Every Chris Jericho Reinvention Ranked From Worst To Best

1. Le Champion

Reinvention Of Chris Jericho
Instagram/@allelitewrestling

This marks the best Chris Jericho reinvention because it isn't much of a reinvention at all; it's an organic transition that works so wonderfully because it evolved seamlessly.

As the Alpha, Chris Jericho arrived in New Japan Pro Wrestling with the motivation to prove himself the Best In The World at Kenny Omega's expense. He lost, at Wrestle Kingdom 12, but the match was so wildly entertaining and expertly crafted that he emerged from it completely renewed. As the Painmaker, Jericho experienced a mixed record in New Japan, but was pushed as the Ace of AEW, defeating Omega, and then Hangman Page, en route to becoming the promotion's inaugural World Heavyweight Champion.

Jericho perfected a role his few naysayers (including Triple H, who referred to him as "B+" in 2013) always thought beyond him: he became the quintessential pro wrestling World Champion.

Within minutes.

Burying everybody around him, hilariously, in an off-the-cuff walk-and-talk promo, he popped open a little bit of the bubby and popped the entire internet as 'Le Champion'. This is the perfect Jericho persona because his entire career has led to this point.

Jericho always told us he was the Best: now, in his palatial estate, in his beautiful mansion, he is luxuriating in it, as his achievements have finally warranted his brilliantly insufferable rhetoric. He is a bonafide World Champion, a draw, and he no longer has to constantly remind us with statistics.

All he has to do is flash a wry, knowing smile, because he knows that you know.

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!