By: R. Faliani
After challenging Konosuke Takeshita for DDT Ultimate Party 2023, the world was shocked by Chris Jericho’s appearance for Ryogoku, and now, Jericho sat down with Tokyo Sports to discuss the reasons for his impromptu challenge to Takeshita.
As we said in our recap of DDT Who’s Gonna Top 2023, this match will put a lot of eyes on the CyberFight promotion and could be the catalyst of a new era in the dramatic dream. The appearance of Jericho, in this transitional period of the company where wrestlers like Takeshita and Saki Akai are either entering superstardom or retiring on their terms, helps DDT keep their momentum going into 2024.
Jericho discussed the potential of Takeshita as a wrestling star and the aspirations he should have now that he’s on an otherworldly level. But he followed this by saying that Takeshita is a long way from being the best of all time. As he said in his interview with Tokyo Sports: “Takeshita may be one of the best wrestlers in the world right now, but I’m one of the best wrestlers not only now, but throughout history.”
【ＡＥＷ】超大物クリス・ジェリコを来日前に直撃！ ＤＤＴ、新日本、天龍源一郎への思いも語った｜東スポWEB #ddtpro #AEW https://t.co/oQh60fNrdm
— 東スポ プロレス格闘技担当 (@tospo_battle) November 3, 2023
Then, Jericho talked about the momentum DDT has been having since Wrestle Peter Pan and the possibility this collaboration between All Elite Wrestling and the Japanese promotion may potentially lead to something else in the future. We know AEW’s collaborations with CyberFight’s promotions have been certainly disappointing, especially with the pandemic putting a halt to many plans, like the Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Endo match announced for Peter Pan in 2020, that has not been brought up since then.
“Since they have plans to expand overseas, I think it’s natural for AEW to come to Japan. I wonder if something like AEW x DDT, or AEW x DDT x NJPW will happen in the future.” Jericho said to Tokyo Sports. “With something like that, we can emphasize developing young wrestlers and showing fans something new.”
Just like the old WCW did with New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Junior division or the Luchadores working in AAA, AEW can do exactly that with DDT and show the world what they’re missing on the other side of the world. We know for a fact that wrestlers like MAO would love to come to America once again. As he previously stated in our exclusive interview: “I don’t know my geography of America very well, but I know where Florida and New York are, and I would love to go back to that very same location again.”
We also know that AEW runs their Grand Slam show every year in Arthur Ashe Stadium, so the idea of something like The 37KAMIINA wreaking havoc against the Don Callis Family in New York doesn’t sound so bad, considering the American promotion needs something new and fresh to bring back the feeling they have lost since 2022.
If Takeshita defeats Jericho, the momentum for DDT would be really big, especially because DDT has booked a great show for old and new fans to come together in this celebration of the dramatic dream. A place where Puro fans can enjoy every part of what makes the Japanese promotion so special and unique, and of course they can see a piece of either the New Japan style or the American style of pro-wrestling.
We know that Takeshita will join a long list of wrestlers who have wrestled Jericho in Japan, and the names in that list, as Jericho stated in our exclusive interview, are nothing short but legendary: “I’ve worked with Atsushi Onita, Genichiro Tenryu, Bam Bam Bigelow, Jushin Liger, you name it. I’ve worked everybody there, man!”
What happens now in Ultimate Party 2023 is a question we can’t answer, but you can look up for yourself, by subscribing to WRESTLE UNIVERSE and by watching this promising show DDT has prepared for their return to Ryogoku Sumo Hall. If you don’t know how to subscribe to CyberFight’s streaming service, we put up a guide on how to watch Japanese pro-wrestling that will be useful. Check it out, and enjoy DDT’s ultimate party.
Date:
November 4, 2023
Category:
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