UPDATE x 4: According to sources, Chris Jericho’s last WWE contract expired at WrestleMania 33. Jericho then signed a one-month WWE contract extension that ended in May when he lost the United States Title to Kevin Owens. As seen over the summer, Jericho worked several WWE live events in Japan as well as one episode of SmackDown! Live in late July as a surprise, but he was not under any written contract to work those shows.
Jericho negotiated with New Japan Pro Wrestling several months ago, where the two reached a deal to have him work a match against Kenny Omega at their big Wrestle Kingdom 12 pay-per-view event on January 4th, 2018. Jericho has also reached a deal with Ring of Honor to host a “Rock n’ Wrestling” cruise in October of 2018. Already booked for that cruise are Cody Rhodes, Marty Scurll and The Young Bucks. As previously reported here on eWrestlingNews.com, Jericho approached WWE about having the NXT brand on the cruise for some live events but the company turned him down.
As things stand right now, Jericho’s deal with NJPW is a “one-shot” deal for the Wrestle Kingdom 12 pay-per-view. While many expect Omega to “go over” and win the match, it’s possible they could extend the deal with Jericho. If Jericho actually wins though, it would elevate the NJPW title big time. With that being said, people close to the situation expect Jericho to be back in WWE as early as the RAW 25th anniversary special. The idea there is that he’d have just come from making news and then would return as a bigger deal than before.
UPDATE x 3: For those wondering, Chris Jericho has been a “free agent” in the pro wrestling business for “more than six months” now. As you know by now, Jericho will be facing Kenny Omega at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 pay-per-view event in January of 2018.
UPDATE x 2: Here is the latest on the Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega match that was recently announced for NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 pay-per-view event.
According to reports, Jericho got the idea for the feud and match based on the build-up for the Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight several months ago. Jericho reportedly wanted to come up with a big storyline and a match the fans never thought they would see.
Jericho is said to be a big fan of Kenny Omega’s work and pitched the idea to him through their mutual friend, Don Callis. As many of you know, Callis currently does the English commentary for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) on the New Japan World website. Once Callis approached Omega with Jericho’s idea and he agreed to it, both men took it to NJPW head booker Gedo.
After Gego approved the idea and match, Jericho negotiated a deal with New Japan officials through their office in New York City. The negotiations took place over the course of several weeks before a deal was eventually agreed upon. According to Dave Meltzer, Jericho’s deal with NJPW is a “one-shot deal”.
As seen on Twitter as of late, Jericho and Omega have been building their feud up. NJPW made the match between the two official at their “Power Struggle” event last weekend.
NJPW’s WrestleKingdom 12 event takes place on January 4th, 2018 at the Tokyo Dome.
UPDATE: For those wondering, WWE had no idea that Chris Jericho was going to face Kenny Omega at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 pay-per-view event. According to sources, WWE didn’t find out about the match until the Jericho promo aired on NJPW’s Power Struggle event past Saturday.
We reported yesterday here on eWn (see below) that Chris Jericho is a free agent and is not under any contract with WWE.
ORIGINAL: As most of you have seen here on eWrestlingNews.com, Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega have been “feuding” on social media (Twitter) as of late. On Sunday, it was confirmed that the two will face off at NJPW’s WrestleKingdom 12 event. In an update on their feud, Jericho and NJPW have been in talks to do this match since last August.
During a recent appearance on the “Killing the Town” podcast, Jericho discussed how the match came together. Jericho told the hosts that he’s paying for the “Rock ‘n Wrestling Rager at Sea” cruise out of his own pocket and originally wanted to partner with WWE to bring some NXT talents on the ship and actually hold a WWE NXT live event. According to Jericho, WWE didn’t want to get involved as they are “difficult to work with” so he instead contacted Ring of Honor and worked out a deal to hold a “Sea of Honor” event. As of this writing, The Young Bucks and Marty Scurll are already booked for the cruise.
For those wondering, Jericho is able to do the feud with Kenny Omega as he’s currently a “free agent” and isn’t under contract with WWE. Jericho signs “short-term” deals to return with WWE but is able to do as he pleases once those deals expire. Obviously, Jericho wasn’t very happy that the deal with WWE (NXT) fell through, thus his feud with Kenny Omega and reaching a deal with ROH for a “Sea of Honor” event.
For those asking about Jericho at WK 12, his WWE contract expired, he’s a free agent.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) November 5, 2017
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Jericho recently said he approached WWE/HHH about having NXT on his cruise. Was turned down. Says they “don’t play well with others.”
Also noted that he’s financially responsible for the cruise.
Still think he’s working with Vince on the NJPW deal? pic.twitter.com/RWNidMjnzE
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) November 5, 2017
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