Wrestling enthusiasts at a recent tournament got an exciting surprise when New Japan Pro Wrestling icon Jushin Thunder Liger made a comeback to the ring to face former AEW star Joey Janela. Liger, who had retired in 2020 after a distinguished three-decade career, stepped back into action at the WrestleCade event, answering Janela’s open challenge. The match, which lasted about four minutes, ended with Liger securing the victory.
Despite his defeat, Janela was thrilled to wrestle against the WWE Hall of Famer, sharing that he grew up watching Liger’s matches. “I thought I saw a ghost! At 16, I used to watch a 7-hour Jushin Liger compilation on my portable DVD player during the bus ride home from high school. Now, 20 years later, WrestleCade made this dream come true—it feels incredible!” Janela expressed. Since retiring, Liger has taken on roles as a guest commentator for New Japan Pro Wrestling and made an appearance at AEW’s 2023 Owen Hart Cup alongside Ricky Starks. The WrestleCade event, held from November 28th to 30th in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, featured several prominent wrestlers including Ricky Morton, The Hardy Boyz, JBL, Matt Cardona, and Nick Nemeth.
Fan Take: This news is huge for AEW fans because it reconnects the present wrestling scene with a legendary figure whose influence spans generations. Jushin Thunder Liger’s return not only pays homage to wrestling history but also energizes the sport by bridging styles and audiences, potentially inspiring fresh storylines and collaborations in AEW’s future.
