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What’s the story?
Chris Jericho’s upcoming match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 12 is causing a buzz amongst wrestling fans and has even been advertised on the marque of the Staple’s Center.
In case you didn’t know...
Following Omega’s defense of the IWGP United States Championship at NJPW Power Struggle, Jericho appeared on-screen and challenged the Bullet Club leader for the championship at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
This match will mark Jericho’s first non-WWE professional wrestling match since he wrestled for WCW during the Attitude Era and will mark more than 20 years since he returned to NJPW.
The heart of the matter
Jericho posted a picture on Instagram showing the advertisement of his looming match with Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on the marquee of the Staple’s Center in Los Angeles.
The Staples Center is located in Los Angeles, California and has hosted a multitude of professional wrestling events for the WWE including WrestleMania 21, Hell in a Cell 2015, No Mercy 2017 and SummerSlam from 2008 to 2014.
This is particularly interesting because this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw emanating from the Staple’s Center; making the decision to advertise the Wrestle Kingdom match that much more deliberate considering that Wrestle Kingdom will emanate from the Tokyo Dome in Japan.
NJPW ran a show in California earlier this year in Long Beach, California; approximately 30 minutes away from the Staple’s Center, so this could be NJPW reminding WWE that they’ll be returning next year or suggesting that the Staple’s Center could be a potential venue for the next NJPW show in the USA, but that is pure speculation.
What’s next?
Jericho and Omega will fight for the IWGP United States Championship next year on Thursday, Jan. 4. 2018 and will go live on NJPW’s streaming service, NJPW World.
Another way to watch the Jericho-Omega will be two days later on AXS TV on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Author’s take
The Bullet Club and NJPW continue to show their value in the USA and it might be that much bigger after Wrestle Kingdom 12.
