Winston-Salem, NC — In a stunning moment at this year’s WrestleCade convention, NJPW icon Jushin Thunder Liger made a surprise return to the ring, emerging from retirement to answer Joey Janela’s open challenge. The unannounced appearance brought the crowd at the Benton Convention Center to its feet, marking Liger’s first in-ring action in nearly five years.

Liger’s return comes after his official retirement at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in January 2020, where he wrestled alongside Naoki Sano in a losing effort against Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee. The 2020 sendoff was widely celebrated as the end of one of the most influential careers in junior heavyweight wrestling history.

His unexpected comeback at WrestleCade immediately became the highlight of the weekend convention, surprising both fans and wrestlers in attendance. Janela, known for his unpredictable open challenges, appeared visibly stunned as the masked legend stepped through the curtain.

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