Chris Jericho, the former AEW World Champion, recently explained how David Bowie played a major role in shaping his approach to reinventing himself throughout his career. Speaking on UNTAPPED with Spencer Matthews, Jericho emphasized how his refusal to settle into a nostalgic persona has kept him relevant in both wrestling and music for over 35 years, aligning closely with Bowie’s example of constant transformation.
Jericho stated,
“I like doing the opposite of what people expect. It’s based around David Bowie. He always reinvented himself. You could go to a Halloween party and see 10 people dressed as David Bowie in different versions, and you’d know them all. I would also venture to say you could see Chris Jericho costumes — different ones — and know each one if you’re a fan. I never wanted to be a nostalgia act.”
The Breakthrough of Fozzy’s Hit “Judas” through Collaborative Creation
Beyond wrestling, Jericho shared insight into his music career with the band Fozzy, particularly how collaboration led to their biggest single, “Judas.” Despite being the lead singer, Jericho admitted that he did not write any lyrics for the song, which is now nearing platinum status and has over 75 million YouTube views. This shift away from solo songwriting marked a significant lesson in creative teamwork for him.
Reflecting on the process, Jericho said,
“I used to write all the lyrics for Fozzy because I’m the singer and I must write the lyrics. Then we started collaborating with people who are just much better lyric writers than I am. I didn’t write a lyric for Judas. That’s got nothing to do with me except that I’m the singer who sang it. I could have been stubborn — ‘I must write the lyrics.’ That probably would not have worked as much. Back off a bit, work with people, collaborate with other creative geniuses, and let’s create some cool [stuff].”
Emphasizing Creativity and Character over Moves in Wrestling
Jericho also highlighted that in professional wrestling, the elements that truly matter most are creativity, personality, and charisma, rather than just athletic skill or technical moves. His perspective focuses on the importance of connecting emotionally with the audience and developing compelling storylines that resonate with fans.
He explained,
“It’s the only thing that matters — creativity, personality, charisma. Doesn’t matter the moves that you do. It’s how you connect with the crowd, how you build a story that people care about.”
Chris Jericho’s Current Phase and Industry Speculation
Now 55 years old, Jericho is at a pivotal point in his wrestling career, with much speculation surrounding what his next moves will be. His dedication to reinvention and ability to maintain fan engagement across decades suggest that whatever comes next will be shaped by the same creative determination inspired by Bowie’s legacy.
Maintaining relevance in both the WWE and AEW wrestling scenes as well as his ongoing presence with Fozzy, Jericho continues to embody a restless drive to evolve. This restlessness has kept him from becoming just another act relying on past achievements, instead positioning him as a dynamic figure in sports entertainment and music.
