11 Ups & 2 Downs From NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2018

6. Chris Jericho Spoils EVIL Vs. ZSJ

With his stablemates basking in their own glory following X's reveal, LIJ's bruiser, EVIL, was supposed to meet British technician Zack Sabre Jr. in singles competition. Except it didn't happen.

Disguised as one of EVIL's entrance druids, a masked Chris Jericho battered his would-be IWGP Intercontinental Title challenger before the bell. It was the first time 'Y2J' had been seen in New Japan since taking the belt at Dominion in June, when he battered Tetsuya Naito in what was effectively an extended squash, then engaged in a brief confrontation with EVIL afterwards.

Jeers and 'Y2J' chants filled Sumo Hall as Jericho run wild, eventually levelling EVIL with a belt shot. With the title on his shoulder, a boot on his foe's chest, and the wind in his sails, a paint-clad Jericho flexed, then left by a back entrance, having sent the LIJ man to the shadow realm.

With EVIL rendered unable to compete, a hacked off ZSJ locked referee Marty Asami in a standing Kimura, then went after the downed, defenceless 'King Of Darkness.' Naito made their save. Their brawl had the crowd pumped, and with Sabre successfully dispatched, tranquilo ruled the moment.

A wonderful, unexpected angle, this not only set the table for EVIL vs. Jericho, but a second potential Naito match, and build further heat between LIJ and Sabre. A complete success, then.