How Chris Jericho Is Secretly Building Wrestling's Next Megastar

Chris Jericho Sammy Guevara
AEW

Where Chris Jericho used his comedically oversized list of 1,004 holds to create a lasting impression on viewers, Guevara uses the visual aid of his cue cards to put across his sad, horny false idol character. Where Jericho pathetically begged for the approval of Kevin Owens, Guevara in an early Dynamite tag literally and hysterically did the same thing by shouting "Hey Chris, watch this!" before trying and failing to pull off a high spot.

Ultimately, at a core level, Guevara plain gets that showing ass is what a heel does. Looking at the perma-wedgie he's happy to not pick out of his insides, he has no compunction about it whatsoever. Chris Jericho will throw tantrums and cause a scene, throwing things around like an actual child; Guevara will make out with drawings of Brandi Rhodes and look like a complete as*hole. Chris Jericho will go big on the comedy sell to get a babyface over; he allowed Jake Hager to cradle his unconscious head, in a riff on the McBain 'Mendoza!' scene, to make Jon Moxley look hard as nails. The younger, more athletic Guevara primed the Young Bucks for Revolution by folding himself in half - backwards - for Matt Jackson's superkick in a phenomenal aerial sell.

This isn't just a comedy double act.

CONT'D...(4 of 6)

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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!