WWE: Analyzing the Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho Dynamic

These two appear to have quite a fun and funny on-screen relationship. Is it because they are both Canadian? It is unlikely, but could only add the amusing nature of their tag team in WWE.

One of the most amusing, fun teams that have come together recently is the combination of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. For years, Jericho has been able to either make himself loved or hated by the WWE Universe somehow. Kevin Owens, on the other hand, has been a heel since the day he first appeared in an NXT ring and turned on his long-time friend Sami Zayn.

However, few people could have envisioned that the duo would come together to fight a common foe. It appears the team of Enzo Amore and Big Cass have become the focus of Chris Jericho’s angst and frustration. The feud certainly helps the team of Enzo and Cass, and puts them on a different level as they are the younger team that is slated to face the veterans, Owens and Jericho.

The discussions between Owens and Jericho have expanded beyond their exchanges with Enzo and Cass. A number of times during backstage segments, the heels weren’t necessarily garnering jeers by fans in attendance or watching at home, but rather laughs. Based on Owens’ straight-laced responses to Jericho’ often over the top angst, the two of them appear to click on screen together.

While it is hard to pinpoint out any one particular moment that stood out, an example of an entertaining one was the dry cleaning backstage segment. For those that may not recall, it was the instance when Jericho demanded that Owens pay for his dry cleaning, and in response Owens pulled out a handful of change and a Jolly Rancher. Was it meaningful? Were fans supposed to think Jericho was to be taken seriously, or is it that Owens wouldn’t take him seriously regardless of what he said?

The short answer is it didn’t matter. For the first time in a long time, fans were exposed to two heels that were able to come up with one-liners and still remain themselves. Often a wrestler will take a back seat to the other person and allow them to take the lead. In this instance, fans are becoming more and more aware of how funny Kevin Owens is, and how well he works with Chris Jericho.

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It is curious why these two work so well together. Of course, both are incredibly gifted on the mic. Whether they were heels or faces, throughout their careers Owens and Jericho could deliver promos with intention, conviction, and passion. While Owens was learning his craft in companies such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor, Chris Jericho was busy weaving a tapestry of words together that could only compare to The Rock. However, what is most remarkable about them is there is a near fifteen-year age difference.

Owens learned English and how to deliver promos while watching wrestling, starting with the Shawn Michaels and Diesel match at Wrestlemania XI. Owens now speaks English fluently and has grown leaps and bounds over the years. Jericho has always seemed to be able to mix in jabs at heels while he was a face; look no farther than his long-running feud with Stephanie McMahon. The biggest difference, however, is that while Jericho was delivering quality segment after quality segment since the turn of the century in the WWE, Owens was just learning his craft.

What they both appear to have is that uncanny ability to take what their opposition is saying and spin it on them. The ability to improvise and adjust as you go along is key, and it’s something that both men are able to do. As they come together with Summer Slam approaching, fans shouldn’t be surprised with what they see; after all, they are both former tag team champions. While it isn’t likely that they win against Enzo and Cass, the important thing is that they were used and had an opportunity to shine as a team.

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In some instances, the duo has been referred to as JeriKO. It’s a clever use of both their names, but that doesn’t mean they will stay together. Regardless, the two Canadians are coming together and providing fans with consistently great segments.