Report: Chris Jericho Gone From WWE....For Now

[Jack-Hammer]

It's being reported on several sites, including WZ, that Chris Jericho has finished up his current deal with WWE. His last match occurred during last night's SD! tapings. I haven't read any spoilers as to who he faced or the outcome of the match, only that he's apparently done with WWE for the time being.

Jericho posted on Twitter:

"So long to WWE for now…2013 was one of my favorite in ring yrs ever! Thx for always sticking w Y2J & see u on the road soon w @FOZZYROCK!"

I'm guessing that Jericho is done with WWE for the rest of 2013 and will, again I'm just guessing, return in time for the 2014 Royal Rumble. Jericho is an incredible all around pro wrestler and it always kinda sucks to see him go. At the same time, he's someone who seems incredibly unselfish and is more than willing to put over younger guys in an attempt to elevate them. Considering that he's done just about everything there is to do in WWE, and has stated several times that he has no interest in going to TNA, putting over other talent is a good role for him. He's extremely popular with all different sets of fans ranging from casual to hardcore smarks, so he can lose often but still come out looking like a star. If and when he returns to WWE, it'll probably be in the same role unless he decides he'd like at least one more truly major run.

 

[Terry Gyimah]

Really hoping and praying he comes back but also hoping that when he comes back they give him one more last run at the top by being either WWE Champion or World Heavyweight Champion because he has more than earned it if you ask me

 

[Mustang Sally]

At the same time, he's someone who seems incredibly unselfish and is more than willing to put over younger guys in an attempt to elevate them.

He's a living illustration of the performer at the latest stage of a great career. Not long ago, I found a photo that showed him as a member of The Thrill Seekers in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (with partner Lance Storm) and it really brought home how time has passed. How much younger he looked! It was all beginning for him then.....and it actually wasn't all that long ago.

Now, he's at some kind of peak.....even for him. His ring work is flawless, even as he sacrifices his won-loss record for his company. Can you imagine him functioning as an "opponent" even 10 years ago? Of course not. Even as recently as two years past, he was fighting for world titles. Now, he's putting up-and-comers over......because he can. Jericho doesn't need the accolades and has no problem sublimating his ego to benefit his employer and fellow employees. It's a positive for all of us.

He keeps leaving and coming back......again, because he can. If he's gone once more, we hope it isn't for good. But if he never wrestles professionally another day in his life, his legacy is set.

 

[BigThunder]

All I can really say is thank you. This run really set a high bar for professionalism -- not to mention match quality -- and I hope the young guys were taking notes on how it's done.

Hopefully next time, Chris will have a meatier storyline, but for now, I can just sit back and enjoy his ring work, especially against Punk, Bryan, and that last match with RVD.

 

[ITrippedTheShockmaster]

I don't mark out for many wrestlers nowadays, but I do for Jericho. He's been one of my favorites ever since I saw his first match in ECW. I'm not only a fan of him as a wrestler, but as a musician, author and media personality. His Twitter feed is a must-follow and gives you a great perspective on the man behind the scenes. Very straightforward, unselfish and giving. He truly appreciates his fans and realizes that he's lucky to be where he is. I don't fault him at all for moving on to a new venture a few years ago after reaching the pinnacle in pro wrestling. He always had the dream of being a rock star, and he's gotten to do that in two realms now. Kudos!

His imminent departure was to be expected. Jericho's a part-timer now, like Lesnar, RVD, Rock and others. He'll pop in when he's not busy with Fozzy and make things interesting for a few months, then step away when it's time for the band to tour again. He's done a great job in helping the next generation of talent get over, because he loves the business and understands the role veterans have in keeping the business going. I doubt he'll get another major title tun if he comes back, but you never know. It would be nice to see him officially go out on top when he does finally hang the boots up for good on his Hall of Fame wrestling career.

I do hope he comes back after this current Fozzy tour for another go-round. If he gets another major title run, that'd be outstanding. However, I understand if he doesn't. The guy's done it all and has nothing left to prove to anyone in terms of wrestling. I enjoy having him in WWE and he's one of the guy who doesn't need to have a title to matter.

Thanks, Chris!

 

[THTRobtaylor]

It's the right time as the "bulletproof" aura has just about been used up. Personally, I think we'll see Jericho back in the new year, but either as part of the Hall of Fame (the first real "active" one) or at least a World title or that 10th IC run. He's actually gotta win some matches next time, he's put over more than enough guys - he's almost sadly worthless now... Chris does deserve some kudos, but he also could have protected himself a little better over the years after all the best he can get is HOF, not a sainthood.

That being said, him going isn't a bad thing, more guys are going part time - Kane has just begun his hiatus as Big Show returns, they've rotated those two out for several years now and it looks like RVD is going to be rotating with Jericho in this upper mid card role. If he and RVD are doing 9 months on/off then it makes sense, that we got to see them face off one more time was a nice bonus.

In Jericho's case, it's quite interesting he's never really managed the Hollywood thing, only really that McGruber cameo. But I guess he's a rocker first and foremost and who cares if Fozzy play to smallish crowds when compared to a WWE show - you do your day job to fund your hobby until you don't have to, then both become hobbies... sadly in the ring, his hobby is now losing - and there's only so many guys you can put over before it stops meaning anything...

 

[LSN80]

Kind of anti-climatic, me thinks, but that seems to be the way Jericho wants it.

He's said in the past that he has no plans on going out with a major bang, and while he had a great match with RVD on Monday, that hardly constitutes something monumental. His past leaves of absence from the company, losing the you're fired match to John Cena, being punted in the head by Randy Orton, and having his contract terminated by AJ, those were big bangs.

So, this makes me wonder if this truly is it for Jericho.

If so, he owes us and the WWE nothing. He's given us countless entertaining moments, memorable returns, and he's put countless guys over. I credit him as the one who truly put John Cena on the map as a credible champion in the first place, along with Cena himself, of course. Their feud in 2005 went a long way towards establishing Cena as "the guy."

I hope to see him again. He really wasn't given as much to work with in this return as others, but he did a nice job with putting guys over further down the card. I would have liked to have seen him featured in a more prominent role given his past, as it just seemed...weird...seeing him so far down the card. And now he's gone, in the same fashion in which he worked in 2013.

Unceremoniously. But seeing Chris work is always a treat, so even in those lower-card feuds, he did a remarkable job. Here's hoping to seeing him again, or he's just working us like before.

Selfish of me? Sure. But we wrestling fans tend to want the best. And Chris is right there among them.

 

[YESwhatYESwhatYES]

One of the greatest of all time. Hopefully he has another world title run in the future.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Oh no, not Jericho.

I admire how he selflessly puts talent over. However the guy could actually do with saying "no" on occasion. A win over Jericho doesn't mean a thing. In fact Jericho on a whole doesn't mean a thing. Obviously I'm alone in thinking that. Everybody loves the guy. But yeah, Jericho is overrated and I'm not sorry to see him leave.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I always enjoy Jericho's returns, because he's still capable of delivering great matches at his age, and he's more than willing to put over young talent. In the past few years, we've seen Jericho have countless great and good matches with Edge (I guess I'm alone in enjoying the Wrestlemania 26 WHC match with Edge), Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler, CM Punk, and before his condescending jerk heel character ran its course, Jericho had a great feud with Shawn in 2008.

I can remember Jericho talking about how he's not a fan of Ric Flair or Shawn Michaels-esque style send-offs on his most recent three disc WWE documentary and matches set. Jericho wants to be the type of guy, who quietly rides off into the sunset, and there's nothing wrong with that. Jericho is one of those guys, who's given a lot to the business by putting over younger wrestlers, and he's earned the right to exit however he pleases.

But if he plans on making another comeback, I hope WWE goes the surprise route again. The buildup with cryptic videos formula is tired and played out. The enormous pop he got at the Rumble this year proves that.

 

[rerun406]

Oh no, not Jericho.

I admire how he selflessly puts talent over. However the guy could actually do with saying "no" on occasion. A win over Jericho doesn't mean a thing. In fact Jericho on a whole doesn't mean a thing. Obviously I'm alone in thinking that. Everybody loves the guy. But yeah, Jericho is overrated and I'm not sorry to see him leave.

Don't necessarily agree with the bold, in what sense would Y2J be over rated? he's great on the mic and solid in the ring

as for the rest I wholeheartedly agree .. Jericho is losing too much at this point where a win over him doesn't mean much

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Don't necessarily agree with the bold, in what sense would Y2J be over rated? he's great on the mic and solid in the ring

Everybody rates him so highly, therefore he is overrated. Jericho isn't, for example, one of the top 10 or 20 workers/talkers of all time. Yet people talk about him as if he is.

Overrated doesn't mean he isn't very good, but it definately means he's not as good as people say he is.

 

[Trance Metaphor]

Oh no, not Jericho.

I admire how he selflessly puts talent over. However the guy could actually do with saying "no" on occasion. A win over Jericho doesn't mean a thing. In fact Jericho on a whole doesn't mean a thing. Obviously I'm alone in thinking that. Everybody loves the guy. But yeah, Jericho is overrated and I'm not sorry to see him leave.

No. You're not obviously alone in saying that. I've said it multiple times in the past that Jericho is no longer a challenge or "the guy" to make your name off of (John Cena, CM Punk and Randy Orton are) and has lost much of his unpredictability because he constantly puts everyone over. Anyone can beat him. He's not a big deal anymore. With that being said, he's an excellent selfless performer that has had some of the best matches of his career this year. He's added some new moves, including the top rope crossbody (possibly a nod to Ricky Steamboat?). He really has nothing left to accomplish in the WWE. I was hoping he'd leave after SummerSlam, but oh well. He's got other commitments. He's really one of the few veteran stars that can consistently put on good matches. He will be missed for quality.

 

[MCMG]

It is impossible not to love Jericho. He returns for a short time but the quality of matches and feuds are usually very good. In 2013 he managed to help put over Fandango and Ryback as well as that incredible match with RVD. His match with Punk was slightly disappointing but the build up with Heyman was solid.

I'm certain he will return in 2014, probably for the Royal Rumble. As for WM30: there are some very good options. Sticking to the putting people over theme, I would suggest someone like Sandow, Wade Barrett, Bray Wyatt and helping them get over. A big win against Jericho does help. If that fails, a rematch against RVD would be instant money.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

I woke up to this and seen it on my Twitter feed... and was sad. Jericho's been a workhorse for years and years and he's shown he can still put on great matches even at an older age. I think he has at least one or two more runs left in him, and who knows? Maybe even another title run next year.

He'd deserve it and hopefully he'll get one before he retires.

Alas, I'm sad.

 

[Degenerate88]

Y 2 Jake
Jericho isn't, for example, one of the top 10 or 20 workers/talkers of all time

You're kidding right? Not one of the top 10 OR 20? I'm not a huge fan of the guy but he's definitely in the top 20. He IS and always has been excellent on the mic, and can STILL perform at a rate above half of the roster.

Anyways, not sure how his SD! match will be (if he has one?) but if his match on RAW with RVD was his last for this run, i'm more than ok with that. That was an amazing match by both Superstars.

 

[Greg4WWE]

He is amazing. He had a good match with Ryback at Money In The Bank and that is hard to do!

 

[Pedigree1]

Chris Jericho is a living legend truly in every sense of the meaning he is. Even in his forties that man,amazing performer that he is selfless,continually puts talent over. Hell i will go as far as to say,he has done more than any other performer certainly more than Hogan has ever done. Even two years ago,jericho was fighting for the World championship.

Plus the major pop he got at the Royal Rumble was just amazing. Jericho loves the business,he is one of the few that can come and go as he pleases. No one else can do that not even my fav HHH. Jericho clearly can still put on amazing matches as evident,this past monday night when he battled RVD in that amazing match. I certainly hope this isnt the last we have seen of Jericho,but if it is what a career. He has given more than he has taken IMO!

 

[GameOver]

Suprised he stayed it out this long. Fozzy is meant to be touring starting just after SummerSlam for a European tour spanning August then back to the US touring til mid October

Jericho is awesome, he never wants to outstay his welcome, and this time is no different, he did the job to numerous people to get them over and tho from a Jericho fan it seemed he was losing too much, from his porspective he has nothing left to prove in the wrestling ring and doesn't seem to have a huge ego as far as losing

 

[JaylisJayP]

He's a legend for sure, and while I don't think his recent runs of putting over younger talent in any way hurt his legacy, I do think they're wasting him by doing so. And by having him lose just about every match, regardless of how good of a wrestling show he puts on, it's hurting his current interest and identification from newer fans. Much of the entertainment value of the product comes from storylines, and it seems like aside from Punk, they really haven't had much of an idea how to use Jericho in a quality storyline. I didn't like the Ziggler feud at all, and I'm not even sure I can remember who else he's wrestled....Fandango, I guess.

When he comes back, heel or face, I'd like to see him back in the main event picture and capture a belt, bring some prestige back to a belt. Put a belt over, as it would be. I think the belts need to be put over more than some of the talent these days, they've become afterthoughts aside from the WWE title, which is worthless now too at the moment because it's around Cena's waist.

 

[I_Am_Electro_Boy]

I've enjoyed Jericho's run, it's been full of great matches, good storylines and putting over younger guys. The only problem I had was that I'd of liked to see him win a few more matches, but that wan't the point of his return.

The one good thing about him leaving is the fact that we never know how he's going to return but we know however he does, it's going to be entertaining. Ryback attacking him after his match leaves the door open to a return feud, which I see could be his match at WM.

 

[jon]

Jericho does this and teases retirement every time he leaves WWE. He's trolling. He should get rewarded for all the young talent he's put over and given back to the business, by getting a final world title run.