On January 5, 2020, at Wrestle Kingdom 14, Jushin Liger wrestled the final match of his legendary career. In doing so, he joined the elite club of wrestlers who competed across five different decades—the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. His retirement wasn’t just the end of an era for NJPW; it was a farewell to one of the most important figures in the history of professional wrestling.
Liger and Rikidōzan – A Legacy Connection
Although Jushin Liger and Rikidōzan never crossed paths—Rikidōzan died in 1963, the year before Liger was born—the two are linked through legacy. Rikidōzan laid the foundation for Japanese wrestling in the 1950s, inspiring future promotions like NJPW, where Liger became a star. Without Rikidōzan’s pioneering work, the stage for Liger’s five-decade career may never have existed.
From the Dawn of Hulkamania to the Modern Era
Liger debuted on March 3, 1984, just weeks after Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to launch Hulkamania. While Hogan went on to dominate American pop culture, Liger became a global constant, embodying a very different vision of wrestling. Where Hogan was spectacle, Liger was substance—reliable, consistent, and always innovative.
Innovator of the High-Flying Style
Long before Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, or PAC thrilled fans with aerial artistry, Jushin Liger was setting the standard. His blend of explosive dives, submission wrestling, and crisp power moves influenced generations of cruiserweights. The Liger Bomb (sit-out powerbomb) remains a staple today, while his variations of the Shooting Star Press and surfboard submissions were decades ahead of their time.
His legendary series with Naoki Sano in 1989–90 showcased the Junior Heavyweight style at its absolute peak, while matches with stars like Ultimo Dragon and The Great Sasuke brought Japanese high-flying wrestling into international spotlight.
The Monday Night Wars and WCW Fame
When WCW launched Nitro in 1995, Eric Bischoff made a bold choice: the very first match would be Brian Pillman vs. Jushin Liger. The contest set the tone for WCW’s cruiserweight revolution.
From there, Liger helped pave the way for a division that would introduce U.S. fans to names like Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, and Chris Benoit. These wrestlers carried the cruiserweight ethos into the mainstream, but it was Liger’s pioneering style that proved smaller athletes could steal the show.
NJPW Legend and Junior Heavyweight King
In New Japan, Jushin Liger became the undisputed face of the Junior Heavyweight division. His accolades include:
- 11-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
- Multiple-time J-Crown champion
- Over 2,200 combined days as champion—more than double the next closest competitor
- Dozens of standout performances in Best of the Super Juniors tournaments
Modern stars like Kushida, Finn Bálor (Fergal Devitt), and Will Ospreay all followed the path Liger helped build. Even heavyweights such as Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, and Stone Cold Steve Austin respected his ability to make smaller wrestlers headline material.
A Global Career Beyond Japan
What makes Liger unique is how far-reaching his influence was. He competed in almost every major promotion worldwide, including:
- WWF/E – wrestling in 1990 and returning an incredible 25 years later in 2015 to face Tyler Breeze at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn
- WCW – one of the earliest Japanese stars to become a U.S. television regular
- ROH – bringing credibility to its early years with marquee matches
- TNA/Impact Wrestling – appearing in the X Division, which was built in his image
- CMLL in Mexico – carrying lucha libre traditions into Japan and vice versa
- Pro Wrestling NOAH and PWG – bridging generations and continents
Very few wrestlers—perhaps only legends like Terry Funk, The Wild Samoans, or The Undertaker—can claim such breadth of global influence.
Personality and Character
Unlike many masked wrestlers who relied on mystique or darkness, Jushin Liger was inspired by anime and designed as a colourful superhero. This instantly connected him with children and casual fans while still giving hardcore audiences elite wrestling matches. His mask and costume became as iconic as his moves, making him one of the most recognisable wrestlers in the world.
A Retirement with Class
Liger’s final two matches at Wrestle Kingdom 14 were everything a farewell should be: emotional, competitive, and respectful of tradition. He went out on his back, allowing the next generation to shine. In an era where stars like Hogan and others often resisted doing the honours, Liger retired with dignity, his reputation untarnished.
Liger vs. Dustin Rhodes: Parallel Paths
Though their careers rarely crossed—sharing only a brief moment together at Starrcade 1991’s Battle Bowl—Jushin Liger and Dustin Rhodes now share an everlasting bond. Both wrestled in five different decades, adapting to the industry’s many shifts, and both proved that longevity and reinvention are possible with passion and resilience.
The Legacy of Jushin Liger
Liger was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2020, WWE honoured him with induction into their Hall of Fame class. His accolades and influence extend far beyond championships.
He inspired generations of cruiserweights, helped globalise Japanese wrestling, and proved that a masked hero could be every bit as important to wrestling as a Hulk Hogan or a Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Jushin Liger may have retired in 2020, but his legacy remains alive every time a masked wrestler takes flight, every time junior heavyweights headline a card, and every time fans remember the bright, fiery figure who stood as wrestling’s superhero for over 35 years.
