Every Chris Jericho Reinvention Ranked From Worst To Best

2. The Alpha/Painmaker

Reinvention Of Chris Jericho
NJPW World

Much like he sensed the change in the waters in 1999, Jericho, always ahead of the curve, opted to break an old code in 2018 by working for a promoter not named Vince McMahon: New Japan Pro Wrestling, in a wild dream match opposite Kenny Omega.

He heard the buzz, and with supreme confidence, he returned to the site of his greatest humiliation, the Tokyo Dome - and absolutely tore the roof off it. Stealing the show from the best and coolest wrestlers in the world, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito, this was a stunning, fresh performance in which, untethered, he reinvented himself as an hilariously problematic bully killer with enough of the in-ring panache to hang with a guy several generations his junior.

Alpha Vs. Omega was an utter triumph in the ring, as was the character work outside of it. Looking like a sleazy, past-his-prime gothic rock star, but knocking out powerful, ear-worm riffs, Jericho used his new freedom to swear to swear delectably.

Is there a funnier word than "f*ckface?" Coming from the at once sinister and blustering Mouth of Jericho, certainly not. Even his...less disciplined physique served him well in his excellent programme with Naito: he echoed the old, burly westerners of old in shape and indeed aura.

Jericho, intent on creating perhaps the ultimate modern legacy, remained thirsty for Elite competition.

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!