This was conceived as a "work," the pro wrestling term for a match scripted ahead of time, with a predetermined result. The problem was, the promoters planned for Inoki, a wrestling star adored in Japan, to be the winner in his homeland, and Ali wasn't...
The league debuted in 2001 as a joint venture between World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and NBC, and for a brief moment, it seemed like it might take off. The opening contest, between the Las Vegas Outlaws and the New York/New Jersey Hitmen, began with a fiery speech from WWE CEO Vin...