Jushin Thunder Liger comes out of retirement at WrestleCade 2025

What seemed improbable became a reality at WrestleCade 2025. Jushin Thunder Liger, one of the most influential junior style wrestlers in history, made a surprise appearance in Winston-Salem to answer the open challenge issued by Joey Janela. No leaks, no hints, no rumors: the Japanese wrestler's music just played and the venue erupted.

Liger, who recently turned 61 years old, competed for the first time since Wrestle Kingdom 14 in January 2020, where he ended his career in a tag team match alongside Naoki Sano against Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee. At WrestleCade, his return was brief, lasting just four minutes, but enough to showcase his experience and secure the victory against Janela.

The Japanese wrestler's appearance comes just a few months after his induction into the RevPro Hall of Fame, adding to the distinction he already received from WWE in 2020. His legacy is overwhelming: eleven reigns as IWPG Junior Heavyweight Champion, six as Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, CMLL Middleweight Champion, and notable runs with the light heavyweight titles in both WWF and WCW in the early nineties.

Below you can read the results of the WrestleCade show.

• JAC defeated Matt Riddle to retain the AML Championship.
• George South, Heath, and Swoggle defeated Money EnT (AJ Francis, BLK Mike, and Bojack) (with Game Time Zay)
• The Andersons (Brock Anderson and CW Anderson) (with Brittany Marie) defeated The Major Players (Brian Myers and Matt Cardona)
• Jushin Thunder Liger (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Joey Janela 
• Billy Brash, Brad Attitude, Diego Hill, and Gustavo defeated Cinta de Oro, Moose, Sidney Akeem, and Zilla Fatu
• John Bradshaw Layfield emerged victorious in a battle royal featuring talents like AJ Cazana, Beer City Bruiser, Bushwhacker Luke, Dave Dawson, Game Time Zay, Heath, John Skyler, KC Cazana, Kerry Morton, LDJ, Lodi, Logan Quindell, Brittnie Brooks, Mr. Hughes, Ricky Morton, Simon Philips, and Zane Dawson
• Kenzie Paige defeated Clara Carter
• Brodido (Bandido and Brody King) defeated The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)
• Killer Kross (with Scarlett Bordeaux) defeated Fodder (with Angelina Love)
• Nic Nemeth defeated Cedric Alexander
• The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz)