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Inoki Genome Federation

From Alfawiki
Inoki Genome Federation
Company typePrivate
IndustryProfessional wrestling, mixed martial arts
Founded2007; 19 years ago (2007)
FounderAntonio Inoki
DefunctJanuary 9, 2019 (2019-01-09)
FateCeased operations
Headquarters
Tokyo
,
Japan
Area served
Japan, China, North Korea
Key people
Antonio Inoki (founder), Simon Inoki (former president)
ProductsProfessional wrestling events, mixed martial arts events
OwnerAssist Co., Ltd. (parent company)
ParentAssist Co., Ltd.

The IGF, referred to in China as International Glory Fighting, was a Japanese promotion specializing in professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, established by Antonio Inoki in 2007.

History

Following the sale of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), which he originally founded in 1972, Antonio Inoki launched IGF. The promotion's inaugural event occurred on June 29, 2007, at Tokyo's Sumo Hall, featuring a main event between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar competing for Lesnar's IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Between 2007 and 2008, IGF functioned as the Japanese branch of the National Wrestling Alliance. During this time, Brock Lesnar maintained recognition as IWGP champion despite conflicts with NJPW, with IGF upholding his championship status.

On December 31, 2010, IGF intended to stage a distinctive Super Heavyweight MMA match between Shinichi Suzukawa and Bob Sapp at K-1 Dynamite!! 2010, under special rules prohibiting gloves and closed-fist strikes. However, the bout was called off due to a last-minute contractual disagreement.

In 2011, IGF undertook diplomatic initiatives by presenting a gift to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The promotion further expanded its international presence by hosting two events in Pyongyang in August 2014.

On December 29, 2014, IGF secured a broadcasting agreement with Chinese network PPTV, broadening its reach into the Chinese market. The following year, former students of Inoki established an American offshoot named Inoki Sports Management (also known as Lucha Wrestling Puroresu), reviving the Inoki Dojo in Los Angeles.

By 2017, Antonio Inoki separated from IGF to form ISM. Control of IGF then passed to his son-in-law Simon Inoki, who introduced the Next Exciting Wrestling (NEW) brand. Antonio divested his shares and departed from IGF in March 2018. Subsequently, Nosawa Rongai and associates created Hagure IGF International as a spin-off. Simon also launched Eastern Heroes, featuring Chinese talent; wrestlers from this roster appeared on Pro Wrestling Noah’s June 2018 tour.

IGF officially ceased its activities on January 9, 2019. Its parent company, Assist Co., Ltd., transitioned into operating a bakery business—a change humorously remarked upon by Kendo Kashin and Simon Inoki.

In August 2022, Antonio Inoki reestablished IGF under the name Inoki Genki Factory to serve as his management firm. After Inoki’s passing on October 1, 2022, at age 79 due to systemic transthyretin amyloidosis, the revived IGF organized the memorial event Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima on December 28 in partnership with Samurai Warriors Ganryujima and NJPW. On December 14, 2024, IGF participated in the Antonio Inoki Memorial Show held in Shanghai by NJPW alongside Asia-Pacific wrestling organizations.

Roster at time of closing

Distinguished Alumni

Special Guests
Trainer


IGF Championship

In February 2011, IGF initiated a competition to determine the first-ever IGF Champion, which was set to conclude with a final match between Jérôme Le Banner and Josh Barnett. However, Barnett withdrew shortly before the event on August 19, prompting IGF to award Le Banner the championship on August 22. Originally created as a professional wrestling accolade, this title transitioned to a legitimate mixed martial arts contest starting December 31, 2013.

IGF Championship Tournament

Template:8TeamBracket-NoSeeds

  • Erik Hammer took Shinichi Suzukawa’s place after defeating Ray Sefo.

World Bantamweight Grand Prix


Inoki Genome Tournament 2012

  • Entirely hosted during the Genome20 event.


Inoki Genome Tournament 2013

  • Fully conducted at the Genome26 event.

Template:5TeamBracket-ByeToFinal

  • Suzukawa was granted a bye into the semifinals; Suzuki advanced to the final by defeating Yusuke Kawaguchi. Sawada progressed to the final despite a double countout with Suzukawa.

Road to Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye Challenge Tournament


IGF World GP

  • The quarterfinal matches were contested on April 11, 2015, at Inoki Genome Fight 3.
  • Semi-final bouts took place on August 29, 2015, at Inoki Genome Fight 4.
  • The championship match was held on December 31, 2015, at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015.


Genome-1: Osaka

  • The entirety of this tournament occurred within the Genome33 event.


Genome-1: Nagoya

  • This competition was conducted exclusively during the Genome34 event.


Lucha Libre World Cup 2017


IGF events

Event title Date Venue Location Main event
Toukon Bom-Ba-Ye June 29, 2007 Ryogoku Kokugikan Tokyo, Japan Brock Lesnar (c) defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Kurt Angle
Genome 1 September 8, 2007 NGK Insulators Hall Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Match between Josh Barnett and Don Frye
Genome 2 〜 Inoki Fighting Xmas December 20, 2007 Ariake Coliseum Tokyo, Japan Contest featuring Naoya Ogawa versus Tadao Yasuda
Genome3 〜 Inoki Memorial 65 February 16, 2008 Ariake Coliseum Tokyo, Japan Naoya Ogawa faced off against Josh Barnett
Genome4 April 12, 2008 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium Osaka, Japan Bout between Naoya Ogawa and Tomko
Genome5 〜 Hokkaido Genki Summit June 23, 2008 Tsukisamu Dome Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan Match pitting Montanha Silva against Naoya Ogawa
Inoki Genki Festival in Hakodate 〜 Hakodate Tomodachi Bom-Ba-Ye June 25, 2008 Hakodate Arena Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan Tag team match: Naoya Ogawa and Atsushi Sawada vs. Necro Butcher and The Predator
Genome6 August 15, 2008 Ryogoku Kokugikan Tokyo, Japan Encounter between Josh Barnett and Tank Abbott
Genome7 November 24, 2008 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Contest featuring Josh Barnett vs. Jon Andersen
Genome8 March 15, 2009 Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hiroshima, Japan Tag team bout: Naoya Ogawa and The Predator against Yoshihiro Takayama and Montanha Silva
Genome9 August 9, 2009 Ariake Coliseum Tokyo, Japan Tag team match: Naoya Ogawa and Josh Barnett versus Yoshihiro Takayama and Bob Sapp
Genome10 November 3, 2009 JCB Hall Tokyo, Japan Bout between Naoya Ogawa and Yoshihiro Takayama
Genome11 February 22, 2010 JCB Hall Tokyo, Japan Tag team contest: Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Naoya Ogawa and Atsushi Sawada
Genome12 May 9, 2010 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium Osaka, Japan Match featuring teams of Minoru Suzuki and Naomichi Marufuji against Naoya Ogawa and Atsushi Sawada

... [Table continues with subsequent events summarized similarly]


See also

External links

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