5 reasons why Chris Jericho is the real G.O.A.T. in pro wrestling
By Kyle Brown
1. WWE’s First Undisputed Champion
It was going to take someone very special to pull off the feat of pinning both The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in separate matches to become WWE’s very first Undisputed Champion.
Chris Jericho was that someone special.
At WWE’s 2001 Vengeance pay-per-view, Jericho had the opportunity to face The Rock for the World Heavyweight Championship. After some outside help from Vince McMahon, Jericho defeated The Rock to claim the title.
The celebration was short-lived as Stone Cold Steve Austin made his way to the ring to defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Jericho was, again, aided by outside forces (McMahon and Booker T) as he was able to defeat Austin and become WWE’s first-ever Undisputed Champion, and the fourth Grand Slam Champion.
Y2J had reached the summit of professional wrestling 21 years after he started on the independent circuits. He would keep the title all the way to WrestleMania X8, where he would drop the strap to Triple H, ending his 98 day reign.
For the top wrestling company in the world to entrust placing their first unified top title around Jericho’s waist shows just how highly he was thought of then.
Things have not changed as Jericho will have the opportunity to claim AEW’s first heavyweight title when he faces Adam Page in August.
I hope this list reminded you of just how important Chris Jericho has been to professional wrestling for close to 30 years. He has certainly put in the time to entertain us all, and he is showing no signs of slowing down.
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What do you think? Where does Y2J rank in your list of all-time greats? Was there a moment ranked too low, too high, or left out completely? Let us know in the comments!