Chris Jericho believes that his 2018 match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 12 played a pivotal role in changing professional wrestling by inspiring Tony Khan to create All Elite Wrestling (AEW). During a recent interview on UNTAPPED, Jericho included Omega on his personal Mount Rushmore of opponents, highlighting the significance of their encounter.
Their no disqualification contest for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship took place in front of a full house at the Tokyo Dome. Jericho said that the enormous fan interest in the match demonstrated a growing demand for wrestling alternatives to WWE, which helped motivate Tony Khan to start AEW.
Jericho Explains the Match’s Impact on Wrestling’s Evolution
Discussing the significance of the Tokyo Dome match, Jericho said,
“We changed the business when we had our match at the Tokyo Dome, which at the time was crazy because nobody ever thought it would happen. We’re both from the same small town in Canada called Winnipeg, and we pretty much packed in the Tokyo Dome.”
He added,
“Digital streaming was through the roof for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which then led to Tony Khan seeing and deciding that he could form AEW because there was so much demand for wrestling that was not WWE.”
Following this landmark encounter, Tony Khan launched AEW the next year. Jericho became the first-ever AEW World Champion and remained a central figure in the company until April of last year, when he opted to take a break. Although there were rumors about his contract ending and a possible WWE return, reports have indicated that his contract status was paused due to added time for his time away.
Long-Term Importance of the Jericho-Omega Match
The match between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega not only drew significant attention from fans worldwide but also revealed the market potential beyond WWE’s dominance. This shift encouraged new opportunities within wrestling entertainment and supported AEW’s establishment as a major promotion. Jericho’s reflections emphasize how a single high-profile bout can alter the industry’s course and foster innovation.
