That Time Chris Jericho Was Almost The Goon

More Mankind than Man Mountain Rock, WWE's push to drastically adjust their philosophies in order to try and keep pace with a resurgent WCW was staggered and rather ad hoc.

A seriously-injured Brian Pillman was signed even though all he could do was talk for the first several months on the job. And when he opened his mouth, controversy beyond WWE's child-friendly remit spewed out. Publicly, McMahon had to be seen to be offended by such patter, but the realities of the industry were changing at record pace.

Buoyed by the transcendent New World Order storyline, WCW raced ahead in the Monday Night television ratings war and subsequently altered the perception of where the big boys of wrestling played. Indeed, their slogan was that on the nose, but they were wise to project the image whilst business was booming. It resonated with viewers and wrestlers alike.

For years, Vince McMahon worked diligently to establish his brand as the byword for wrestling - ironically without permitting the word to define his product - and thus the primary place of employment for the brightest and best that rose through the ranks. By mid-1996, Chris Jericho was all of these things, having impressed in Japan, Mexico, Smokey Mountain Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling.

His next move, regardless of the destination, would be one of the most significant of his career.

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