Jushin "Thunder" Liger
9 I.W.G.P. World Jr.Heavyweight Titles
1992 & 1994 Winner of Best of Super Junior Tournament
Jushin Liger began his career under his real name Keichi Yamada.
Yamada began wrestling in 1984 at the age of 19. However, it wasn't until April 24th, 1989, that Jushin
"Thunder" Liger actually debuted. This is because Yamada was sent to North America for seasoning, as is custom in
New Japan. Upon returning, Yamada was given the gimmick "Jushin Liger", which is a popular comic book
character in Japan. Jushin Liger debuted in the first-ever Tokyo Dome show for New Japan on April 24th, 1989. |
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By the early 1990's, Liger began booking the New Japan junior heavyweight division. Two elements of his booking
style began to emerge. The first was a solid mix of juniors from all different leagues in Japan. He instituted an open door
policy for the division which increased the quality and freshness of the matches and division as a whole. The second element
of his booking which developed was the tournament format as a new form of competition amongst the juniors. |
In 1991, Liger made his US debut by defeating the late Brian Pillman for the WCW Lightheavyweight Title.
His style was a huge contrast to the plodding heavyweights. Liger and Pillman had a classic series of bouts which
culminated with his losing the strap to Pillman at Superbrawl II. Liger's mark; however, was left on the US fans. He gave them
a taste for what would become the future Cruiserweight Division. |
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In August of 1996, Liger, the booker, pulled off the greatest political
deal of his career. He convinced 8 different leagues to send their junior champion to a winner-take-all
8 man tournament. While Liger did not go on to win this initial tournament, he would eventually
capture the J-Crown, all 8 junior heavyweight titles. |
Jushin "Thunder" Liger's style of wrestling consists of a solid matwork base, coupled with
incredible high flying moves. His style was the precursor to the likes of Rey Misterio Jr. and
Chris Benoit. He has also worked with the likes of Ultimo Dragon, Great Sasuke, Eddie Guerrero,
and Dean Malenko. He continues to be the centerpiece of the most talented, well booked wrestling division
anywhere in the world. His style of booking may soon be felt on the US, as WCW Cruiserweight booker Dean Malenko
plans on holding a cruiserweight tourney in the same mold as Liger's from Japan.
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Liger is truly an innovater and a trendsetter in the sport of
professional wrestling. He did what no one in the genre thought was possible: have
juniors gain fan interest independent of the heavyweights. That, in and of itself,
cements his place in the Hall Of Fame. |
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