Chris Jericho, widely regarded as one of professional wrestling’s all-time greats, has enjoyed a career spanning over two decades filled with championship victories and memorable moments. Despite his success in WWE, WCW, and AEW, Jericho has also been involved in several backstage confrontations that have captured attention due to their intensity and impact on the wrestling world. These incidents, often marked by heated exchanges and physical altercations, reveal a different side of the wrestling industry beyond the scripted performances.
The Heated SummerSlam 2016 Altercation with Brock Lesnar
One of the most well-known backstage conflicts involving Chris Jericho occurred following WWE’s SummerSlam 2016 event. The end of the match between Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton became highly controversial, as Lesnar forced a technical knockout by delivering multiple stiff strikes that caused Orton to bleed visibly. Jericho, not informed that this was part of the planned storyline, believed Lesnar had seriously and unnecessarily harmed Orton.
Concerned for his friend, Jericho confronted Lesnar right after the match at the gorilla position, leading to a tense verbal exchange. Reports revealed that Lesnar even shoved Jericho during the confrontation. Jericho later commented jokingly about the incident, saying he was prepared to bite Lesnar’s nose if the situation escalated further. Randy Orton subsequently clarified that the finish was arranged intentionally to defuse hostility between the wrestlers. Though the altercation did not erupt into a physical fight, it left a lasting impression on those involved and the wrestling community.
Physical Clash with MVP During Jericho’s Cruise Event
In 2020, Chris Jericho found himself in another backstage dispute, this time with Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), which reportedly resulted in a serious physical confrontation aboard Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea cruise. It is said that MVP knocked Jericho out during this incident, marking one of the rare occasions where their backstage tension turned into an outright fight.
The heated relationship between Jericho and MVP dates back to earlier incidents, including a reported clash in 2022 at a Houston hotel lobby, where Jericho referred to MVP disparagingly as “a jobber.” Despite this rocky history, the two eventually reconciled following MVP’s arrival in AEW, and no recent reports indicate further animosity between the former United States Champion and Jericho.
Backstage Confrontation with Goldberg in WWE’s Early 2000s Era
Chris Jericho and Goldberg’s rivalry stretches back to their time in WCW, and it reignited when Goldberg debuted in WWE in 2003. According to Jericho’s book, Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1372 Easy Steps, Jericho overheard Goldberg speaking negatively about him in the locker room and immediately confronted the WWE Hall of Famer. The situation escalated quickly into a physical altercation, with Goldberg reportedly grabbing Jericho by the throat.
In response, Jericho skillfully dodged Goldberg’s grip and applied a Front Facelock hold, maintaining it until other locker room members intervened to separate them. Despite this backstage clash, both men continued to work professionally together in WWE afterward. Years later, in 2022, Goldberg appeared on Jericho’s podcast, Talk Is Jericho, where they resolved their past differences publicly, putting their previous discord behind them.
Impact of Chris Jericho’s Backstage Incidents on Wrestling Culture
The backstage altercations involving Chris Jericho highlight the often volatile nature of professional wrestling, where competitive egos and high stakes sometimes lead to real conflicts beyond scripted rivalries. These incidents with Brock Lesnar, MVP, and Goldberg reveal moments where tension spilled over, affecting relationships and backstage dynamics.
Yet, despite these clashes, Jericho’s ability to move past conflicts and continue working with former adversaries demonstrates the resilience and professionalism required in the wrestling industry. His experiences reflect the complex interactions behind the scenes, underscoring that the world of wrestling includes intense personal encounters alongside its entertainment spectacle.
