Does Chris Jericho's departure come at a good time for him personally?

[Mr. Nerfect]

This is just something I was thinking about randomly and decided to make a thread about to promote discussion. There is no doubt that Jericho leaving the company right now is not exactly good for the WWE. While he hasn't been central to the primary storyline of any show since WrestleMania time, Jericho is an MVP -- he was arguably the best worker on either brand, had no problem putting over anyone (from John Morrison, Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston to even Heath Slater and JTG), and his promo skills and ability to extract crowd reactions were right up there.

There is always the silver-lining that now Jericho is gone, other guys NEED to step-up, which could lead to some interesting fresh faces being created. But let's talk about what Chris Jericho gains or loses from this. While many thought he would stick around to promote his DVD and earn extra exposure for Fozzy, and whatever other extra-curricular activites The Ayatollah had planned -- Jericho has decided to leave right now to go on tour with Fozzy and take some down time.

But let's say Jericho chooses to return in a few months: Do you think the emptiness he will leave on the roster will be big enough that the WWE will appreciate (even more so than now) the talent that is Chris Jericho? Speaking in terms of merely the superficial, Chris Jericho's latest run in the WWE has led to his greatest success. Three World Heavyweight Titles were won by Jericho during his latest run, and he even got to successfully defend one of them at WrestleMania this year. He got to beat Shawn Michaels in "his match," the Ladder Match. He was never quite as appreciated by the company prior to his original departure, and got to flirt with the main event scene on a regular basis, but was pretty much always the bridesmaid and never the bride (after what ended up being a horribly booked run as Undisputed Champion).

Let's say Jericho returns in time for WrestleMania next year. Does his stock go up or down as a performer in the WWE?

[Snowden]

I'd guess his stock would go up. Either way you look at it, his return would refresh his character. Not that he's stale by any stretch, but as you said, he's not the center of attention right now in the WWE. A Jericho return would be a big fucking deal, and the WWE would play it up as such.

If he comes back as a face, he'd get huge pops, and I feel like we'd see a whole new element of his character. He most likely wouldn't go back to fun loving Y2J, but more of a humbled, driven Jericho that is a logical extension of his current heel persona.

If he comes back as a heel, he's got a ready made feud with Randy Orton, the hottest star in the WWE. Say Orton holds the belt for a good 6 months, which is well within reason. Jericho can come back and cost him the title, setting up a monster feud for Mania.

Whatever he does, if Jericho comes back he'd be thrust into a main event type role before settling back in...plus, his absence I feel like will make the fans appreciate him even more.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This might be unrealistic, but what if Jericho did an Edge/Cena and returned in the Royal Rumble? As you said, as a face, it would be a different sort of character from Y2J. We've seen hints of it during the feud with Nexus, but people are willing to look at Jericho as a face they respect, and not so much one they are merely entertained by.

I find it curious that Orton has apparently spoken out about his role as a babyface. He apparently would much rather play a solid heel. While I don't think that is the best thing for business right now -- imagine if they just kept Orton the way he is, and Jericho returned in the Rumble, and showed up on RAW and said he was coming for Orton, and Randy reminded Jericho of how Jericho has failed to beat him on numerous occasions. Jericho taking the WWE Title from Orton at WrestleMania would be...interesting.

[Snowden]

Either that, or try to pull off a double turn at Mania, with Orton getting his wish and going heel? It would be hard as hell to do, and risky, but it could work.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If Orton is going to turn heel, I think it should be just because the fans boo him. It's how he ended up a face. If he starts sucking up to the crowds and such, then he might need a turn; but right now Orton is such an organic character that any sort of heel turn will happen as subtlely as his face turn, in my opinion.

[Sixx]

Jericho was awarded The Order of the Buffalo Hunt in a ceremony held in Manitoba for his achievements in wrestling and his commitment to working with underprivileged children.[115] The award has previously been given to Pope John Paul II, Chicago mayor Richard Daley, Desmond Tutu, and Mother Teresa.[115]

WOW

[Swiss Ultimate]

Jericho IS...HUMANITARIAN!

[VSG]

My feeling is that WWE wouldn't have let him take a break unless they had someone returning who was big and could be in the main event scene for a while. With the Edge-GM and Cena-Nexus angles going on, and Sheamus-Orton for a while too, I guess it's perfect timing for Zeke to make his comeback or maybe even HHH.

I am still sure Jericho will be back by the time his book is released in Feb.

[Schlomey]

When Zeke does return I hope he is thrust into the big unstoppable bad ass and not associated with the comedy roles.

He had a great match with Christian back at the RR so I KNOW he is a big man who can go given the opportunity. The RAW brand needs a new black monster since Mark Henry is all giggly these days.

[Schlomey]

as far as Jericho goes, yes right now is a good time for a break. He has a book/DVD/Fozzy to promote. We are in full WWE downtime anyways as ratings suck ect... It is a good time to recharge the batteries and be back to kill Orton in a epic battle at Mania.

[Stickman]

I would like to see him become the first undisputed world champion...again.

[Rammsteinmad]

Sorry if this comes across as dumb, but has Jericho actually left? Coz on wwe.com it says he's facing Orton next week for the title?

Is it confirmed that he's going?

[Favre4Ever]

that episode has already been taped.

[Rammsteinmad]

So what? Is he done? :(

[Juan]

So what? Is he done? :(

He's taking a short hiatus. Should be back by WM

[Troelar]

Good thing we'll have the DVD to get us by till he comes back!

[Furious Beardsley]

I think that it is good for Jericho. He has a lot of irons in the fire between his book coming out early next year, a looming Fozzy tour, and the new DVD.

This will give him a chance to recharge a bit and come back with a new energy in time for WM. I do like the idea of a more subtle face turn for Jericho and make it seem like a natural change from his current losing streak that he has been having, give his character time to think while he is out due to (not posting spoilers), and put together a game plan for the demise of Orton.

With WWE being so slow right now, because face it, HIAC is coming at a terrible time after only 2 weeks after NOC. Then there are 2 more PPV's before the Rumble and then we are in Wrestlemania mode. This will give other talent perfect timing to step up to the plate and fill the massive void Jericho leaves behind. Then he should be able to slide back into this spot upon his return and make a title run possibly capping it all off at Mania.

All in all, this break could propel Jericho to a new level if WWE plays up his return in time for WM.

[Damian Rey]

I think it will help his character freshen up a bit, and give more time to focus on his other hobbies.

What I'm curious to see is where he will be taken once he gets back. I mean, lets face it here, he's been far more successful as a heel than he ever was as a face. Both o his builds to being a world champion were as a heel. So I don't know if I'm a fan of turning him face.

I mean, it could work. I don't think having revert back to the old Y2J would work anymore, but maybe evolving into a serious but grizzled veteran out to prove he can still compete with and be one of the elite. Wasn't Angle focusing on beating guys he felt were in line to be champion, starting with the guy in last place? Booking Jericho like this, and having him direct his promos to whoever he is specifically feuding with rather than fans, could work as a quasi face turn.

[crusnik]

i agree that he needs a break and it is a good time to do so with everything outside wrestling that he has going on.I also think that it should be as a face when he comes back.I saw old y2j footage and i think going that way may work, however they should tweak it a bit so it's fresh(he went after orton when he returned too) I agree with others here, have him be more serious but grizzeled veteran ,but as a face(this is the teaking the y2j thing) or at least from the y2j bring back his old theme song.lol

[Damian Rey]

i agree that he needs a break and it is a good time to do so with everything outside wrestling that he has going on.I also think that it should be as a face when he comes back.I saw old y2j footage and i think going that way may work, however they should tweak it a bit so it's fresh(he went after orton when he returned too) I agree with others here, have him be more serious but grizzeled veteran ,but as a face(this is the teaking the y2j thing) or at least from the y2j bring back his old theme song.lol

I don't think the Y2J would go as far as it once did. When he came back the last time, he turned heel pretty early into his return. The Y2J gimmick has ran its course. He'd older, wiser, and is kind of past all that.

I'd rather him just be less about badgering the fans about how he's the best in the world and yadda yadda and just take on a more serious, professional type gimmick.

[crusnik]

I don't think the Y2J would go as far as it once did. When he came back the last time, he turned heel pretty early into his return. The Y2J gimmick has ran its course. He'd older, wiser, and is kind of past all that.

I'd rather him just be less about badgering the fans about how he's the best in the world and yadda yadda and just take on a more serious, professional type gimmick.

agreed:y: