Andre vs. Maeda Shoot Match?

[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.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

It was taped for TV but never aired.

[Ganso]

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

[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