DISCUSSION - Chris Jericho is the most misused Wrestler in WWE history

**Heyman** · 10-23-2016, 11:50 AM

DISCUSSION - Chris Jericho is the most misused Wrestler in WWE history.

It's an odd statement to make given that Jericho has had so many World title reigns, IC title reigns, etc., but I stand by my observation.

Jericho could have and should have been the 'heir apparent' to The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin but the WWE fucked it up. Jericho's 'phantom' WWE title victory over Triple H should have been legit and would have gotten Jericho to that next level in a genuine way.

Even though Jericho technically got the better of The Rock in their matches in 2001, all of Jericho's victories were made to look like complete flukes. Even from his "crowning achievement" at Armageddon 2001 (beating Rock and Stone Cold) to Wrestlemania 18, anything and everything Jericho did was made to look like a complete fluke........and he gained little to no credibility from those things. After Wrestlemania 18, he was completely squashed by Triple H on multiple occasions and returned back to the mid-card.

Even from Jericho's debut, the guy was mis-used. After his incredible debut in 1999, the WWE put him in shit feuds with Road Dogg and Chyna (with Jericho even jobbing to Chyna).

Even though Jericho managed to get his steam back (and was absolutely sizzling in 2000), the WWE tried to use Jericho to elevate Benoit and Angle as opposed to the other way around. Out of those 3 guys, Jericho was the only guy that was really capable of being a true heir apparent to Austin and The Rock. Chris Benoit wasn't charismatic enough, while Angle's escalating drugs problems was never going to make him 'top dog.'

Even between 2002-2004 when the WWE was desperately looking for the next Austin/Rock, they continuously overlooked Jericho.

They tried to 'give the ball' to the following wrestlers, but these guys were never going to be 'the guy' for the following reasons:

1) Randy Orton: Complete immature douche backstage.
2) Kurt Angle: Drug problems (as mentioned)
3) Brock Lesnar: Given too much too quickly. Didn't fully appreciate what he had. Got burned out and left.
4) Chris Benoit: Not charismatic enough
5) Eddie Guerrero: Drug problems.
6) Triple H: Wasn't "likeable" as a face.

In terms of backstage character,being "one of the boys," wrestling talent, charisma, etc., etc., Jericho was the *only* guy worthy of being the heir apparent to The Rock/Steve Austin from a company standpoint. Jericho should have been the clear cut 'bridge-gap' guy between 2002-2005 when the WWE was in between The Attitude Era and the John Cena era.

Even in later years (2008-2010ish?) when Jericho produced some of his best matches and was World champion, you just never got a sense that he was winning in convincing fashion. By contrast - Shawn Michaels during the mid-90's played the cowardly heel champion, but even he had convincing and dominant wins when it mattered most. You just never really got that with Jericho.

If the WWE had allowed Jericho to go over Hunter in 2000 (non-phantom World title victory), along with allowing face Jericho to go over face Rocky, face Austin, and even face Triple H at Wrestlemania (all in clean and convincing fashion), I think the proverbial 'party' would have kept going.

So in conclusion - I do believe that Jericho was the most misused wrestler in WWE history, despite his numerous accolades. Jericho should have been the legit heir apparent to Stone Cold and The Rock. In retrospect, Jericho being held back was ultimately what caused the WWE to decline in my opinion.

10-23-2016, 11:50 AM	#1
Heyman Father of Hinduship Posts: 21,083	DISCUSSION - Chris Jericho is the most misused Wrestler in WWE history DISCUSSION - Chris Jericho is the most misused Wrestler in WWE history. It's an odd statement to make given that Jericho has had so many World title reigns, IC title reigns, etc., but I stand by my observation. Jericho could have and should have been the 'heir apparent' to The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin but the WWE fucked it up. Jericho's 'phantom' WWE title victory over Triple H should have been legit and would have gotten Jericho to that next level in a genuine way. Even though Jericho technically got the better of The Rock in their matches in 2001, all of Jericho's victories were made to look like complete flukes. Even from his "crowning achievement" at Armageddon 2001 (beating Rock and Stone Cold) to Wrestlemania 18, anything and everything Jericho did was made to look like a complete fluke........and he gained little to no credibility from those things. After Wrestlemania 18, he was completely squashed by Triple H on multiple occasions and returned back to the mid-card. Even from Jericho's debut, the guy was mis-used. After his incredible debut in 1999, the WWE put him in shit feuds with Road Dogg and Chyna (with Jericho even jobbing to Chyna). Even though Jericho managed to get his steam back (and was absolutely sizzling in 2000), the WWE tried to use Jericho to elevate Benoit and Angle as opposed to the other way around. Out of those 3 guys, Jericho was the only guy that was really capable of being a true heir apparent to Austin and The Rock. Chris Benoit wasn't charismatic enough, while Angle's escalating drugs problems was never going to make him 'top dog.' Even between 2002-2004 when the WWE was desperately looking for the next Austin/Rock, they continuously overlooked Jericho. They tried to 'give the ball' to the following wrestlers, but these guys were never going to be 'the guy' for the following reasons: 1) Randy Orton: Complete immature douche backstage. 2) Kurt Angle: Drug problems (as mentioned) 3) Brock Lesnar: Given too much too quickly. Didn't fully appreciate what he had. Got burned out and left. 4) Chris Benoit: Not charismatic enough 5) Eddie Guerrero: Drug problems. 6) Triple H: Wasn't "likeable" as a face. In terms of backstage character,being "one of the boys," wrestling talent, charisma, etc., etc., Jericho was the only guy worthy of being the heir apparent to The Rock/Steve Austin from a company standpoint. Jericho should have been the clear cut 'bridge-gap' guy between 2002-2005 when the WWE was in between The Attitude Era and the John Cena era. Even in later years (2008-2010ish?) when Jericho produced some of his best matches and was World champion, you just never got a sense that he was winning in convincing fashion. By contrast - Shawn Michaels during the mid-90's played the cowardly heel champion, but even he had convincing and dominant wins when it mattered most. You just never really got that with Jericho. If the WWE had allowed Jericho to go over Hunter in 2000 (non-phantom World title victory), along with allowing face Jericho to go over face Rocky, face Austin, and even face Triple H at Wrestlemania (all in clean and convincing fashion), I think the proverbial 'party' would have kept going. So in conclusion - I do believe that Jericho was the most misused wrestler in WWE history, despite his numerous accolades. Jericho should have been the legit heir apparent to Stone Cold and The Rock. In retrospect, Jericho being held back was ultimately what caused the WWE to decline in my opinion.