40 Greatest Stories Wrestling Ever Told
39. Festival Of Friendship (WWE, 2016-2017)
You've got to love it when heel double acts have so much chemistry that they charm the pants off viewers and almost turn themselves babyface in the process. Chris Jericho's "List" idea was so endearing that it played before rapturous applause as fans in the stands clapped like kids seeing the same practical joke over and over again.
The beauty of those childlike reactions is that you're in on it. You know what's coming, and that's part of the fun. When Jericho would say someone's name, pause and offer: "...you just made the list", he received some of the biggest pops of his iconic career. Meanwhile, his "best friend in the whole wide world, ever" Kevin Owens stood nearby with a knowing look on his face like, 'What did you expect to happen?'.
It was magic. Sheer sports entertainment magic.
KO and Jericho had chemistry coming out of their ears. They aligned in 2016, and the story would build and build towards an inevitable split come 2017. Unfortunately, Vince McMahon demoted them from Universal Title stardom to the lower-tier United States gold in time for WrestleMania 33 (then he tore strips off Kev for his performance), but the fanbase was still firmly with them.
Indeed, a "Festival Of Friendship" segment on Raw that saw the duo splinter remains one of the best in the flagship's rich history. This was art, which is rather fitting considering some of the artwork both had made to hammer home that they'd be besties forever. Forever or never, at least.