Andre vs. Maeda Shoot Match?

[Wrestling Infojunkie]

I read an account of a match between Andre the Giant and Akira Maeda degenerating into a shoot. Did this really happen? If so, what were the circumstances behind it?

I am a novice to Japanese wrestling history, so if my questions seem a little basic, please bear with me. I am here to learn.

Thanks for the info in advance.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

It did happen in '86.

I believe Maeda was set up because of his reputation as a shooter. According to Maeda, he went to foreigners' dressing room before the match, and Dick Murdoch said something like, "so this is the poor boy".

Many say that this match gave Maeda a better reputation as a shooter, but the way I saw differs. Maeda started throwing shoot kicks, but Andre didn't really do much to attack Maeda, either. Watching the match made me think how luckly Maeda was because Andre was no longer in his prime.

[VanMuta]

Hisa,

Is it true that the incident is banned from being shown on Japanese TV?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

It was taped for TV but never aired.

[DannyG]

I have watched the match several times.
One rumor was that Andre was very drunk
and was just being uncooperative.

When Maeda started getting serious,
especially with kicks to back of Andre's
left leg, things got weird.

Andre would get taken down by Maeda,
and Maeda looked like a deer in the
headlights, deathly afraid of what might
happen next. Andre just laid there,
and appeared to be gesturing for Maeda
to try and pin him.

Maeda wanted none of that and would get
up instead, starting the process all over
again.

I have a feeling that if Andre was shooting,
the first time he got his hands on you, it
would be ALL over. The stories of his
strength are indeed legendary. The match
was strange, no doubt. The end sees
Inoki come out and it looks like he is
arguing with Maeda, but I can't be sure.

Nevertheless, soon after Inoki calls off the
bout.

Bizarre to say the least

Dan Ginnetty

[Ganso]

I also heard that Andre was as drunk as Barney Gumble before and during that match.

[Sek]

Ganso (11-03-2001 02:08 a.m.):
I also heard that Andre was as drunk as Barney Gumble before and during that match.

It definately seemed like it, Andre seems to have the drunken glassy eyes.

****, I wonder how much it took to get a man who's drinking prowess is the stuff of legends drunk?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

I read somewhere Maeda saying that Andre was really smelling like alcohol.

[edgehead1984]

Hogan has mentioned in his autobiography that Andre drank 108 12-ounce beers in one sitting.

[edgehead1984]

I have a couple questions:

Who accompanied Andre to the ring, and who was the referee for this match???

[El Pollo Guerrera]

I have questions too... When did this match happen, is it on video, and where can I get a copy?

[bannabop]

Sort of off topic.. Does anyone have the tape where Maeda shoots on Choshu?

[edgehead1984]

The match happened on May 29th, 1986.

I found my copy on Kazaa.

[matt farmer]

Andre at this point was well past his prime. A few things to note here too. As a few weeks later Andre had a major back operation too. And Andre had no formal training when it came to shooting. After watching the video it became apperent that Akira Maeda was not very verse in takedowns either. His kicks were brutal though, it is said that Andre did not feel them?

[MRMASKEDGOOFIII]

twice maeda had andre's leg in an underarm control position and looked for a response as to whether or not do something.

Andre did nothing and had no clue how to break the grip.

If Maeda switched to a heel hook grip and stepped on Andres other thigh to pin him and twisted the heel hook...Andre's ACL would have been snapped.

A 140lb guy could easily snap the leg of a 300lb bodybuilder, It is merely leverage,

i;ve been around MMA and NHB for 7 years. Big and strong only counts when
you have skill..when you have no skill and only strength, a good amatuer wrestler/bjj/boxer/thai boxer/shooter will do damage. I've seen it MANY times in real life.

Andre's hands NEVER once protected his face. (IN A REAL FIGHT!)

Andre would have had no chance if maeda wanted to finish it