As previously reported, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito was brutally assaulted by none other than Chris Jericho at Friday’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku event in Fukuoka, Japan.
The self-proclaimed best in the world emerged through the crowd dressed as a Los Ingobernables de Japon fan with a mask and all, delivering a merciless beating before splitting up Naito with a blow from the ring bell. You can check out extended footage from the attack above.
Following the altercation, a blood-soaked Naito crawled his way backstage and somehow still managed to issue a series of post-match comments to the Japanese press, speaking directly to Y2J. Even covered in a thick crimson mask, barely able to stand on his two feet, the LIJ leader was characteristically cocky, taunting Jericho throughout and making it very clear that he’s not sweating the 28-year veteran.
“That was quite the statement to send Tetsuya Naito. I don’t know too much about him… He’s one of the most famous wrestlers in the world, huh? I guess one of the most famous wrestlers in the world can’t get Tetsuya Naito out of his head? You just proved to everyone how valuable I really am.”
“This is my home, New Japan. Don’t think you can do this to me and then just go back to your home. He showed something by coming out today, but I’ll teach him that just showing up isn’t enough to warrant success. Challengers keep coming, one after another. That’s to be expected. There’s nobody else in this world quite like me.”
“It’s first come, first serve, to get at me. You’d better hurry if you want my attention. But whether I’ll give them time or not, you know how it is… Tranquilo. I told you, ‘King’, if you don’t come soon, you’ll lose your spot. You better hurry up.”