Legendary Japanese wrestler Jushin Thunder Liger officially retired from in-ring competition at today’s New Japan Pro Wrestling New Year Dash event where his retirement ceremony was held to open the show.
The show opened with a video package highlighting several of Jushin Thunder Liger’s milestones over the years. Jushin Thunder Liger was introduced as the ring announcer asked for members of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster to make their way out. Hiroshi Tanahashi presented Jushin Thunder Liger with flowers before leaving to ringside as members of the CHAOS faction made their way out. Kazuchika Okada and the rest of the CHAOS faction presented Liger with more flowers, while Okada asked Liger to take a selfie with everyone that was in the ring.
Several of the New Japan Pro Wrestling staff members, including NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi and NJPW President Harold Meij, as well as Liger’s wife and son came out to present him with flowers, which led to several members of the roster who were at ringside, most noticeably Hiroshi Tanahashi to be seen visibly crying. The ring announcer then asked for Liger to turn his attention to the video screen as a message played from Antonio Inoki putting over Liger’s accomplishments throughout the years, with Inoki telling Liger to enjoy the next chapter of his life.
Jushin Thunder Liger said that he debuted in the Tokyo Dome and that yesterday, he had his last match in the venue, thanking Hiromu Takahashi and said that he was glad to be retired at the hands of Takahashi. Liger thanked the fans for supporting him for the past 31 years, but that Liger the wrestler is no more, however New Japan Pro Wrestling will continue to thrive thanks to everyone you see in the ring and those in the back. Liger said that his mother is at an advanced age and in poor health, but that she was at the Tokyo Dome and she made it here tonight and thanked her for raising him and being here for this weekend. Liger then thanked his wife and his son, saying that he made them lonely living this life as a wrestler, but now, he’s coming home so they will have to put up with him.
Hiroshi Tanahashi then said that he had one final request and that was if the fans knew the lyrics to Liger’s theme song, then they should join in and sing along. The theme song played as Tanahashi and Liger sang the song, before Liger left the ring, bowing to the crowd for the final time in his career.
The legacy of @Liger_NJPW!
Jyushin Thunder Liger Forever…
Watch #njdash NOW on https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP #njpw #njdash #ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/ywJ6RheIQS
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 6, 2020