Why Chris Jericho Just Lost To Action Andretti In AEW

Action Andretti shot from complete unknown to potential star by beating Chris Jericho on Dynamite.

by Andy H Murray
Action Andretti
AEW

Chris Jericho's shocking defeat to AEW newcomer Action Andretti on last night's Dynamite was a result of Andretti catching Jericho's eye while competing on Dark.

Dave Meltzer reports on Wrestling Observer Radio that Jericho was impressed with what he saw from Andretti when the relative unknown faced QT Marshall for AEW's original YouTube series. Jericho saw a star in Andretti, so he decided to make him one, having put the plan together "weeks and weeks ago."

Andretti's Dynamite victory came in his third AEW match. The reigning MCW Heavyweight Champion teamed with fellow enhancement talent Myles Hawkins in a defeat to The Varsity Athletes taped for Dark: Elevation on 5 October. Two days later, he put Marshall over for Dark.

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Jericho vs. Andretti ran around nine minutes last night. Presented as a "tune-up" match for Jericho following his ROH Title loss to Claudio Castagnoli, it saw Andretti get over huge with the live crowd, eventually pulling the mother of all upsets after pinning Jericho via standing Shooting Star Press.

Andretti, who wrestled his first match in 2019, is now #AllElite, with company founder and CEO Tony Khan confirming his signing during the show:-

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.