Akira Maeda helped develop the shoot-style of professional wrestling during the late 1980s.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,049 |
Akira Maeda helped develop the shoot-style of professional wrestling during the late 1980s.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,049 |
Akira Maeda entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling dojo in 1978 and debuted the same year.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,050 |
Akira Maeda was one of three Japanese entrants to the international tournament, alongside Antonio Inoki and Rusher Kimura.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,051 |
Akira Maeda became involved in a real-life feud with New Japan booker and top star, Antonio Inoki, refusing to work with him in what could have been a huge moneymaking program.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,052 |
On November 19,1987, during a six-man tag team match, as Riki Choshu was putting Osamu Kido in a Sasori-gatame, Akira Maeda delivered a stiff kick to Choshu's face, breaking his orbital bone.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,053 |
Referee Mr Takahashi, despite disapproving Akira Maeda's stiff style, has agreed it was an accident on a scripted spot, declaring that such miscommunications were not uncommon at the time.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,054 |
In 1988, Akira Maeda formed Newborn UWF with Nobuhiko Takada and others, this time as its number one star, using the notoriety he gained in New Japan to draw large crowds.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,055 |
Akira Maeda's UWF became the first promotion to hold a show at the Tokyo Dome, drawing 60,000 to watch Akira Maeda defeat Willy Wilhelm in the main event.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,056 |
Akira Maeda would go on to form Fighting Network RINGS in 1991, while Nobuhiko Takada formed Union of Wrestling Force International with most of the Newborn UWF roster.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,057 |
On January 22,2012, Akira Maeda decisively resurrected the Fighting Network RINGS brand with Battle Genesis: Vol.
FactSnippet No. 2,066,058 |