Various: Chris Jericho on His Future in NJPW, Mean Gene Okerlund, Asuka WWE Poll, Indies

Chris Jericho Comments on His Future in New Japan Pro Wrestling

Yahoo! Japan held a recent interview with Chris Jericho and one of the topics discussed included Jericho’s future in New Japan Pro Wrestling following Thursday’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 event.

“It is a big mistake if [you] think that the time with me and [New Japan Pro Wrestling] will be over. I kept the [Intercontinental Belt] for the longest in 2018. So, let me tell you, I want to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Belt. … Chris Jericho will challenge the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and you will understand!”

English translation via WrestlingInc.com.

More on the Passing of “Mean” Gene Okerlund

As noted before, Mean Gene Okerlund passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76.

Okerlund’s son, Todd Okerlund, stated in a recent interview with TMZ that his father had been dealing with health issues related to a fall at his home a few weeks ago and had been rushed to a hospital on Wednesday due to serious breathing problems prior to his passing.

WWE Poll Asks Fans Who Should be SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka’s Next Challenger

WWE.com is currently holding a poll asking fans who should be the next official challenger for Asuka’s SmackDown Women’s Championship. The choices available are Becky Lynch, Carmella, and Charlotte Flair.

At the time of this report, Becky Lynch leads with 61% of the fan vote followed by Carmella at 24% of the vote.

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Prior to the end of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13’s broadcast, Kevin Kelly announced that the official paid attendance total for the event was 38,162. This is up from last year’s paid total of 34,995 for Wrestle Kingdom 12, according to the Wrestling Observer.

ROH and the NWA announced two new matches for the card of January 12th ROH TV tapings in Atlanta, Georgia:
– Bandido vs. Mark Haskins.
– NWA World Heavyweight Championship match – PJ Black vs. Nick Aldis (c).

Revolution Pro Wrestling announced that the card of their March 24th event in Northampton, England features a singles match of PAC vs. Chris Brookes.