Chris Jericho: The Wrestler for the New Millennium

Chris Jericho has been in the wrestling for close to three decades.  The secret to his longevity is his ability to constantly reinvent himself.  As we approach 2018, Y2J is doing it once more.

Chris Jericho has been a staple in professional wrestling for 27 years.  Making his debut in the fall in 1990, Jericho has never looked back.  He has been a major player in Mexico, Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United States.  Y2J worked for all three of the major wrestling promotions during the boom period of the 1990’s and made sure his name would not be forgotten.  At just 6 feet tall and 227 pounds, Chris would rarely be the bigger man in the fight, but he would have the largest heart.

In Mexico, he gained the name of Corazon de Leon or Lion Heart, and it would follow him through his time in ECW.  The name was a representation that no matter the challenge in front of him, his heart would never give in.  One of the biggest factors that played into Jericho’s success has been his travels throughout several countries during his career.  He has worked for promotions all over the world, learning different styles in each and adding to his repertoire.

His time in Mexico and Canada led to his hiring in Smoky Mountain Wrestling.  Working for Jim Cornette in SMW allowed Chris to sit under a major learning tree in the business.  It was during this time he had some bullet points in his career.  He formed the Thrill Seekers with friend and training partner Lance Storm, and he began making trips to Japan.  Gaining knowledge not only in the ring but outside, as well as getting his name out on US soil would lead to his next venture.

Lion Heart makes his way to the major leagues

Y2J would soon head to ECW and was instantly loved by the fans.  The smart fans that filled the ECW Arena knew all about Lion Heart and his world travels.  His time in ECW wasn’t to most extensive but that is Chris’ modus operandi.  He never overstays his welcome and knows when to make a move before the act can get stale.  After his stint in ECW, he would make his next home with one of the big two promotions during the Monday Night War, WCW.

Spending most of his time in WCW as a cruiserweight and a staple of the mid-card, he would make his own success.  In WCW the cruiserweights served a purpose and would rarely be given opportunity beyond that spot.  Not wanting to just be tethered to a specific role on the team, Y2J would do whatever he needed to in order to advance.  As he began to make more and more waves in WCW he would find himself in a pseudo-feud with Goldberg.  It is often forgotten as Goldberg thought Chris was below him and Jericho would often do his own thing.  Unfortunately, this feud wouldn’t come to fruition until their time in WWE.

The man of the new millennium arrives in the promised land

As the year 2000 approached, the world was beginning to worry about “Y2K.”  The fear was computer programs weren’t able to comprehend the change to the year 2000 and the world would crumble.  Being that we are in 2017, safe to say this didn’t happen.  But as 1999 was coming to a close, Monday Night Raw would begin to see a countdown appear weekly.  Finally, in August of 1999, the world would be introduced to Y2J.  So from Lion Heart to the Man of 1,004 Holds, to Y2J.  Jericho was proving his ability to be a chameleon and adapt to his surroundings.

His time in WWE wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows though.  His early tenure with the WWE was mired with chemistry issues and just not getting the greatest booking.  Though as he had done each and every time prior, Chris would tighten his bootstraps and muscle through.  The highlight of his early time with WWE would come at Unforgiven 2001.  On this night Jericho would defeat both The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin to become the first ever Undisputed Heavyweight Champion.

WWE.com

The WWE would prove to be the longest tenure Jericho would have with any company in his career.  Throughout his 18 years with the WWE, Chris would win every championship that he competed for.  He is one of the most decorated and celebrated champions in WWE history.  Chris would go through several transformations to his character while under the WWE umbrella.  When it felt the Y2J character was getting stale, he would actually take time off in 2005.  After he was reinvigorated he would return but still have remnants of the Y2J character.  It wasn’t until years later that he would regain a full fan interest.

Jericho would begin to speak in a much slower cadence, increase his vocabulary and would dress in suits.  When Chris began transforming into this persona I had instant flashbacks to legendary champion Nick Bockwinkel.  Much the same to Bockwinkel, he would emphasize his higher intellect, larger wealth and overall superiority to the fans.  Jericho would breathe new life into his career, winning several championships and building his legacy.

As his time in WWE began to grow Chris would tend to go back to his older personas.  much more the Y2J character than the smarmy world champion.  His 2016-2017 pairing with Kevin Owens would see Chris reach some of his highest peaks in the company.  Yes, he may not have won many titles, but he created memorable moments for fans.

As 2017 began to wind down it appeared that his outside ventures were beginning to take his focus.  Also on his Twitter page fans began to notice that he was being incredibly critical of Kenny Omega.  Omega is one of the most talented wrestlers in the world today but has made a majority of his success in Japan.

The Alpha faces the Omega in the Land of the Rising Sun

In the Fall of 2017, Jericho made a surprise return to NJPW in a vignette challenging Omega. Per his challenge, they would meet at New Japan’s annual big event, Wrestle Kingdom.  In the vignette, Jericho would make his most recent transformation into “The Alpha.”  It was under this premise that he claimed he and Kenny were on a collision course as The Alpha and Omega.  Jericho would continue to taunt Omega through taped vignettes until something changed.

At this week’s World Tag League event after another video had aired the lights would return and Jericho would be standing behind Kenny.  A code breaker and headshot with the NJPW United States Championship later, Omega would be left in a pool of his own blood.  Jericho would continue to attack Omega until his point was made clear.  Once the beatdown was complete, Jericho would wipe Omega’s blood on his own face to send his final message.  January 4th, Wrestle Kingdom, Omega meets the Alpha.

Next: The Futility of 'One More Match'

Jericho has spent nearly 30 years in the wrestling business.  He has lasted so long by constantly changing his colors and adapting to the scene.  Having been a factor in the major companies of the United States, Japan, and Mexico, Jericho continues to marvel.  As Wrestle Kingdom approaches he once again has transformed himself.  Jericho has proven to be one of the greatest of all time for the fact that he knows when to stay when to leave, when to change and when to ramp it up.  On January 4th at the Tokyo Dome, the world will meet The Alpha.