Inoki is tough. His 2-3 fights that I have heard of that are similar to these rules he did well in. Just not alot to go on as far as match history with these type of rules. He did wrestle with much of a different style than most americans are used to. Japan is different and can be pretty stiff. Plus this is in Tokyo. Damn. Hell, there isnt much the man hasnt done.
As far as his 'match' with Ali where he permenately injured him.... I wouldnt give the man too much of an ovation. Inoki layed on his back and kicked almost the entire match. That was the extent of his 'great' win. Not exactly the same as a straight up match or even close to a street fight.
This is Kurt Angle though. You really cant discredit the man's toughness. The olympic win with a broken neck is a huge testament to that. That is RL, not scripted or kayfabe.
In wrestling he shot to the top quite fast standing on his great technical ability and work ethic. He is very quick and agile, with a superb ground game on par with some of the best ever. Once he started embracing a different side of his game, he became extremely dangerous. Angle has shown time after time he can be very sneaky and downright brutal. Once he gets in that mode, he slaps on that ankle lock and will hold on like a pitbull. Both have had similar careers in that most of their matches werent 'extreme' type rules, but Angle has been in a few more than Inoki. That gives him a slight advantage experience wise.
Discredit his KOTR match all you want because of Shane being less of a contender. Its easy to do if you want to be a dick. Fact is that Shane can take a beating like few others. Kurt whopped him all over the stage and ring. Brutal. He has fought fantastic matches against HHH, Benoit, Lesnar- hell almost everyone from his time. Quite a few tough characters. He beat both Raven as well as RVD in hardcore matches. Those are 2 very tough and violent opponents. Raven may not be a huge star, but in the harcore world he is considered quite sick and dangerous. Angle can do just fine in a street fight environment.
His jump to TNA showed us some great battles against Joe and Desmond that were classic and brutal respectively. HBK at WM? Superb. Anyone remember the Moonsaults off the cage? Shows he has it in him to pull out all the stops. Plus the man has fought and won great matches in Japan, so we know he can adapt and win in a stlye that Inoki is familliar with. Angle has held belts in Japan, so the venue isnt as much of a factor. Angle has proved he can win in Japan without issue.
That sure is alot of belts for one man. He held multiple belts multiple times in different companies. One of those is even 2 different companies at once- He held the IWGP and TNA belts at the same freaking time. That is spectacular. The fact he has won multiple belts at once is something rarely done in the business and a claim few have ever accomplished. All that and an Olympic Gold Medal. Sure looks like he knows how to win and take care of business to me. Anyone that can do all he has done and hold many titles at one time sure is a very credible threat.
This would be a fantastic match for the ages. If this were even contested under normal rules it would be close. I just have to give it to Angle. It would start out with a great back and forth technically sound battle. 2 count after 2 count, both men try but to no avail. I beleive Inoki might get frustrated and attempt a shoot that will end up bad for him because he might not see Kurt as a threat. Kurt has plenty in his arsenal for Inoki to worry about. A fight ensues on the outside causing great damage to both men as well as the ringside furniture. Inoki grabs a chair and lays in some solid shots to Kurt then takes a minute to set up a big spot finish. A bloody Angle, in serious danger, gets his second wind and turns up the heat. Suplexes will follow in all varieties.
With the crowd at their feet, the straps come down. Kurt has that smile on his face. Inoki takes an Angle slam. Kickout. Kurt mounts and punches the dazed Inoki then locks in the ankle lock. Inoki breaks out and mounts a great comeback dropping Angle again. Now we have a staredown at the 30 minute mark. A great exchange once again and Inoki goes in for the kill. He puts Angle in a sleeper but Angle rushes backwards to the turnbuckle to break the hold. Inoki grabs Kurt for a final blow and Kurt explodes. Punches exchanged and Inoki kicks at Kurt. Angle grabs the leg and Inoki goes for the Enziguri but Kurt ducks and applies the ankle lock. He rolls through and spits Angle outside. He shoots in the ring exchanges with Inoki once again and hits the 3 Germans. Straps go up, then back down and Kurt applies the ankle lock once again, but this time falls and grapevines Inoki with nowhere to go.
Buckets of blood poured, ringside in shambles and the crowd in a frenzy 45 minutes in- Inoki taps and Angle moves on. Its True- Its Damn True.
