From The NJPW Rumor Mill: Latest update on when Chris Jericho will face Tetsuya Naito

What’s the story?

As per the latest report from Sports Illustrated, Chris Jericho’s next appearance in New Japan Pro Wrestling might take place within the next few weeks at NJPW’s upcoming show in the US, that is, Strong Style Evolved.

In case you didn’t know…

Following the success of last year’s G1 specials in the US, New Japan Pro Wrestling are all set to make a grand return to Long Beach, California later this year as part of NJPW’s first ever Strong Style Evolved pay-per-view.

The heart of the matter

During this year’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 event at the Tokyo Dome, WWE veteran Chris Jericho made his much-awaited in-ring return for New Japan Pro Wrestling, when he squared off in a gruesome bout against “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship.

Jericho, who would eventually go on to lose his match against Omega, made his presence felt in NJPW the very next day when he attacked the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito.

However, as per reports from SI, it looks like NJPW are currently planning to move forward with the Naito vs Jericho match for the upcoming Strong Style Evolved event next month in Long Beach, California, as the two men will finally get a chance to settle their on-going differences inside the squared circle.

What’s next?

The Strong Style Evolved pay-per-view will take place on the 25th of March at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California and as of right now, Jericho’s WWE colleague and former on-screen rival Rey Mysterio is also confirmed to compete in a match against NJPW’s veteran junior heavyweight Jushin “Thunder” Liger during the Strong Style Evolved event.

Author’s Take

Following his match against Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho has already proved that he is certainly capable of hanging in the ring with some of NJPW’s top superstars and there is certainly no doubt that his upcoming match against Tetsuya Naito is also going to be an outstanding contest.