Following up on Chris Jericho working with New Japan Pro Wrestling, it appears his rumored match against Tetsuya Naito will not be taking place as soon as expected.
Jericho put on a 5-star classic against Kenny Omega back on January 4th at Wrestle Kingdom 12. The following night, the “Alpha” made a surprise appearance at New Year’s Dash and attacked Tetsuya Naito – presumably planting the seeds for an eventual showdown.
Oh!My God!! @IAmJericho surprises @s_d_naito and the Korakuen crowd at New Year's Dash! The legend seems to have had enough of Naito's attitude! Watch Now?English Commentary???https://t.co/fEh4jA7fML#njpw #njpwworld #njdash pic.twitter.com/b3KeNBcEL0
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 5, 2018
The match has been rumored for NJPW’s upcoming Strong Style Evolved show from Long Beach, California on March 25th. Dave Meltzer noted on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio that Jericho vs. Naito at Strong Style Evolved was the original plan, but that show has already sold out without the match being announced.
With Strong Style Evolved sold out (and featuring a high-profile Cody Rhodes vs. Kenny Omega main event), there’s a good chance that NJPW will hold off on Jericho vs. Naito until a later date. Even though Jericho is available to work Strong Style Evolved, the company is probably better suited using Jericho’s drawing power to sell out another show.
Meltzer speculated that the match could take place at Dominion in June, as Jericho’s touring schedule with Fozzy would allow for it.
Back in November, Jericho appeared on Busted Open Radio and commented on the success of New Japan and how important it is for WWE to have competition keeping them motivated.
“The good thing about New Japan and even Ring Of Honor to an extent is showing that WWE is not the only place in town, and I think the first people that would be happy about that are the guys that are running the WWE because it just makes for a better business, for a healthier business. And not just for the boys but for the fans. It pushes everybody to think more and to be more clever and creative and to work harder.”
Earlier this week, New Japan announced that Strong Style Evolved will air LIVE on AXS TV with Jim Ross and Josh Barnett on commentary.
