9 Reasons Chris Jericho Is The Greatest All-Round Performer In Wrestling History

Chris Jericho is the greatest all-round Performer In Wrestling History. That's a bold statement to make, so before you pick up the pitchforks and torches allow me to make my argument. I'm not calling Chris Jericho the best in-ring worker of all-time, nor am I trying to insinuate that he's the games biggest draw. He's neither of those things in a vacuum, and when you compare his ring work to Shawn Michaels or his box office star power to Steve Austin he'll fall short every time.

What I am saying is that when you add up all the attributes and talents that he possesses, they combine to create the most gifted all-round performer the business has ever seen.

The man known as Y2J is a transcendent wrestler who has stood the test of time, allowing countless millions of fans to embrace the gift of Jericho and drink it in, man. Possibly the most versatile star to ever don tights and a pair of boots, Chris deserves all the praise he's finally begun receiving and then some.

It seems only now, in the latter stages of his career are people finally realizing what an amazingly brilliant and accomplished talent we've had the pleasure of watching develop over the course of the last two decades.

Is Chris Jericho the most talented all-round performer of all-time? You probably don't think so. But I'm about to do my best to change your mind.

Let’s start with what is perhaps his most impressive trait; the fact that he’s been able to constantly reinvent himself throughout the course of his lengthy career. Most wrestlers are lucky if they ever hit on one character or gimmick that is moderately successful for them, and when they do they usually ride that gimmick until the ground.

Not Chris Jericho.

Here’s a guy who has reinvented himself numerous times and morphed into entirely different characters with unique traits, gimmicks, catchphrases and even wrestling styles. When he first made it in North America it was as a plucky white meat babyface stereotypical of the 1980s style. When he landed in WCW and that wore thin, he transformed into a comedic heel that threw temper tantrums and mocked his opponents’ names.

He brought that character to WWE, and since arriving he’s gone through an impressive roster of changes. We’ve had the ruthless, suit-wearing heel, the light-up jacketed rock star, “cool dad” Chris, and the current goofy iteration compete with “the list” and BFF Kevin Owens.

His ability to adapt his character surpasses that of anyone else in the industry’s history and has kept him relevant when many other guys from his generation have faded into obscurity.