We continue our countdown to Jyushin Thunder Liger’s retirement.

<– 30 Years of Liger in 30 Days: 2016      30 Years of Liger in 30 Days: 2018–>

Wrestle Kingdom 14 night 1: January 4 tickets! 

Wrestle Kingdom 14 night 2: January 5 tickets!

After the prior year’s match against IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA started what he called the ‘final chapter’ of his career, Liger put an end to his runs in Best of the Super Juniors in 2017. After participating and winning, the very first run of the tournament back in 1994, 2017 would be his final time, Liger citing a desire to leave the BoSJ to younger athletes more suited to being competitive through the long haul of the tournament.

Liger’s statements seemed to be selling himself short, but the results were not on the legend’s side through the year. He would stay winless through the tournament until he faced Taichi in Osaka, the very same place where five years earlier, Kishin Liger’s appearance led to IWGP Junior Tag victory. In 2017 as in 2012, Taichi would try to rip away at the mask of Liger, and while Kishin would not make face painted appearance, the ‘Holy Emperor’ certainly woke the furious side of Liger up, as he fought to one last tournament victory with other NJPW roster members cheering him on.

In another tournament setting, Liger would have more luck. Inspired by Liger’s own Super J-Cup concept, RevPro in the UK launched the British J-Cup in 2017. A one night tournament where participants had to be victorious in qualifying matches to make it to a four way final, Liger defeated Josh Bodom before emerging from an elimination bout with Will Ospreay, KUSHIDA and Marty Scurll, pinning Scurll with a Ligerbomb and Vertical Drop Brainbuster to make history once more. 

Watch Jyushin Thunder Liger vs Taichi here!

Watch Jyushin Thunder Liger vs KUSHIDA vs Marty Scurll vs Will Ospreay here!