10 Wrestling Matches That Turned Into Real Shoots

6. The Great Antonio Vs. Antonio Inoki - New Japan Pro Wrestling (December 8, 1977)

Though New Japan was built on a real sports presentation that emphasised fighting spirit, the organisation in its early days was not averse to bringing in somebody who didn't fit the typical mould to serve as an 'attraction'.

The Great Antonio, a ginormous Canadian strongman who had dabbled in wrestling for Calgary's Stampede promotion but was more famous for stunts and feats of strength like dragging cars by his hair or eating 25 chickens in one sitting, was certainly that. 

The Great Antonio was brought into the company in December of 1977 to wrestle New Japan founder and top star Antonio Inoki. 

The Great Antonio had previously wrestled in Japan, though it did not go well for him. His conceited attitude rubbed his peers the wrong way and they decided to take it out on him, with Karl Gotch and Bill Miller once delivering a brutal in-ring beating on him before he was kicked off the tour. 

When it came time to wrestle Inoki, he clearly hadn't learned his lesson. Though the two had worked earlier on the tour (Inoki had put him over by DQ), something went haywire during their big match at Tokyo's Sumo Hall.  

The opening exchanges were weak and disjointed and the two were clearly not on the same page when, just a few minutes in, the Great Antonio decided to stat no-selling Inoki's offense while showboating. 

Then he began working a little too stiff for the chinster's liking, so Inoki responded by entering shoot mode. 

From there, things turned ugly as Inoki repeatedly struck him before taking him down and unloading with kicks to the face, leaving the strongman bloodied and unable to get up. 

The only thing left to do was for the referee to stop the match.