Hiroshi Tanahashi and Chris Jericho are set to clash at Wrestle Kingdom 14. The AEW World Champion will be making his third straight appearance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom. He is 0-2 in the last two years, losing to Kenny Omega and Tetsuya Naito in No DQ matches. Meanwhile, Tanahashi won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
If Tanahashi is victorious over Jericho, he has a reasonable request should the two battle in a rematch.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Tanahashi said, “Isn't he the champion over there? All I’m saying is if I win and he comes back for a rematch then I think it’s reasonable to tell him to put the belt up. If that happened it would break down a door."
Though AEW stars such as Jon Moxley and Jericho have made NJPW appearances in 2019, AEW and NJPW have no working relationship. The Young Bucks even joked on a recent Being The Elite that fans may think the two promotions are working together because Omega was sporting NJPW shorts, but that is not the case.
Jericho has once again re-invented himself in NJPW, taking on the "painmaker" moniker prior to his match against Kazuchika Okada at Dominion. And the moniker confuses Tanahashi ahead of their clash.
“How long will Jericho continue claiming to be a pain maker?” he said. “I thought it was used because of his match with the Rain Maker (Okada), so I've been thinking of a new composition. I'd rather call it 'Ace vs. Joker,' because you may have noticed that ace is always at an advantage when playing cards?”
Jericho and Tanahashi will clash on night two of Wrestle Kingdom 14. You can view the entire card for Wrestle Kingdom 14 night two by clicking here.
Thanks to Berry Meijer (@dartvader_one) for the translation. If you use any of the quotes above, please give a h/t and link back to Berry Meijer for the translation.
