The wrestling world was set ablaze as AEW’s Chris Jericho made a shocking appearance at Arena Mexico to lay the smackdown on CMLL star Mistico ahead of the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event this weekend. Mistico, a key player on the Long Island event’s card this Sunday, found himself on the receiving end of Jericho’s notorious Codebreaker and Judas Effect during Friday’s Viernes Espectacular show. Not content with just physical dominance, Jericho also cut a bilingual promo backstage, throwing down the gauntlet for a July 5 showdown at CMLL.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Jericho declared. “It’s been a huge part of my life, wrestling in Mexico City, living in Mexico City, and all across the country. I have gone on to do many great things in my career. Many people say I am the greatest of all time … Mistico, I will challenge you anytime, any place, anywhere. You say the word. You call Arena Mexico your house; thirty years ago, Arena Mexico was my house, and I’m coming back to take my house away from you.”
This dramatic declaration sets the stage for an explosive encounter. But before that, both Jericho and Mistico will be busy with trios matches at Forbidden Door. Mistico teams up with the Lucha Brothers, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix, to take on Yota Tsuji, Titan, and Hiromu Takahashi in the Zero Hour pre-show. Meanwhile, Jericho teams up with Big Bill and a mystery partner to face Hiroshi Tanahashi and the Acclaimed’s Max Caster and Anthony Bowens. It’s also worth noting that Jericho will soon face Minoru Suzuki for the FTW Championship, marking the first time he’s not partnered with Suzuki at Forbidden Door.