IWGP Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho and Tetsuya Naito appeared together at a NJPW press conference for Wrestle Kingdom 13 recently. The two would soon brawl after an altercation and had to be broken up by the Young Lions.
NJPW shared a video where Chris Jerico told Naito that he will end his career. The video was made the day after the two brawled during the news conference.
“Felt good yesterday, Naito, at Korakuen Hall after you spit in my face in the New Japan Office. I beat the hell out of you with a chair in Korakuen Hall. It’s fair, right? Anything is fair, right? Anything is fair when it comes to Jericho and Naito II because it’s going to be the last night of your career at Wrestle Kingdom 13, Naito. All of your fans, thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of fans around the world will be crying as soon as our match is finished, I’ll still be the IWGP Intercontinental Champion and you will be finished. You can get a job here, at this restaurant and bar. It’s all you can do.
“You are a great wrestler Naito. I take my hat off to you. You’re one of the best in the world, but Chris Jericho is the best in the world. The greatest of all-time. The greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time. I’ve never lost to a ‘nihonjin’ in New Japan and I’m not going to lose to you. Everyone is talking behind your back. They’re scared for you Naito. They’re terrified of what’s going to happen to you at Wrestle Kingdom 13.“
Chris continued by saying he will not be held responsible for anything that happens in January, where it will be the ”other” Chris Jericho.
“I have to apologize, ‘I’m sorry for what’s going to happen. It’s not my fault. It’s not me that’s going to end your career. It’s this Jericho [picks up mask]. Whatever happens is his fault. So, anybody that’s sad when you can’t wrestle anymore. That cries when they see you on the street, begging for spare change because you can’t wrestle anymore. Don’t blame me, blame him. And Naito, I hope you get a standing ovation at Wrestle Kingdom 13. Hell, I’ll be the first one to applaud you after I leave you laying in a broken heap, a sad, and finished man. Adios, Naito!”
h/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.