Why Chris Jericho Is The Most Important Wrestler In The World Today

With an appearance on Raw's 25th Anniversary and a match against NJPW fan favourite Tetsuya Naito both on the horizon, Jericho is simultaneously working for the world's two biggest wrestling promotions. This is almost unparalleled. Not since Hulk Hogan in 1993 has a wrestler fluttered so freely between WWE and NJPW, but 'The Hulkster' was under contract. Jericho is not, and that's key. Unbeholden to Vince McMahon, Takaaki Kidani, or anyone but himself, 'The Alpha' is a true freelancer, and with his stock through the roof, he's now in a tremendous bargaining position.

WWE are used to holding all the power. They're the biggest game in town: nobody can match their reach, financial clout, or exposure levels, and the McMahons know it. They can effectively sign who they want, when they want, on whatever terms they want, but the Jericho situation suggests that maybe, after 17 years of complete market domination, the company's strength is finally receding.

Jericho's Raw 25 invitation shows that for all his bluster about traditional draws becoming obsolete, Vince isn't blind to what such performers bring to the table. He may not need 'Y2J,' but he wants his buzz, and he'll keep calling the six-time World Champion until it finally wears off.

McMahon must be cautious. He's comfortably the most powerful man in the sport, and his company's position may never be seriously threatened again, but the Jericho situation sets a major precedent. In succeeding as an independent, the Canadian has provided a blueprint for others to follow. He has taken what Cody Rhodes did in 2017 and turned it up to 11, and with a number of major players facing important decisions on their future this year, they may look to 'The Alpha' for inspiration.

What if Brock Lesnar, whose contract expires after WrestleMania 34, leverages himself into a situation allowing him to make sporadic appearances for WWE, NJPW, and the UFC, all as a freelancer?

What if Daniel Bryan uses Jericho as an example of what can be achieved outwith the world's biggest promotion, forcing WWE (who realise what he a huge boon he'd be to NJPW) into finally letting him compete again?

What if new WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg legitimises recent rumours that he's en route to New Japan by looking at his former foe's success, then decides he wants a piece for himself?

Each has potentially game-changing consequences, and if they come to fruition, it'll be confirmation that while McMahon's market share may be impregnable, his company's pull is far from it. CONT'D...