Every Chris Jericho Reinvention Ranked From Worst To Best

5. Drink It In Jericho

Reinvention Of Chris Jericho
WWE.com

By 2016, Jericho didn't have to reinvent himself. And for a time, he didn't. But, sparked by an incredible chemistry with Kevin Owens, Jericho rediscovered his old genius.

Like a dialled-in stand up on a searing rant, or a prolific songwriter crafting an immaculate three-song run on a classic studio album, this was Jericho on an outrageous roll of creativity - a comeback as improbable and powerful as Twin Peaks: The Return, or Mad Max: Fury Road. Jericho debuted a fleet of catchphrases as loaded as Y2J's, projecting everything with such enthusiasm that you couldn't help but drink "it" in. Genuinely funny, broadly comedic material that served a dual purpose - it popped the crowd and triggered a simmering loathing within Kevin Owens - the exceptional character work erupted in an all-time great WWE angle. The Festival of Friendship was loaded with entertainment value, pathos and brutality. It was a time capsule of the best of sports entertainment.

The recent furore surrounding Hell In A Cell has brought into focus WWE's risible inability to craft any storylines or pushes with conviction, serving as a reminder of Vince McMahon's years of catastrophe. This nearly fell under the umbrella; incredibly, Jericho had to petition to force through his vision.

Fed up of the shackles, he ventured east, and then back into a wilder west...

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!