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Andre the Giant vs. Akira Maeda; History of Pro Wrestling Shoots, Part 2

Andre the Giant vs. Akira Maeda; History of Pro Wrestling Shoots, Part 2

Posted: Oct 28th 2012 By: mikeiles

WWE Hall of Famer Andre the Giant lay on his back near the ring ropes, his arms outstretched, appearing to mouth the words "pin me." The restless crowd had just seen a dreary match where little happened.

Men rushed the ring, shouting at each other and the fans were as confused then as we are today.

Andre's battle against Akira Maeda on May 26, 1986 was an embarrassing display. Who the brunt of the blame belongs to is still debated some 20-plus years later.

Was it a case of a drunk giant refusing to cooperate or an attempt to discredit Maeda by making him look foolish?

There is little hard evidence to go on. We can only watch the match itself, take the two wrestlers' histories into account and try to understand the incident ourselves.

The Men

A wrestler of Korean descent, Maeda (real name: Go Il-myeong) spent the majority of his career in Japan. The Karl Gotch-trained wrestler founded Fighting Network Rings and was involved heavily with the Universal Wrestling Federation.

Maeda would go onto become a member of the inaugural Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame class.

It's not his matches with Antonio Inoki, Hulk Hogan or Paul Orndorff that fans will remember, but instead his penchant for turning pro wrestling matches into real-life fights.

Maeda developed a reputation for being difficult and dangerous to work with. He once kicked Riki Choshu in the eye, breaking his orbital bone.

He also had a reputation for having a negative attitude toward American wrestlers and the WWE. So there was possibly some animosity toward Andre before the match began.

Andre is, of course, the far more famous of the pair.

His match vs. Maeda happened before Hulk Hogan and Andre's WrestleMania III clash and after Andre's body had begun to break down, slowing him, robbing him of some of the grace and athleticism he had during his prime.

The Match

The crowd buzzed before the match, far more vocal than the average Japanese pro wrestling audience. Andre towered over Maeda, who at 6'3'' is no runt.

Andre pounced first, pressing his massiveness onto Maeda after an awkward takedown.

As the match progressed, it was increasingly clear that something was off. The action's momentum stuttered.

Andre wobbled around the ring, dazed.

For a man so famous for being able to drink inhuman amounts of alcohol, it's hard to imagine him too drunk to stand properly. It appeared that's exactly what was happening.

Not a handful of moves had been performed and Andre was already sweating heavily.

Maeda charged, but Andre swatted him away.

This uncooperativeness continued. It looked like Maeda was trying to begin the match in earnest, but Andre backed away or stood motionless in the ring, teetering.

New Japan Pro Wrestling founder Antonio Inoki came down to ringside.

It appeared his highly anticipated match was being ruined by pride or intoxication or both. Inoki entered the ring and talked to both wrestlers, presumably to get them to get on the same page.

It didn't work.

The awkwardness continued; fans forced to watch two men stare each other down and do nothing about it.

Maeda's kicks began to get more forceful. This failing match was entering real-fight territory. The giant nearly fell off his feet from the impact. Maeda then took to whipping Andre down with single-leg takedowns.

Andre looked much like a turtle that has fallen on its back. He shrugged, he stared at Maeda and appeared to tell him to pin him.

The narrative that these men were supposed to tell the fans had long been abandoned.

A frustrated Inoki climbed into the ring and used the commotion of everyone milling about at ringside to distract from the no-finish.

What Happened?

The argument for Maeda being insulted and angered by Andre's drunkenness is a strong one.

Andre looked intoxicated. The way he moved about the ring, his lack of speed and his lack of balance all point in that direction.

There are rumors though that this odd situation was started by Inoki himself.

The story goes that he wanted to teach Maeda a lesson in humility. Maeda believed himself to be a top-level star and was frustrated by his position in the company.

Andre was more than big enough to manhandle Maeda in the name of bringing him down a peg. There are moments in the match where it looked like Andre was just trying to dominate his opponent and not in an entertaining way, either.

Either way, something went awry.

A well-told story in the ring makes reality and fantasy hard to tell apart. When things devolve into a shoot it looks much Andre vs. Maeda, a bumbling, clumsy mess.

 

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Complete Calendar

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-20 2026 Neo Genesis def. T. J. Spade for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2026 T. J. Spade def. Will Chambers for the CAPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2026 Billie the Kiid def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-22 2026 Neo Genesis def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-23
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