I want to say upfront that this article is not going to be me laying out a case for or against Chris Irvine. This is in lieu of recent allegations by Nick Hausman and others online in regards to NDA’s and other claims of backstage misconduct. I want to breakdown the reaction by Tony Khan and AEW in how they are presenting the character of Chris Jericho.
The quick history is Jericho getting booed at the World’s End PPV, then Tony Khan was asked about the story at the press conference and was not prepared to answer. Then Jericho’s theme song, Judas, was blasted over the PA to overpower the boos of the live crowd. As I write this, I am watching the 1/17 episode of Dynamite. Tonight Renee interviewed Jericho backstage. Here he went full white-meat babyface and called out the city and got sympathy in every way possible. Jericho then used this to set up a match on Rampage, which is a taped show.
Does that sound like a company, an owner, or even a talent that is confident that Jericho will get cheered, or at least not booed live? I think if you say yes, then you are simply not thinking critically. Does this formula sound familiar? Or at least rhyme with past strategies in WWE? To me, this sounds like a strategy more akin to the Thunderdome, than Daly’s Place. More like Roman Reigns, then MJF. More like John Cena than Kenny Omega. I could go on and on.