Inoki Genome Federation

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Inoki Genome Federation
AcronymIGF
Founded2007
Defunct2019
StyleMixed martial arts
Professional wrestling
(Shoot-style wrestling)
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Founder(s)Antonio Inoki
Owner(s)Antonio Inoki (2007–2018)
Simon Inoki (2018–2019)
ParentAssist Co., Ltd.
Split fromNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
PredecessorUniversal Fighting-Arts Organization
SuccessorLucha Wrestling Puroresu
ISM
Hagure IGF International
Eastern Heroes
Inoki Genki Factory
WebsiteOfficial Site of the Inoki Genome Federation (archived)

The Inoki Genome Federation (イノキ・ゲノム・フェデレーション, Inoki Genomu Federēshon) (IGF), also known in China as International Glory Fighting,[1][2] was a Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promotion founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007.

History[edit]

Antonio Inoki, IGF's founder and namesake, in 2012

Antonio Inoki founded the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) after selling New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972. The first IGF show was held on June 29, 2007 at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The show's main event was a match between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, where they competed for Lesnar's IWGP Heavyweight Championship.[3]

From 2007 to 2008, the IGF served as the Japanese territory of the National Wrestling Alliance.[4][5]

On December 31, 2010, Shinichi Suzukawa was scheduled to face Bob Sapp in an IGF special Super Heavyweight bout at K-1 Dynamite!! 2010.[6] The fight was to be held under modified MMA rules, with the fighters being barred from wearing gloves, closed-fist strikes being illegal, and palm strikes being permitted.[7] The fight was planned to air on HDNet in North America.[8] However, the fight was canceled due to a last-minute contract dispute with Sapp; the Japanese audience in attendance were told by the K-1 promoters involved in the dispute that Sapp “had lost his will to fight.”[9]

In 2011, the promotion presented a gift to Kim Jong Il, the-then leader of North Korea as part of a diplomatic effort.[10] In August 2014, IGF held two shows in Pyongyang, North Korea.[11]

On December 29, 2014, IGF announced a deal with PPTV to bring its programming to Chinese audiences.[12] In 2015, Durango Kid and Laberinto, two of Inoki's former students, along with karateka Alfredo Perez, established an IGF off-shoot promotion in the United States called Inoki Sports Management,[13] also known as Lucha Wrestling Puroresu.[14] The three men would also re-establish the Inoki Dojo in Los Angeles.[13]

In 2017, Inoki began distancing himself from the IGF and created a new promotion called ISM. After the creation of ISM, Antonio's son-in-law Simon Inoki gained more influence within the promotion and created a new brand under the IGF banner called Next Exciting Wrestling (NEW). The IGF's inaugural NEW show was held on April 20, 2017. On March 23, 2018, Antonio Inoki sold his part of the promotion and left the IGF. In April 2018, Nosawa Rongai, along with IGF wrestlers Kendo Kashin and Kazuyuki Fujita, created an IGF off-shoot promotion known as Hagure IGF International.[15][16] A new brand featuring IGF's Chinese wrestlers called Eastern Heroes (东方英雄, Toho Eiyu-den) was later founded by Simon Inoki. On June 26, Eastern Heroes wrestlers participated on night 8 of Pro Wrestling Noah's Navigation with Emerald Spirits tour.[17] The IGF closed on January 9, 2019. After the IGF's closure, Assist Co., Ltd., the promotion's parent company, opened a chain of bakeries, leading to both Kendo Kashin and Simon Inoki to humorously state "IGF has become a bakery".[18][19]

In August 2022, Antonio Inoki revived the IGF, now standing for the Inoki Genki Factory, to serve as his official management company.[20] On October 1, at age 79, Inoki died from systemic transthyretin amyloidosis.[21][22][23] On December 28, the Inoki Genki Factory held their first show, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima, a memorial event honoring Inoki organized in collaboration with Samurai Warriors Ganryujima and NJPW.[24]

Roster[edit]

Championships[edit]

IWGP Heavyweight Championship[edit]

Main article: IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)

IGF Championship[edit]

IGF Championship
Details
PromotionInoki Genome Federation
Date establishedAugust 22, 2011
Date retiredJanuary 9, 2019
Statistics
First champion(s)Jérôme Le Banner
Final champion(s)Oli Thompson
Most reignsAll title holders (1)
Longest reignOli Thompson (1105 days)
Shortest reignMirko Cro Cop (153 days)
Oldest championKazuyuki Fujita (41 years, 272 days)
Youngest championSatoshi Ishii (27 years, 12 days)

In February 2011, IGF started a tournament to determine the first ever IGF Champion, which eventually led to a final match between Jérôme Le Banner and Josh Barnett. However, just days prior to the final match taking place, IGF announced on August 19 that Barnett would not be able to attend the event.[25] On August 22, IGF declared Le Banner the first champion.[26] The title was founded as a professional wrestling championship, but has since December 31, 2013, been contested in legitimate mixed martial arts fights.[27][28]

Title history[edit]

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
Defenses Number of successful defenses
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days Defenses
1 Jérôme Le Banner August 22, 2011 – – 1 327 6 Declared first champion, after Josh Barnett pulls out of a tournament final match. [26]
2 Kazuyuki Fujita July 14, 2012 Genome21 Osaka, Japan 1 535 4 [29]
3 Satoshi Ishii December 31, 2013 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013 Tokyo, Japan 1 235 0 With this match the title began to be contested in legitimate mixed martial arts fights. Won by unanimous decision.
4 Mirko Cro Cop August 23, 2014 Inoki Genome Fight 2 Tokyo, Japan 1 153 1 Second round doctor stoppage.
  1. def. Satoshi Ishii at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014 on December 31, 2014
— Vacated January 23, 2015 — — — — — Cro Cop was stripped of the title when he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
5 Oli Thompson December 31, 2015 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015 Tokyo, Japan 1 1,105 0 Defeated Fernando Rodrigues Jr. by TKO to win the IGF World GP and the vacant title. [30]
— Deactivated January 9, 2019 — — — — — Retired when promotion closed.

Tournaments[edit]

IGF Championship Tournament[edit]

First round
(Genome14, Genome15, and Genome16) 		Semifinals
(Genome15 and Genome16) 		Final
N/A
         
Josh Barnett Win
Montanha Silva
Josh Barnett Win
Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley Win
Keith Hanson
Jerome Le Banner Forfeit
Josh Barnett
Shinichi Suzukawa Win
Bob Sapp
Jerome Le Banner Win
Erik Hammer*
Jerome Le Banner Win
Shinichi Suzukawa
  • Erik Hammer replaced Shinichi Suzukawa in the tournament after defeating Ray Sefo.[31]

World Bantamweight Grand Prix[edit]

 
Quarterfinals
(DREAM 17)		Semifinals
(Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011)		Final
(Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011)
 
          
 
 
 
 
Japan Masakazu ImanariW
 
 
 
United States Abel Cullum SUB
 
Japan Masakazu Imanari DEC
 
 
 
United States Antonio BanuelosW
 
Japan Hideo Tokoro DEC
 
 
 
United States Antonio BanuelosW
 
United States Antonio BanuelosTKO
 
 
 
Brazil Bibiano Fernandes W
 
Brazil Bibiano Fernandes W
 
 
 
Japan Takafumi Otsuka SUB
 
Brazil Bibiano Fernandes W
 
 
 
Brazil Rodolfo MarquesDEC
 
Russia Yusup Saadulaev DEC
 
 
Brazil Rodolfo Marques W
 

Inoki Genome Tournament 2012[edit]

  • Ths tournament took place entirely on the Genome20 event.
Semifinals Final
      
Shinichi Suzukawa Win
Yusuke Kawaguchi
Atsushi Sawada Win
Shinichi Suzukawa
Atsushi Sawada Win
Hideki Suzuki

Inoki Genome Tournament 2013[edit]

  • This tournament took place entirely on the Genome26 event.
QuarterfinalsSemifinalFinal
Hideki SuzukiWin
Hideki Suzuki*Win
Akira Jo
Atsushi SawadaDouble CountoutAtsushi Sawada*
Shinichi Suzukawa*
Atsushi SawadaWin
Shogun Okamoto
  • Shinichi Suzukawa received a bye to the semi-finals. Hideki Suzuki received a bye to the final after defeating Crusher Kawaguchi in a match. Atsushi Sawada advanced to the final despite his match against Shinichi Suzukawa ending in a double countout.[32]

Road to Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye Challenge Tournament[edit]

Semifinals Final
      
Yusuke Masuda W
Takaaki "C-Boy" Oban DEC
Yusuke Masuda W
Ryo Sakai DEC
Ryo Sakai W
Tsuyoshi Kurihara DEC

IGF World GP[edit]

  • Quarterfinals took place on April 11, 2015 at Inoki Genome Fight 3.
  • Semi-finals took place on August 29, 2015 at Inoki Genome Fight 4.
  • The final took place on December 31, 2015 at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015.
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Sweden Yosef Ali Mohammad TKO
Netherlands Dion Staring Rd 1
Sweden Yosef Ali Mohammad TKO
Brazil Fernando Rodrigues Jr. Rd 1
Brazil Fernando Rodrigues Jr. TKO
France Antony Rea Rd 1
Brazil Fernando Rodrigues Jr. TKO
England Oli Thompson Rd 1
United States Chris Barnett TKO
Bulgaria Emil Zahariev Rd 2
United States Chris Barnett DEC
England Oli Thompson Rd 2
England Oli Thompson DEC
Japan Ikuhisa Minowa Rd 2

[33]

Genome-1: Osaka[edit]

  • This tournament took place entirely on the Genome33 event.
Semifinals Final
      
Naoya Ogawa Win
Minowaman
Atsushi Sawada Win
Minowaman
Atsushi Sawada Win
Montanha Silva

Genome-1: Nagoya[edit]

  • This tournament took place entirely on the Genome34 event.
Semifinals Final
      
Hideki Suzuki Win
Wang Bin
Hideki Suzuki Win
Daichi Hashimoto
Daichi Hashimoto Win
Raj Singh

IGF events[edit]

# Event title Date Location
1 Toukon Bom-Ba-Ye June 29, 2007 Tokyo, Japan
2 Genome September 8, 2007 Nagoya, Japan
3 Genome2 〜 Inoki Fighting Xmas December 20, 2007 Tokyo, Japan
4 Genome3 〜 Inoki Memorial 65 February 16, 2008 Tokyo, Japan
5 Genome4 April 12, 2008 Osaka, Japan
6 Genome5 〜 Hokkaido Genki Summit June 23, 2008 Sapporo, Japan
7 Inoki Genki Festival in Hakodate 〜 Hakodate Tomodachi Bom-Ba-Ye June 25, 2008 Hakodate, Japan
8 Genome6 August 15, 2008 Tokyo, Japan
9 Genome7 November 24, 2008 Aichi, Japan
10 Genome8 March 15, 2009 Hiroshima, Japan
11 Genome9 August 9, 2009 Tokyo, Japan
12 Genome10 November 3, 2009 Tokyo, Japan
13 Genome11 February 22, 2010 Tokyo, Japan
14 Genome12 May 9, 2010 Osaka, Japan
15 Genome13 September 25, 2010 Tokyo, Japan
16 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2010 December 3, 2010 Tokyo, Japan
17 Genome14 February 5, 2011 Fukuoka, Japan
18 Genome15 April 28, 2011 Tokyo, Japan
19 Genome16 July 10, 2011 Tokyo, Japan
20 Inoki Genome 〜 Super Stars Festival 2011 August 27, 2011 Tokyo, Japan
21 Genome17 September 3, 2011 Aichi, Japan
22 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2011 December 2, 2011 Tokyo, Japan
23 Fighting Spirit Festival in Iwaki December 4, 2011 Iwaki, Japan
24 Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 December 31, 2011 Saitama, Japan
25 Genome18 February 17, 2012 Tokyo, Japan
26 Genome19 March 20, 2012 Fukuoka, Japan
27 Genome20 May 26, 2012 Tokyo, Japan
28 KF-1 World Martial Arts Tournament July 10, 2012 Shanghai, China
29 Genome21 July 14, 2012 Osaka, Japan
30 Genome22 September 29, 2012 Aichi, Japan
31 Genome23 October 16, 2012 Tokyo, Japan
32 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye World Series in Pakistan December 2, 2012 Lahore, Pakistan
33 December 5, 2012 Peshawar, Pakistan
34 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2012 December 31, 2012 Tokyo, Japan
35 Genome24 February 23, 2013 Tokyo, Japan
36 Genome25 March 20, 2013 Fukuoka, Japan
37 Genome26 May 26, 2013 Tokyo, Japan
38 Genome27 July 20, 2013 Osaka, Japan
39 Shangai Dojo Opening Anniversary Special Event July 24, 2013 Shanghai, China
40 Fields New Model Exhibition September 11, 2013 Tokyo, Japan
41 Genome28 September 28, 2013 Aichi, Japan
42 Genome29 October 26, 2013 Tokyo, Japan
43 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013 December 31, 2013 Tokyo, Japan
44 Pakistan–Japan Friendship Festival April 27, 2014 Tokyo, Japan
45 Inoki Genome Fight 1 May 5, 2014 Tokyo, Japan
46 Genome30 July 13, 2014 Fukuoka, Japan
47 Tohoku Earthquake Restoration Charity Event – Genki Festival 2014 July 20, 2014 Iwaki, Japan
48 July 21, 2014 Sōma, Japan
49 July 22, 2014 Iwanuma, Japan
50 July 23, 2014 Ishinomaki, Japan
51 July 24, 2014 Kesennuma, Japan
52 July 25, 2014 Ōfunato, Japan
53 July 26, 2014 Miyako, Japan
54 July 27, 2014 Aomori, Japan
55 Inoki Genome Fight 2 August 23, 2014 Tokyo, Japan
56 International Pro-Wrestling Festival in Pyongyang August 30, 2014 Pyongyang, North Korea
57 August 31, 2014 Pyongyang, North Korea
58 Genome31 October 13, 2014 Aichi, Japan
59 Road to Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014 Fan Festival December 1, 2014 Tokyo, Japan
60 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014 December 31, 2014 Tokyo, Japan
61 Genome32 February 20, 2015 Tokyo, Japan
62 Inoki Genome Fight 3 April 11, 2015 Tokyo, Japan
63 Genome33 May 5, 2015 Osaka, Japan
64 Genome34 June 27, 2015 Aichi, Japan
65 Inoki Genome Fight 4 August 29, 2015 Tokyo, Japan
66 Ja Matsuri 2015 October 31, 2015 Minamisōma, Japan
67 November 1, 2015 Minamisōma, Japan
68 Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015 December 31, 2015 Tokyo, Japan
69 Genome35 February 26, 2016 Tokyo, Japan
70 Genome36 May 29, 2016 Osaka, Japan
71 Shanghai Dojo Opening Commemoration Convention August 8, 2016 Shanghai, China
72 Inoki–Ali 40th Anniversary September 3, 2016 Tokyo, Japan
73 NEW Opening Series April 5, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
74 Shanghai Launching Business Convention April 8, 2017 Shanghai, China
75 NEW Opening Series April 20, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
76 April 30, 2017 Kasukabe, Japan
77 May 12, 2017 Tochigi, Japan
78 May 21, 2017 Chiba, Japan
79 NEW Opening Series: Nasu Festival 2017 May 27, 2017 Tochigi, Japan
80 NEW 2nd Series June 2, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
81 June 8, 2017 Matsumoto, Japan
82 June 17, 2017 Osaka, Japan
83 June 18, 2017 Hyogo, Japan
84 July 7, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
85 July 15, 2017 Okazaki, Japan
86 July 16, 2017 Tsu, Japan
87 August 25, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
88 Lucha Libre World Cup 2017 October 9, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
89 October 10, 2017
90 Japan & China Diplomatic Relations 45th Anniversary November 16, 2017 Tokyo, Japan
91 New Pro-Wrestling Toho Eiyu-den December 17, 2017 Shenzhen, China
92 December 18, 2017
93 December 21, 2017 Zhuhai, China
94 Toho Eiyu-den Tokyo Conference March 20, 2018 Tokyo, Japan
95 New Pro-Wrestling Toho Eiyu-den Beijing Conference April 21, 2018 Beijing, China
96 Dotonbori Pro x Toho Eiyu-den May 27, 2018 Osaka, Japan
97 New Pro-Wrestling Toho Eiyu-den Shanghai Conference August 8, 2018 Shanghai, China
98 August 9, 2018
99 Dotonbori Pro x Toho Eiyu-den 2 〜 Naniwa Eiyuden October 28, 2018 Osaka, Japan
100 Toho Eiyu-den Tianjin Conference December 2, 2018 Tianjin, China

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "猪木の看板外す。INTERNATIONAL GLORY FIGHTING". igf123da on Twitter. July 31, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "今でも中国のIGFは「INTERNATIONAL GLORY FIGHTING」の略なんですよ…www". Tatsuya Kay on Twitter. June 2, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Woodward, Hamish (2023-11-17). "How Inokism Almost Killed New Japan Pro Wrestling - Atletifo". Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  4. ^ "Súper Luchas se convierte en medio asociado de la National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)". Superluchas.com. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  5. ^ "Inoki Genome Federation Pro-Wrestling Results: 2017". PUROLOVE.com. Retrieved May 3, 2020. In the usual Inoki manner, the debut show was followed by great controversy. In the run-up to the show, Inoki already announced that she wanted to fight out the IWGP Heavyweight Title in the main event between Lesnar and Angle. Brock Lesnar was the holder of the title until July 2006, but then refused to lose a title match against Hiroshi Tanahashi, whereupon New Japan (owner of the IWGP trademark) revoked the title. However, Lesnar refused to return the title and simply kept it to himself. After announcing the IGF main event, Inoki said Lesnar was still the champion and that the title would be at stake in the match. The NWA governing body recognized Lesnar (and then Angle, who won the debut show title) as the NWA Japan Champion
  6. ^ "DREAM Dynamite!! 2010". dreamofficial.com. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  7. ^ "DREAM "Dynamite!! 2010," special rules detailed". mmajunkie.com. December 29, 2009.
  8. ^ "Dream Dynamite 2010". mmajunkie.com. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010.
  9. ^ "Overeem win highlights traditional NYE show". Yahoo Sports. 31 December 2010.
  10. ^ "Gift to Kim Jong Il from Japanese". Archived from the original on 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  11. ^ "インターナショナル・プロレスリング・フェスティバルin平壌 - アントニオ猪木 IGFプロレスリング". igf.jp. Archived from the original on 2014-09-05. Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  12. ^ デイリースポーツ社 (8 September 2023). "ＩＧＦが中国最大ネットＴＶ局と提携". daily.co.jp.
  13. ^ a b Bryant, Steve (April 18, 2019). "Lucha Otaku and Inoki Sports Management partner to launch PuroLucha". SoCal Uncensored. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Lucha Wrestling Puroresu (LWP)". Cagematch.net. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "IGF Hagure: Cartel para «International Flight», Arkangel, invitado especial". Súper Luchas. March 7, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  16. ^ "Hagure IGF International: "Lauching Business" Comienza un proyecto". Súper Luchas. April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "NOAH Navigation With Emerald Spirits 2018 - Tag 8". Cagematch.net. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "IGFがパン屋になったり覆面レスラーがWWEで授業する本【多重ロマンチック的ぼくらのプロレス】". boku-pro.com. ぼくらのプロレス. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  19. ^ "【最終回】サイモン・ケリー「IGFはパン屋になって、みんな幸せになった」：Dropkick". Dropkick：ブロマガ - ニコニコチャンネル. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  20. ^ Thompson, Andrew (August 26, 2022). "Antonio Inoki bringing back 'IGF' as a management company called 'Inoki Genki Factory'". POST Wrestling. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  21. ^ アントニオ猪木さん死去 プロレス界の巨星堕つ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2022-10-01. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
  22. ^ アントニオ猪木さん 自宅で死去 79歳 燃える闘魂 プロレス黄金期けん引. Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). 2022-10-01. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
  23. ^ Rose, Bryan (October 1, 2022). "Antonio Inoki passes away at 79 years old". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  24. ^ Thompson, Andrew (November 1, 2022). "INOKI BOM-BA-YE x Ganryujima scheduled for 12/28 at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall". POST Wrestling. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  25. ^ "ジョシュ・バーネット欠場のお知らせ (2011/08/19)". Inoki Genome Federation (in Japanese). 2011-08-19. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  26. ^ a b "INOKI GENOME追加対戦カード発表のお知らせ (2011/08/22)". Inoki Genome Federation (in Japanese). 2011-08-22. Archived from the original on 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  27. ^ "藤田「役目終わった」／ＩＧＦ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  28. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2014-08-13). "Wed. update: Jones undergoes surgery, Another UFC drug test failure, Sonnen tells Jericho what WWE told him about coming in, Mania activities in San Jose, WWE Network in Canada, Cro Cop goes after pro wrestling world title, Rollins talks (updated)". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 2014-08-16. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  29. ^ "藤田、王者レバンナ破った／ＩＧＦ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  30. ^ "オリィ・トンプソン". Inoki Genome Federation (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  31. ^ "IGF Genome16". cagematch.net. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  32. ^ "2nd Inoki Genome Tournament". Cagematch.net. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  33. ^ Asia MMA. "IGF 3: 8-man World open weight GP". mma-in-asia.com.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Inoki_Genome_Federation&oldid=1218511943"