WrestleKingdom 12: Analyzing the match card for Tokyo Dome Showdown!

#8 Alpha vs Omega

Kenny Omega (c) vs Chris Jericho, No DQ Match for the IWGP United States Championship

NJPW could not have got a better matchup for their inaugural defence of the US Championship at WrestleKingdom. The title introduced just last year with New Japans penetration into the American market, is touted as the second biggest title in NJPW today.

Billed as part of a double main event (as a Naito fan I respectfully disagree). The face-off between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega is one for the ages. An all Gaijin affair, this match was first hinted at with a bitter Twitter exchange and finally resulting in a surprise announcement of the challenge.

Smartly the company seems to have made their battle an intense affair, turning it into a no disqualification hardcore battle allowing both combatants to stir it away from the classic wrestling spectacle that is a New Japan staple. Most importantly, it hides the fact that while he may claim to be...IT! Jericho has lost a few steps since, his glory days.

He maintains this is simply a one-off match, but with the way he has been barking back at not just Omega but Naito as well. Look to Jericho reinventing himself in New Japan. Hopefully, Omega can get something out of this Alpha and maybe even hit another six-star home run.

Who Should/Will Win: Kenny Omega

About the author

A filmmaker and wrestling buff, who merges his passion for storytelling into his writing of pro-wrestling. The art (and it is an art) of pro-wrestling is one of the greatest devices of cinematic storytelling from soap opera in WWE to even the hard-hitting competitiveness of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Watches all forms and brands of wrestling and for the past few years has been a huge fan of NJPW to the point he finally made his way to Japan and the Tokyo Dome to enjoy Wrestle Kingdom 13 live!

Know More

Becky Lynch has been challenged HERE.

Edited by Shruti Sadbhav