12 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2019

4. Jushin Liger Steps Up

Taiji Ishimori Jushin Liger
NJPW

Taiji Ishimori's next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title defence came to life seconds after he had felled Ryusuke Taguchi.

Still buzzing with adrenaline, 'Bone Soldier' took the middle of the ring and shot his gaze to ringside, where the legendary Jushin 'Thunder' Liger sat in the announce booth. He called him into the ring. Liger hesitated momentarily, selling his surprise at the situation, before eventually getting up, rolling inside, and answering the obvious challenge.

Per the live translation, Liger promised that Ishimori would regret calling him out, then told him he was willing to face him "any time, any place." Thus, the match is effectively confirmed.

This should be fun. Liger is 54 years old and hasn't fought the belt since losing to KUSHIDA back in May 2016. On top of this, his last Best of the Super Juniors run (2017) ended with just a single victory. In kayfabe and real-life, he isn't the performer he used to be, but he's still great in the surly, p*ssed-off veteran role, and should be able to make magic with the hyper-athletic Ishimori.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.