Ladies and gentlemen, Jushin Liger has now officially retired. In the first match of Wrestle Kingdom 14’s main card, Jushin Liger teamed with his most longstanding Naoki Sano against famed modern day rivals Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee. This was the second of the genuine legend’s two retirement matches, the first occurring the night before, an eight-man tag team match littered with a plethora of famous names from Liger’s past.
Emotions were running high, and it was easy to want to see one last Liger victory. But it’s the way things work around here that you go out on your back and even the best are no exception. Jushin Liger would likely demand it be so, regardless. And so the legend goes out passing a win down to two men who hope to lead the Junior Heavyweight division that Liger himself made famous into the future.
You can see an excerpt of my recap of this match below:
Tons of slaps to Hiromu now, stomp to the back of his head! Hooks him for a Liger Bomb but Ryu Lee runs in for a dropkick to stop him. Hiromu takes Liger and Sano together on the outside, Ryu hits the ropes, Liger and Sano dodge and Ryu takes out his partner! Liger posts Ryu, then throws Hiromu into the ring! Pursues, hooks him, Throw Down Powerbomb for a nearfall! Hiromu escapes another attempt, German Suplex nailed but Liger no sells! Lariat, Brainbuster! Nearfall, Ryu has to break it up. Sano in, whip reversed, Ryu with a dropkick takes him to the floor, suicide dive! Hiromu reverses a Liger suplex into a Falcon Arrow for a nearfall! Whips him into a superkick from Ryu, double knees from both sides! Cover for a nearfall! Hiromu with a Running DVD into the corner! Wants the Time Bomb but Liger reverses into a sunset flip! Charges, but Hiromu stops him with a big lariato! Time Bomb nailed! And that is that.
Winners: Hiromu Takahashi & Ryu Lee
