We knew it was coming, but we still weren’t ready. NJPWWorld’s servers may not have been either, because Jushin “Thunder” Liger’s final match at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on Sun., Jan. 5 seems to have played a role in crashing their servers.
That’s because emotions were high around the wrestling world as the 55 year old legend opened the main card of New Japan’s second night in the Tokyo Dome, teaming with Naoki Sano in tag action against the newly crowned IWGP Junior Heavyweight champ Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu “Dragon” Lee.
Just as he did in an eight-man match on Saturday, and as he’s done throughout his farewell tour, Liger went out the way many believe you’re supposed to - on your back. He did the job for Takahashi after taking a Time Bomb.
今日のライガーは強かった
— あや (@aya_cho777) January 5, 2020
31年間お疲れ様でした。そしてありがとうございました #njwk15 #njpw #njpwworld #worldwide#ThankYouLiger pic.twitter.com/xG6AZqhhlh
That was followed by a farewell speech, which is what a lot of viewers missed out on when streams froze.
A wrestling career ends, but the legend will live forever. THANK YOU @Liger_NJPW!! #ThankYouLiger #njwk14
— TDE Wrestling (@tde_wrestling) January 5, 2020
➡️ https://t.co/nA6zFRMmxQ pic.twitter.com/UIFiw16yVd
#LigerTheFinal#njwk14 pic.twitter.com/fOEeJFJoon
— GIF Skull - #njwk14 #wk14 Copyright Trolls Go Away (@GIFSkull) January 5, 2020
He’ll have an official retirement ceremony tomorrow at New Year’s Dash.
Get all the results from night two of Wrestle Kingdom 14 here.