10 Times Unlikely Wrestlers Stole The Show

9. Chris Jericho - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

ronda rousey stephanie mcmahon
NJPW 1972

A (by then) ***3/4 wrestler entering the *****1/4 domain - against Kenny Omega, the Best Bout Machine - Chris Jericho did well to temper expectations ahead of his incredible return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Initially marketed as an ambitious meeting between the two best wrestlers on the planet, Jericho quickly reoriented the context of the contest as a basic, bulletproof, bloody battle between a babyface and the oldest of old school heels.

Like the true legend he is, Jericho then smashed those expectations.

Over the course of 35 miraculous minutes, Jericho, at 47, entered the performance of his career in a Highlight Reel of hilarity and drama. Using these so-called "problematic" times to add blackly comic and loathsome texture to his over-the-top heel bit, Jericho mimed the Tokyo fans' "Kenny!" rallying cries in offensive fashion of which Trey Parker would be proud before, in a gesture you must imagine was aimed also at his doubters, decking a ringside photographer in order to capture himself flipping off the sprawling vista of appalled spectators. More than smoke and mirrors, the athletic work within this breathless character-based masterclass was the real magic.

Jericho tweeted "That's how it's done, kids" in the aftermath. The real Best In The World, headliner Kazuchika Okada, was somehow CC'd into that message.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!