putting on classic matches and promos, and going to WWE and against all odds breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming a multiple-time World Champion. And his career in WWE is just now starting Today he's easily the best heel in the business, and week-in and week-out he proves just what an awesome talent he truly is.

Be smart, and vote CM Punk, people. He's a great PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER, and has been this entire decade. He, without a single doubt in my mind, deserves to advance against a guy like Antonio Inoki, and anyone with any true knowledge of Inoki or Puro would know this.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

Looky here, another case of people reading a Wikipedia page and thinking they know the ins and outs of a professional wrestler.

Listen, I respect what Inoki has done for the business. He IS a legend. But I know something that all you refuse to acknowledge: He was not a very good professional wrestler. He simply wasn't. Was he a fantastic promoter and booker? Absolutely, one of the best that ever lived, but as a professional wrestler he honestly wasn't anything special, especially when you compare him to the great Japanese wrestlers throughout the years.

Honestly, a vote for Inoki here, would be like voting for Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, or Paul Heyman over CM Punk. If you vote Inoki, you're voting for a legendary PROMOTER, not a legendary wrestler.

CM Punk, in 10 short years in the business, has already done it all. Wrestling 90 minute matches in a barn in front of 25 people against Chris Hero, dominating the indy scene for 6 great years while putting on classic matches and promos, and going to WWE and against all odds breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming a multiple-time World Champion. And his career in WWE is just now starting Today he's easily the best heel in the business, and week-in and week-out he proves just what an awesome talent he truly is.

Be smart, and vote CM Punk, people. He's a great PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER, and has been this entire decade. He, without a single doubt in my mind, deserves to advance against a guy like Antonio Inoki, and anyone with any true knowledge of Inoki or Puro would know this.

I think you have Inoki confused with someone else, homey.

The rules state that I can vote on whatever basis I so choose, and Inoki's significant role in the downfall of puro is something I am not going to take lightly. On the other hand, however, Inoki is one of the greatest submission specialists of all time, and his influence on the wrestling style of NJPW is still apparent to this day.

jmt225, you know I love you, and I know cookie's a little scaredy cat who won't come out and articulate her love for CM Punk, so, I'm leaving it to you to convince me on why Punk is better than Inoki in the ring.

 

[ZeroVX]

As a fan of CM Punk, I can honestly say he's one of the best this era has to offer. He's wrestled classic matches in any company he's been in, he's cut some of the best promos ever, and has earned the respect of many. Having said that, Inoki is the biggest legend from Japan. He's not just a legend, he's THE legend. He never wrestled for WWE and they honored him this year by entering him into the Hall of Fame. He created one of the biggest companies in Japan and has wrestled matches with the best of the best of the best. Punk is great, but Inoki is amazing.

 

[jmt225]

I think you have Inoki confused with someone else, homey.

Nah, I mean really man, what classic matches has he had? I mean, other than some good tag matches, he did nothing in the ring worth noting, other than having a shitty match against Muhammad Ali.

The rules state that I can vote on whatever basis I so choose, and Inoki's significant role in the downfall of puro is something I am not going to take lightly.

I can respect that, and you're exactly right, you can vote for whatever basis you choose, but at the same time, if that is the basis that you choose to vote Inoki, then my point is proven that people are voting for a great promoter to beat a great wrestler.

On the other hand, however, Inoki is one of the greatest submission specialists of all time, and his influence on the wrestling style of NJPW is still apparent to this day.

I think though that gets attributed to Mixed Martial Arts more so than it does New Japan. Inoki's submissions were "great" because they were legitimate, not because he knew how to work them. After all, a big key in being a professional wrestler is to have great matches, while not hurting your opponent. And not only could Inoki not have great matches, but those submissions were not worked, they were legit, lol. In my opinion, those had way more of an impact on Japanese MMA than it did Puro.

jmt225, you know I love you, and I know cookie's a little scaredy cat who won't come out and articulate her love for CM Punk, so, I'm leaving it to you to convince me on why Punk is better than Inoki in the ring.

CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe II & III tops anything Inoki ever did in the ring. CM Punk's feuds with Raven, Jimmy Rave, and Jeff Hardy tops anything Inoki ever did in the ring.

I could never convince anyone that Punk had the bigger impact on the business than Inoki, because that's simply not true, but man... you watch Punk's work on the microphone, and his best matches... there's no doubt you could come to the conclusion that they're all better and more entertaining than anything Antonio Inoki ever did as a professional wrestler. No doubt.

 

[gd]

I went Punk here, easy choice. Punk is the most entertaining thing in wrestling today, by far. He has the best gimmick we've seen in quite some time and in addition to that, is really good in the ring. Throw in the matches with Joe, and you got something special.

Inoki may be the Hogan/Flair/Rock of Japan or whatever, but so what? He holds no significance to me, or many others of you who voted for him. What does Inoki mean to you other than the fact that he's "Japan's biggest name?"

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

Looky here, another case of people reading a Wikipedia page and thinking they know the ins and outs of a professional wrestler.

Oh boy.

Listen, I respect what Inoki has done for the business. He IS a legend. But I know something that all you refuse to acknowledge: He was not a very good professional wrestler. He simply wasn't. Was he a fantastic promoter and booker? Absolutely, one of the best that ever lived, but as a professional wrestler he honestly wasn't anything special, especially when you compare him to the great Japanese wrestlers throughout the years.

Yea, that's why Muhammad Ali came over to fight him in a sold out event in Japan right? Because he wasn't anything special in Japan. That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard. Inoki is synonymous with modern Japanese wrestling. As a promoter and a wrestler. He's a legit mixed martial artists and revolutionized that type of fighting and you're saying he isn't 'anything special'? Really? REALLY?!

Honestly, a vote for Inoki here, would be like voting for Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, or Paul Heyman over CM Punk. If you vote Inoki, you're voting for a legendary PROMOTER, not a legendary wrestler.

I want what you're smoking. You just compared Antonio Inoki to Eric Bischoff in a wrestling sense. I can't take anything you say wrestling wise seriously anymore.

CM Punk, in 10 short years in the business, has already done it all. Wrestling 90 minute matches in a barn in front of 25 people against Chris Hero, dominating the indy scene for 6 great years while putting on classic matches and promos, and going to WWE and against all odds breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming a multiple-time World Champion. And his career in WWE is just now starting Today he's easily the best heel in the business, and week-in and week-out he proves just what an awesome talent he truly is.

Except being a legend, which is what Inoki is. We can go in circles about accomplishments, but we all know that Inoki just out does Punk in everything imaginable. Including wrestle. Punk is a great talent and would put up a great fight, but Inoki would submit him and win easily.

Be smart, and vote CM Punk, people. He's a great PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER, and has been this entire decade. He, without a single doubt in my mind, deserves to advance against a guy like Antonio Inoki, and anyone with any true knowledge of Inoki or Puro would know this.

Right. I know Inoki's actually as good a promoter as he is a wrestler, but that's only because he was a WRESTLER first. He was respected for his talent and his entertainment value. He wrestled legends in the ring and beat them his own way. I can't believe what's been said here.

 

[Bernkastel]

I like CM Punk, but in my opinion the man's just now reaching the peak of his career. Perhaps in another half decade, once he has a few memorable storylines and feuds under his belt, I'll be able to vote him over Inoki; but not at this moment. I've never been a huge fan of his Indy work; his best match (against against Samoa Joe, Dec 2004) is still not at the level of quality entertainment that can be found in an Inoki match. A few of my favorites include his match against Hogan in 1984, his match against Hansen in 1980, and his match with Flair in 1995.


For sheer entertainment value; I'm voting for Inoki here.

 

[jmt225]

Yea, that's why Muhammad Ali came over to fight him in a sold out event in Japan right? Because he wasn't anything special in Japan. That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard. Inoki is synonymous with modern Japanese wrestling. As a promoter and a wrestler.

Dude, you know why Inoki was so big in Japan? Because he funded a promotion and pushed himself. That's why. His matches really weren't that good. You absolutely cannot prove otherwise.

He's a legit mixed martial artists and revolutionized that type of fighting and you're saying he isn't 'anything special'? Really? REALLY?!

Actually, you could argue that he pretty much killed Puro because of his passion for Mixed Martial Arts, but that's another discussion.

I want what you're smoking. You just compared Antonio Inoki to Eric Bischoff in a wrestling sense. I can't take anything you say wrestling wise seriously anymore.

Lol... do I give a fuck, Lariat? No, because the simple fact is, Inoki made more affective changes to the business with his work behind the scenes than he did in front of it. Hell, it was what he did behind the scenes that made it possible for him to be pushed on-screen. Inoki was a great, great business man, not a great wrestler. Prove otherwise.

Except being a legend, which is what Inoki is. We can go in circles about accomplishments, but we all know that Inoki just out does Punk in everything imaginable. Including wrestle. Punk is a great talent and would put up a great fight, but Inoki would submit him and win easily.

Umm... no, not exactly. Look, you're just saying it Lariat, where's the proof? Where's the proof that Inoki's matches were anywhere near as good as Punk's? Where? You don't have it, so you should kindly shut the fuck up on the matter, because you're just now talking out of your ass.

Right. I know Inoki's actually as good a promoter as he is a wrestler, but that's only because he was a WRESTLER first. He was respected for his talent and his entertainment value. He wrestled legends in the ring and beat them his own way. I can't believe what's been said here.

What's been said here by I is the truth, and you have yet to prove otherwise. Until you can prove that Inoki was actually this great wrestler who put on classic matches and this and that, then you literally have no argument, Lariat. Is Inoki a legend? Sure, but Punk has done more in 10 years as a wrestler than Inoki ever did during his nearly 30 years as an in-ring competitor. That's simply an indisputable fact.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

Dude, you know why Inoki was so big in Japan? Because he funded a promotion and pushed himself. That's why. His matches really weren't that good. You absolutely cannot prove otherwise.

Umm... OK.

[YOUTUBE]ii9K9Opc1dc[/YOUTUBE]

This is his Top 10 moves. About 5 to 6 of those aren't even USED by wrestlers in the states today. And if you can hear in the background, that's cheering. Loud cheering. Inoki is waaay over, drew money, and was a skilled shoot wrestler. So I did prove otherwise. Whoops.

Actually, you could argue that he pretty much killed Puro because of his passion for Mixed Martial Arts, but that's another discussion.

Yea, it is.

Lol... do I give a fuck, Lariat?

You should.

No

because the simple fact is, Inoki made more affective changes to the business with his work behind the scenes than he did in front of it.

I can concede this, but that doesn't mean he's not a legend in the wrestling ring. He would own Punk in 10-15 minutes. Probably even toy with him.

Hell, it was what he did behind the scenes that made it possible or him to be pushed on-screen. Inoki was a great, great business man, not a great wrestler. Prove otherwise.

Umm... he was a great businessman. And a great wrestler.

[YOUTUBE]KIuEcao2cCM[/YOUTUBE]

This is Hogan and Inoki. The ovation he gets, the moves he uses. Seems like a great wrestler to me.

Umm... no, not exactly. Look, you're just saying it Lariat, where's the proof? Where's the proof that Inoki's matches were anywhere near as good as Punk's?

Two video examples posted.

Where? You don't have it, so you should kindly shut the fuck up on the matter, because you're just now talking out of your ass.

You should kindly stop flaming someone because you know you're being taken to the woodshed in this argument. I take tdigle's opinion quite a bit more seriously than yours as far as Puro is concerned, and he agrees with me. So do yourself a favor and resort to a civil debate and stop telling a fellow staff member to 'shut the fuck up'. Want to shut me up? Prove CM Punk's a better wrestler than Inoki.

What's been said here by I is the truth, and you have yet to prove otherwise.

Pretty sure I did.

Until you can prove that Inoki was actually this great wrestler who put on classic matches and this and that, then you literally have no argument, Lariat.

Wow. Why don't you just ask me to get you proof that LeBron James is a great basketball player or that Joe Montana's a good QB and could play better on two sprained ankles than Drew Brees could on his BEST day. Use common sense here. Inoki's a great businessman, but fans knew him for his wrestling.

Is Inoki a legend?

Wait for it...

Sure

WOW! Love it when you counter your own argument!

but Punk has done more in 10 years as a wrestler than Inoki ever did during his nearly 30 years as an in-ring competitor.

Riiight. Because of Ring of Honor right? Where 'wrasslin's real!!??' Look, I'm a fan of ROH, but just because Punk or anyone wrestled there doesn't mean they're the second coming of Harley Race or Lou Thesz. Punk has great in-ring skills, but is far overmatched by Inoki.

That's simply an indisputable fact.

Because they've wrestled before?

Look, I'm not one to fan any flames, although I'd be justified in doing so, but this isn't even a fair argument. Punk isn't on the level of Inoki at this point in is career and may never be. Inoki could entertain the masses with his wrestling and was a great attraction in Japan, where wrestling is taken far more seriously than it is in America. Muhammad Ali comes over and wants to fight you and you're not a legend? Then how come Ali didn't choose someone else? Giant Baba had his own promotion. Didn't see Ali fight him.

To summarize, you have said that 'Voting for Inoki is like voting for Eric Bischoff or Paul Heyman', 'Inoki's never had any big matches or not as many as Punk has.' And 'Inoki's done less in 30 years than what Punk has done in 10.' This is your argument.

Folks, vote for Antonio Inoki. Don't let someone try to sell you on a wrestler who's not even in the atmosphere of one of wrestling's legends.

 

[jmt225]

Umm... OK.

[YOUTUBE]ii9K9Opc1dc[/YOUTUBE]

This is his Top 10 moves. About 5 to 6 of those aren't even USED by wrestlers in the states today. And if you can hear in the background, that's cheering. Loud cheering. Inoki is waaay over, drew money, and was a skilled shoot wrestler. So I did prove otherwise. Whoops.

Dude, is that a match? No, it's a showcase out of his moveset, which isn't that impressive to begin with and proves my point exactly, because it shows how Inoki couldn't WORK a submission, but instead actually HURT his opponent, which is not supposed to be apart of professional wrestling.

Also, what fucking move in there isn't used today in the states? WWE does not equal "the states," Lariat. Lol.

But, anyway, I'll play along and post CM Punk's top 10 moves, even if you completely missed my point earlier:

[YOUTUBE]6tCXSZ9suZE[/YOUTUBE]

LOL

Thank you for giving me an excuse to post that Lariat, to further prove my point that in the ring, there's simply no comparison between these two. Punk is better. And anyone who says that Inoki's little moveset you posted competes with that shit above is out of their mind.

Yea, it is.

You should.

Typical responses from someone who can't prove a point.

I can concede this, but that doesn't mean he's not a legend in the wrestling ring. He would own Punk in 10-15 minutes. Probably even toy with him.

Yeah, since most likely he'd be booking the match. Dude, I'm not arguing that Punk would beat Inoki in a kayfabe match, he wouldn't. I'm just arguing he's the better wrestler and deserves to go over a business man.

Umm... he was a great businessman. And a great wrestler.

[YOUTUBE]KIuEcao2cCM[/YOUTUBE]

This is Hogan and Inoki. The ovation he gets, the moves he uses. Seems like a great wrestler to me.

Lol... the one match you post, is against Hulk Hogan, someone whom many people consider the greatest ever.

Besides, that match was decent at best, not a classic, and it surely doesn't compete with Punk's greatest matches.

Also, how many times do I have to say this... Inoki was over because he pushed himself. That's it. At the point in time when NJPW was created, any decent wrestler could have promoted himself and defeated everybody and they would have been beloved and over. Anyone with a brain would realize this fact.

Two video examples posted.

No, one video was a move list that was countered and defeated, while the other was a decent match against one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time. It shows how limited you are when it comes to finding good Inoki matches. You can't find them, because he mostly squashed people.

You should kindly stop flaming someone because you know you're being taken to the woodshed in this argument.

Lol... how am I being taken to the woodshed with this argument? You didn't prove shit in that other post, you just said things. And this post, I give you credit for at least trying this time, but you just dug a deeper hole for yourself because I have a counter for whatever filth you come up with.

I take tdigle's opinion quite a bit more seriously than yours as far as Puro is concerned, and he agrees with me. So do yourself a favor and resort to a civil debate and stop telling a fellow staff member to 'shut the fuck up'. Want to shut me up? Prove CM Punk's a better wrestler than Inoki.

1. I've already have.

2. Tdigs actually agrees with me that Inoki shouldn't be considered one of the greatest in Puro history. He's just not a big fan of CM Punk (there aren't many American wrestlers he's a fan of though).

3. I only flamed you for talking down on me first, when an argument I made as for why Punk should win, you countered it by saying you'll never take anything I say seriously again. That deserved a retaliation. Don't cry about it.

Pretty sure I did.

Nope.

Wow. Why don't you just ask me to get you proof that LeBron James is a great basketball player or that Joe Montana's a good QB and could play better on two sprained ankles than Drew Brees could on his BEST day. Use common sense here.

Lol... and if I did, you would post stats and videos to prove that those people were great. However, you can't do that with Inoki, since no evidence exist for you to do so.

Inoki's a great businessman, but fans knew him for his wrestling.

Fans loved him because he beat everybody, not because of his talent.

Wait for it...

WOW! Love it when you counter your own argument!

As I said earlier... typical responses from someone who can't prove a point.

Riiight. Because of Ring of Honor right? Where 'wrasslin's real!!??' Look, I'm a fan of ROH, but just because Punk or anyone wrestled there doesn't mean they're the second coming of Harley Race or Lou Thesz. Punk has great in-ring skills, but is far overmatched by Inoki.

And yet, you cannot prove that statement by showing matches that comes anywhere near close to being as good as CM Punk's matches against Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson, Austin Aries, Jeff Hardy, Raven, Chris Hero, Homicide, etc. Hell, Punk has had matches against John fucking Morrison that are better than anything Inoki has done in the ring, lol.

Because they've wrestled before?

What the fuck does this have to do with anything?

Look, I'm not one to fan any flames, although I'd be justified in doing so, but this isn't even a fair argument.

Exactly, it's not a fair argument, because I can find actual video evidence and show matches and clips that shows Punk's talents in the ring and on the microphone. You cannot do the same for Inoki, admit it.

Punk isn't on the level of Inoki at this point in is career and may never be.

In the ring, yes he is.

Inoki could entertain the masses with his wrestling and was a great attraction in Japan, where wrestling is taken far more seriously than it is in America.

So? Punk was able to entertain the indy fanbase for over 5 years, people who take the business very seriously themselves. And since 2006 he has entertained MILLIONS all over the World with his work in WWE because of his ability in the ring and on the microphone.

Muhammad Ali comes over and wants to fight you and you're not a legend?

Lol... Ali got offered a shit load of money to have a fixed match with Inoki, and he accepted. You really think Ali knew who Inoki was before then? I don't think so, man, so GTFO with that bullshit.

Like I said... Inoki was a great business man, but that's it.

Then how come Ali didn't choose someone else? Giant Baba had his own promotion. Didn't see Ali fight him.

Are you fucking serious, Lariat? You really are talking out of your ass now, man. You're acting like Ali went to Inoki on his hands and knees begging to give him a match in Japan. Lol... that wasn't the case at all. Like I said, Inoki offered Ali a shit load of money to take the match, and he accepted. That's all it was. Ali would have accepted that with anybody offering the same amount of $$$ Inoki was offering.

With your thought process man, Bam Bam Bigelow should be considered one of the greatest ever because Lawrence Taylor "wanted" to have a match with him at Wrestlemaina.

To summarize, you have said that 'Voting for Inoki is like voting for Eric Bischoff or Paul Heyman', 'Inoki's never had any big matches or not as many as Punk has.' And 'Inoki's done less in 30 years than what Punk has done in 10.' This is your argument.

Actually, you're putting words in my mouth, because I never said "big" matches. That would be ******ed.

But, yes... ultimately, those other statements are completely true. Inoki's squash matches cannot compete with the matches Punk has put on this decade. No way. And you can't prove otherwise.

Folks, vote for Antonio Inoki. Don't let someone try to sell you on a wrestler who's not even in the atmosphere of one of wrestling's legends.

Sorry Lariat, but if anyone is reading this objectively, they will see how full of shit you are in this one, and will do the right thing and vote the superior WRESTLER, not the superior business man.