At the end of Saturday’s Wrestling Dontaku event, Kazuchika Okada was delivering a speech to the audience in Fukuoka when the lights went out.
A video aired featuring Chris Jericho, who announced he would be challenging for the IWGP heavyweight title at Dominion on Sunday, June 9th at Osaka-jo Hall. Okada immediately agreed to the match when they cut back to the ring.
Okada had just defeated Sanada in his first title defense since regaining the title at the G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden last month over Jay White.
This will be Jericho’s first match with New Japan since the Tokyo Dome on January 4th and will take place two weeks after he wrestles Kenny Omega at AEW’s Double or Nothing card in Las Vegas on May 25th.
Jericho signed a three-year contract with AEW earlier this year, but the deal allowed him to continue to work with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
He cut the best video promo. That’s all I got. You’re not wrong.
Loses to Kenny
Beats Naito for IC title
Beats Evil
Loses IC Title to Naito
Gets IWGP title shot.
Technically he did win the IC title and one could argue that means he is good enough to get a shot at IWGP. Particularly when no other contenders are out there. White challenges Tanahashi, he is the only logical other guy right now. It’s not that far fetched.
I was thinking Kenny may respect the IWGP title and New Japan booking too much to weaken Jericho before that match. It’s what, 2 weeks before? I could totally see Omega losing to Jericho setting up a strong Jericho who beat Okada’s rival and now is coming to beat him. It’s not like Omega is done with New Japan entirely. Plus I totally expect Alpha-Omega3 to headline the Jericho Cruise in January. That’s a big match to have and easy to market as an AEW main event: Kenny won in Japan, Jericho wins in Vegas, they have the third match on sea.
Definitely think we’re getting an Alpha vs Omega trilogy but I don’t see it at the cruise. I don’t think it’s a big enough/serious enough show and I imagine AEW would want it at one of their big shows.
Pretty excited for Jericho vs Okada. Don’t think it’s too out there from a booking stand point. He loses the IC title and wants the heavyweight title. Makes a challenge and Okada accepts. Cool.
They trademarked Bash at the Beach. Should set up a ring in the Bahamas, the boat arrives and they put on a show on the beach. They could headline with Omega/Jericho there.
Usually NJPW is more sports style - you either have a big win or beat the champ and setup a title match. Similar to how UFC should be.
Jericho getting a shot off a loss is probably a result of the cost of using Jericho. Paying him to come out and get a win over someone else prior to this probably costs too much.
I would have liked if they waited until he beat Omega to set this up a bit better but it’s too late I think to setup the NJPW match
Hold up, not to nitpick but He won the IC title usually a stepping stone. He lost it. He’s back to challenge for the next level title. That’s traditional Wrestling
I also think the Jericrusie is going to be more serious and a bigger part of the AEW presentation with no other promotions currently linked to it.