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TOKYO,JAPAN - MARCH 6: Jushin Thunder Liger looks on during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Ota City general Gymnasium on March 6, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO,JAPAN - MARCH 6: Jushin Thunder Liger looks on during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Ota City general Gymnasium on March 6, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)Masashi Hara/Getty Images

NJPW, WCW, WWE, ROH Legend Jushin Thunder Liger to Retire at Tokyo Dome in 2020

Mike Chiari
Mar 7, 2019

Wrestling legend Jushin "Thunder" Liger announced Thursday that he will officially retire next year, with his final match taking place at the Tokyo Dome in January 2020:

The 54-year-old Liger held a press conference to discuss his plans, which will include a final send-off at Wrestle Kingdom 14, New Japan Pro-Wrestling's biggest show of the year:

Liger's career began in 1984, and he has competed for the past 35 years, establishing himself as arguably the greatest junior heavyweight of all time.

Wrestling into 2020 meansย Ligerย will have competed across five decades by the time he retires. He has also competed in almost every major wrestling company in the world, including New Japan,ย WWE,ย WCW, Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah andย CMLL.

Ligerย has won multiple championships during his time inย NJPW, including theย IWGPย Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships six times and theย IWGPย Junior Heavyweight Championship a record 11 times.

Because of his success and longevity,ย Ligerย has left a huge impression on many within the wrestling world, including fellow junior heavyweight Willย Ospreay:

ROHย play-by-play announcer Ianย Riccaboniย also has fond memories of the legendary performer:

For those who haven't followed New Japan closely over the years, they may be most familiar withย Ligerย from his time inย WCWย from 1991-1992 and 1995-1999. Heย became the second holder of theย WCWย Light Heavyweight Championship in 1991, and he went on to appear in the first-ever match on Mondayย Nitroย in 1995.

More recently,ย Ligerย made the first and only televised appearance of his career withย WWEย in 2015 atย NXTย TakeOver: Brooklyn, where he defeated Tyler Breeze.

Ligerย has worked on the New Japanย undercardย in recent years and continues to do remarkable things in the ring of a high-flying and technical nature even at his age. He also remains one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan, which has made him a major asset for the company.

Announcing his retirement 10 months ahead of time will giveย Ligerย an opportunity to have a proper retirement tour, and there will also be plenty of time to set up the ideal storyline and match for him to go out on at Wrestle Kingdom 14.

Listen toย Ring Rust Radioย for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player belowย (warning: some languageย NSFW).

ELLY HR OUT OF THE PARK ๐Ÿ˜ณ