Vader Debut

[zep81]

I saw this video regarding Vader's debut as 'Van Vader':

 

LZwGUsFm7_A#t=193

 

Was this it? As on Goodhelmet's Vader Comp, there is a match listed as: Big Van Vader vs. Antonio Inoki (NJ 12/27/87), which some attribute that video to, but it isn't the date of the match on the comp.

 

Where Vader is dressed in a 'Venom' type bodysuit.

 

What is the date of that YT Vader/Inoki squash?

[Ditch]

That is the debut of the Vader gimmick. One of the most famous and infamous nights in Japanese wrestling history.

 

Extended video:

http://theditch.us/NJ12-27-87endPart1.avi

http://theditch.us/NJ12-27-87endPart2.avi

 

Explanation:

http://theditch.us/riot.html

[zep81]

Thanks Ditch, ill grab that later.

 

Anyone know then the correct date of this one on GH's Vader Comp: Big Van Vader vs. Antonio Inoki (NJ 12/27/87). It features Vader dressed in a full body suit (looks likes Venom from Spiderman).

 

Ill try and upload the match if i can.

[Ditch]

They had three matches in '88: 1/4, 2/7, 7/29.

 

Inoki wins on 1/4 by DQ, 10 minutes. 2/7 ends in a no contest, 7 minutes. The third match goes 16 with Inoki winning.

[theconstipatedsmark]

Vader murdering Inoki is always fun and as has been pointed out incredibly infamous. It's like if John Cena got pinned clean at a major PPV in under five minutes, but then magnify that by a ton.

[zep81]

They had three matches in '88: 1/4, 2/7, 7/29.

 

Inoki wins on 1/4 by DQ, 10 minutes. 2/7 ends in a no contest, 7 minutes. The third match goes 16 with Inoki winning.

 

Thanks for that. Here is the match im trying to identify: Its listed as 12/27/87 on GH's Vader comp.

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x24cy2e_big-van-vader-vs-antonio-inoki-new-japan_sport

 

EDIT: It seems to be this date: (NJ 1/04/88)

[ButchReedMark]

What I never understood is why did they start him off unmasked and then put him under a hood. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

[zep81]

Exactly what i though TBH. Its why i originally thought that video i uploaded was his debut.

[pol]

Putting guys under masks with no attempt to conceal their former identity seems somewhat common in Japan. Liger, Tiger Mask II are the first ones that come to mind. Not sure if it was the same with Sayama.

[Ditch]

Vader wasn't a conventional masked character. It was always an accessory, not part of his identity.

[Sidebottom]

When he wrestled in Europe as Baby Bull he'd come out in a rubbish looking mask and often take it off before the match, or sometimes a couple of minutes into it. Some people must have been going sick when WWE booked Vader in a mask vs mask match in 1998...

[Al]

Vader murdering Inoki is always fun and as has been pointed out incredibly infamous. It's like if John Cena got pinned clean at a major PPV in under five minutes, but then magnify that by a ton.

It sounds more or less like most Money In the Bank title changes. It would've been different if the WWF pulled that kind of angle in 1987 though.

[pol]

The major difference with the Money in the Bank thing is that those were already established guys. Which makes me wonder; introducing 'new' (as in, new to the audience) talent directly into main events used to be common in the territories, but it's difficult to imagine WWE ever doing that these days. Would it work if they did? Not necessarily talking about a Vader-style debut here.