NJPW's Dominion: 14 Biggest Stories Ahead Of The G1 Climax And More
1. Hiroshi Tanahashi Saves Kazuchika Okada From Vicious Beatdown
While Okada had won the battle, Jericho continued the war as he immediately sat up and struck the champion. "The Painmaker" then delivered his Judas Effect back elbow before placing a steel chair around Okada’s neck and ramming him into the ringpost.
Hiroshi Tanahashi - who was seated at the commentary table - could take no more and leapt over the the guardrail to run Jericho off. Chris then launched into a verbal tirade, threatening that he wasn't done with either man and repeatedly referring to the interloping Hiroshi as “Bakahashi". In further comments backstage, Jericho teased both men and the press with statements that perhaps he will participate in the upcoming G1 tournament.
Okada finally got an opportunity to respond to the attack and comments during a press conference the following day. "I feel he's started something I need to finish," said the IWGP Champion, before further stating that he has no respect for Jericho's style of "low-down fighting."
Given his loss and subsequent outburst, it seems "The Painmaker" still has more to prove in NJPW. Perhaps, his bad blood with both Okada and newfound foe Tanahashi will come to a head during the G1 Climax this summer.