Chris Jericho, a professional wrestling icon whose career spans several decades, has shared his thoughts on some of the most memorable feuds he has been involved in. With experience across major promotions like WCW, WWE, and AEW, Jericho has competed against many top stars, and he recently highlighted what he considers his greatest rivalries. Among these, his 2008 conflict with Shawn Michaels stands out as particularly significant.
Highlighting the 2008 Feud with Shawn Michaels
During a recent interview with Radio X, Jericho praised his 2008 rivalry with Michaels, describing it as one of the all-time great feuds in WWE history. This intense feud developed from mutual respect into a deeply personal contest, featuring high-stakes matches such as the Unsanctioned Match at Unforgiven and the Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy.
Oh, my gosh, Jericho said. I mean, it’s 35 years, man, so there’s a lot of them. But if you’re going WWE, the Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho feud from 2008 is one of the all-time great feuds for sure. I think Jericho-Kevin Owens from 2016 was a great one. I think Jericho-MJF from 2020 was a great one.
– Chris Jericho, Professional Wrestler
The Value of Long-Running Storylines in Jericho’s View
Jericho emphasized that his favorite rivalries are those built over extended periods, allowing storylines to mature and reach a satisfying climax. He cited his year-long storyline with MJF in AEW and his 2016 battles with Kevin Owens as examples of feuds that had extraordinary impact due to their length and depth.
The ones that are my favorite are the long builds that take six, seven, eight months to before (it culminates) so in order to go that long, it has to be something special, magical, Jericho continued. So those ones always stand out for me off the top of my head because we had some time invested into it, and they did go the better part of- actually, the MJF storyline was literally 366 days, and so that’s what you when you have something good.
– Chris Jericho, Professional Wrestler
Significant Moments in Jericho’s Feuds With Owens and MJF
The 2016 feud with Kevin Owens featured unforgettable moments like the “Festival of Friendship,” a segment that became a defining point in their history. Meanwhile, Jericho’s year-long rivalry with MJF in AEW incorporated major faction involvement, including Jericho’s Inner Circle and MJF’s Pinnacle, underscoring the storyline’s complexity and importance in modern wrestling.
Importance of These Rivalries in Jericho’s Legacy
Chris Jericho’s acknowledgment of his feud with Shawn Michaels as his greatest underscores the lasting impact of carefully crafted wrestling storylines. These rivalries not only entertain fans but also shape wrestling careers and set high standards for future wrestling narratives. Jericho’s work continues to influence the industry, as he remains a central figure in AEW and beyond.
