From the NJPW Rumour Mill: Chris Jericho set to make NJPW return later this week

What’s the story?

According to a recent report from PWInsider, former six-time WWE World Champion Chris Jericho is seemingly set to make a return to New Japan Pro Wrestling, despite publicly claiming that he was done working for the company.

In case you didn’t know…

Following his Wrestle Kingdom 12 loss to Kenny Omega, earlier in the year, Jericho seemingly started teasing a potential match against Los Ingobernables de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito at this year’s NJPW: New Year’s Dash event at the Korakuen Hall, when Y2J brutally blindside attacked Naito.

Following Jericho’s attack, several reports apparently suggested that a potential dream match between Jericho and Naito could very well be on the card and could potentially take place later this year.

However, during a recent interview with ESPN, Jericho did admit to the fact that he is indeed done with NJPW for the time being, due to things apparently not going according to Y2J’s initial plans.

The heart of the matter

Following Jericho’s hiatus from NJPW, PWInsider has now confirmed Y2J is indeed slated to make a return to Japan later this week, as ‘The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla’ is currently scheduled to appear at this week’s Wrestling Dontaku event in Fukuoka, Japan.

As noted, upon his return to NJPW, Jericho is expected to resume his feud against newly crowned IWGP Intercontinental Champion Naito and we could very well witness the two men shoot a possible angle between each other, eventually teasing towards a possible match sometime down the line.

What’s next?

Following Naito’s recent win over Minoru Suzuki at Wrestling Hinokuni, it seems like NJPW is apparently planning to book an IWGP Intercontinental Championship match between the LIJ leader and Jericho.

Things will definitely get interesting at this year’s Wrestling Dontaku event on the third and fourth of May.

Author’s Take

Naito vs Jericho will certainly be a money-making match and personally, I feel NJPW might book that epic showdown at this year’s G1 Special at the Cow Palace, in San Francisco.