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Tokyo Sports reported this morning that the legendary Jushin "Thunder" Liger, who retired earlier this year at New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom at the Tokyo Dome, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020. The rumor that Liger was going in had bounced around for months, but this was the official confirmation. The Hall of Fame ceremony is still officially listed for Thursday 4/2 in Tampa, Florida, as part of Wrestlemania 36 weekend, a series of festivities that seem less and less likely to happen on their original date due to the current coronavirus outbreak in the United States.
Liger, 55, is one of the most revolutionary, decorated and popular Junior Heavyweight wrestlers of all time and one of the most iconic masked performers as well. He held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship 11 times and is a former WCW Light Heavyweight Champion, a title he held during his legendary 1991-1992 feud with the late Brian Pillman.
Liger made one lone appearance for WWE at the first-ever Takeover: Brooklyn event, where he defeated Tyler Breeze. Beyond New Japan, he appeared in the United States for Ring of Honor, PWG, Jersey All Pro, PWX and countless other promotions, where he was very much loved universally by wrestlers and fans alike.
Liger told Tokyo Sports he was excited about the award, commenting, "I just wanted to have fun, or because I love professional wrestling, I thought I'd do what I liked. As a result, the fans said," I love Liger." So, this time, I received the medal, but it feels like I took it with my fans from Japan and abroad."
Liger said that he was uncertain what would happen with the Hall of Fame ceremony, but he would like to receive the honor in person if possible.
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