10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (June 17)
Find out how Trish Stratus thrived on working under the pressure of Vince McMahon.
To this day, Chris Jericho regards his WrestleMania XIX match with Shawn Michaels as one of his greatest achievements. A later 2008 feud would rekindle that magic, leading to some of the best bouts of the year, and proving to everyone that the Canadian was able to hang with his childhood hero on a regular basis.
As a bright-eyed kid, one of Jericho's favourite matches was between 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III. With one of his friends, the youngster would play out the entire match, move for move, endlessly studying each high spot and transition to emulate it authentically.
Fast-forward to 2003, and things were very different. Despite the importance of his match with Michaels, Jericho didn't quite have the time to lay things out so carefully. During an interview this week, Y2J opened the lid on that 'Mania XIX occasion, lending a startling piece of insight into the planning for the match.
That fact is joined by others involving the likes of Vince McMahon, Rey Mysterio and even former ECW, WCW and WWE star Raven.
Let's take a look at 10 wrestling facts you didn't know last week...
10. Pressure Of Working With Vince McMahon Helped Trish Stratus
Signed due to her incredibly striking looks and experience as a fitness model, Trish Stratus was an unlikely female wrestling great. A combination of hard work, faith from management and an undeniable connection with fans caused the Canadian to become a WWE Hall Of Famer, exceeding everyone's expectations for her wrestling career.
Blossoming into a genuinely terrific in-ring performer, Stratus was also thrust into a lofty position alongside Vince McMahon early in her run. For some, that pressure may have been too great, but Trish told Ring Rust Radio this week that it actually helped motivate her to become a success.
Putting over the drive and ambition of the McMahon family, she said she knew there was little room for error when in such a key spot. Just the knowledge of working with the boss and his daughter Stephanie on a weekly basis kept Stratus fighting hard to improve herself.
Incredibly, she also claimed that Stephanie had low expectations for their match at No Way Out 2001, easing the tension on Trish by being so laid back.