10 NJPW Matches To Watch Before AEW Forbidden Door

10. Chris Jericho Vs. Kenny Omega - Wrestle Kingdom 12

When Kenny Omega closed the show at Power Struggle in November 2017, he requested a challenge for his IWGP US Heavyweight Championship. The video that appeared on the screen revealed Chris Jericho, making his first non-WWE appearance since he signed with the company in 1999. Jericho laid out the challenge for Wrestle Kingdom - New Japan's biggest show of the year on 4 January in the Tokyo Dome.

The clash was made a No Disqualification match after a series of Jericho attacks, and the two went to war for the US Title in the semi-main event. Chairs, tables, the genesis of Jericho's camera middle finger spot, even then-Young Lion Shota Umino being put in the Walls of Jericho; this match delivered when it came to spots. It was an American-style hardcore match in a promotion that rarely features such contests, and served as an introduction to NJPW for many wrestling fans at the time.

The match was given five stars by Dave Meltzer, and was a driving factor in the NJPW World streaming service gaining 25,000 new subscribers for the event. It was the beginning of Jericho and Omega's feud, which would continue at All In and culminate in AEW. While All In was the first tangible step, this match played a big part in the genesis of AEW.