Apparently Hiroshi Tanahashi just made the list. While there has been a wild array of speculation that Chris Jericho may join Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks in Jacksonville, Florida for the brand new All Elite Wrestling promotion, the legendary wrestler isn’t done with New Japan Pro-Wrestling just yet.
Jericho may have lost the IWGP Intercontinental in a potential Match of the Year candidate last night at Wrestle Kingdom 13; however, he fully intends on challenging for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, now held by Hiroshi Tanahashi, who defeated Kenny Omega to reclaim the title.
Jericho told Yahoo Japan, “I just lost the [Intercontinental Championship] I took from Naito in June of last year. It’s a big mistake if you think that the time with me and New Japan Pro-Wrestling is over. I want to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight belt…Write it down. Chris Jericho will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship! You will understand.”
Jericho has seen a career renaissance since returning to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in November of last year. He defeated Tetsuya Naito to become IWGP Intercontinental Champion and had a 209 day reign as champion, only to lose the Intercontinental Championship in a No DQ Match at last evening’s Wrestle Kingdom 13. Tanahashi has yet to face Chris Jericho.
Thanks to WrestleZone’s Tyler Treese, who provided the above translation.
RELATED: WrestleKingdom 13 Results (1/4) The Battle For New Japan’s Soul
Chris Jericho v Naito
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
-
Chris Jericho v Naito
Naito defends his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho at NJPW's Dominion 6.9 from Osaka Hall on June 9, 2018
Photo Credit: TV Asahi/NJPW/AXS TV
