#43. Jushin “Thunder” Liger
Achievements/Accolades:
- 11-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 6-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion
- 2-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
Opinions on final placement:
“This man truly is a legend. The first time I saw Jushin “Thunder” Liger was in the opening match on the first ever WCW Nitro. Liger stood toe-to-toe with Flyin’ Brian Pillman & the two had a tremendous match. Liger spent very little time competing here in the States, but I’ve had the luck of witnessing him wrestle live multiple times. I’ve seen him compete against Homicide in Jersey All Pro Wrestling, against John Morrison at Pro Wrestling Syndicate & last year against Tyler Breeze at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. He definitely was an innovator in the ring & helped inspire a new generation of wrestlers to step foot in the ring. He’s still in tremendous physical condition & actively competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling.” — Jay Alletto
“One of the best and most memorable Japanese stars of all time. Very deserving of a spot on this list. Accurately positioned as is.” — Zack Heydorn
“Some of the criteria for this list include name recognition, influence on the industry and longevity. Looking at these three, and of course in-ring ability, it is impossible to look past Jushin Thunder Liger. The 51-year-old, has been wowing audiences across the globe for some 30 years, and is still a huge draw today; the anticipation that surround his appearance at NXT Takeover Brooklyn last year was a testament to this. Personally I feel he deserved to be higher on the list, somewhere nearer the top 30.” — Matt Burgess
“In my opinion, several other names from New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the Japanese wrestling culture could be above Liger, but when taking everything into account including longevity, influence on the business, name recognition, etc., there’s no question Liger should be represented on this list.” — Eron Ramadanov
Jones is so overrated – the guy was given the ball MULTIPLE times in TNA and did nothing for numbers – that is just fact.
Even in pre-Dixie times, that the idiot Universe CLAIM THEY worship.
Want more proof?
RAW Monday, with Allen Neal featured, got its lowest rating of the year.
The OTHER dirty little secret is that Goatface Bryan Danielson never got numbers either.
These guys only appeal to smarks.
On top of all that – AJ is botch heaven – he has SERIOUSLY injured a FEW guys in the last year.
And the look and persona he has now?
Was honed by Dixie in the end of his TNA days.
Jones is a traitor – he held up Dixie for money, when he didn’t draw flies.
Dixie isn’t a charity – you want more money? Do your job and put butts in the seats.
Jones had his chance and failed.
Peace out.
My top 5 wrestlers ever – this is based on not only skill, but the TOTAL package – what they did for wrestling, their record, interview skills – just EVERYTHING involved in making someone special.
Someone may have more skill, but the other guy above may not be as good in the ring, but was a bigger star due to interviewing, drew more attention to wrestling, etc.
This is my top 5 singles wrestlers EVER in order:
1. Hulk Hogan
2. Ric Flair
3. Roddy Piper
4. Bret Hart
5. Stone Cold Steve Austin
BONUS: My top 5 tag teams:
1. Road Warriors (always and forever)
2. Demolition ( a blatant rip-off – and somehow made it their own)
3. Tully and Arn
4. Midnight Express
5. Rock n Roll Express