A few hours ago NJPW announced via their Twitter account that AEW’s Chris Jericho will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the Dominion event on June 9th in Osaka, Japan via a video featuring Jericho. This wouldn’t be Jericho’s first time in a New Japan Pro Wrestling ring as he competed with the likes of Tetsuya Naito and Kenny Omega prior to this upcoming contest. This matchup mark’s Jericho’s first time in an NJPW ring since 2018 since facing Naito.
BREAKING!@IAmJericho says on June 9th Dominion at Osaka, he will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship!https://t.co/hqUimLtX8H#njpw #njdontaku #painmaker
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) May 4, 2019
Under his new persona – The Painmaker, sure to draw the ire of Kazuchika Okada – Chris proclaimed that he will become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Jericho is sure to make a statement when he faces the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The challenge comes on what will be the heels of AEW’s premier event Double or Nothing on Saturday, May 25th from Las Vegas, Nevada. Could the events of Double or Nothing bleed into Dominion a mere fifteen days later? One thing is for sure Jericho has assured fans that the darkness that comes with the Painmaker is not just there to compete but that he is going to win. It was without a doubt that Jericho is determined to walk out with the IWGP Heavyweight championship. You can see the full video below:
Blake’s Take: Begin the “Do NJPW and AEW have a working agreement” discussions! This news really dropped from nowhere. Especially as its hot on the heels of the Jericho and Kenny Omega scuffle at last night’s Southern Honor Wrestling show, furthering their storyline before Double Or Nothing later this month.
Could Chris Jericho really become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion and bring one of the most illustrious championships over to AEW? Who knows, but let the rumors begin!
To read our AEW Talent Profile on Chris Jericho click here and here.
