Chris Jericho Provides Clarification On Previous NJPW Deal

NJPW

Chris Jericho has provided some clarification on his previous deal with NJPW, prior to the formation of AEW.

Jericho made his NJPW in-ring return at Wrestle Kingdom 12, facing then-IWGP US Champion Kenny Omega in a marquee match.

The Painmaker had an intriguing run with the promotion, even holding the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in 2018.

Jericho last wrestled for the promotion at Wrestle Kingdom 14, facing Hiroshi Tanahashi.

On a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer compared Sasha Banks’ proposed NJPW deal to Chris Jericho’s previous paydays with the company, noting:

“Voices of Wrestling said that it was a per-appearance deal at the highest price that Bushiroad has ever paid anyone, and they said it was more than Chris Jericho.

“Chris Jericho made $100,000 a shot when he was working for New Japan, and, man, $100,000 a shot, she’s gonna have to… with Chris Jericho he was actually underpaid because of how much revenue he drove between New Japan World and ticket sales at the different shows and things like that.”

Jericho has now responded to this report, taking to Twitter to state that he was paid different rates per event, rather than a flat per appearance rate.

Noting that he was paid well for his NJPW appearances, Jericho wrote:

“For the record, the money I reportedly made during my run with @njpw1972 from 2018-2020 online currently is completely wrong. I never had a flat per appearance deal, I was paid according to the event. And I made more per event than I did for MOST of my Wrestlemania matches.” 

Jericho most recently wrestled on the December 14 edition of Dynamite, losing to Action Andretti in a huge upset.

For the record, the money I reportedly made during my run with @njpw1972 from 2018-2020 online currently is completely wrong. I never had a flat per appearance deal, I was paid according to the event. And I made more per event than I did for MOST of my Wrestlemania matches.

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) December 16, 2022

Think you’re a wrestling mastermind? Well you can prove it by taking quizzes in our brand new quiz section! Don’t forget to tweet us your results!

Share this article with friends