Does Chris Jericho think he is a bigger star than he is?

[abjordans]

I am finishing up BITWAWIDK and it is a fun read. I agree with most, probably my second favorite of his books.

I am also a longtime fan of his. I remember his debut match on WCW and have always been a big fan. I would call him one of my personal favorites.

But, in the grand scheme of things(as a realist), does he overstate his importance. He refers to himself as the "George Harrison" of the Attitude Era behind Austin and Rock's "Lennon and Mcartney". I found that claim laughable. There were several guys ahead of him in importance in the Attitude Era, including Foley, HHH, Taker, Big Show, Angle, probably Benoit.. Maybe even others.

He also has really undelivered at WM. The Shawn match was great. But, HHH, Edge, and Punk matches were all considered disappointments as far as his "main event" matches.

Now, his 2008 and 2009 are two of the best years a heel has ever had. The 08 HBK program maybe might be in the running for best feud ever.

But, where do you think he falls in all time greats in the WWE. Do you think he has an inflated opinion of himself? I know all wrestlers do. But, I don't think Jericho is revered by his peers like a Bret Hart(another guy who is often accused of tooting his own horn a little too loudly). You never really hear anyone other that Jericho talking about how great he is.

[abjordans]

I meant to post this in the WWE section, mods if you can move it that would rule.

[Deleted]

I completely agree. I really enjoy Jericho most of the time. I love his books, as well (almost done with the new one). However, I find myself rolling my eyes at some of the stuff he says.

[Phosphor Glow]

Like you, he's one of my favorites of all time. But yes, I do think he overestimates his stardom just a little bit.

Now, that's not to say that he's not a big star, and that he's not a very important person in the world of wrestling. But yeah, he might inflate it a bit too much.

[abjordans]

I feel like he only REALLY has the HBK angle as a blockbuster, homerun, main event angle. The rest of his best stuff was done in the midcard or as a tag guy. That doesn't take away from his importance or the entertainment value of the work, but it doesn't get him mentioned with Hogan, Rock, Austin, Flair, HBK, etc. like he likes to portray.

[Evilution E5150]

After having to do stuff with Fozzy through their latest album release as well as how awful his podcast is im really burnt out on Jericho when before i would consider myself a huge fan

[abjordans]

Can you elaborate on what doing stuff with Fozzy entails and why it turned you off to him?

[abjordans]

I did have a bit of a "don't meet people you are fans of" moment with him that might have helped inspire this thread...

I went to his last book signing in Tampa last weekend, which is where he lives. I stood in line watching him engage everyone, ask for people's names and personalize their autographs, etc. Well, his wife and kids showed up. They were standing right beside me and I blurted out "Is this Ash the fish expert?" Ash turned around and high fived me and Jericho said "it is and these are (whatever his daughter's names are) the literary experts! (To the kids) See how many fans you guys have!" Ok, so cool moment.. But, his wife then said they were going to eat. Jericho said he wanted to come and she said something along the lines of well you will be here a while. Jericho straight up said I will hurry it along just wait. Now, granted, his wife is a bad motha hush yo mouth in person, so I would probably do the same. But, he just rushed us completely through. He still looked up to pose for pics, but didn't ask my name or really engage much at all. That rubbed me a wrong way a bit. Just a smidge, it wasn't too blatant and I had the cool moment with his kids, but the people in front of me got a lot more. The guy in front of me asked of Jericho would sign ARMBAR and Jericho said no, but he signed Fozzy on my copy, which made me wonder why he couldn't at least make that change for a fan who waited to see him and paid money? Sorry for the long story!

[Sponsored by Groose Wipes]

He kind of invented wrestling.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Oct 31, 2014 21:49:09 GMT -5 Phosphor Glow said:

Like you, he's one of my favorites of all time. But yes, I do think he overestimates his stardom just a little bit.

Now, that's not to say that he's not a big star, and that he's not a very important person in the world of wrestling. But yeah, he might inflate it a bit too much.

I'll concur. He's around the top of the second tier of guys, so to speak.

[abjordans]

Oct 31, 2014 22:19:51 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

Oct 31, 2014 21:49:09 GMT -5 Phosphor Glow said:

Like you, he's one of my favorites of all time. But yes, I do think he overestimates his stardom just a little bit.

Now, that's not to say that he's not a big star, and that he's not a very important person in the world of wrestling. But yeah, he might inflate it a bit too much.

I'll concur. He's around the top of the second tier of guys, so to speak.

See, I would think I would have to put him at the top of the THIRD tier. VERY solid position, no doubt.. But, second tier is traditionally HBK, Flair, Taker, Savage, Hart.. And Jericho is solidly under them.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Oct 31, 2014 22:26:06 GMT -5 abjordans said:

Oct 31, 2014 22:19:51 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

I'll concur. He's around the top of the second tier of guys, so to speak.

See, I would think I would have to put him at the top of the THIRD tier. VERY solid position, no doubt.. But, second tier is traditionally HBK, Flair, Taker, Savage, Hart.. And Jericho is solidly under them.

That's fair, I guess it just depends on how big you want to put the tiers haha. For example, for me, Savage and Flair and probably Taker are top tier guys; not tippy top like say Rock and Hogan, but not far beneath. I don't disagree with your placement either really.

[StuntGranny®]

I really like Jericho, but yeah, I think he does. I certainly think he believes his band are much bigger than they actually are.

[abjordans]

Yea, he definitely overestimates Fozzy by thinking they are anything more than a fun side project that are carried by the support of his wrestling fans. There is no way anyone in that band makes a.living off of them.

[BigJerichool222]

Jericho is my all-time favorite but...man, I can buy he thinks more of himself than he actually is.

Can't wait for his 4th book when he describes how awesome his (in reality, dull) feud with Bray Wyatt was and talks up that lame BRAY INTERRUPTS THE PODCAST THING was. HELL, I bet he thinks his feud with Ryback (remember that?) was a slam dunk.

[abjordans]

Oct 31, 2014 22:33:48 GMT -5 BigJerichool222 said:

Jericho is my all-time favorite but...man, I can buy he thinks more of himself than he actually is.

Can't wait for his 4th book when he describes how awesome his (in reality, dull) feud with Bray Wyatt was and talks up that lame BRAY INTERRUPTS THE PODCAST THING was. HELL, I bet he thinks his feud with Ryback (remember that?) was a slam dunk.

This is a great point. This last book was really great read because of the awesome backstage insight... But, the actual events of Jericho's career (aside from the Shawn feud) were not really book worthy on their own. It reads lime a really long blog. However, it gives more insight into how modern WWE and Vince Mcmahon operate than anything we have ever been given before.

[Crappler El 0 M]

I don't know. I would think he knows how little his wrestling notoriety has helped him in his attempts at landing Hollywood projects. That's pretty much what 'But I'm Chris Jericho' was about.

[abjordans]

Oct 31, 2014 22:47:55 GMT -5 Crappler El 0 M said:

I don't know. I would think he knows how little his wrestling notoriety has helped him in his attempts at landing Hollywood projects. That's pretty much what 'But I'm Chris Jericho' was about.

Right, but I meant this thread in the context of his wrestling career. He overestimates his place among the all time great wrestlers IMO.

[cabbageboy]

I think Jericho is oblivious to how much these repeated comebacks have really sullied his reputation. Let's face it, for the most part his various runs from 2012 onward have been thoroughly mediocre and the 2012 hyped return was (to me) one of the worst segments in the history of Raw. If Jericho is full of himself, I think it is his thought that him simply showing up and jobbing to someone is reason for celebrating his opponent as a big deal.

It's a curious contrast to another part timer, Rob Van Dam, who himself has been known to go on quite the ego trips. Remember his statements about he and Jeff Hardy being TNA's rock stars? However, since coming back to WWE RVD has been oddly low key about himself and where he fits into the WWE hierarchy. In fact his comments have been more like "Hey, glad to be back but I don't think these younger wrestlers need to wrestle me to be somebody."

[abjordans]

Oct 31, 2014 22:50:00 GMT -5 cabbageboy said:

I think Jericho is oblivious to how much these repeated comebacks have really sullied his reputation. Let's face it, for the most part his various runs from 2012 onward have been thoroughly mediocre and the 2012 hyped return was (to me) one of the worst segments in the history of Raw. If Jericho is full of himself, I think it is his thought that him simply showing up and jobbing to someone is reason for celebrating his opponent as a big deal.

It's a curious contrast to another part timer, Rob Van Dam, who himself has been known to go on quite the ego trips. Remember his statements about he and Jeff Hardy being TNA's rock stars? However, since coming back to WWE RVD has been oddly low key about himself and where he fits into the WWE hierarchy. In fact his comments have been more like "Hey, glad to be back but I don't think these younger wrestlers need to wrestle me to be somebody."

Which begs to question.. Who is the bigger star between Jericho and RVD?