Wednesdaymania 302: Thank You Liger

In Which We Bid A Fond Farewell To A True Legend

In 1989, the world was introduced to one of the longest-lasting and marvelous characters in professional wrestling: Jushin Liger. Based on an anime character of the same name, Liger was a dynamic in-ring performer and highly respected both in and out of the ring. He was a grand success story.

But on January 5, 2020, about 31 years after debuting, the saga of the Puroresu Sentai Warrior finally came to a close. With over 4000 matches under his belt, Jushin Thunder Liger has officially retired.

It's so rare that I get to tell you of someone leaving the ring without them being in a box or a wheelchair, so I'm actually quite pleased. While Liger wrestled for 31 years, his human self, Keiichi Yamada was a wrestler for even longer, debuting without a mask in 1984. Somehow, in his 36 in-ring years, Liger/Yamada has not suffered that many major injuries at all! Yes, he had to pause for a time in 1996, but that was due to a brain tumor and not related to his career at all.

Yeah.

Liger survived a brain tumor and came back to wrestle that same year!

And this was after the surgery!!!

When you hear terms like "modern myth" or "legend of wrestling", perhaps the best wrestler to suit that description is Jushin Thunder Liger. He took what should have been a kiss of death (wrestling as a short-lived anime character) and made it a true career. Yes, Tiger Mask had the same origin, but Tiger Mask also had multiple versions of himself.

There's only one Jushin Thunder Liger.

For as long as I have drawn breath on this Earth, this man has been touring the world, wrestling his heart out. Before the tumor, he was a high-flier, but after his surgery, he completely revamped his style, becoming more of a flashy technician. I've loved every match of his I've seen, and I'd have to say, he's in my upper echelons of wrestling characters.

From the Retirement Match

As someone who delights in Liger's matches, it is truly sad to see him go from wrestling, but the man is 55 years old now, and he has a wife and son he hasn't spent more than a few days at a time with in 31 years. During his heartfelt farewell speech at New Year's Dash 2020, Liger broke everyone's hearts by telling his adorable wife and grown son "I have been away from you for 31 years, but now I am coming home, so you will have to put up with me, now". There wasn't a dry eye in the house. The translator, Chris Charleton, was weeping as he carried out his duties. Liger's family seemed misty.

Even his fellow wrestlers were reluctant to let Liger go. Kazuchika Okada and others begged for a group selfie to commemorate the occasion, Tiger Mask IV tearfully confessed that he was sad he wouldn't be seeing Liger any more (to which Liger essentially replied "You know where I live, I'm not dead"), and essentially everyone who was anyone in pro-wrestling has sent their best wishes (including HHH and Kushida).

Returning from his Wrestle Kingdom 14 Night 1 loss with his old friends

I don't know, guys. It's still processing, even 3 days out from his official retirement. Dude's a legend. They don't make them like him anymore.

But I can't deny that the image of him patting his wife and son on their heads as they hand him bouquets of flowers in the ring, then telling them that he's finally coming home was one of the most moving things I've ever seen.

So yeah...

If you're a Liger fan and you want to happy-cry a bunch, then definitely go watch both nights of Wrestle Kingdom 14 and New Year's Dash. There's also a gorgeous portrait that I feel accurately captures the sweet, yet melancholy, mood of Liger's retirement.

May retirement treat you well, Liger-san. May you spend a good long time in the joyous company of your lovely family, and may you always have the love and support of your peers and the admiration and adoration of your fans worldwide.

Go Enjoy Something,
FC