Wrestling Stars Share Memories Of Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger Following His Retirement
Jushin Liger wrestled his final match on Jan. 5 at night two of Wrestle Kingdom 14. Liger went out on his terms, putting over Dragon Lee and Hiromu Takahashi in a tag team bout where he teamed with Naoki Sano. At night one of Wrestle Kingdom 14, Liger teamed with Tatsumi Fujinami, The Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask in a loss to Naoki Sano, Shinjiro Otani, Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Ryusuke Taguchi where Taguchi pinned Liger.
Throughout the week, the hashtag #ThankYouLiger trended in the wrestling community with stars from WWE, AEW, ROH, NJPW, and all over the world sharing their favorite Liger memories.
One of the best I’ve ever been in the ring with @Liger_NJPW pic.twitter.com/kmUBajSuYH
— AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) January 5, 2020
Posing like my idol @Liger_NJPW #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/JIR6s8SSXN
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) January 5, 2020
There will never be another Jushin Liger. A true timeless icon. #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/XExxCDUbPB
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 5, 2020
A professor of psychology on the west coast wrote that idolizing “any one person inevitably leads to disappointment.” But that guy never met Jushin “Thunder” Liger.
I, on the other hand…did.
Plain Truth: without @Liger_NJPW, there is no Mike Quackenbush. #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/Z54Vrldr8U— Mike Quackenbush (@MikeQuackenbush) January 4, 2020
I’ve had the privilege of calling multiple Jushin “Thunder” Liger matches, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Liger was a tremendous inspiration for me becoming involved in pro-wrestling, and I am honored that he came to our little corner of the world.#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/sOQOTYnO9T
— Excalibur (@ShutUpExcalibur) January 4, 2020
A TRUE LEGEND! pic.twitter.com/hnzFIx3xRX
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) January 4, 2020
#ThankYouLiger @Liger_NJPW for an amazing, influential and trend setting career. It was a pleasure every time I had the privilege of competing against you. Also hello to @facdaniels & @EdgeRatedR since they are great brothers pictured in this random motley crew here. pic.twitter.com/8nHxSmADB2
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) January 4, 2020
Hey #ThankYouLiger one time in PWG you sacrificed your asshole to save mine from Tommaso Ciampa’s thumb then you danced around and for some reason we fought in slow motion also you’re the most tan man ever even though only your hands show
— Chuck Taylor (@SexyChuckieT) January 3, 2020
One of the greatest Xmas presents I could ever dream of. @PWAaustralia #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/bAF93bzATs
— Robbie Eagles (@RobbieEagles_) January 4, 2020
The “goosebumps” in wrestling sometimes don’t come as much as I was a kid.
But every time the beat drops of Jushin Thunder Liger’s theme the goosebumps are right there.
Thank you for being such a huge part of my life.#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/UTcuUg8Uoj
— ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴼˢᵖʳᵉᵃʸ • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) January 4, 2020
He is most definitely #Undisputed #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/AeMeHBPgIR
— Adam Cole (@AdamColePro) January 4, 2020
Had the pleasure of wrestling @Liger_NJPW in early 90’s in Japan for NJPW. A true professional & great talent. Congratulations on an amazing career tomodachi
尊敬 #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/74mSjY4FO7
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) January 4, 2020
For everything you did to influence and inspire us all, #ThankYouLiger
Also, Curry Man says thanks for teaching him English. Wherever he is, I’m sure he appreciates it! pic.twitter.com/QVlYs5GB4h
— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) January 4, 2020
I once asked Jushin Liger to give me a palm strike backstage at a show we were on for one of my Weekend Escapades videos on YouTube.
He hit me so hard that the phone went flying out of my hands and I bled profusely from my mouth after.
He’s the man.#ThankYouLiger
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) January 4, 2020
A legend and my biggest inspiration! #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/H0pYxFcgHa
— Jinny (@JinnyCouture) January 4, 2020
I was never lucky enough to step into the ring with him, but being around him, watching him live and being able to get feedback from him on a couple of my own matches was an honour. One of the greatest performers in the history of professional wrestling. An icon.#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/R3tj5c5ly8
— Ligero (@Ligero1) January 4, 2020
#ThankYouLiger for every lesson in that ring you’ve taught me, and for standing by and doing NOTHING while the Not So Great Muta tried to blind me. pic.twitter.com/XFtffQ87Nj
— Kenny King (@KennyKingPb2) January 4, 2020
Thanks for the bants @Liger_NJPW #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/jbaXwNtKid
— Session Moth Martina– マーティナセッション (@mothfromdaflats) January 3, 2020
It was an honor to be your first ever female partner / mixed tag match. Nicest legend evaaaa —- congrats on a very successful career. @Liger_NJPW pic.twitter.com/OZM9YUXgyc
— Mandy León (@MandyLeonxo) January 4, 2020
#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/qxZz0EdFZ5
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) January 4, 2020
#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/uHJj3UKE9l
— Roderick Strong (@roderickstrong) January 4, 2020
#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/SZcM4EsJpb
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 4, 2020
10月のドラディションさんに出させて頂いた時、このタイミングで言わないと、絶対後悔すると思い、お願いして撮っていただいた一枚。
この時は完全にプロレスファンでした
ありがとうございました。#pwzero1#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/qm18ufzqLb— 田中将斗(Masato Tanaka) (@masato_dangan01) January 4, 2020
#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/Rqq9JGOnxO
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) January 3, 2020
#ThankYouLiger — pic.twitter.com/0zUzmBD71V
— BLACKHEART (@NXTCiampa) January 3, 2020
#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/XMNYCdqpQY
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) January 3, 2020
He had a mouth like a sailor & never could seem to keep his hands off my Boys… But I am honored to have been afforded the opportunity to share the ring with @Liger_NJPW #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/iigTo5jvbw
— Dalton Castle (@theDALTONcastle) January 4, 2020
Hello.
There is a show at Tokyo Dome again today.
Liger’s real last day.
A great wrestler that I respect.
Thank you.#njwk14 #ThankYouLiger
— 小島 聡【SATOSHI KOJIMA】 (@cozy_lariat) January 4, 2020
One time, Liger brought me soup when I had the flu. True story.
And if you’re wondering, yes I did run out of the shower to get a picture with him years earlier right before he was about to wrestle. He doesn’t like stinky people. Or so I assumed.#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/sHYGWwHzwi
— CORINO (@StevenCorino) January 4, 2020
—- #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/c24349szJM
— NattieByNature (@NatbyNature) January 4, 2020
Just watched Jushin Thunder Liger’s last match in the parking lot of a Halal guys in Jersey and it wasn’t much different from watching his 8 hour Best of on my portable DVD player in my school bus! Wonderful! #ThankYouLiger
— Bad Boy Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) January 5, 2020
You can find full results from night two of Wrestle Kingdom 14 by clicking here.