5 Big Questions About Chris Jericho's NJPW Match With Kenny Omega
Y2J on his way back to Japan.
The wrestling world is buzzing this weekend from the news that Chris Jericho could be heading back to Japan for the first time in nearly 20 years to compete at January's Wrestle Kingdom 12.
After butting heads at Power Struggle, Fozzy's lead man is apparently set to face NJPW regular and fellow Canadian Kenny Omega at the Tokyo Dome in the first week of 2018, in a match that absolutely nobody saw coming.
Apart from a brief cameo in July, Y2J has been absent from WWE television for much of this year following the climax of his feud with Kevin Owens at Payback, and little is known of his current contractual status.
Does this mean that Jericho is now open to independent bookings, ready to permanently cut his ties with the company with which he's been closely associated for the better part of two decades?
The part of you that wants to see a tear-jerking WrestleMania retirement for the man who has kept generations of fans entertained hopes not, but the prospect of seeing him back in NJPW is simply too mouth-watering to ignore.
5. Does He Have WWE's Blessing?
Chris Jericho's relationship with WWE is one that can best be described as open. He never shies away from criticising the company - evidenced in recent weeks by his comments on Neville's release - but seldom does he launch into a full-on, CM Punk-style rant.
He occupies a well-earned role as one of the company's most trusted employees. One who is afforded the leeway to divide his time between performing in the ring and taking time out to play rockstar with Fozzy, present his much-loved podcast, or promote the never-ending stream of books he adds to every other year.
The company seems to be fine with all of that, but would they really lend their blessing to his appearing in NJPW, especially given that their Japanese counterparts are slowly growing in terms of visibility in the west?
Moreover, does Jericho really need their blessing? The Ayatollah of Rock'n'Rolla is famously his own man, and if his now ex-employers did kick up a fuss about him getting cozy with another company behind their backs, you imagine he'd just tell them where to get off anyway. The stupid idiots.