Chris Jericho: "I will never wrestle for the WWE again"

[hatehabsforever]

I also don't believe Jericho's assertion that he'll never work for the WWE again, but this particular reason never crossed my mind as valuable proof of his claim's lack of validity. Frankly, I believe the former Y2J thinks the same way that I do in regards to "proper" send-offs: that they're nonsense. Jericho is in the storytelling business and the story he tells best is that of a smarmy douche who will eventually get his comeuppance. As he said in his DVD, he'd prefer people be happy to see the back of him rather than take a heroic ride into the sunset. And I commend him for that attitude. It's a level of professionalism so few have in a business with so many people who are huge marks for themselves. Jericho meeting his end with a stiff short from Randy Orton or being dragged crying from the WWE ring by security after being unceremoniously fired is what he deserves and I fully expect Jericho's last run in the WWE to end in similar dishonour.

Anyway, onto the tweet in question. It just rings of a terrible joke to me, especially the bit about dancing followed by conspicuous ellipses. If he was really closing the book on his WWE career, I can't picture him doing it with that in the same sentence to intentionally arouse ire among those who would support him with the greatest of fervour in his future endeavours. No, this just stinks of professional wrestling. And my heart is split on that. On one hand, I'll be happy to see Jericho again as he's one of my favourites. On the other, I'm a youth movement guy so seeing the back of him once and for all wouldn't bother me. While still smart and valuable to a degree, he's a relic of a bygone era who will be hindering progress if he takes a top spot for any extended period of time. Hopefully I'll manage to not to get too caught up in that and just enjoy the ride while it lasts.

The next big question is regarding where he goes if he returns. I'm sort of hoping he comes for Randy Orton at WrestleMania. It's easily the freshest high-profile bout Orton can have at this point and it's perfect organic booking. What I wouldn't do is shoehorn Jericho into CM Punk's road to WrestleMania. Punk's heat may still be fragile as he's a relatively newly minted face. Forcing the issue about whether he's really the best in the world against a returning favourite who has a great rapport with the audience might border on hubris at this point. Punk vs Jericho sounds good down the road but I hope they steer clear of it at WrestleMania 28. The margin of error makes the Punk fan in me sweat.

You raise some interesting and valid points. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting Jericho requires or deserves a send off comparable to what Shawn Michaels or Ric Flair received, because you are correct, sometimes that's a little over the top and unnecessary. However, I would prefer it if it was common knowledge that if Jericho returns, it is for the final time and when he wrestles his last match, the audience knows that it is truly the end. It would not necessarily have to be a match whereby it is announced that if he loses he retires, and there's a big song and dance about it. But I would like his final match to be a significant one, against a great opponent, whereby even if it is not announced in a kayfabe sense, it is common knowledge that this is it. In the world of Facebook, twitter, etc., it would be easy to do this. Jericho has been one of my favorites for years, dating back to WCW, and I would like his final match to be one I can watch knowing it is indeed his last one. It would be OK with me if that was him getting fired, or getting punted in the head, or whatever. I would just like to be able to ejoy him one more time, knowing that that's that.

I'm intrigued by the idea of a Jericho/Orton finale. Even if it had the same conclusion, that would be OK. Otherwise, I'm not sure what Orton will be doing this March. Personally I would prefer a Punk/Jericho contest, but that's just me. Punk takes the title from ADR and carries it into WM. Jericho returns at the Rumble and wins it. The guys blow twitter up over the months in between these two PPV's, and the end result is a Punk victory and a sweet Jericho finale. Plus, tie Jericho into the whole Nash, Miz, Truth, Laurinitis conspiracy, and this could put Punk over huge as a face.

 

[xxxdaniel_ariesxxx]

Anyone who believes this must also believe that CM Punk really did win the WWE Championship without signing a new contract first, and that John Cena really was fired last year after Survivor Series.

Chris Jericho has a history of either getting bored or drunk, or both, and deciding to have some fun at the expense of people on the Internet. Remember, this is the same guy who posted on his official website a picture of himself posing in front of a TNA logo shortly after he left WWE the first time, sending people into a frenzy over his "imminent arrival" in TNA. Six years later TNA has yet to "break down the walls" if Jericho... This is nothing more than Jericho fucking with people.

 

[vampirek]

Chris Jericho has a history of either getting bored or drunk, or both, and deciding to have some fun at the expense of people on the Internet. Remember, this is the same guy who posted on his official website a picture of himself posing in front of a TNA logo shortly after he left WWE the first time, sending people into a frenzy over his "imminent arrival" in TNA. Six years later TNA has yet to "break down the walls" if Jericho... This is nothing more than Jericho fucking with people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGfDDzFTD_Q

It was in reference to this and yes Jericho has appeared (all be it in a video) on TNA programming. People assumed one thing, yes Jericho played the audience but it was people reading into things way too much.

We can read into this way too much (in fact it already has been) but Chris Jericho saying he will never wrestle again could just be in fact true.

 

[justin71]

I think Jericho vs Punk is a distinct possibility if Austin vs Punk is not a reality. Jericho is 41 years old too, he has all the money he will ever need and acting too boot. Vegas betting odds if it's a reunion show like RAW's 1000th episode or some surprise down the road he'll make an appearance if WWE throws decent movie offers at him I think he'll be back...

 

[Phoenix]

Having just recently spent an evening in a Fozzy VIP session, the one thing that I gathered was that Chris was happy with where he was at. Having been to three of them this year, the main thing that rarely got discussed was his return to WWE, aside from first timers to a VIP experience. But because the majority of those that go are Fozzy fans, we were more curious about the new album. And from the band's general positive mood, they are excited about going forward in 2012. Chris enjoys the gigs and what he's doing, he has good feelings about where Fozzy is going, and having mentioned to him that I would be attending Wrestlemania next year, he could only say good things about what the experience would be like, but the look on his face was that he was expecting me to ask the question as to whether he'll be there, that question never got asked.

Truth be told, should it honestly matter if Jericho returns to the WWE or not? In the end, he's an entertainer that isn't restricted by his knowledge of the ring but music and other factors. Being a fan of Jericho in that stance, as long as he is doing something, that's the important element. Fozzy is doing well and continuing to sell out gigs that momentum is being built for the next album to come out, and I'm excited about that. As fans, we shouldn't be asking "When is Chris coming back to the WWE?" but rather "What is Chris doing next?" The WWE has seen itself without Jericho before and after, and the product is still doing well, while it has lost one of its best roster members, we still don't lose the entertainment factor in WWE or Chris. That means I'm happy either way.

 

[XXJJ]

Jericho has stated many times that he doesn't want a grand send-off like HBK and Flair. He wants to leave in character. He probably liked the idea of getting punted as the last thing he did in the WWE. If he does comes back he will go out whining like Batista did.

I doubt he is done wrestling. But if he is finished than the WWE needs to fire King ASAP and make Jericho a commentator.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I don't believe this even for one second because people are often in character on those websites and Jericho could just be setting up a more surprising return. He will be back. Although he did mention dance, perhaps he wants to try becoming a dancer before he returns to WWE. Maybe he will be doing Dancing With the Stars again or something. Either way I see him coming back. Likely during the Rumble or in time for a Wrestlemania angle. It makes perfect sense, why tell fans you are coming back when it makes a more interesting moment if you return unexpected? Exactly. He's coming back. It's just a matter of how and when.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Maybe he is starting his own promotion that is financed by Shane McMahon and is going to invade WWE as part of a "Conspiracy" with Kevin Nash and a mystery third member that turns out to be John Cena.

Was that sarcastic enough?

He is probably just done or wrote that out of some type of anger or just wants people to stop asking the question. It's wrestling, everything is just some kind of work, especially coming from a guy as smart as Jericho.

 

[The Crock]

Much like everybody else, I don't buy it. This isn't the first time Jericho, or any other wrestler for that matter, has said something on Twitter and made the internet go crazy. This type of a thing is right up Jericho's alley, really.

What I see happening is an eventual return for maybe one last program or something, a surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble, that type of thing. Maybe Jericho is burnt out, but he left the WWE on good terms, as far as I know, so the only hiccup would be him... and to be honest, I don't buy his shtick for a second. Jericho WILL be back. Yes, he doesn't need the WWE, but it doesn't need him either. They'll work together because it'll be a smart move, because the fans still love Jericho.

If anything, it just wouldn't be like Jericho if he came out and said, "Yes, I'll be back." Jericho seems to feed off of making the fans go crazy. Plus, if he makes the fans believe he won't return, then the pay off will be even BETTER when he does. When Jericho left the first time, it seemed like he was done for good, this time -- not so much. Jericho's generating interest in himself, he's keeping himself relevant, not that he really needs to be.

At the end of the day, if Jericho is done or not is up to him, but from my point of view -- he still has one last run in him. He doesn't need to ever come back full time, but he has potential to be a GM, a commentator, loads of things, if he wants to be. On top of that, he'll probably still get his one last match, it's smart for both sides.

 

[Iversen]

Sounds like he's playing folk to me. Considering the message beforehand has always been I'm coming back I just don't know when I can't see what would suddenly change that.

At the end of the day if he wants to come back he'll be back, he doesn't owe me anything and I still haven't got a chance to catch Fozzy out live so I'm happy for him to do some more tours as long as he gets over to the UK soon.

 

[Coco]

Truth be told, should it honestly matter if Jericho returns to the WWE or not? In the end, he's an entertainer that isn't restricted by his knowledge of the ring but music and other factors. Being a fan of Jericho in that stance, as long as he is doing something, that's the important element. Fozzy is doing well and continuing to sell out gigs that momentum is being built for the next album to come out, and I'm excited about that. As fans, we shouldn't be asking "When is Chris coming back to the WWE?" but rather "What is Chris doing next?" The WWE has seen itself without Jericho before and after, and the product is still doing well, while it has lost one of its best roster members, we still don't lose the entertainment factor in WWE or Chris. That means I'm happy either way.

Disagree. Chris Jericho, to me and many on this board, is a commodity that's most valuable in a wrestling ring. I've listened to a bit of Fozzy and I don't care for it. I've seen Jericho hosting silly game shows and to me it's just another dime-a-dozen shot in the dark by a television industry desperate for cheap hits. I don't wish Jericho the best in his future endeavours because I only enjoy him in one context. I selfishly want what I want, and the majority of Chris Jericho fans are wrestling fans. They want Chris Jericho the wrestler back. It may sound cold but not everybody is happy for Chris because he's a commodity to most people, not a human being. And as someone who will potentially open my wallet for the man, I don't begrudge anyone for wanting what they want. I get that you're a fan of the guy, but let's not imagine that everybody has to be happy for Chris just because it's the nice thing to do. Some of us certainly have lost that entertainment factor from Jericho.

tl;dr: Dance, monkey! Dance!

 

[ABMorales787]

Dandy. It's not like he's needed anyway. Has last days had him going from World Champion to feuding with Evan Bourne. While most can say he's versatile and a great way to push young talent, it still doesn't change the fact that his time away has shown he is expendable. WWE doesn't need him and he's probably realized that by now.

 

[#SAWFT]

My bet:
He's back at Rumble. With the timer, it'd make a huge last entrance for the rumble. Could see him winning and it being Punk vs Y2J at WrestleMania. Why? Cos it's good for business. And that's all Vinnie Mac cares about.

 

[Heavens Vibe]

We all know what Chris is like, i reccon he was just being a bit cryptic.

He wont wrestle "for" the WWE again, but he will wrestle "for" the fans, himself, his family or just for the hell of the money in the WWE possibly if you get what i mean.

I would love to see him back though

 

[DeathClutch]

I've followed Chris since 1999 more so and if there is one thing I've noticed as a constant, since he originally left and returned I've noticed how he'll play the fans. And with all the rumours of him returning for a feud rolling into WrestleMania 28 I highly doubt he's telling the truth on his twitter account. Jeez WWE have even giving their blessing for guys to work storylines on twitter for a more reality feel to storylines and this is one of them.

He left not to long after SummerSlam 2010 (Sept?) wasn't this around the same time he left in 2005 and he returned the night after Survivor Series 2007, I suspect he's returning at Survivor Series to cost Rock/Cena their match and align himself with John L, Truth, Miz and Nash as part of some Corporation type of stable.

 

[mrpops]

Jericho should sign the best contract that would benefit him hugely. He should demand the following:

-Big paycheck(especially at wrestlemania)
-Fozzy gets to play a song at wrestlemania
-Fozzy's CD gets advertized
-Fozzy TV shirts sold on wwe shopzone.
-And maybe a WWE movie deal if he really wants to get into movies. Regardless if the movie sucks or not, it will help get his name out there.

That would be the best for Jericho and would help his band out tremendously. And i dont see the harm in advertising his band. WWE has done it in the past so im sure they would do it again.

 

[Strife3]

First off Chris Jericho saying he will never wrestle in the WWE again to me says one of two things. Either he no longer has it in him and he can't wrestle anymore or he is on his way to getting a contract to the WWE Wrestling retirement home.....Sorry I mean TNA/Impact Wrestling. Jericho will return sometime in someway because just like every other wrestler it's in the blood and they will never beable to get away from it though as in ring action Jericho im sure is done. I will say this, I would love him to replace Cole every week behind the table @Raw.

 

[Larry]

This thread is the example of exactly why he made the statement: To get the IWC talking about Chris Jericho and keep us guessing. Mission Accomplished. Jericho will be returning, you can virtually bank on it. I am guessing that he comes back to wrestle the Undertaker for WrestleMania. I don't think there is anyone else in the WWE right now to do it and he is someone they could trust to give him a good match and protect him in the ring. Jericho may be multi-talented but his bread and butter is wrestling no matter how much he wants to tell himself otherwise.

 

[NotoriousWWE]

Maybe the IWC quit questioning him and talking of him he'd be back sooner rather than later. In my pure opinion, he's involved in this conspiracy storyline as part of a stable that has been created by Vince in the deep foundations of WWE. So far Nash and Awesome Truth are the only ones on-screen to cause havoc for the stable. Oh and the leader is John Cena. Just my opinion.

 

[Foshinzo]

I love Jericho, but the guy is a windbag. You think he sometimes says things like this just to get attention from the wrestling community, whether they're true or not. I agree that Miz has taken a lot from Jericho's current gimmick, but he doesn't need to be the one to say it.

Chris Jericho was at his best probably ten years ago. I hate to be that way about it but we all know it's true; the guy ain't no spring chicken. Whenever he was yucking it up and wrestling like a Cruiserweight, he was one of the best you'd ever see. But, this whole gimmick he has now that is like a mix between a wanna-be CM Punk and Randy Orton is just boring. Jericho was great on the mic because he had a great sense of humor and a personality that, though sometimes annoying, was energetic and lively. When he took that away from himself, I just lost interest.

Is Jericho done? I seriously doubt he really is. He said he was when he got, "fired," on Raw against Shawn Michaels and yet he came back then, too. I fully expect him to be back whenever vH1 stops calling and whenever Fozzy's crowds dwindle down, again. I don't think Jericho wants to be a wrestler anymore, though. Maybe he feels tired from decades of traveling and working his ass off in the ring. Jericho will be back for at least one more match, because they'll pay him a ton to do it. But, I seriously doubt he'll ever come back, full-time.

 

[Syborgg]

I view it as 2 possibilities.

1) Remember how it was leaked onto these boards when they were doing the "Save.Us" countdown? Then remember his first WWF/WWE debut where less people knew he was coming? The first one was so much better alot of people weren't sure who it was until the word "Jericho" hit the Titantron. So it's possible that him and WWE are doing their best to keep his return(whenever it is) under wraps. So say he returns at the Rumble, then everyone marks out because they're thinking about what he said on Twitter.

2) Maybe he IS done. Maybe he's been having so much fun with Fozzy that he has decided that he doesn't want to go back to the gruelling WWE schedule. He's no spring chicken anymore and perhaps he feels that with Fozzy he can stay busy and go on tours, but when it's time to go home he can. With WWE you only go home when you are injured or suspended. His body is in good shape and there's nothing wrong with a guy wanting to leave the business before some injury forces him out and limits what he can do after his wrestling career is done.

We all know Jericho WILL be in the HOF. He's the first undisputed Champion and no one will take that away from him. That alone puts him on a first ballot, not to mention his several I.C. title reigns and other such accomplishments. The thing I like best about Jericho is that he proved that he was more than the mid-carder that wCw had him pegged as. When Hogan and Bischoff wouldn't allow him to move up, he moved out and earned his opportunity with WWE. His debut against The Rock is still one of the best debuts WWE has ever had.

 

[Azane]

Its working.

Jericho is the talk of the internet tonight. Mission accomplished, there's more hype about him returning than there's been in months, and its stemmed from this.

I have a little bit belief in it, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't come back. But on the other hand, if I were a betting man, I'd bet on him returning by WM, this tweet is a fun kind of paradox for fans.

Good job Y2J ~

Edit - I only scrolled by 3 pages, someone beat me to my main point.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

He would never go to TNA. He's too big into trying to look cool for that to happen. He once asked Meltzer (or some equally douchy smark) to count the number of people at an ROH show he was at and then tell him it's the "cool hip promotion he thinks it is".

This twitter thing....like I always say, these guys are always working everyone. Who knows.

 

[sexybeastbaby]

ok im not trying to piss anyone of here, but lets face facts. THE ALMIGHTY VINCE MCMOAN has made is PAINFULLY clear that twitter is a big part of the "NEW WWE" image. WWE no longer stands for WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, it stands for entertainment and lets make movies that suck nuts. everyone, and i do mean EVERYONE, wants jericho to return. and with the rumors that a cm punk - jericho match will take place at mania, this is the perfect time to start stirring the pot. he will return to WWE, its a fact, the only REAL question, is WHEN.

 

[geroge86]

I stopped taking what Jericho says seriously a while ago. Yeah he did a lot of great things for the business but working people gets old really fast. He's like the boy who cried wolf he'll say he's done he'll never go back and then you see cryptic stuff on Raw a few weeks later or he'll say he's gonna be invading a ppv and nothing happens. The more he does things like that it gets to the point where I don't care if he comes back or not. I'd like him to come back in a normal fashion but I just can't see it happening when he keeps doing the same thing over and over again.