Why Chris Jericho Just Lost To Action Andretti In AEW
Action Andretti shot from complete unknown to potential star by beating Chris Jericho on Dynamite.
Chris Jericho's shocking defeat to AEW newcomer Action Andretti on last night's Dynamite was a result of Andretti catching Jericho's eye while competing on Dark.
Dave Meltzer reports on Wrestling Observer Radio that Jericho was impressed with what he saw from Andretti when the relative unknown faced QT Marshall for AEW's original YouTube series. Jericho saw a star in Andretti, so he decided to make him one, having put the plan together "weeks and weeks ago."
Andretti's Dynamite victory came in his third AEW match. The reigning MCW Heavyweight Champion teamed with fellow enhancement talent Myles Hawkins in a defeat to The Varsity Athletes taped for Dark: Elevation on 5 October. Two days later, he put Marshall over for Dark.
Jericho vs. Andretti ran around nine minutes last night. Presented as a "tune-up" match for Jericho following his ROH Title loss to Claudio Castagnoli, it saw Andretti get over huge with the live crowd, eventually pulling the mother of all upsets after pinning Jericho via standing Shooting Star Press.
Andretti, who wrestled his first match in 2019, is now #AllElite, with company founder and CEO Tony Khan confirming his signing during the show:-
Congratulations! It's official! @ActionAndretti is ALL ELITE!
Thank you to everyone watching #WinterIsComing on @TBSNetwork Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/b22U3v1da9
Advertisement— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) December 15, 2022