Hiroshi Tanahashi & Chris Jericho haven’t even had their match yet (it’ll be next weekend at Wrestle Kingdom 14), but Tanahashi already floating the possibility of a rematch. He also teased that rematch being for Jericho’s AEW World title.
It was good promotion, as fans have been anxious for some crossover between All Elite and New Japan since Tony Khan’s company launched. But given continued reports of hard feelings between former NJPW stars and current AEW Executive Vice-President’s Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks, most of us wrote it off as nothing more than a soundbite.
Now, Jericho’s responded. And with a much more concrete proposal for an AEW championship match with the New Japan Ace. He also claims the stipulation has Khan’s blessing:
“I read what you said about the Tokyo Dome. You said if you can beat me that you would enter the forbidden portal and request a title shot for the AEW championship. I thought it’s a great idea. So, Le Champion asked the Chairman of the Board, the owner of AEW, Tony Khan, if it was okay to grant your request, and he said ‘yes.’
So, if you can beat me in the Tokyo Dome, I will give you a championship match for the AEW title.
Ok, Tanahashi? So Le Champion, the Painmaker, Chris Jericho is willing to give you a shot at this championship if you can beat me at the Tokyo Dome. You think you can do it? I don’t. We’ll find out in just a few days. Sayonara.”
Jericho/Tanahashi happens in the second night of Wrestle Kingdom, Sun., Jan. 5. We’ll have full coverage right here at cSs.
And we’ll also have full coverage of Jericho/Tanahashi II for the AEW World title, if/whenever that happens.