10 Wrestlers Who Brought WWE Careers Back From The DEAD
7. Chris Jericho
Jerichoholics worldwide won't like admitting this in 2023, but the current AEW man wasn't cutting it for the WWF in late-1999. His debut would go on to top lists looking at the best ever, but that's chiefly because of how things turned out. They did not look good for 'Y2J' mere months after his jump from WCW.
Vince McMahon even outright told Jericho his contract wasn't worth the paper it was printed on, and called him out as a miserable failure. The boss believed lieutenants like Jim Ross, Bruce Prichard and the soon-to-depart Vince Russo had been wrong to recommend Chris at all.
Then, something magical happened. Jericho adapted to WWF life by spurning early heel struggles and embracing a catchphrase-laden style that caught fire with fans. By mid-2000, he was one of the best upper-midcarders on the roster, and one of the top babyfaces in the company.
Imagine how different wrestling history might be had McMahon discarded Jericho?!