It was 20 years ago today that the “Countdown to the Millennium” clock hit zero with The Rock standing in the ring. It was revealed seconds later that Chris Jericho signed with WWE, leaving WCW and becoming the talk of the town. That moment when Jericho let it be known that “Raw is Jericho” and had no problem debuting with The Rock of all people in the middle of the ring. Now we sit here 20 years later and it is almost the same situation, with Jericho making waves and making the jump from WWE to All Elite Wrestling.
When Jericho made his WWE debut 20 years ago, it was a game-changer. It was one of the best lead-ups to a debut ever. When the “Countdown to the Millennium” finally found its end, the payoff was worth it. With The Rock in the ring, it was just a feeling of legitimacy instantly for Jericho. He went on to, of course, have a legendary career and reinvent himself time after time. What is more impressive is that Jericho is now going to make a move that will once again help change the landscape of wrestling.
Chris Jericho signed with AEW earlier this year, it instantly awakened a possible war on the horizon between them and WWE. Jericho is far and away one of the biggest names still active in pro wrestling and truly one of the best of all-time. He has never had a tough time at reinventing himself and being the top guy of a brand. What is crazier is the fact he is just weeks away from competing for the AEW World Championship. If he was to win that, his legacy only continues to rise higher.
Reinventing yourself in pro wrestling isn’t an easy thing to do, but if you look at Chris Jericho, you would think its the easiest thing in the world. AEW signed Jericho for one reason and one reason only. To be their top draw because that is exactly what he is. There is a reason he continues to ask for a thank you. Just look at the accolades. A nine-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, first ever WWE Undisputed World Champion. The list goes on but the one thing that stays the same is Chris Jericho.
After his incredible debut that many consider the best moment in RAW history, he is just two months away from creating some of the best moments in AEW TV as they go live on TNT. Love him or hate him, he continues to shock the world and add to his resume of being one of the greatest to lace up a pair of boots.
He will face Adam Page on August 31st at All Out for the AEW World Championship.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
