10 Awesome Ways Wrestling Champions Elevated Titles

3. Chris Jericho: Fell Victim To Grand Larceny

Tommaso Ciampa
Twitter, @IAmJericho

Losing the AEW World Championship within 24 hours of winning it should have made Chris Jericho a laughing stock, but leave it to the most adaptable professional wrestler of all time to take those rotten lemons and make lemonade, turning what could have been a disastrous situation into one of 2019's most endearing and entertaining angles.

It was reported the day after AEW All Out that somebody had snatched the belt from Jericho's limousine while he ate in a Longhorn Steakhouse. An official police report was filed, shutting down suggestions of an elaborate work, and 'The Alpha' responded the only way he knew how:-

Further promos followed. A victim of "grand larceny" (his words), Jericho's "worldwide investigation" was a viral smash. As he'd done so many times before, the Canadian created meme after meme after meme as the belt stayed out of his possession until finally, on 4 September, the strap was recovered from the side of a road, then returned to its rightful owner.

A tremendously effective way to spin what should have been a PR disaster, this kept AEW, Jericho, and the title in the headlines for weeks.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.