Antonio Inoki outside his new restaurant in Fukuoka’s Nakasu entertainment district. (Mainichi)FUKUOKA — Former wrestler and politician Antonio Inoki opened a wrestling-themed pub in Fukuoka’s Nakasu district on Thursday. The pub, the fifth he is running across Japan, is surrounded by ropes like those used in wrestling rings and dishes on the menu have been given names to resemble terms from the sport. “Let’s put a bit of oomph into slumping Fukuoka. One, two, three, dar…!” Inoki screamed out using one of his trademark phrase while he punched the air at an event Wednesday to mark the opening of the pub. Inoki, a fan of the vodka-like liquor called imo-shochu, a specialty of Kyushu, had a long and distinguished career as a professional wrestler, including a highly publicized 1976 mixed martial arts bout against former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. Inoki spent most of the fight lying on the mat kicking up at Ali. He served in the Diet from 1989 to 1995 and retired from professional wrestling in 1998.
The 3/8 Smackdown house show drew 2,600 fans in Oshkosh. The 3/9 Smackdown show drew 3,000 fans in Dubuque.
The strike against Nattie Neidhart appears to be her look. She looks very similar to current Women’s champion Beth Phoenix. Neidhart is the daughter of Jim Neidhart, and is currently training in Tampa with Florida Championshiop Wrestling.
WWE is no longer avoiding the state of Georgia over the regulations situation. The company will return to Georgia on July 12th, 2008 for a house show at the Civic Center in Savannah. Tickets go on sale June 14th, 2008. Visit http://www.prowrestlingevents.tk for info about upcoming shows.
Here are this weeks Billboard chart rankings:
Issue Date: 2008-03-29
(#) Last week’s ranking
1 (1) NFL: Super Bowl XLII Champions New York Giants
2 (3) WWE: The Legacy Of Stone Cold Steve Austin
3 (2) WWE: Royal Rumble 2008
4 (4) WWE: The Best Of Raw: 15th Anniversary 1993-2008
5 (6) WWE: John Cena: My Life
6 (5) UFC 78: Validation
7 (7) WWE: The Shawn Michaels Story: Heartbreak & Triumph
8 (17) WWE: Rey Mysterio: The Biggest Little Man
9 (DEBUT) NFL: Favre 4 Ever
10 (9) UFC 76: Knockout
