10 WWE Wrestlers Who Lived Their Gimmicks

8. Chris Jericho

undertaker survivor series
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Chris Jericho entered WWE like a rockstar. He made one of the most memorable debuts in wrestling history by upstaging and interrupting The Rock in 1999, and immediately established himself as a cocky, flashy showman who not only believed his own hype, but lived up to it.

Jericho has always been considered one of the best actors in the business, and while wrestling has seen countless arrogant personalities before, Y2J felt more like an Axl Rose or a David Lee Roth than a guy playing a wrestling gimmick.

How did he bring this into the real world? By becoming a rockstar himself, of course.

Fozzy formed in 1999, and while they’ve never been as popular as the bands who influenced them, they’ve carved out a considerable fanbase in the heavy metal community. It’s Jericho’s ongoing commitment to the band that prompts his semi-regular hiatuses from WWE, and while they’re together, there’s always a chance he’ll disappear from our screens again.

Jericho has altered his character significantly over the years, but there are still hints of his old persona buried within. His flamboyance and quick wit remain intact, and while anyone who’s ever listened to Talk Is Jericho will vouch for his off-screen affableness, Jericho’s early WWE run was a surefire case of art imitating life.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.