Chris Jericho Discusses Being Hypnotized By Antonio Inoki
Chris Jericho has recalled his unusual run-in with Japanese legend Antonio Inoki where the NJPW founder tried to hypnotize him.
At the end of September 2022, the wrestling world was saddened by the passing of Antonio Inoki. Inoki was a household name in Japan where he was part of a wrestling revolution when he formed NJPW in 1972.
Antonio Inoki achieved worldwide fame in 1976 when he faced boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a match in 1976. The bout took place in Budokan Hall and ended in a draw.
Now speaking on his Talk Is Jericho podcast, current Ring of Honor Champion Chris Jericho has discussed his own dealings with Inoki and how the legend tried to hypnotize him:
“When I first started going to New Japan in ’97, ’98, Inoki was around. He actually tried to hypnotize me. He was going through this phase … I remember I was with Yuji Nagata and Nagata said, ‘When Inoki comes in here, he’s going to try to hypnotize you. He said, ‘It’s a f*cking work, just go with it’ … I said, ‘Okay.’ I don’t know anything, I’m just so happy to be in New Japan.”
Chris Jericho might need to harness more than the power of hypnosis at Full Gear when he puts his ROH Title on the line against Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, and Sammy Guevara.