13 More Interpromotional Dream Wrestling Matches We Must See
2. Jushin Liger (NJPW) Vs. Atlantis (CMLL)
Historically, it's bad news when dream matches don't happen until both participants are nearing retirement age. For every Michaels/Flair from WrestleMania, you get ten Sting/Hogans from Bound For Glory, you know? But if there are any two pentagenarians that could piece together a great match in the twilight of their careers, it's Jushin Thunder Liger and Atlantis. In 2015, both men turned in great performances, losing no steps in the ring with younger rivals in their athletic primes: Liger made history by debuting in WWE to beat Tyler Breeze, while Atlantis had a debatable career-best performance in an epic lucha de apuestas victory over La Sombra. The tale of the tape reveals the competitors to be evenly matched: Atlantis is 58/181 lbs, and 53 years old with 33 years pro; Liger is 57/209 and 51 years with 32 of those in the ring. Atlantis has slowed down more than Liger has, but the wear of age has affected his style less; Atlantis has historically favored a submission-based style, while Liger has had to emphasize his striking and grappling as his flying skill has eroded. Indeed, Atlantis is still more than capable of executing his Atlantida spinning backbreaker rack, while Liger hasn't been regularly using his original finisher, the Shooting Star Press, for decades. What Should Happen: A 2-out-of-3-falls match. Liger takes the first fall with a shotei, Atlantis gets a submission for the second, and Liger steals the tie-breaking fall with a running Liger Bomb from the corner.
