Tiger Jet Singh: “I’ll Reveal Why I Attacked Antonio Inoki and His Wife”

The scene of their rivalry

The first place Tiger Jet Singh (82) headed after arriving in Japan was Sōji-ji Temple in Tsurumi, Yokohama.After paying his respects at the grave, he raised his trademark saber in front of the bronze statue of his archrival and paid tribute, saying, “Antonio Inoki was a great wrestler.” Afterward, he and his son Ali headed to none other than—the Isetan Shinjuku store.This is the site of the “Shinjuku Isetan Incident” in November 1973, when Singh attacked the Inoki couple while they were shopping, prompting a police response.

It would have been one thing if it had happened inside a pro-wrestling arena, but why did he attack them right on the street!? For the first time, he himself revealed the truth behind this bizarre incident that has gone down in pro-wrestling history.

“It’s a sad story. I didn’t want to do something like that either, but I had no choice. For us, the turban is a sacred and special thing. Yet Inoki’s wife (Mitsuko Baisho) reached out and touched the turban I was wearing. What’s more, she was smoking a cigarette…I warned her repeatedly, ‘Don’t touch my turban.’ But she wouldn’t stop. So I had no choice but to lay a hand on her. Then Inoki showed up, and we got into a heated argument. That’s the truth behind that incident. I heard the police showed up later, but I didn’t notice at all. We just hailed a taxi and went straight back to the hotel.”

In the wake of the assault, the long-awaited showdown between Shin and Inoki drew massive attention, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s venues were packed to capacity day after day. However, once the ’80s began, those blockbuster matches disappeared.That’s because Shin had transferred to All Japan Pro Wrestling. It was said that Shin was angry because New Japan was plotting to poach All Japan’s star wrestler, Abdullah the Butcher—but Shin himself admitted, “That’s exactly right.”

“I heard from Terry Funk that ‘Shin is apparently going to team up with the Butcher.’ But when I checked with New Japan, they wouldn’t say yes or no. I suppose they were afraid I’d get angry… but the Butcher just doesn’t fit Inoki’s style.”

In fact, the two didn’t mesh, and the Butcher was let go almost immediately. In contrast, Shin was a huge hit in All Japan. Even on this visit to Japan—his first in 14 years—he thoroughly attacked the audience at a pro-wrestling event, drawing blood. The victim, while being transported by ambulance, was reportedly ecstatic, exclaiming, “That was the best!”

“Even though it would have been understandable if I’d been forgotten, everyone remembered me and showed me such passion. I’ll never forget how moved I was.”

Having left countless gifts for pro-wrestling fans, the “Mad Tiger” boarded his flight once again.

From the November 13 & 20, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*