Chris Jericho: Tetsuya Naito Wishes He Could Be Me

Chris Jericho continues to trash Tetsuya Naito.

Even though Chris Jericho claims he won’t be wrestling Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 13 on Jan. 4, it hasn’t stopped the IWGP Intercontinental Champion from taking shots at the Los Ingobernables de Japon leader.

In an interview with NJPW.com, Jericho believes Naito is jealous of him and the attention he brought NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 12.

“I’m not denying his abilities, he’s a tremendous wrestler, he’s got a great character. He’s full of confidence, full of arrogance, he sells merchandise. He’s the total package,” admitted Jericho. “The only thing he doesn’t have is what I have – worldwide experience. He seems to think that it’s a bad thing that I have worldwide experience, he seems to make jokes that I have all of these different championships and titles. I still think he’s jealous because last time, Kenny Omega vs Chris Jericho was a better match than Okada vs Naito. It sold more tickets. NJPW World in the USA went-up 60%, not because of Naito, but because of Chris Jericho. So, I understand the jealousy, I understand the fact that he wishes he could be me and that’s OK.” Jericho continued, “I think that he confuses the two. He confuses the fact that Jericho is a bigger name, a better performer more critically acclaimed, more trophies, more titles, more T-shirts, more dolls, more action figures, more video games, more bubblegum cards. You name it! Chris Jericho bowling balls, Chris Jericho eyeglasses, Chris Jericho ice cream bars. All of those things are real, it’s true.”

Jericho also called Naito a “coward” for attacking him following his NJPW Power Struggle bout against EVIL. NJPW announced Jericho vs. Naito for Wrestle Kingdom 13, but Jericho quickly declined the bout. Despite Jericho’s insistence that the match isn’t happening, NJPW is still advertising the IWGP IC Title bout on their website.