Maeda returns? (2002/09/04)

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

(I decided to post this on "General" board since the topic may no longer be exclusively for "Shoot-Style")

Sports Houchi Newspaper reported that Akira Maeda, former president and the top competitor of RINGS Japan, was willing to return to the ring.

The biggest possiblity for his comeback is said to be Pro-Wrestling NOAH, one of whose executive is Haruka Eigen, Maeda's close friend. Antonio Inoki also invited him for the recent UFO Legend card (2002/08/08 at Tokyo Dome), and now he wants to invite him to participate on New Japan card at Tokyo Dome on 2002/10/14 for the promotion's 30th anniversary.

[Luds]

That's great! I'd love to see him again!

[Peru-Yakuza]

I really hope he goes to NOAH. It would be great to see styles clash (New Japan? been there, done that), and I'm sick of Inoki.

[ElGringo]

Well, New Japan need the big numbers his return would create. And he'd make a good oponent for Chono on the Dome shiw (ANYONE would rather than Laurer, but Maeda vs. Chono would draw).

I'd say bring him in to put over Nagata and Nakanishi (who need that kind of thing).

NOAH is a weird place for him to go to, because they never run anywhere bigger than the 16,500 seat Nippon Budokan, and something like Maeda/Misawa (especially with the right back up, perhaps some New Japan guys) could sell out the Dome.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

This was a mistake by the newspaper reporter who misheard someone talking about Maeda's return.