3. WWE Undisputed Championship Reign (December 9, 2001-March 17, 2002)
- Defeated For The Title: Stone Cold Steve Austin (Vengeance 2001)
- Lost The Title To: Triple H (WrestleMania 18)
- Days Held: 98
- Successful Televised Title Defenses: 8
- Vs. Steve Austin (Raw, Dec. 10, 2001 & No Way Out 2002)
- Vs. Rob Van Dam (Raw, Dec. 17, 2001)
- Vs. Big Show (SmackDown, Dec. 20, 2001)
- Vs. Kurt Angle Vs. The Rock (Raw, Dec. 24, 2001)
- Vs. The Rock (Royal Rumble 2002)
- Vs. Maven (Raw, Jan. 28, 2002)
- Vs. Kurt Angle (Raw, Feb. 25, 2002)
When you look back at Chris Jericho’s career, this should’ve been his definitive world title reign. As we already mentioned, Chris Jericho became the Undisputed Champion at Vengeance 2001. While Jericho continued to carry both belts during this entire run, the WCW Title was retired on day one, and Jericho held the WWF Championship until WrestleMania 18. The reason why it’s not Jericho’s definitive world title reign? He was a paper champion.
I was told in the afternoon that I was going to win when Vince McMahon said to The Undertaker at the catering table, “Hey ‘Taker, how do you know the business is going down the toilet? “Because we’re putting the belt on Jericho,” and that’s how I found out I was going to be the champion. (h/t Give Me Sport)
That tells the whole story!
The title reign was never really about him, and it was obvious management saw him as a paper champion. Jericho relied on everyone from Christian, Lance Storm, the nWo, and Stephanie McMahon to win his matches for him.
There’s a big difference between a heel champion cheating to win and someone winning the matches for them all the time. The highlight of Jericho’s Undisputed Title reign was a fantastic title defense against The Rock at Royal Rumble 2002. Go check that out!
Stay FAR away from the build-up to his (or was it Stephanie’s!?) clash with Triple H in the main event of WrestleMania 18, though…
