13 Ups & 1 Down From NJPW's 47th Anniversary Show
9. Jushin Liger: Still Great
A pioneering Junior Heavyweight in his prime, Jushin 'Thunder' Liger isn't afforded opportunities like this very often. His last title fight came in May 2016, when he wrestled KUSHIDA for the belt, so it was a big surprise when Taiji Ishimori grabbed the microphone to challenge the veteran at The New Beginning In Osaka, albeit a welcome one.
Did the 54-year-old deliver? Yes, far beyond the level anyone could reasonably expect from a performer of his age.
This version of Liger isn't going to dazzle in the same way his opponent does, but just think about how old he is for a second. The man's career is almost as aged (35 years) as Ishimori (36). The Undertaker is a year younger, yet walks like a man closer to 80. All this and Liger can still go toe-to-toe with one of the best Junior Heavyweights in the world, put his body on the line with bumps from the apron, and take his opponent's biggest bombs without wavering.
Liger lost, because of course he did. That was always going to the be case. Still, he delivered the goods in what could be his last opportunity of this magnitude.