10 Times Wrestlers Went Into Business For Themselves In The Ring
4. Akira Maeda Boots Riki Choshu
A legendary shoot-style pro wrestler and early Japanese MMA practitioner, Akira Maeda made his way to NJPW in 1985, and soon gathered notoriety. He was involved in a real-life feud with the company's booker & top star Antonio Inoki that year, refusing to work a potentially huge moneymaking program with him, and wrestled a bizarre match with Andre the Giant the following year, in which he first refused to lose to 'The Eighth Wonder Of The World,' then declined to pin his opponent when he laid down for him.
Maeda's nastiest turn came in November 1987. Wrestling Riki Choshu as part of a six-man tag, Akira blindsided his opponent with a brutal kick to the face, breaking his orbital bone. The injury ruled Choshu out for over a month, and the company suspended Maeda immediately, then delivered further punishment by ordering him to go on excursion to Mexico.
Akira apparently hated lucha libre, and refused to leave to Japan. This led to his full release from NJPW, and he headed to Newborn UWF later in 1988, where he used his increased notoriety to become one of the company's top stars.