#280: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Minoru Suzuki, NJPW King of Pro Wrestling (10/14/2019).
This is certainly a special kind of singles match. With his retirement arriving at Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 5th, 2020, this match was the last major singles match in the legendary career of Jushin Thunder Liger, arguably the greatest Junior Heavyweight wrestler of all time. And boy, did it happen in the greatest of circumstances.
On March 7th, Liger announced in a press conference that he would have his final match at Wrestle Kingdom the coming January. From that moment on, Minoru Suzuki made it his mission to destroy Liger beforehand. They clashed multiple times on undercard tags for the remainder of the year, and each time, Suzuki always came within a hair of wiping Liger from existence. They brawled wildly, and it was a proper highlight for New Japan at the time.
Things truly escalated during the Destruction in Kobe show in September. During a tag match, Suzuki once again went after Liger with no remorse. This time, however, was different: Liger was prepared. He low blowed Suzuki, and tore off his ring gear and mask to reveal āKishin Liger,ā his evil alter ego that heād only brought three times prior. Once revealed, Liger then attempted to stab Suzuki with a spike, only to stab right through a table instead.
Something had to give, and this singles encounter was set for King of Pro Wrestling in the legendary Sumo Hall. Would Suzuki have his wish and destroy Liger once and for all, or would Liger have one final victory dance on the road to his retirement? Liger is in full Battle Liger form for this match, and he looks to be in fantastic shape! Who said this man is retiring soon?
The bell sounds, and we are under way. The crowd is molten for this, and they havenāt even locked up yet. They tease going for the hands, and they back away tentatively. Suzuki is all smirks, while Liger is all business. Liger takes the arm, and Suzuki pushes him away. Liger spits right in his face, and then drops to the mat. Heās inviting Suzuki in for a grappling match! Suzuki obliges, and they tussle on the mat, before breaking off again.
Liger with a drop toe hold, and Suzuki quickly looks to tie up the arm in a Kimura Lock. He twists and twists on the shoulder, until Liger is able to get his leg on the ropes to break the hold. Now Suzuki drops to the mat, looking to bait Liger into a trap. Liger gets in the half guard briefly, before trapping Suzukiās leg in a leg lock submission. He transitions into a Triangle Choke submission, which causes Suzuki to get to the ropes now. Liger holds on for just a few extra seconds, for added measure.
He runs the ropes and dropkicks Suzuki in the head, sending him to the floor. He irish whips him into the ringside barricade, and then kicks him in the chest. Liger repeats it, this time sending Suzuki crashing chest first into the steel. He grabs a chair and swings it so hard at the barricade that it breaks. He argues with the referee, which leads to Suzuki kicking him right in the face. Now Murder Grandpa is in control, as he whips Liger into the barricade.
Suzuki grabs a chair, and swings it violently into Ligerās shoulder and back. He also breaks the chair apart! Suzuki ties Ligerās arm up in the barricade, and he even tries ripping at his mask. The fans heavily boo this. Liger argues with Suzuki, and chops him repeatedly. On the apron, Suzuki tries for the mask again, before turning into an arm bar submission on the ropes. Suzuki with a heavy headbutt that drops Liger to the mat.
Suzuki is toying with Liger now, as he elbows him in the head, and then trash talks him from afar. Suzuki shoves his head away, but Liger isnāt backing down. He chops away, but ends up getting a boot to the face. Another boot in the corner, and Suzuki goes for a PK, but Liger counters it and lands a running forearm in the corner. Suzuki responds with multiple elbows to the head. Liger fires back with a big clothesline.
Suzuki blocks a suplex attempt and locks in the Sleeper Hold briefly. He taunts at Liger, who catches him in an arm bar submission! Suzuki rolls himself to the ropes to break the hold, but Liger is still on him. He lands a knee to the chest, and then hyperextends the arm across his shoulder. Liger does it again, and he seems content with his punishment of Suzuki. He goes for it a third time, and Suzuki escapes and reapplies the Sleeper Hold.
Liger tries to force his way free, but Suzuki maintains control of the submission. Liger is starting to fade. Suzuki transitions to the Gotch Style Piledriver, and now Liger is trying to fight it off! He lands a back body drop to escape, and then a Lou Thesz Press for a two count! Liger lands a brainbuster to Suzuki, which also gets him a 2 count. Liger sets up for something, but Suzuki is right back up to land a running dropkick.
Suzuki unloads with multiple slaps to the face, but Liger will not relent! Suzuki wants some slaps from the legend! Liger gives him some, and then Suzuki hits some more. They continue to taunt each other, until Liger collapses after trying another strike. Suzuki wants more, and Liger is doing his best. Suzuki finally drops him to the mat with a stiff elbow to the jaw. A few nore chops by Liger, but Suzuki will not go down. Another elbow to the face, and now Suzuki positions Liger for the Gotch Style Piledriver. It lands flush, and Suzuki makes the cover. Thatās enough for the 3 to take the win.
Post match, Suzuki grabs a chair and looks to cause further damage, but instead he tosses it aside, and bows to Liger in the ring. The ultimate sign of respect, from one legend to another. Yeah, that was awesome. That had a lot of aura around it that helped it a lot. It felt like a true grudge match without having to go overboard. They kept it simple, and their actions throughout sold the animosity that had built up really well.
Liger looked awesome here as the valiant babyface looking for one final victory lap, while Suzuki was relentless as the nasty heel determined to destroy whatever legacy stood in front of him. In the end, Liger went out on his back ā as he did for the entirety of his retirement tour, all the way to his final match at Wrestle Kingdom 14. Suzukiās respect in the post match was great to see, a small smidge of humanity from someone who always comes off like a movie monster in his matches. Great stuff here.