MOTW 43: Jushin Thunder Liger vs Black Tiger

“MOTW #43: Jushin Thunder Liger vs Black Tiger (Rollerball Rocco)” - ink & digital illustration

Hi pals! I’m back for an on-location Melbournian, 43rd edition of our ‘Match of the Week’ illustration series. This fantastic Pro Wrestling encounter took place on July 12th, 1989 for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship on Day 19 of ‘NJPW Summer Fight Series 1989’ at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.

Okay, this was just SO awesome! Two first ballot hall of famers here; one near the start of his career & the other very close to the end. Some fans might not be too familiar with the incredible ‘Rollerball’ Mark Rocco as the first incarnation of the Black Tiger gimmick - maybe due to Eddie Guerrero doing such a great job with it in the mid 90s. But watching this match, he really was phenomenal under the hood …dare I say, maybe even surpassing Eddie!

Rollerball was really just such an amazing wrestler who I can’t say enough good things about & highly influential on establishing much of the modern fast-paced, exciting in-ring style. I’ll definitely need to jump back into some World of Sport Wrestling in the near future!

Liger is just as great in this as you’d expect too! Brilliant timing & aggressive fire to go with some of the most spectacular moves that you’d see at the time. That Koppo Kick dude!! I’ll always adore Liger!

This match was everything you’d expect & then some. A tremendous mix of great, exciting wrestling, a loathsome bad guy, trying for every shortcut in the book & a fiery crowd favourite who’s happy to respond in kind. This walked the perfect line between absolutely great in-ring wrasslin’ & classic pro wrestling pantomime schtick flawlessly for me. HIGHLY recommended!

ENJOY!!

P.S. my all-time favourite Liger opponent, Naoki Sano makes a wonderful little cameo in this one too!

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