Wrestling legend Jushin “Thunder” Liger recently spoke with Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard‘s Week In Wrestling.
Liger took part in this week’s ‘Five Questions’ segment of the article; you can read some highlights below:
Jushin Liger talks about working with NXT last summer against Tyler Breeze:
Wherever I am, I feel the crowd when I’m in the ring. Wrestling for NXT showed me the skill of the wrestlers in WWE is huge, incredible. People in many countries watch their wrestling, and I really enjoyed working with Tyler Breeze–but I was so nervous. If there were plans to stay, I was too old to stay there. I wanted to give that chance to younger wrestlers.
What lessons did Liger learn while wrestling with WCW?
Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero were working in New Japan Pro Wrestling and knew the New Japan style very well. My opponents were so great–Benoit, Guerrero, Dean Malenko–were very good wrestlers, so I learned from them.
I also wrestled Brian Pillman in WCW. I wrestled him and we tested each other. It wasn’t difficult for me to learn the American style–I was just so happy to wrestle Pillman, who was very, very talented.
Related: Jushin Thunder Liger, Zack Sabre & More Added to PWG BOLA
Liger comments on working with Daniel Bryan:
I was so happy to work with Daniel Bryan. Thinking of that match even makes me happy. He’s a good example–I have been lucky to have great rivals my whole career. He reminded me of Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit, and I was so lucky to work with all of them.
Some of the young guys I like are Kushida and Okada. When I was growing up, my favorites were Antonio Inoki and Ric Flair. Flair was the perfect champion in the ring and the way he acted, conducted himself out of the ring.
What are Liger’s favorite memories of wrestling:
Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and I started pro wrestling together in Japan. When we were wrestling together, we were all rivals and pushing each other to be better. That was my favorite time in wrestling. My heart still beats a little faster when I think of those memories.
