239. Akira Maeda

Published in WWE
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Trained by Karl Gotch, Akira Maeda definitely seemed to have the intention to change the world of Professional Wrestling. Maeda disliked the worked style of wrestling and sought to bring a more realistic style to the ring. Maeda was a big part of the origin of three pseudo shoot promotions in Japan (UFI, UWFI and RINGS) and was himself a big draw in Japan and used his excellent ring work to inspire a new generation of wrestlers and wrestling fans. Maeda may have loved shooting too much as his actions against Andre the Giant, Riki Choshu & Satoru Sayama are legendary. Still, he did have a run with the WWE in 1984, so he is not an unknown to WWE brass.

Should Akira Maesa be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 21.1%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 5.3%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 36.8%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 36.8%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: Kwik Kick Lee
Billed From: Osaka, Japan
Key Championships Held: European Union Heavyweight
WWF International Heavyweight
IWGP World Tag Team (2) 1w/Osamu Kido, 1w/Nobutaka Araya
Why they will get in: He does have an influence factor.
Why they won't get in: That influence has little to do with the WWE product.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Wins the European Heavyweight Championship (1/25/83)
2. Wrestled Andre the Giant in a match that turned into s shoot (4/29/86)
3. Had a brutal yet brilliant match against Tatsumi Fujinami (6/12/86)
4. With UWF, puts 60,000 fans in the Tokyo Dome to see him main event against Willie Wilhelm (11/29/89)
5. Formed Fighting Network, RINGS (1991)