The Craziest Shoot Fights In Japanese Wrestling History

Wrestling may be fake, but sometimes the wrestlers take it too far and start fighting for real.

Planned-out matches can descend into violence quickly and unpredictably. Sometimes real injuries occur, leading to wrestlers being fired from their promotions and even forced to leave the country!

This article will not be addressing any shoot-style matches from promotions like the UWFi, nor will it mention actual MMA fights, like the Takayama vs Don Frye clash in Pride.

No, instead we will be looking at all the times in Japanese wrestling that the two wrestlers have decided to stop working together and instead decided to start beating each other up for real.

Andre The Giant vs Akira Maeda

In 1986, Andre the Giant faced Akira Maeda in what was supposed to be a standard professional wrestling match, but things quickly turned chaotic. Maeda, known for his legitimate shoot-style skills, grew frustrated with Andre’s refusal to sell his moves.

In response, Maeda began throwing real kicks and strikes, challenging Andre’s dominance. Andre, limited by his size and physical condition, didn’t fully retaliate but tried to maintain his composure. The bout devolved into a slow, awkward standoff that ended inconclusively. This encounter remains infamous as a clash of styles and egos, reflecting the tensions between traditional pro wrestling and the emerging shoot-fight movement.

Antonio Inoki vs The Great Antonio

Antonio Inoki’s 1977 bout against The Great Antonio became notorious for its unexpected brutality. The Great Antonio, a massive strongman, refused to cooperate with Inoki and no-sold his offense. After repeated displays of disrespect, Inoki snapped.

He took the giant down with a series of stiff kicks and strikes, ultimately delivering relentless stomps to his head. The match ended in chaos, showcasing Inoki’s willingness to defend wrestling’s credibility. This incident became a defining moment in his legacy as a no-nonsense competitor willing to handle insubordination with force.

John Tenta vs Koji Kitao

The 1991 clash between John Tenta (best known as Earthquake in WWE) and Koji Kitao is one of wrestling’s most infamous shoot moments. Tenta, a seasoned pro, faced Kitao, a former sumo wrestler with a reputation for being difficult.

Early in the match, it became clear that Kitao wasn’t cooperating. After a series of uncooperative exchanges, Kitao visibly broke kayfabe by refusing to continue wrestling and even berated the sport itself, declaring it fake. Tenta remained professional, but the bout ended in disarray. This debacle highlighted Kitao’s lack of respect for wrestling’s traditions.

Akira Maeda vs Riki Choshu

In 1987, Akira Maeda and Riki Choshu’s match descended into chaos after Maeda threw a legitimate kick to Choshu’s face, breaking his orbital bone. The attack wasn’t part of the script and was widely viewed as a deliberate act of aggression.

Maeda was reportedly frustrated with backstage politics and used this match to send a message. The violent act led to Maeda’s suspension from New Japan Pro-Wrestling and solidified his reputation as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable wrestlers of his era.

Great Sasuke vs Dirt Bike Kid

The 1999 match between Great Sasuke and Dirt Bike Kid turned into a shoot when the latter ignored the planned finish. Dirt Bike Kid, a British wrestler, decided to go into business for himself, removing his mask and rejecting the planned finish.

Sasuke, a seasoned veteran, retaliated by delivering legitimate kicks and maneuvers to regain control. The match ended with Sasuke asserting his dominance, showcasing his professionalism and commitment to protecting his status. This incident became infamous for its display of disrespect and the swift retribution that followed.

Act Yasukawa vs. Yoshiko

The 2015 match between Act Yasukawa and Yoshiko in Stardom became one of the darkest moments in Japanese wrestling history. What began as a routine title bout turned into a brutal shoot when Yoshiko launched a real attack on Yasukawa, severely injuring her face.

The assault left Yasukawa with broken bones and damaged vision. The incident led to Yoshiko’s indefinite suspension and sparked widespread outrage, prompting discussions about safety and accountability in professional wrestling. This shocking event remains a cautionary tale about unchecked aggression in the ring.

Learn more about the Act Yasukawa vs. Yoshiko incident and its impact on Japanese women’s wrestling.