Skip to content
Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Choose a Story
  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
    • Contact
      • E-mail
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
    • Policies
      • Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure Policies
      • Editorial Policies
    • Write For Us
  • Dark Tales
  • Interviews
  • Territories
  • Merch
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Meet The Team
  • More
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Podcasts
      • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
      • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
      • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
    • Today in History
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Ask PWS
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Choose a Story
  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
    • Contact
      • E-mail
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
    • Policies
      • Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure Policies
      • Editorial Policies
    • Write For Us
  • Dark Tales
  • Interviews
  • Territories
  • Merch
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Meet The Team
  • More
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Podcasts
      • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
      • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
      • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
    • Today in History
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Ask PWS
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Andre the Giant and Akira Maeda face off in Japan in May 1986 – A match that started normally but quickly went off the rails.

Andre the Giant vs. Akira Maeda: The Real Fight That Shook Japan

by Jim Phillips  Sep 13, 2024

Andre the Giant vs. Akira Maeda: A match that went off-script and turned into a real fight in 1986 Japan. Learn the story behind the…

The Japanese fans in attendance were not reserved on this night. In his NJPW debut, Big Van Vader ended the win streak of Antonio Inoki in the most horrible way fans ever could have imagined. It led to a riot in sold-out Sumo Hall and NJPW being banned from the venue. Here is how it all went down, flaming seat cushion frisbees and all!

Big Van Vader and Antonio Inoki Incite a Riot in Sumo Hall

by Javier Ojst  Mar 10, 2023

On December 27th, 1987, Big Van Vader and Antonio Inoki incited a riot in Sumo Hall. Here’s how (flaming seat cushions and all)!

In 2005, Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura squared off in a real-life dispute over who would be Antonio Inoki's next big star: the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. What ensued led to Lesnar refusing to relinquish the belt and holding it hostage for over a year at his home in America until an unexpected Olympic hero stepped in to save the day!

Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura: Their Bitter Real-Life Battle

by Rob Ireland  Feb 27, 2023

In 2005, Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura entered into a bitter real-life rivalry over who would be Antonio Inoki’s next big star.

Lanny Poffo Auditioning for New Japan Color Commentator Role

by JP Zarka  Nov 7, 2019

Lanny Poffo to New Japan? Lanny responds to questions raised over a recent Wrestling Observer newsletter column by Dave Meltzer.

pro wrestling stories logo

Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestling’s past!

E-mail Us: admin at prowrestlingstories dot com
Business Address: JACE Media LLC, 2501 Chatham Rd #4582, Springfield, Illinois 62704, USA

By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in our Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Learn more about Pro Wrestling Stories' Editorial Policies.

® 2025 Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Choose a Story
  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
    • Contact
      • E-mail
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
    • Policies
      • Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure Policies
      • Editorial Policies
    • Write For Us
  • Dark Tales
  • Interviews
  • Territories
  • Merch
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Meet The Team
  • More
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Podcasts
      • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
      • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
      • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
    • Today in History
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Ask PWS