10 Best Late Career Runs In Wrestling History

9. Chris Jericho (2016-2017)

Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania 19
WWE.com

Chris Jericho has been drifting in and out of WWE for over a decade now. Since 2005, Y2J has regularly split his time between wrestling and pursuits outside the sport (primarily his band Fozzy), with his most recent hiatus commencing earlier this week, when Kevin Owens tore him apart on SmackDown.

Jericho’s latest run made a slow start. Returning in January 2016, Y2J was a tiresome presence on the card, particularly through his interactions with The New Day. Chris had eroded much of his goodwill with the crowd by the time he needlessly defeated AJ Styles at WrestleMania 32, but a remarkable turnaround was on the horizon, and after 25 years in the business, Jericho reinvented himself.

He started wearing scarves, grew a moustache, and somehow turned "stupid idiot" into WWE’s most popular catchphrase. The List of Jericho quickly became more over than 90% of the roster, and through his run as Kevin Owens’ best friend, Y2J was Raw’s most consistent entertainer. Though he has clearly lost a few steps in the ring, Jericho’s last run was one of the strongest of his career, and he’ll do well to better it before he eventually retires.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.