Welp,
He may be in AEW, but he is setting his sights on the top dog.
Holy shit... And the thing is, there is a good chance that Okada will win. He's New Japan's biggest star right now, but at the same time, if Jericho wins, I can see it helping certain things storyline wise in New Japan. With Ibushi holding the IC title aiming to elevate it to equal or greater to the heavyweight title like some of his "heroes," a Chris Jericho champion who won't be in the G1 likely and will maybe have one or two title defenses before Wrestle Kingdom if he will hold it that long, it can give Kota Ibushi the chance as champion to be the main event. Then the G1 we have a few scenerios. One could be Okada winning to get revenge against the man who took his title, another could be Tetsuya Naito someone with a history with Jericho and he can finally win the IWGP Championship in the main event like he said he would, and even Kota Ibushi to do a rare Champion vs Champion match, or if he drops the IC title between the G1 and WK, can easily still say he carried New Japan on his back with an absent champion.
As for Okada vs Jericho as a match itself, even if Jericho is not the same wrestler he was when he was in his in-ring prime, he's made up for it in character work. Like this version of Jericho is great, having nicknames and taglines to almost counter his major opponents. From calling himself "The Alpha" to counter Kenny
Omega, saying he is the opposite of "Tranquilo" while facing Naito and EVIL, and now, while a little cheesy, being a Painmaker instead of the guy to make it
rain, is simple but effective. Okada can easily make up for any moments where Jericho's age may hold him back.
And the card is already looking potentially great.
Okada vs Jericho
Unless it was announced for another date and I am missing it: Ibushi vs Naito
Taji Ishimori vs the winner of the BOSJ
Juice Robbinson may be facing the person who sent the
Time's Up video. Which from some rumours people are saying he could be Chris Brookes (which makes me fear for his availability as an E-fed rep since I used him before), Mark Haskins, or some people are saying David Finlay. Either way, interesting angle and can lead to a match at the show.
