Chris Jericho is set to return to New Japan Pro Wrestling for the first time in two decades in January, and won't be appearing at WrestleMania, per his Fozzy schedule.
As revealed on the Fightful.com Podcast several weeks ago, Jericho never asked Vince McMahon for permission to work with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He opened up about the decision and Vince McMahon's reaction on Busted Open Radio this wee.
"I know he wasn't upset because I called him six weeks before and told him as soon as the deal was done. I would never surprise him like that. I didn't ask him for his permission, but I didn't have to. I told him what was going on and to be quite frank with you guys, he was super excited about it... Obviously, his mission is to seek and destroy and kill every other company, but I think he secretly likes it when other companies do good, because it just makes it better for his company. And when Chris Jericho goes to New Japan, everyone knows I'm not a New Japan guy, I'm a WWE guy."
You can hear the interview at this link.
Wrestle Kingdom 12 takes place January 4 from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Fightful.com will have full live coverage and a post-show podcast that afternoon.
