WWE Legend Rejects Working with Chris Jericho: Inside the Explosive Feud That Almost Never Happened
Chris Jericho, widely recognized for his charismatic personality and in-ring prowess, made a monumental bounce to WWE in August 1999 after realizing that his career in WCW (World Championship Wrestling) had plateaued. At the tender age of 28, Jericho changed into brimming with capability, and his pass to WWE become seen by way of many as a harbinger of WCW’s approaching decline. The switch sent shockwaves via the wrestling world, signaling that WWE became on its manner to affirming dominance in the wrestling enterprise.
Jericho’s WWE debut was nothing short of awesome. He burst onto the scene with an unforgettable promo showdown towards none other than The Rock, one in every of WWE’s maximum electrifying performers. This encounter no longer handiest set the tone for Jericho’s WWE profession however also showcased his capability to stand toe-to-toe with the biggest names within the business.
But Jericho failed to forestall there. He quickly made his presence felt by using interrupting The Undertaker on an episode of SmackDown. The Undertaker, recognized for his intimidating personality and eerie mystique, was a discern few dared to task. Yet, Jericho, along with his trademark audacity, reduced off The Deadman mid-promo and boldly declared to the sector simply how uninteresting he discovered The Undertaker to be. It changed into a circulate that garnered Jericho immense heat, both from the fans and within the WWE locker room.
In a recent episode of his popular “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, Jericho pulled back the curtain on this controversial moment, revealing that his original target for the scathing promo wasn’t The Undertaker at all—it was WWE’s then-World Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin. However, Austin, known for his no-nonsense attitude and larger-than-life persona, flat-out refused to engage with Jericho in such a manner.
Recalling the incident, Jericho said, “I did a promo on Undertaker on Tuesday. Originally, it was supposed to be a promo on Austin, but I think Steve said, ‘Screw that. I’m not doing it.’ My idea at the time was I was just going to bury all the top stars and tell them how boring they are. I told Undertaker how boring he was after he just delivered a ten-minute super boring promo. I got so much heat for that.”
Jericho’s admission sheds light on the backstage dynamics of WWE, where even the most seasoned performers navigate a minefield of egos, creative differences, and strategic decisions. His decision to go after The Undertaker, instead of Austin, was a calculated risk—one that paid off in terms of generating buzz, but also put him in hot water with some of the company’s biggest names.
Despite the initial friction, Jericho’s career in WWE flourished. He went on to become one of the most decorated and respected performers in the industry, known for his versatility, mic skills, and ability to reinvent himself time and time again. Yet, as he enters the twilight of his career, Jericho remains as passionate and driven as ever.
In a recent interview, the veteran wrestler dismissed any notion of retirement, stating unequivocally that he has no plans to follow in the footsteps of other legendary figures like Sting, John Cena, or Bryan Danielson, who have all either retired or significantly scaled back their in-ring appearances. For Jericho, as long as he feels he can contribute meaningfully and enjoys performing, there’s no reason to hang up his boots.
“When I retire, there won’t be a retirement tour or a retirement match,” Jericho stated firmly. “I’ll simply call it a day.”
H/t to Fightful
