The ESSENTIALS: Chris Jericho

Welcome to the third edition of the ESSENTIALS. Every once in a while I will post one of these articles basically to educate the newbs (casual fans this is for you). If your new to the WWE or just an old mark who likes lists, then this will be your favorite part of the blog. Let's just assume an alien crashed landed at Wrestlemania and became a member of the WWE universe, what superstars would you tell him about? Which of these superstars matches would you show this creature?


Having recently returned to the WWE, I find no other superstar more appropriate for our third edition of the essentials.  This superstar will most likely craft another classic before this run is over, but I wanted to bring you all up to speed so that everyone appreciates him this time around.  With that said, ladies and Marks I give you...


 

THE ESSENTIAL CHRIS JERICHO

 

10. Wrestlemania XXVI:: WHW Championship match: Chris Jericho(c) vs. Edge

Jericho has had more prolific matches at Mania', but this match marks his greatest victory.  I believe this match goes greatly under-appreciated because of the Main Event featuring the Taker-Michaels rematch.  In one of the few instances where the champion, successfully retains his title against the Royal Rumble winner, Jericho gave a brilliant performance in his second World title match at the event.  This match also marks Jericho's greatest Mania match in his second run with the WWE.  Though, with Wrestlemania around the corner, we may have a strong contender for this slot in a couple of months.


Match Rating: 4/5

Highlight Reel moment: The sick counter of the spear into the walls of Jericho.







9. Fully Loaded 2000:: Last Man Standing: Chris Jericho vs. Triple H

This is the match that earned Chris the respect of all the boys in the back in the WWE.  Most officials in the company at this point, thought that while he was talented, Jericho did not belong in the Main Event.  Many thought that he simply did not appear very tough in the ring (similar to the recent burial of John Morrison) and he was sent to the mid-card as a result.  However, after his great feud with Triple H, and especially, this match, he instantly gained the credibility necessary to break through the glass ceiling.  These two men waged a bloody war in the second ever LMS match.  Triple H, in 2000, was the best worker in the industry, and the most over heel in the business.  The pressure was on for Jericho to prove he was on the same level, and he did just that in this match.


Match Rating: 4.5/5

Highlight reel moment: Awesome Walls of Jericho on Stephanie McMahon







8. Vengeance 2001:: Undisputed Championship match: WCW Champion Chris Jericho vs. WWE Champion Steve Austin

Having already defeated his biggest rival of 2001 The Rock in 4 star classic, to become the first ever undisputed champion, Jericho would have to defeat the biggest icon in the business, Stone Cold Steve Austin.  Watching this match live, I had my money bet on The Rock, but even though I lost that bet, the LAST person I would have put my money on was Y2J at the time.  Chris would do the impossible that night, he would defeat the two biggest stars in the business in the same night BACK to BACK!  An amazing feat that to this day, no other superstar has been able to replicate.  And one that to this day, Jericho will not let any of us forget.


Match Rating: 4/5

Highlight reel moment: Jericho's iconic victory celebration with Vince McMahon.







7. The Bash 2008:: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels

This is the most overlooked match of Jericho's second run in the WWE.  In the promos leading up to this match, Jericho changed from the Y2J we all know and love, to a sick, twisted and selfish man who would become the most hated heel of the next 3 years.  It was in this match however, that Jericho first showed the extent of his ruthlessness.  Shawn Michaels was thrown through the Jeritron by Jericho prior to the match on Raw, resulting in his eye being bandaged before this match.  These two would wrestle a brilliant and amazing match, until Michalels' damaged eye was cut open.  I believe it's in this moment, that we see the birth of Jericho's brilliant 'No Country for Old Men' heel persona.  He savagely attacks Shawn's eye until the ref declares HBK no longer able to compete.  Having left Shawn a bloody mess, we all witness the beginning of what would become the best work of Jericho's career.


Match Rating: 4/5

Highlight reel moment: Jericho's ruthless attacks on HBK's eye towards the end of the match







6. The Bash 2009:: Mask vs. Title Match: IC Champion Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio

This match is often overshadowed by Taker/Michaels when often on the topic of best match of 2009, and while that was undeniably, the match of the year, this match was better from a pure in-ring standpoint.  No superstar in history, is as adept at scouting their opponents, as Chris Jericho is.  Throughout his classic series of matches with Mysterio, Jericho's match strategy was some of the best I've ever seen.  Perhaps never more evident than in this contest, with Jericho's IC title on the line.  If Rey were to lose, he would have to unmask and humiliate himself in front of the WWE universe.  The stakes were high, and the stars would aline, as these great performers would have the match of a lifetime.


Match Rating: 4.75/5

Highlight reel moment: Jericho hits his best codebreaker ever!







5. WCW Fall Brawl 1997:: Cruiserweight Championship match: Chris Jericho(c) vs. Eddie Guerrero

From a pure wrestling standpoint, this is the best match of Jericho's career.  Even with the shitty crowds in WCW that primarily cared about the NWO storylines, this match still managed to steal the show and is one of my personal favorite matches of all time.  Jericho's track record as a performer is well documented in the WWE, but if you want to see how truly great he was as a wrestler, look no further than this match.


Match Rating: 4.75/5

Highlight reel moment: The sick release German Suplex from Jericho to Guerrero.







4. Royal Rumble 2001:: Ladder match for the IC Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit(c)

Another undeniable classic that has now been erased due to the Benoit tragedy.  This was arguably the greatest IC title match of the new millennium.  Similar to the great HBK/Razor Ramon classic at Wrestlemania XX, this match featured two hungry young superstars determined to make their careers at eachother's expense.  These two men were both hailed as the next two great superstars at the time, and their rivalry leading to their epic tag team, was the best thing going in 2001 for a while.   This is the highest point of Jericho's career that year, more so then the undisputed championship victory, because I believe it was this match that made Jericho the next superstar in line for a Main Event title run.


Match Rating: 4.75/5

Highlight reel moment: The iconic Walls of Jericho on the top of the ladder







3. Extreme Rules 2009:: IC Championship match: Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio(c)

While their classic at The Bash featured slightly better grappling, for Chris Jericho, this match is the more prominent of the two.  No other match from beginning to end, shows the true brilliance of Jericho's heel character.  The pre-match promo is tremendous in setting up the match and the match itself is Jericho's smartest heel work.  Jericho stated that he would unmask Mysterio and win his record ninth IC title, and he crafted a master plan to do so.  He again masterfully countered all Mysterio's signature moves leading to the most clever finish I have ever seen.  I won't spoil it for you, do yourself a favor and go watch this match yourself.


Match Rating: 4.75/5

Highlight reel moment: The brilliant finish of the match








2. Wrestlemania XIX:: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels

Jericho considers this to be his best match.  That is arguable, but what isn't is the fact that this match marks the beginning of the greatest rivalry of the new millennium.  Jericho was determined to prove he was every bit as good as his idol and even used many of HBK's signature moves.  Every superstar wanted to work with Shawn in his first match back at Wrestlemania, so it was the ultimate compliment for Jericho to be chosen here.  There may have been bigger matches that night (Hogan-McMahon, Rock-Austin III and Lesnar-Angle) however, these two would go on to steal the show that night, and every great superstar desires to have that show-stealing performance at the biggest event of the year.  It's a benchmark in every great wrestler's career and this match was perhaps the biggest benchmark in Chris Jericho's.


Match Rating: 4.75/5

Highlight reel moment: The post match backstabbing by Jericho, signaling that this great rivalry was just beginning






And for all you dumb aliens out there I give you the most essential Chris Jericho match....











1. No Mercy 2008:: Ladder match for the WHW Championship: Chris Jericho(c) vs. Shawn Michaels

Jericho's admiration of Shawn as a performer consistently brought out the best in him.  This for my money, one of the greatest ladder matches of all time.  Words can not express how amazing it is, so I have provided the match below.


Match Rating: 5/5 (MUST SEE!)

Highlight reel moment: EVERY part of this match was incredible!

***SPECIAL BONUS***

Here is the Number one match for your viewing pleasure...ENJOY!






Honorable Mention:: Extreme Rules 2010: Steel Cage match: Chris Jericho vs. Edge

Dream match that should be on this list: Wrestlemania XXVIII: WWE Championship match: Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk


And there you have it, the essential Chris Jericho!


Let me know where you agree/disagree