[1989-05-25-NJPW] Hiroshi Hase vs Jushin Liger

[Superstar Sleeze]

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Hase vs Jushin Liger - NJPW 5/25/89

 

Jushin Liger takes his place in the sun nary a month after his redebut as Liger in the Dome. I have watched very little pre-93 Liger what a different worker. He throws his body with reckless abandon in these 89 matches. End of an era for Hase too who would graduate to Heavyweight division soon.

 

Liked the hot start by Hase hitting a dropkick at the bell and throwing a suplex. Liger throwing kicks so well has been a revelation. Great way to start hot but once both guys get to stalemate we go to mat. Hase has a great heat segment working over Ligers abs in vicious fashion. Ligers finish run is hot hurling his body at Hase then that nasty snap Super plex. Ligers execution is so good.

 

Oh my God! That fall away slam with bridge by Hase!!!!! Airplane spin no it is a barrage of Kappo Kicks and a crazy Human Capture Suplex for three!

 

Fun match hot finish stretch! Great way to kick off the Liger era! ***1/2

[ClassicsPuro1983]

Hiroshi Hase vs. Jushin Liger '25.05.1989
Keiichi Yamada's first challenge of the IWGP jr. heavyweight title as the Liger character against Hiroshi Hase at the Osaka Jo Hall. New Japan wanted the title on Liger as soon as possible, in a short match that Hase totally carried. Hase surprised everyone charging at the bell with a dropkick, but soon showed it was going to be his style of diverse technical match rather than a Liger aerial assualt. Hase dominates the match except when Liger would find an opening to use his speed and athleticism to counter, setting off a brief burst of flying before Hase countered back. A very good match even if Liger was sometimes scrappy. Liger won in 8 minutes to capture the first of eleven IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. The Liger era begun! (***1/2)

[tcg91]

Fun 10 minutes sprint. This was very different from the Hase/Yamada matches, as Liger established his quickfire approach again. While not the best match for either of them, this was good development because Liger was forced to get on the mat with Hase and, despite being on the fence most of the times, he would often surprise the champion with a few rapid comebacks. Liger's stuff mostly looked good here, apart from a couple of awkward moments. Energetic finish for an important title change.
***