Chris Jericho

Lore & Background

During the 1990s, Jericho performed for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), as well as promotions in Canada, Japan, and Mexico. In late 1999, he debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, renamed WWE in 2002). In 2001, he became the first Undisputed WWF Champion, and thus the final holder of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, having won and unified the WWF and World titles by defeating Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock on the same night.

Jericho headlined multiple pay-per-view events during his time with the WWF/WWE, including WrestleMania X8 and the inaugural Elimination Chamber match. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2010. After leaving WWE in 2018, Jericho signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), becoming a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion. In January 2019, he joined AEW and became the inaugural AEW World Champion in August 2019. While in AEW, he also captured the ROH World Championship twice and the FTW Championship.

Reader's Guide

Jericho won the Undisputed WWF Championship once, the WCW/World Championship twice, and the World Heavyweight Championship (2002–2013 version) three times. He held the WWE Intercontinental Championship a record nine times and was the ninth Triple Crown Champion and fourth Grand Slam Champion. He was the 2008 Superstar of the Year Slammy Award winner and (with Big Show as Jeri-Show) won the 2009 Tag Team of the Year Slammy Award, making him the only winner of both Superstar and Tag Team of the Year. In 1999, he became lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Fozzy. He hosted the ABC game show Downfall, the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards, and the UK's Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in 2012 and 2017.

Did You Know?

• Jericho's ring name was inspired by the Helloween album Walls of Jericho.
• He was trained at the Hart Brothers School of Wrestling by Ed Langley and Brad Young.
• Jericho made his professional debut as 'Cowboy' Chris Jericho on October 2, 1990, in Ponoka, Alberta.
• He holds dual American and Canadian citizenship.
• Jericho appeared on the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars.