Cryptic "01/02/2012" Video - Chris Jericho Returns- KEEP IT IN HERE! - NO SPAMMING!

[Jack-Hammer]

I fully expect this to be The Undertaker as well. Over the course of the next month or so, I fully expect the WWE to gradually reveal more of this potential return in video packages in a similar way to what they did this past February with Taker's return.

According to a post Chris Jericho made on Twitter today, he's not returning on 1-2-12. A twitter user asked what he's going to be doing that day and he responded with "Working in Hawaii." According to reports, negotiations between Jericho & WWE fell through over the course of this past weekend so a return isn't likely anytime soon. I will entertain the possibility that this is all just a ploy and that Jericho MIGHT actually return, but I'm not betting the farm on it.

I doubt that the cryptic message is about Kane either as WWE already aired a brief video on his return last night. Just seems kind of redundant to have two things regarding Kane.

If it is Taker that returns, he'll definitely return soon enough to compete at the Royal Rumble. It's tempting to start throwing out names as to who Taker will face but with the obvious, potential, RR implications surrounding his return, I'm wondering if it might be Taker vs. Punk at WM. I remember reading months back that when Taker returned, he'd be part of the Raw brand. Now brand exclusivity doesn't really mean much these days given that stars from both brands regularly appear on both Raw & SD! so who knows. Taker vs. Punk would be a great match but, at the same time, I'm not sure who I'd want to walk out the winner. Taker doesn't need the title, he's above titles at this point in his career and Punk ending The Streak would be a massive feather in his cap. I think a lot of people would be torn as to who to really root for, so maybe that could be a great selling point for the match.

 

[MFR0mack]

On January 2nd, I'm gonna laugh at the people suggesting this is Undertaker even though the video doesn't fit him at all. I'm gonna laugh when Jericho returns and shows that his horrendously vague statement on Twitter are works. Nothing suggests that this "talks with WWE fell through" except for his sarcastic comments on Twitter... which he's made before, in numerous interviews. It wasn't really around back in 2007, but I remember when people pointed out that everything suggested he'd return to the WWE and he still denied, vehemently, and told people they were idiots for saying he'd return.

'Taker is way too broken to return before the Rumble. He could barely have one match and a couple weeks of promos this year, you think that's going to change? He's only getting older and the fact that he was such a devoted soldier & put his injuries on the sidelines and put the business first for literally YEARS has caught up to him. Find one Undertaker return video that even seems like this. All of them are based in darkness. This one is not. That's a pretty key part...

 

[ryan86]

As as has been the case for about the past 6 wrestlemainias, one of the top 2 selling points for the event is and has been the undefeated steak.

His matches at WM have a more significant feel and mestique than any Goldberg PPV events where his streak was on the line.

The streak will be ended when he is set for retirement and that very well could be WM 28. Although the smart bet will be on him getting the 20-0 record. This is a major selling point for every WM and the stakes get higher each year. I see the WWE milking this thing one last time for a win, and his retirement will be the next step, taking place at WM 29.

I dont care what anyone says... the fact is, the WWE will not flop this gold mine on anyone who is not substantialy increasng the key business indicators as a rising star. That eliminates every current wrestler. If Punk can carry the ratings to the 4.0 and above range, increase buys by 20%, and increase attendance from 6 to 8 thousand, than 19-1 would become very likely.

NOT HAPENING!!!!!!!!!

 

[MFR0mack]

I dont care what anyone says... the fact is, the WWE will not flop this gold mine on anyone who is not substantialy increasng the key business indicators as a rising star. That eliminates every current wrestler. If Punk can carry the ratings to the 4.0 and above range, increase buys by 20%, and increase attendance from 6 to 8 thousand, than 19-1 would become very likely.

Undertaker doesn't do any of that stuff even when he's around, though. Like always, your logic & thought process is extremely skewed. Mark Calloway hasn't delivered a rating above 4.0 since 1999. Hell, even the Rock doesn't do that today. Your whole argument is flawed.

 

[MFR0mack]

Undertaker has one thing he needs to take back and thats the whole dominant brother tag that Kane has now.

What? This doesn't make any sense. Kane doesn't have that tag at all. Nobody sees Kane as the dominant brother, in universe or out of it. Please, PLEASE GUYS, think about the things you say before you say them. There is no indication at all that this is the Undertaker.

 

[RicoLen]

I don't see Jericho being ANY part of this, nor McMahon... this has to do with Taker, in some way shape or form. Maybe Mankind, maybe Paul Bearer, Kane, or Taker himself, but one of those four, and the good money is on Taker.

I have a feeling this Wrestlemania is going to be about one final battle for Taker and ending at 19-1, with the following Raw featuring a "funeral" for The Undertaker. I fully expect to see all 4 of those men involved with Wrestlemania this year and Kane & Mankind working with Paul Bearer to end The Undertaker. Maybe, if we're lucky (in a sense, it'd suck to see them all leave but it'd make for a great show) Paul Bearer will be the sole survivor of the encounter, and Mankind, & Kane, will fight The Undertaker to a draw, and will all retire together, and we'll be left with Paul Bearer presiding a funeral for all 3 characters.

Or not... but mark my words, when Taker retires his farewell segment/show will be in the form of a funeral, and he will not make an appearance (on air) saying thank you, I love you all, and crying... he'll (kayfabe) be in a casket while the superstars come out to pay their respects, and Paul Bearer WILL be there, and in some way shape or form so will Kane, and so SHOULD Mankind.

 

[ryan86]

Undertaker doesn't do any of that stuff even when he's around, though. Like always, your logic & thought process is extremely skewed. Mark Calloway hasn't delivered a rating above 4.0 since 1999. Hell, even the Rock doesn't do that today. Your whole argument is flawed.

I think you need to go back and check out that 7.4 rating on his May 2000 return, Up from the previos week's 6.2

Also, the WWE was getting 4.0 and above ratings through the spring of 2002.

The Brand extentioned happened and the ratings went from 4 consecutive weeks of 4.8, to immediate 3.8's. They climed back into the 4.0-4.5 range in 2005 and 2006 during the rise of Cena. HHH took a back seat after seeing this and Cena became the main man.
Attendance went from 4,400 to 6,200 and PPV buys increased 23%.

another superstar must do the same b4 WWE will kill the streak. The person who ends the streak will be that superstar.

Punk is a base igniter, not a rising phenomenon.

I dont post emotion, just facts

 

[Trail_Blazin]

I have three guesses. Two realistic ones and one "HOLY $@^*!" one...

Realistic:

1) Undertaker. Obvious. It seems they always tease Takers return with a vignette, and this is obvious and disappointing. Taker coming back again will be great, for sure, but do we need a vignette?

2) Jericho. I don't buy that he'll be "working in Hawaii" or that he'll never wrestle in WWE again. In fact, this promo screams Y2J or Taker. SCREAMS.

Holy @&$^!

Sting. He is a familiar face. The undertone is dark much like Sting's persona. He's currently in TNA, though, and I'm not sure when his contract expires. But, Sting has never been in WWE, and I'm sure its something that he'd like to at the very least experience prior to his retirement. The wording fits Sting almost perfectly. In fact, it almost fits him better than anyone else.

That said, the chances it's Sting are probably .5%.

If it is... That would be awesome.

Though I wouldn't be disappointed with Jericho, either.

 

[MFR0mack]

I don't see Jericho being ANY part of this, nor McMahon... this has to do with Taker, in some way shape or form. Maybe Mankind, maybe Paul Bearer, Kane, or Taker himself, but one of those four, and the good money is on Taker.

Not a single bit of this video signifies Undertaker or has any of the symbolic themes present through every single Undertaker return video. Seriously, anyone who thinks this applies to Undertaker more than Jericho needs to take a look at wrestling history and every Undertaker return. This is the complete opposite of all of them, in every way.

I think you need to go back and check out that 7.4 rating on his May 2000 return, Up from the previos week's 6.2

Also, the WWE was getting 4.0 and above ratings through the spring of 2002.

Problem is, that was 10 years ago. Not today. Undertaker is not the performer that he was 10 years. He pushed himself too hard, too much, he didn't have surgeries when he needed to & kept working for the sake of the company. Now he's broken. There were numerous reports of how injured he was going into this years Wrestlemania and during his last fued with Kane. This is why he hasn't wrestled at all, and won't until his last match at Wrestlemania.

another superstar must do the same b4 WWE will kill the streak.

What Undertaker did ten years ago has no influence on what WWE is going to do today. And anyone who thinks the streak is going to be killed is ******ed. He's going to go 20-0 and retire.

I dont post emotion, just facts

Not by any definition of the word.

 

[Gilly?]

I'd be delighted if it was Jericho. The only way I could see it being him is if Raw was in Hawaii on 2nd January, so him "working in Hawaii" would actually be right.

I'm pretty confident it'd be 'Taker though. I'm fully expecting to see some more teasers of the coming months, giving more and more away.

Hell, it could be Eugene!

 

[Jack-Hammer]

According to PWInsider.com, the identity of the returning personality in January 2, 2010 is indeed going to be Chris Jericho.

If this is actually true, then it appears that the news recieved about WWE's negotiations falling through over this past weekend, saying he'd never wrestle for WWE again and that he'd be in Hawaii on 1-2-12 is a cover up. The buzz is that a deal hasn't been reached yet but they're close and Vince is wanting to just sort of get the word out that Jericho is returning. If you recall, he sorta did the same thing with Bret Hart back in 2010. He just couldn't wait to let people know. The idea is that Jericho will be on the Raw brand, though it's also possible that he'll pop up on SD! sometimes too.

So if this turns out to be legit, then it's great news.

 

[Jamey]

I'm really hoping it's going to be Al Snow. What does everybody want??

 

[ryan86]

MRFOMack:

"I think you need to go back and check out that 7.4 rating on his May 2000 return, Up from the previos week's 6.2

Also, the WWE was getting 4.0 and above ratings through the spring of 2002.The Brand extentioned happened and the ratings went from 4 consecutive weeks of 4.8, to immediate 3.8s. They climed back into the 4.0-4.5 range in 2005 and 2006 during the rise of Cena. HHH took a back seat after seeing this and Cena became the main man.Attendance went from 4,400 to 6,200 and PPV buys increased 23%.another superstar must do the same b4 WWE will kill the streak. The person who ends the streak will be that superstar. Punk is a base igniter, not a rising phenomenon.I dont post emotion, just facts”

that was my entire statement. dont take slices out and quote them b/c you use it out of context. anyone can clearly understand what i'm saying. The undertaker has nothing to do with any success of any current superstar.

But he would give up the streak to advance a rising phenomenon. That was my point.

 

[CenaSux4Life78]

As much as I would LOVE to see Y2J back, this video isnt Jericho style. Plus with the video showing a burning Kane mask, I believe it to be Kane. Some people say its Taker, but what is Taker coming back to reclaim? He hasn't lost anything recently that would imply his need to do that. Kane lost the WHC, though awhile ago it is still recent enough to be relevent. Someone earlier said VKM. But this isnt VKM style, he is way to open and a video package showing his return would paper his face all over it.

I do like these mystery videos though. The one earlier this year was brilliant. Everyone thought it was Sting making that jump that almost everyone thinks he should make. But in the end it was Taker. This is brilliant marketing, and it keeps people guessing.

 

[Dr. IaN]

I'm hoping Jericho. It may not be his style, but I remember reading if he we're to come back he would change up his gimmick like he has done before. More religious-eque? We did call him a "savior" at some point, didn't we?

 

[Robbo89]

I'd love it to be Y2J but its going to be taker.....

People are asking "what does he have to reclaim?" Think about it, every wrestlemania since WM22 (if not earlier) the talk of the even has been "the streak" but for WM28 the talk is Rock vs Cena, Maybe he wants to reclaim his position as the main talking point of WM, who knows?

Maybe he wants to reclaim his "dignity" after HHH managed to walk out of WM27 and Taker didnt, he feels like he has to take on the game again to "reclaim" his dignity and his position as the dominant force of Wrestlemania.

As for the Y2J theory, yeah as cool as it would be, he could be looking to "reclaim" his "best in the world" title from Punk. but if you look at the date, 1-2-12, could easily turn into 12 12 and from there Y2 Y2, and finally Y2J Y2J. Yeah its a long shot i know!

The majority us have learnt from 2-21-11 that speculation doesn't count for nothing in WWE, i honestly don't know who it is/could be i say lets just wait until 1-2-12 and save disappointment like most people felt on 2-21-11 that it wanst sting.

 

[TheTruNoLimit]

Ok, one thing no one has thought about is Broadus Clay. Remember the promos airing on Raw promoting Clay? In it, Broadus said he is both the beginning and the end. Hence, "it begins" and it will be "the end." Also, has he been treated unfairly? Yes, his debut is always delayed. Claiming what's his? Maybe as simple as his spot as the dominant force in WWE, maybe even what's "his" could be "his" revenge on Del Rio for essentially dropping him like a bad habit and moving onto WWE titles.

Sure, it's a long shot. It's still Undertaker or Jericho, but I like thinking outside the box and for Broadus Clay this creepy promo made more sense than it does even for Jericho.

Not saying it will be him as he isn't a big deal and whether or not he's a familiar face can be argued.

 

[RKO920]

Earlier I had said it was pointing towards Jericho, but after reading a post a few pages back with the videos of Taker's return promos, I think it has to be him.

Now as for what he claims is his could be going after one final title run or the 20-0 Wrestlemania record. But the "it begins" and the "end of the world" I think has to do with the Undertaker's final months as an active WWE superstar. So long story short, it's his final run.

 

[JerichoHolic00]

I gotta say it's Undertaker. Last year I was solidly behind it being Sting though so I'm not sure lol. But as for what does he have to claim what's his, as somebody posted earlier, his yard.

 

[oldhamandy1]

I would love it to be Jericho but if it's Taker or Kane then I don't really mind, no doubt I will forget about this come next month, then will be reminded by a video and question who it is again. I think some may be overthinking this, one minute WWE aren't up to making a stroyline, the next they have made some complex video with clues all over the place for a 30 second internet video. Maybe that's why the product isn't as good as it used to be, according to some not me. All the creative team are spending the year coming up with a sly way to tell the IWC who is coming back in a few months time. I can just see it know:

Vince: "Come on guys we need to make this HHH/Nash angle work."
Writers: "Not now Vince we will do it on our lunch, we are trying to tell the IWC Jericho is coming back. But we have to make it really hard, 'cos they are super clever."

 

[w@TchUr6]

i just checked out the twitter page for this new itbegins2012. one post shows that "listening to fozzy right now". in my oppinion thats too obvious of a reference to Jericho..dont think wwe would make it so easy to figure out..so im ruling out a jericho return. another post shows that "june 3 1991 was a good day". so i went to thehistoryofwwe.com and this is all that happened that day..
WWF @ Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Arena - June 3, 1991
IRS defeated Greg Valentine
Kerry Von Erich defeated Haku
Marty Jannetty defeated Kato
WWF Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys defeated the Bushwhackers when Brian Knobs pinned Luke
Ted Dibiase defeated Virgil
Davey Boy Smith defeated the Berzerker
The Ultimate Warrior defeated the Undertaker via disqualification

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - June 3, 1991
Televised on the MSG Network - featured Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, & Jim Neidhart on commentary:
Col. Mustafa (w/ Gen. Adnan) defeated Jim Duggan via count-out when Duggan chased Adnan backstage and was attacked by Sgt. Slaughter
Prime Time Wresting - 6/10/91: Jimmy Snuka pinned Bob Bradley at 4:02 with the splash off the top
Prime Time Wrestling - 6/24/91: The Warlord pinned Koko B. Ware after dropping Koko throat-first across the top rope
Tugboat pinned the Brooklyn Brawler
Prime Time Wrestling - 6/24/91: Ricky Steamboat pinned Demolition Smash with the flying bodypress at 10:14 (Rampage 91)
Bret Hart pinned the Barbarian (w/ Mr. Fuji - sub. for Bobby Heenan) after Fuji accidentally hit the Barbarian with his cane; after the bout, Heenan argued with Fuji regarding the loss
The Mountie pinned the Big Bossman after using the cattle prod as a weapon
Prime Time Wrestling - 6/24/91: Road Warrior Animal pinned Paul Roma (w/ Hercules) with a powerslam at 5:00 after Roma accidentally hit an interfering Hercules with a missile dropkick (Rampage 91)
Earthquake defeated Jake Roberts via disqualification
WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter (w/ Gen. Adnan) in a Desert Storm match when Adnan threw in the towel as Hogan had Slaughter in the Camel Clutch after throwing a fire ball in his face (WWF Greatest Champions, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan's Greatest Matches) ..
after reading that i dont see a likely return of any of the winners. could just of been a "good day" because ironically it was in the same state that itbegins2012 started.
so besides it might being wwe network or john cenas heel turn.. im left without a good guess now...itll come to me within the coming weeks.
thoughts anyone? if you say jericho,kane,undertaker,karma..dont bother writing anything.

 

[Kimi_C]

I googled "wrestling june 3 1991" Steve Austin beat Bobby Eaton on that date for the WCW TV Championship. I think that is probably what this date refers to, as Stone Cold is one of the names being teased on the twitter page. I don't really think it will be Steve Austin coming back... but who knows. Anyway that is the only thing I could find for that date that seemed to fit here.

 

[lavitz66]

i for one am ruling out steve austin, undertaker, batista, jericho, and all the other obvious choices that wwe is pointing at.. simply because i'm hoping the wwe is actually gonna pull off a good/big surprise and really do something unexpected.

 

[Brian440]

Well, hate to say it but I still think it's going to be Jericho. Jericho loves teasing and working the internet, he knows that people like us are going to see the Fozzy post and think "no way would they make it that obvious. It can't be Y2J now" and at the end of the day, with more and more clues and cryptic videos, it ends up being Jericho after all.

As far as the date goes, eh, perhaps an event Jericho attended? I wouldn't look too far into it. It's only been one week/promo video.

 

[suleman09]

i get what you mean but saying it could be jericho trying to push us away from saying its jericho because he is smart enough to pull.

I'm going to go with Jericho too for a couple of reasons.

1. His initial return was made by cryptic messages too: so he could be just be teasing another return cryptically (is that even a word? lol) in a creative way but using the twitter thing the WWE uses during the shows.

2. His name being mentioned does feel like it could be him trying to push us away from saying it's him.

3. I checked his Fozzy web page and there is no more shows listed after November, so he could be coming off of fozzy for another WWE run again.

4. this could just be a shot in the dark but its wayyyyy too much of a coincidence not to mention. think about this:
- The original tease from Raw was to go to a video from Youtube
- The date for this person to return is the 2nd day of the year
- The date of the 2nd day of the year is in January
lets see what acronym i can make out of this
Y- Youtube
2- 2nd day
J - January

Saveus_Y2J