The kickoff to their classic series and a perfect feud starter. Sano smacked Liger early to show he wasn't intimidated, and Liger responded with a run of vicious offense. I've rarely seen him nail his flippy kick quite so squarely, and he also threw some nasty flurries of palm strikes to the ribs. Sano came back with equally violent stuff and they worked the crowd into a total frenzy. Good ending. Sano had Liger almost beaten, but every time he went up for the killing blow, Liger managed to partially block him. Finally, they both sort of collapsed out of a top-rope move and took the double countout. It all felt desperate and violent and made me want to see more. So yeah, this famous match is a no-brainer for the set.

 

NJ Classics 349

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Jushin Thunder Liger © vs. Naoki Sano (7/13/89)

 

Sumo Hall is buzzing for this one as Sano made himself into a credible contender for Liger’s title and made a match the fans wanted to see. Sano is pretty jacked up here and the bacne on his back proves shows his training method. This started with both men countering everything the other one would do with the fans showing their approval. Sano decided to step his game up and just slapped the piss out of Liger in the corner which kickstarted the intensity as Liger started firing away on Sano but Sano would be up to the task hanging with Liger move for move. Liger was awesome here on offense using some hard palm strikes and even hitting his version of the Picture Perfect Elbow off the top rope then suplexing Sano from the ring to the floor. Liger then hitting a Swanton Bomb from the top rope to the floor was an insane spot at the time and still is tough even now. Sano looked lifeless so Liger tried to put him away with the Dragon Sleeper but he would again come back for more. Sano then tries to kill himself on a springboard plancha to the floor where he almost landed on his head then comes back for a missile dropkick off the top rope to the floor. The fans were nuts at this time as these guys were putting it all on the line with Sano trying his best to put Liger away with big moves but Liger finding a way to escape. Sano tried to hit an avalanche-style backdrop suplex from the middle rope and both landed very hard on the mat prompting a double KO to set up the rematch of course. These two would go on to have many great matches but this one was the tablesetter and a tremendous match that is an easy nomination.

Wasn't in love with the early matwork, but the last 10 minutes or so are freaking great with both guys insanely attempting every move they can think of to try to put each other away. That missle dropkick by Sano was nuts, I also loved the viciousness both guys were laying their stuff in with. One of the best juniors feuds of all time and a no brainer pick

7/13/89 Jushin Liger vs. Naoki Sano Sky-A 130

- I thought the early few minutes of the match were super fun. They never worked the holds long enough to get bored or make you regret that they would forget them later on. Add in subtle movements like Liger hopping on Sano just to slap him around and I was hooked. Once Liger executed the suplex on the concrete, this match shifted into overdrive. Big moves, big momentum shifts, big crowd reaction. Fuck, it is 20 years later and this is as high-end as it gets. Easy nomination and top 1/3rd of ballot… easily.