Message #9052

[lwpd]

Antonio Inoki vs Ken Patera 9/3/80

This was from New Japan Pro Wrestling at the famed  Budokan Hall. Antonio Inoki defends his NWF World title against Ken Patera. This is a good sampling of KP's work which mixed a power arsenal with audible taunts, crowd gesturing and surprisingly good bumping skills. Inoki plays his standard native hero role and from start to finish controls the emotions of the crowd.

Ken Patera is said to be the first American to both clean/jerk and clean/press 500 lbs. At his peak he perfected the role of an arrogant strongman heel and worked at or near the top in territories throughout the late 70's to early 80's. After his arrest in '85 and return from incarceration in '87 he never quite returned to form.

Ken Patera Bootleg Card