THE MOSS COVERED THREE HANDLED FAMILY CREDENZA

ARTICLE #37
MAY 6, 2001

Full Circle II: Jushin Liger’s Comeback 1995-1996

Had Keichi Yamada not suffered one of the most unlikely and flukish injuries in recent wrestling history, this article would never have existed. In late-September 1994, Liger went to duck under a simple leapfrog from his opponent. He had done this hundreds if not thousands of times in his career. However, this time Liger appeared to simply dig his leg in too hard, or catch himself just the right (or wrong) way, and in the process rolled his ankle over in a very obvious-looking injury. Liger rolled to the apron and was carried out of the arena on a stretcher while the tag team match he was in went to the finish a few minutes early. Liger missed about 11 months of ring time due to the broken ankle, which was actually a better result than some had feared early on. At the time of his injury, Liger was still one of the most spectacular high flyers in Japan, and definitely a top 10 worker, although some rising stars such as Great Sasuke had recently emerged with aerial moves that raised the bar previously set by Liger. When Liger returned, it was clear that at least some of the athletic ability was gone. His early comeback matches were generally tentative, while his execution of many of his flying spots was very off. What really turned Liger into a legend in the ring was that he was able to adjust to his new limitations. To compensate for his smaller aerial moveset, Liger became a much stronger all-around performer and arguably the best lighter weight wrestler in terms of psychology and building a match from start to finish. This article takes a look at several of his more noteworthy matches during his comeback months, ending with the emergence of the new Liger.

Jushin Liger vs Brian Pillman 9/4/95 Monday Nitro debut episode

This was one of Liger’s first matches since his injury and perhaps his first singles match (but don’t quote me on that). They exchanged armringers at the start. Liger grabbed a headlock, whipped Pillman into the corner and scored with a koppo kick. Liger chopped Pillman and gave him a moonsault bodyblock for a near fall. Liger applied a chinlock. He chopped Pillman in the corner, whipped him into the opposite corner, but Pillman caught him coming in and gave him a headscissors takedown. Pillman landed a couple chops. Liger whipped Pillman into the corner but ran into a boot. Pillman went for a spinning huracanrana and more or less did it but Liger botched the bump. Pillman took down Liger and applied a modified abdominal t 6:55. Pretty much a sprint from start to finish. There were a couple timing problems, and the length of the match limited them a bit, but overall a very entertaining effort. Liger was clearly not back to 100 percent in terms of sharpness but worked hard and looked good. Pillman also worked harder than usual. Also, the atmosphere helped as fans ate this match up from start to finish. A fitting effort for the first Monday Nitro match ever. **3/4

Super J Cup 2ND Stage Quarterfinal: Jushin Liger vs Gran Naniwa 12/13/95

Naniwa attacked Liger before the bell and hit a top rope huracanrana and a plancha for a huge pop. Naniwa hit a top rope missile dropkick and a doctor bomb for a heated near fall. Naniwa gained a near fall with a huracanrana but Liger fought back with a powerbomb and a released German suplex. Liger and Naniwa traded some very good mat offense. Naniwa hit a somersault dive off the apron to the floor. Naniwa gained a near fall after a top rope splash and another after a top rope huracanrana. He gave Liger his spinning doctor bomb for a heated near fall. Liger gave Naniwa a koppo kick and a second one in the corner. Liger gained a near fall on Naniwa after a top rope elbow. Naniwa countered a powerbomb with a huracanrana for a great near fall. Liger gave Naniwa a brainbuster and pinned him at 9:13. A super, nearly flawless match with Naniwa turning in one of his better efforts. Liger also looked sharp in carrying Naniwa. ***3/4

Super J Cup 2ND Stage Semifinal: Jushin Liger vs Ultimo Dragon 12/13/95

They did good, solid matwork to start with both men trading the advantage often. They also traded tilt-a-whirl backbreakers. Liger dominated Dragon on the ground for a couple minutes. Both men popped the crowd with a fast exchange of offense. Liger dropkicked Dragon’s knee 3 times and hit a released German suplex. Liger applied a figure 4 leglock on Dragon. Dragon escaped and applied a sharpshooter. Dragon hit a handspring elbow and a fisherman suplex. He applied a figure 4 leglock on Liger at the 10 minute mark. Dragon knocked Liger out of the ring and hit a tope suicida in the corner. Dragon then hit a somersault plancha. Dragon gained a near fall with a powerbomb and a more heated near fall with a dragon suplex. Liger catapulted Dragon out of the ring and did a somersault dive off the apron. Liger gained a near fall with a powerbomb and another with a brainbuster. Liger hit a top rope headbutt for a near fall as heat picked up. Liger reversed a Dragon victory roll for a near fall. Dragon gained a near fall with a northern lights suplex. Liger scored with a koppo kick in the corner. Dragon countered a Liger top rope fisherman buster and gained a super near fall with la magistral. Dragon hit an in-ring quebrada but missed a moonsault. Liger hit a liger bomb for a great near fall. Dragon went for la magistral but Liger blocked it and gained the pin at 17:19 in a neat finish. Not as spectacular as Dragon-Otani, but better execution at times and also with a super closing stretch. Liger turned in another great performance, but Dragon himself showed why he was one of the more underrated workers of the 1990s. ****1/4

Super J Cup 2ND Stage Final: Jushin Liger vs Gedo 12/13/95

Liger dominated Gedo on the mat early on as one would expect. Liger mainly focused his attack on Gedo’s arm, including using a Fujiwara armbar. Liger applied a crossface chicken wing and then a cross armbreaker. Liger tombstoned Gedo and reapplied the chicken wing. Gedo escaped by kicking Liger before the belt. Liger charged to the corner but Gedo superkicked him. Gedo knocked Liger out of the ring and hit an Orihara moonsault. Gedo powerbombed Liger and hit a top rope headbutt for a near fall. Gedo applied the WAR special as heat picked up. Liger hit a koppo kick in the corner and hit a second one with Gedo trapped in the ropes. Liger went for a plancha but Gedo dropkicked him in mid-air. They clotheslined each other at 12:06 and heat picked up again. Liger attempted a German suplex but Gedo landed on his feet and gave Liger a huracanrana for a near fall. Liger caught Gedo and gained a dramatic near fall with a fisherman buster. Liger gained another near fall with a Liger bomb. Gedo hit a brainbuster and rolled up Liger for a heated near fall. Liger fought back with a DDT for a near fall. Liger hit a top rope fisherman buster and pinned Gedo at 15:47 to win the tournament. The first half was solid, but the second half was super. Again Liger did a great job carrying Gedo while Gedo followed his lead. Not the best match of the show, but a fitting and worthy final. ****

Jushin Liger (w/Sonny Onoo) vs Chris Benoit WCW Starrcade ‘95

Benoit overpowered Liger early. Benoit grabbed a headlock and tackled Liger. A criss cross exchange ended when Benoit took Liger down by the legs but Liger flipped him around. Liger gave Benoit a couple armdrags and dropkicked him out of the ring. Liger gave Benoit a baseball slide kick and hit a flip dive off the apron. Benoit overpowered Liger but Liger held his own and gave Benoit a huracanrana. Liger scored with a koppo kick and a chop. Benoit fought back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for an early near fall. Benoit attempted a powerbomb but Liger countered with an armdrag. Liger gave Benoit an overhead belly to belly suplex and dropkicked him out of the ring again. Liger then faked a tope. Back in the ring Benoit snap suplexed Liger. Benoit back suplexed Liger and clotheslined him. Benoit applied a Boston crab on Liger. Benoit landed a couple chops and a headbutt but Liger fought back with a bunch of palm strikes. Benoit held his ground and German suplexed Liger for a near fall. Liger took Benoit down by the legs and applied his Romero special. He then bent Benoit back with a rear chinlock while maintaining the hold on his legs. Liger applied a camel clutch but Benoit stood up and dropped Liger backwards. Benoit attempted a back suplex but Liger fell on top of him. Benoit attempted a tombstone but Liger countered with one of his own. Benoit caught Liger on the top rope and gave him a top rope superplex for a huge pop and a near fall. Benoit slammed Liger but missed a top rope headbutt. Liger gave Benoit a koppo kick in the corner and a Liger bomb for a near fall. Liger gave Benoit a brainbuster for a near fall. Benoit fought back with a clothesline and gave Liger two consecutive German suplexes. Benoit powerbombed Liger and hit a top rope headbutt. Kevin Sullivan suddenly ran to the ring and distracted Benoit. Liger then gave Benoit a very sloppy huracanrana and pinned him at 10:30. It’s too bad, because this was building to a super match before the poor finish. Not only did the interference take it down, but one of the worst huracanranas ever, by Liger of all people, hurt as well. Still, this was a very good match, mostly great, and Liger looked very sharp for the most part. In terms of structure, it was almost like a J-Cup sprint with quick pacing but reasonably logical build. ***1/4

IWGP Jr. Title: Koji Kanemoto (c) vs Jushin Liger 1/4/96

Liger had Kanemoto in a headscissors as footage began. Kanemoto escaped and applied a headlock. Kanemoto tried to apply a cross armbreaker but Liger reached the ropes. Kanemoto landed a stiff roundhouse kick but Liger fought back with a koppo kick in the corner. Liger trapped Kanemoto’s legs in the ropes in the corner and gave him another koppo kick. Liger gave Kanemoto a palm strike and a top rope huracanrana for a near fall as heat picked up. Liger gave Kanemoto four consecutive fisherman busters for a near fall. Liger then gave Kanemoto a brainbuster for a near fall. Liger chopped Kanemoto and attempted a brainbuster but Kanemoto countered. Kanemoto attempted a German suplex but Liger countered and nearly sent Kanemoto into orbit with a great released German suplex. Kanemoto left the ring but Liger gave him a baseball slide kick. Liger then hit a plancha on Kanemoto. Back in the ring Liger attempted a top rope huracanrana but Kanemoto held his ground and Liger crashed to the canvas. Kanemoto kicked Liger and gave him a spin kick. He slammed Liger and hit a second rope corkscrew senton. Kanemoto missed a moonsault and Liger dropkicked his left knee. Liger gave Kanemoto a top rope brainbuster for a near fall. Liger gave Kanemoto a backbreaker but Kanemoto caught him on the top rope. Kanemoto attempted a top rope superplex but Liger knocked him to the canvas with a shoda. Liger went for a top rope splash but crashed headfirst onto Kanemoto’s boots. Kanemoto gave Liger a top rope huracanrana and a dropkick after which he placed one boot on Liger to gain a near fall. Kanemoto gave Liger a Liger bomb of his own and moonsaulted him for a heated near fall. Kanemoto tiger suplexed Liger and moonsaulted him again for a near fall. Kanemoto slammed Liger but missed a top rope corkscrew senton. Liger then gave Kanemoto la magistral for a near fall. Kanemoto suplexed Liger and jumped off the top rope but Liger gave him a shoda in mid-air. Liger gave Kanemoto a Liger bomb for a near fall and gained a more heated near fall with a second Liger bomb. Liger gave Kanemoto a shoda and a third Liger bomb for a near fall. Liger gave Kanemoto a backbreaker and hit a twisting moonsault (almost a skytwister) for the pin at 18:06 (9:53 aired). Based on what aired this was a super match. Liger completed his comeback by winning the title that was synonymous with his identity from 1989-1994. He looked very sharp and focused, perhaps the best he had looked to date after his comeback. Kanemoto was also excellent as his work was sharp and stiff, and his charisma really added to the match. I’ve heard that the early build really added to the match, but none of it aired on TV. From what aired I would call this an excellent match, but not one of Liger’s best. ****

IWGP Jr. title: Jushin Liger (champion) vs Shinjiro Otani 3/17/96

A super, nearly flawless match that was a textbook example of the New Japan juniors style. TV footage began about four minutes into the match as Otani held the advantage on the mat. He worked on Liger's left arm for a couple minutes using various submission holds. Liger fought back and dropkicked Otani's left knee, although Liger sold the pain in his arm. The two then traded the advantage with a variety of holds on the mat. Liger hit a koppo kick on Otani and hit a brainbuster about ten minutes into the match. Liger continued to dominate with Otani playing his underdog role well. Otani applied an armlock on Liger's left arm but Liger escaped and hit Otani in the corner with another koppo kick. Liger dropkicked Otani to the floor but Otani sidestepped a pescado. Otani then hit a great springboard plancha on Liger. Otani hit his springboard spin kick (swan dive) on Liger for a near fall as heat picked up. Liger hit a spectacular released German suplex and a koppo kick. Liger gained a near fall with a top rope splash and another more heated near fall with a Liger bomb. Otani countered a second Liger bomb with a huracanrana and hit a spinning savate kick. Otani hit a top rope frankensteiner and a German suplex for a heated near fall. Otani hit his springboard missile dropkick and applied a cross-armbar on Liger as heat reached a fever pitch. Liger surprised Otani with a sleeper and gained a near fall with la magistral. Liger gained another near fall with a fisherman buster. Otani fought back and hit a top rope missile dropkick and two dragon suplexes for a super near fall. Liger blocked another dragon suplex attempt and knocked Otani out with a shoda and scored the pin at 20:27. Exemplary New Japan juniors match with the matwork early and all the big moves and hot near falls in the closing seven minutes. In many ways, this resembled the Otani-Ultimo Dragon classic later in the year, only this was slightly longer. ****3/4

IWGP Jr. Title: Jushin Liger (c) vs Great Sasuke 4/29/96

Liger immediately missed a koppo kick and Sasuke missed a spin kick. Sasuke hit a spinning mule kick and followed with a spectacular (as usual) tope con hilo, all within the first 15 seconds. Sasuke slammed Liger and legdropped him before applying an armlock. Liger scored with a dropkick to Sasuke’s leg and a second dropkick to his right knee. Liger applied something of a rear leg grapevine while maintaining a headscissors on Sasuke. Liger gave Sasuke a koppo kick in the corner and went back to attacking Sasuke’s right knee. Liger trapped Sasuke’s right leg in the ropes and hit a running lariat. Liger landed a couple kneelifts as Sasuke reentered the ring but Sasuke knocked him out of the ring with a handspring elbow. Sasuke then kicked Liger and hit his uncatchable Asai moonsault, flying over the barricade and into the announcers’ area in the process. Sasuke slammed Liger and hit a twisting splash, almost like Sayama’s version of the moonsault, for a near fall. Sasuke hit an in-ring quebrada on Liger for a near fall. After several German suplex counters back and forth, Sasuke rolled up Liger and bridged for a near fall. Sasuke jumped off the top rope seemingly going for a huracanrana but Liger caught him and powerbombed him. Liger knocked Sasuke out of the ring with a koppo kick and hit a plancha. Back in the ring Liger gave Sasuke a brainbuster. He then gave Sasuke a fisherman buster for a heated near fall. Liger hit a top tope huracanrana for a near fall but like the 4/16/94 match held out his arms and Sasuke flipped him over for a near fall of his own. Liger caught Sasuke on the top rope and gave him a top rope fisherman buster for a heated near fall. Liger gave Sasuke a backbreaker and climbed to the top rope but Sasuke met him with a dropkick. Sasuke headbutted Liger and attempted a top rope huracanrana but Liger held his ground and Sasuke flipped hard to the mat. Liger then came off the top rope with a Takako panic (knee to the head) on Sasuke. Liger then locked on his favorite submission hold, the crossface chicken wing, and Sasuke reached the ropes 30 seconds later. Liger dropkicked Sasuke’s knee but ran into a superkick from Sasuke. Liger responded with a shoda for a near fall. Sasuke gave Liger a huracanrana for a near fall. He powerbombed Liger and pinned him with a tiger suplex at 19:27 (10:46 aired) to win the title. Most ratings I’ve seem for this match have ranged from **** to ****1/2, and that’s a realistic range. This was a super match, maybe even a classic, but hardly their best match and clearly not as great as their J-Cup match. From what little aired if it the build looked pretty solid although not really dramatic. The closing 6 minutes or so were great with most of their big moves used. However, I thought the closing stretch lost a bit of steam near the end, although not enough to really hurt the match. The crowd heat, while not great was really good for a juniors match at the Tokyo Dome. The 9 minutes that were edited for TV might paint a clearer picture, but I am sure this was an excellent match. ****1/4

Next Issue: WAR Games

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