Nine times IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion, Jushin "Thunder" Liger is always a key person in the Junior Heavyweight scene here in Japan. He has had a big aspiration and made a lot of efforts to hype fans' interests in "Junior."
Keiichi Yamada was born in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, on Monday, November 30, 1964. He attended Hiroshima Denki Institute of Technology High School and did amateur wrestling (free style / 75 kg). He had been longing to become a professional wrestler for New Japan Pro Wrestling; however, his size (170cm / 97 kg) let him go to Mexico and learn Lucha Libre in April 1983. When Tatsumi Fujinami had the UWA World Heavyweight title match against Canek, and Original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) had the WWF Junior Heavyweight title match against Fishman on the UWA show at El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos on June 12, 1983, New Japan Pro executive, Kotetsu Yamamoto scouted him to New Japan Pro's Dojo. He trained very hard with Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono, Akira Nogami, and Masaharu Funaki (Masakatsu Funaki in Pancrase) in the dojo and debuted as a professional wrestler against Shunji Kosugi at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on March 3, 1984. He beat Tatsutoshi Goto to win the second annual "Young Lions Championship" tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym on March 26, 1986. He left Narita Airport for England on September 26, 1986. Yamada, as Flying Fuji Yamada, beat Rollerball Mark Rocco to win the All Star Promotion's World Heavy Middleweight Title in Croydon, England on March 3, 1987.
Yamada came back to Japan on August 11, 1987. He surprised fans with his original "Shooting Star Press" at Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) for the first time on August 20, 1987. In those days, Riki Choshu and his army had just returned from All Japan Pro to New Japan Pro after a two-year absence. He improved as a junior heavyweight wrestler with a lot of rivals.
He left Narita Airport again on January 4, 1989, and had wrestling and training in England and Calgary. He created a unique style and great blend of aerial moves and martial arts. At the Tokyo Dome on April 24, 1989, a new masked man, "Jushin Liger," debuted and defeated Kuniaki Kobayashi (9:55). His character was from a Japanese comic artist, Go Nagai's Jushin "Riger."
He came up with the name Jushin "Thunder" Liger in January, 1990. ("Jushin" means "God of the Beast." There are two ways of spelling---"Liger" and "Lyger"---by even New Japan Pro themselves. I use "Liger" [laigar], as a son of Lion and Tiger.)
Keiichi Yamada (Jushin Liger) and Masanori
July 19, 1986---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Nobuhiko Takada beat Keiichi Yamada (17:26)---Takada kept the title.
June 10, 1988---Hiroshima Prefectural Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Owen Hart beat Keiichi Yamada (13:33)---Owen kept the title.
December 9, 1988---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Shiro Koshinaka beat Keiichi Yamada (15:48)---Koshinaka kept the title.
May 25, 1989---Osaka Castle Hall
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin Liger beat Hiroshi Hase (8:39)---Liger became the ninth champion.
July 12, 1989---Osaka Furitsu Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin Liger beat Black Tiger (Rollerball Mark Rocco)---Liger kept the title.
July 13, 1989---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin Liger beat Naoki Sano (13:55 double knockout)---Liger kept the title.
August 10, 1989---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Naoki Sano beat Jushin Liger (15:38)---Sano became the 10th champion.
September 20, 1989---Osaka Castle Hall
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Naoki Sano beat Jushin Liger (18:23)---Sano kept the title.
January 31, 1990---Osaka Furitsu Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Naoki Sano (20:00)---Liger became the 11th champion.
March 19, 1990---Hiroshima Prefectural Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Pegasus Kid (Chris Benoit) (15:21)---Liger kept the title.
Pegasus Kid (Chris Benoit) with Masanori
August 19, 1990---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Pegasus Kid (Chris Benoit) beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (15:02)---Pegasus became the 12th champion.
November 1, 1990---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Pegasus Kid (12:32)---Liger became the 13th champion.
December 26, 1990---Hamamatsu Arena, Shizuoka
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Negro Casas (16:37)---Liger kept the title.
March 21, 1991---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat AKIRA (Akira Nogami) (16:08)---Liger kept the title.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title was vacated for the Top Of The Super Junior #2 Tournament.
April 30, 1991---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Top Of The Super Junior #2 Tournament Final
Norio Honaga beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (21:54)---Honaga became the 14th champion.
May 31, 1991---Osaka Castle Hall
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Norio Honaga beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (12:32)---Honaga kept the title.
June 12, 1991---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Norio Honaga (13:42)---Liger became the 15th champion.
August 9, 1991---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Akira Nogami beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (17:16)---Nogami became the 16th champion.
December 25, 1991---The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Brian Pillman (12:32)---Liger became the second champion.
Masanori with Brian Pillman
December 26, 1991---Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Brian Pillman (15:53)---Liger kept the title.
December 27, 1991---Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Brian Pillman (16:09)---Liger kept the title.
December 28, 1991---Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Brian Pillman (12:09 countout)---Liger kept the title.
February 8, 1992---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
IWGP Junior / WCW Light Heavyweight double title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Norio Honaga (17:30)---Liger became the 18th IWGP champion.
February 10, 1992---Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Aichi
IWGP Junior / WCW Light Heavyweight double title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Pegasus Kid (Chris Benoit)---Liger kept both titles.
March 9, 1992---Kyoto Furitsu Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Mad Bull Buster Rex (Pit Bull #2 [Anthony Durante]) (8:45)---Liger kept the title.
February 24, 1992---Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ricky Morton (4:52)
February 25, 1992---Macon Coliseum, Macon, Georgia
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ricky Morton (5:24)
February 27, 1992---Birmingham, Alabama
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ricky Morton
February 28, 1992---Mecca Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Brian Pillman beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (15:19)---Pillman became the third champion.
April 30, 1992---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Top Of The Super Junior #3 Tournament / Final
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat El Samurai (Osamu Matsuda) (21:15)---Liger won the tournament.
May 17, 1992---Osaka Castle Hall
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat El Samurai (Osamu Matsuda) (26:06)---Liger kept the title.
June 26, 1992---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
El Samurai beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (13:01)---Samurai became the 19th champion.
July 4, 1992---Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
WCW Light Heavyweight title match
Scotty Flamingo (Scott Levy / Scotty Anthony / Johnny Polo / Raven) beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (12:03)---Flamingo kept the title.
October 21, 1992---Hamamatsu Arena, Shizuoka
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
El Samurai beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (15:07)---Samurai kept the title.
January 4, 1993---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ultimo Dragon (20:09)---Liger became the 21st champion.
March 21, 1993---Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Aichi
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Dean Malenko (24:11)---Liger kept the title.
August 8, 1993---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit)---Liger kept the title.
September 23, 1993---Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Masao Orihara (17:23)---Liger kept the title.
November 24, 1993---Niigata City Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) (13:30)---Liger kept the title.
Eddy Guerrero with Masanori
March 21, 1993---Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) (16:41)---Liger kept the title.
April 16, 1994---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Super J-Cup #1 Tournament / 1st round
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Hayabusa (Eiji Ezaki) (10:17)
Super J-Cup #1 Tournament / 2nd round
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ricky Fuji (7:50)
Super J-Cup #1 Tournament / semifinal round
The Great Sasuke beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (18:09)
June 13, 1994---Osaka Furitsu Gym
Best Of The Super Junior Tournament / Final
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Super Delfin (18:27)---Liger won the tournament.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title was vacated on September 24, 1994, when Liger broke his leg.
December 13, 1995---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Super J-Cup #2 Tournament / 2nd round
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Gran Naniwa (Yoshikimi Kimura) (9:13)
Super J-Cup #2 Tournament / semifinal round
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ultimo Dragon (17:19)
Super J-Cup #2 Tournament / Final
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Gedo (15:47)---Liger won the tournament.
January 4, 1996---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Koji Kanemoto (18:59)---Liger became the 26th champion.
February 3, 1996---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) (12:26)---Liger kept the title.
March 17, 1996---Amagasaki Park Gym, Hyogo
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Shinjiro Otani (20:27)---Liger kept the title.
April 29, 1996---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
The Great Sasuke beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (19:27)---Sasuke became the 27th champion.
June 12, 1996---Osaka Furitsu Gym
Best Of The Super Junior #3 Tournament / Final
Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger---Tiger won the tournament.
June 27, 1996---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Dick Togo (15:56)---Liger became the sixth champion.
July 20, 1996---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
WAR International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger & El Samurai beat Yuji Yasuraoka & Lance Storm (15:45 Liger beat Yasuraoka)---Liger & Samurai became the third champions.
August 2, 1996---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
J-Crown Tournament / 1st round
British Commonwealth / WAR International Junior Heavyweight double title match
Ultimo Dragon beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (2:38)---Dragon became the seventh British Commonwealth champion.
November 9, 1996---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
WAR International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match
Yuji Yasuraoka & Lance Storm beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger & El Samurai (18:31 Yasuraoka beat Samurai)
January 4, 1997---Tokyo Dome
J-Crown Octuple Crown title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Ultimo Dragon (18:21)---Liger won the 29th IWGP Junior Heavy, 40th NWA World Welter, 29th UWA World Junior Light Heavy, 31st WWF Light Heavy, 8th WWA World Junior Light Heavy, 8th WAR International Junior Heavy, 10th British Commonwealth Junior Heavy, 4th NWA World Junior Heavyweight title.
February 9, 1997---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
J-Crown Octuple Crown title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Shinjiro Otani (27:14)---Liger kept all eight titles.
February 16, 1997---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
J-Crown Octuple Crown title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Koji Kanemoto (19:26)---Liger kept all eight titles.
March 20, 1997---Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya
J-Crown Octuple Crown title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Masayoshi Motegi (16:05)---Liger kept all eight titles.
April 12, 1997---Tokyo Dome
J-Crown Octuple Crown title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat The Great Sasuke (20:08)---Liger kept all eight titles.
June 6, 1997---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
WAR International Junior Heavyweight title match
Yuji Yasuraoka beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (22:42)---Yasuraoka became the ninth champion.
July 6, 1997---Makomanai Ice Arena, Sapporo, Hokkaido
J-Crown title match
El Samurai beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (19:40)---Samurai won J-Crown seven titles.
February 7, 1998---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Shinjiro Otani (23:08)---Liger became the 32nd champion.
April 4, 1998---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Kendo Ka Shin (15:28)---Liger kept the title.
July 15, 1998---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Koji Kanemoto (15:28)---Liger kept the title.
September 10, 1998---Omiya City Gym, Saitama
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat The Great Sasuke (17:13)---Liger kept the title.
September 23, 1998---Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Kaz Hayashi (21:12)---Liger kept the title.
October 24, 1998---Fukuoka International Center
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin " Thunder" Liger beat El Samurai (16:44)---Liger kept the title.
December 4, 1998---Osaka Furitsu Gym
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Tatsuhito Takaiwa (18:02)---Liger kept the title.
January 4, 1999---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Koji Kanemoto (23:11)---Liger kept the title.
February 6, 1999---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger beat Dr. Wagner Jr. (27:06)----Liger kept the title.
March 17, 1999---Hiroshima SunPlaza
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match
Koji Kanemoto beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (31:38)---Kanemoto became the 33rd champion.
April 10, 1999---Tokyo Dome
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match
Jushin "Thunder" Liger & The Great Sasuke beat Kendo Ka Shin & Dr. Wagner Jr. (15:55 Liger beat Wagner)---Liger & Sasuke became the third champions.
July 13, 1999---Iwate Prefectural Gym, Morioka
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match
Shinjiro Otani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger & The Great Sasuke (16:31 Takaiwa beat Liger)---Otani & Takaiwa became the fourth champions
You may contact Masanori at masa_h@mail.goo.ne.jp
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