Jericho explains absence from NJPW US shows, All In

Chris Jericho has explained why he won’t be wrestling for NJPW shows in the United States or at All In.

In an interview with Inside the Ropes, Jericho said he rejected working for New Japan shows in the United States and the upcoming All In event for two reasons, with the first being monetary.

“You should see how many indy promoters contact me” he said. “This is a calculated big money proposition. I’m not going anywhere else unless you want to pay six f****** figures. This is where I’m at. This is McGregor/Mayweather type s*** for me.”

He also mentioned that he felt like it would be a slap in the face to Vince McMahon if he were to do a show in the United States.

“I’m doing all of these different things and enjoying the freedom but still rooted in the respect for Vince McMahon and the WWE” he said. “And [working shows in the US] goes too far over that line right now.”

On Monday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Jericho wouldn’t be wrestling for NJPW for a long time, despite winning the IWGP Intercontinental title from Tetsuya Naito at Dominion this past Saturday. Meltzer mentioned that Jericho’s absence would effectively put the championship “on ice”.