10 Wrestling Stars Who Reinvented Their Way To Longevity
9. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho started his career as a chipper junior heavyweight, lacking the personality to match his precocious ability in the ring.
His WCW heel turn towards the tail end of the 90s was a revelation - so much so that it (eventually) convinced Vince McMahon to push him as a top card heavyweight talent during an era in which size still very much reigned supreme.
The temper tantrums he'd throw after losing matches were heatseeking missiles, as too were his intentionally droning promos and caterwauling 80s rock star affectations.
His return to WWE, after being storyline fired following a loss to John Cena in 2005, saw a diminished return of his face character - which he was never truly suited for. Realising this, Jericho proceeded to enter the second phase of his career, cutting his hair into a short and neat style to symbolise the break away from the 'Ayatollah of Rock N' Rolla".
This character change resulted from a heel turn at Shawn Michaela' expense. 2008 and the first part of 2009 would be owned by Jericho, whose besuited 'Honest Man' gimmick breathed new life into his act and gifted Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels with some of the best work of their impeccable careers.