Chris Jericho delivers a powerful video message to the Ace.

Just when it seemed as if Hiroshi Tanahashi wouldn’t have a dance partner at the Tokyo Dome to start the year for the first time since 2003, Chris Jericho made a challenge to the Ace back at Power Struggle. On the surface it was the simple matter of making a dream match between two of the most well regarded, pioneering forces in modern professional wrestling. Yet Hiroshi Tanahashi saw further opportunity in the works.

Speaking to the Tokyo Sports newspaper, Tanahashi was asked bout how aware he was of Chris Jericho’s status in the AEW promotion in America. Tanahashi replied that ‘he is a champion there right? If I were to beat him and he wanted a rematch, I think it’d only be fair to make him put th ebelt up. That would open quite the forbidden portal’.

As the story drew lots of speculation worldwide, Jericho eventually replied over the weekend with the above video message from Jericho. It seems as if ‘Le Champion’ has complied with Tanahashi’s request; or perhaps the Ace has maneuvered himself into a championship scenario. How will this play out? You’ll find out by watching Wrestle Kingdom 14 LIVE, with full English commentary January 4 & 5 on NJPW World!