We continue our countdown to Jyushin Thunder Liger’s retirement.
<– 30 Years of Liger in 30 Days: 2017 30 Years of Liger in 30 Days: 2019–>
Wrestle Kingdom 14 night 1: January 4 tickets!
Wrestle Kingdom 14 night 2: January 5 tickets!
As Jyushin Thunder Liger’s ‘final career chapter’ continued into 2018, his continued popularity worldwide made him a key draw in NJPW’s first steps into America. A big attraction in New Japan’s first events on the West Coast, it appeared as if Liger was headed for an ultimate dream match at Strong Style Evolved against Rey Mysterio.
Unfortunately a last minute injury sidelined Rey, an incredible substitute was made in the form of Will Ospreay. As he would do all through the coming months, Ospreay stepped into a challenging, high stakes environment and tore the house down with Liger, eventually countering a Ligerbomb into one of his own before delivering the OsCutter.
A poignant scene of post match sportsmanship was ruined by the presence of Marty Scurll who would storm in to attack all three parties involved in the US triangle. An enraged Liger would form the ultimate dream team with Mysterio and Hiroshi Tanahashi at Dominion in June, and Liger, with a top rope Frankensteiner and attempt at the follow up Vertical Drop Brainbuster was within a hair of defeating Scurll, Cody and Hangman Page, but unfortunately the fairytale result was not to be. Liger’s last chapter saw few positive results for the legend, but with unbelievable fighting performances night in and night out, crowds were in amazement every single big match, just as they were three decades prior.
Watch Jyushin Thunder Liger vs Will Ospreay here!
