That Time Chris Jericho Was Almost The Goon

Thus, The Goon was born.

Within months, he was dead, too.

To his credit, Irwin played a blinder in the role. Throwing his gloves to the mat as the bell rang and charging at foes with overhand lefts and rights, The Goon did indeed replicate the kind of scrap often seen in The NHL. His gear too, was loyal to a comical fault. Head-to-toe in hockey attire, Irwin had boots fashioned with soles like hockey blades. They impacted the way he walked, but he styled it out well considering the limitations.

Could the son of an actual Ice Hockey pro have done the job better? He genuinely believes he would have been given the chance. Commenting on how McMahon likes to chat with wrestlers about their lives and histories to get a feel for a character, Jericho theories that before Irwin, it could have been Irvine.

He said: “I just know, that I bet you I was earmarked to be the Goon, who was a hockey player/wrestler who wore hockey equipment to the ring and had wrestling boots that looked like skate blades, like they were shaved down to look like thin skate blades. I guarantee that could have been me, guys.”

As 1996 became 1997, The Goon was put back on ice as the company itself began the slow skate to the hottest period in industry history. Jericho himself was a beneficiary of the better days. Having moved to WCW in the end, he'd grown tired of his time in Atlanta by 1999. Though his start in WWE was frustratingly slow at first, he at least made it through the doors with his name, personality and ridiculous haircut in tact.

His original incarnation could have left him absolutely pucked.