NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 Night 2: Results, Grades, and Analysis

Naoki Sano & Jyushin Thunder Liger vs. Hiromu Takahashi (LIJ) & Ryu Lee: Jyushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match

Hiromu and LLiger started the match with Takahashi pushing Liger back to the ropes. Neither could get the advantage. After a brief exchange, Liger was able to lock on a surfboard on Hiromu. Liger eventually locked on the full move on Hiromu, but it was broken up by Ryu. It was at this point that they started to get the heat on Liger, including using a Fujiwara armbar while Fujiwara looked on himself.

Hiromu tried to keep the advantage, but Liger hit a bodyslam on both Lee and Hiromu. Sano tagged in and hit a missile dropkick from the top ropes before hitting a running dropkick on Lee and Hiromu both. Lee and Sano exchanged strike and Sano turned Lee inside out with a clothesline. Liger tagged back in with Hiromu and they started to exchange strikes.

Liger and Hiromu have always had chemistry and this was no exception, as Hiromu punched Liger in the corner. Liger powerbombed Hiromu from the corner and started slapping him. Ryu made the save and Liger and Sano were held by Hiromu as Ryu Lee went for the tope con giro. Liger and Sano moved, so Lee crashed into Hiromu.

Liger hit a huge powerbomb on Hiromu for a 2 count, and Hiromu hit a German suplex on Liger. Liger stood right up and hit a shotei, and then a brainbuster on Hiromu! Liger got a 2 count that Lee broke up. Lee hit a huge dive on Sano while Hiromu hit a falcon arrow on Liger for a 2 count.

Hiromu threw Liger into a knee strike from Lee, then he superkicked Liger. Both men hit combo knees for a 2 count. Hiromu hit a Death Valley Driver into the corner on Liger and picked him up for the Time Bomb, but Liger rolled through into a 2 count. Liger went for the shotei, but Hiromu countered with a lariat and then hit the Time Bomb for the pinfall.

Result: Hiromu Takahashi & Ryu Lee

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Hiromu yelled at Liger that he made the Jr. Heavyweight division and promised to carry on Liger’s legacy. Ryu Lee helped Liger up after the match and bowed to him, then hugged him, gave him one of his masks, and celebrated with him. Liger grabbed the mic for a speech, and the crowd went nuts cheering him. He talked about how Liger was born in 1989, and in 2019 that Liger the wrestler was no more. He thanked the fans for 31 years of support.

I am quite emotional about this one. Liger is one of my favourites of all time and seeing him hang it up when he is still so great is hard. Liger wanted to end his career on his terms and not as someone that couldn’t wrestle anymore. Liger high fived and shook hands with as many fans as possible and bowed to the fans as he left. Absolutely fantastic.