WWE News: Chris Jericho talks about problems early in his WWE career and more
What's the story?
Two pro wrestling podcasting giants in Chris Jericho and Steve Austin met up for a conversation on the Steve Austin Show recently. During the interview, Jericho would talk about his struggles early on in his time with the WWE and give some insight into the original ideas of his talk show The Highlight Reel.
In case you didn't know...
Chris Jericho and Stone Cold Steve Austin are intertwined in some history as on December 9, 2001, at WWF Vengeance. Jericho first defeated The Rock (then WCW World Champion), then later defeated Austin (then WWE Champion) to become the first ever WWF Undisputed Champion.
The heart of the matter...
Jericho made one of the most famous debuts in WWE history on the August 9, 1999 edition of Monday Night Raw. He admitted to Austin that he had a hard time adjusting to life in the WWE early in his tenure because the way things were run in WCW was night and day compared to the WWE.
Jericho admitted that he didn't know what bumping and feeding a comeback meant. He would further expand on those difficulties with the quote below:
"I came in as a heel, so I had no problem." Jericho recalled, "I didn't know you weren't supposed to talk s--t about The Undertaker in a promo or talk bad about Steve Austin in a promo! That's what heels do to babyfaces! Right? But I learned very quickly that that's not what heels do when they first come in. I had no idea! Nobody ever taught me that in WCW. They didn't even tell me how to bump and feed a comeback. I had been in WCW for three years and I had no idea what that even meant as crazy as it sounds right now."
When it came to the inception of Jericho's now famous segment in the WWE called The Highlight Reel, Jericho wanted it to be an impromptu interview session with underutilized talent to help get them over. He mentioned that one of the great interviewers in Gene Okerlund could lead anyone through an interview with success and Jericho wanted to be Okerlund to help others.
In the end, Jericho's idea was shot down by Vince McMahon as he wanted top-level talent in these interview segments. The Highlight Reel debuted in 2003 and Jericho still hosts it to this day.
What's next?
Jericho's band Fozzy is set to go on tour at the end of the month in the United States. The first date will be February 28th at the House Of Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana.
It is unknown when Jericho will return to the WWE, but it is expected that he is going to take part in New Japan Pro Wrestling's next United States special, Strong Style Evolved on March 25th where he is rumored to be taking on Tetsuya Naito (who Jericho attacked at New Year's Dash the night after Wrestle Kingdom 12).
Author's take
I have heard several stories from guys like Austin and Triple H about how things were run in WCW compared to the WWE. While it was pretty much chaotic in WCW, it was a tightly run ship in the WWE, so it doesn't surprise me that Jericho had some early struggles in adjusting, but I think he did just fine with the company!
His original idea for The Highlight Reel was a great one to give the talent that needed a boost a platform to cut a promo, but everything runs through Vince, and he didn't see it as a viable option at the time.
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