Akira Maeda helped develop the shoot-style of professional wrestling during the late 1980s.
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12 Facts About Akira Maeda
2.
Akira Maeda entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling dojo in 1978 and debuted the same year.
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3.
Akira Maeda was one of three Japanese entrants to the international tournament, alongside Antonio Inoki and Rusher Kimura.
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4.
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.
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5.
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.
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6.
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.
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7.
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.
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8.
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.
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9.
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.
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10.
On January 22,2012, Akira Maeda decisively resurrected the Fighting Network RINGS brand with Battle Genesis: Vol.
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