Rising from the ranks of mid-card, Chris Jericho has made his mark in the world of professional wrestling. Chris Jericho blends comedy and grappling into his character to make an awesome persona. One of the most promising stars in the sport today, Jericho has a long and bright career in front of him.
  Born Chris Irvine and son of hockey legend, Ted Irvine, Jericho is used to large crowds. He was born in New York but grew up in Winnipeg, Canada. In his youth, he was hooked on the world of professional wrestling. The young Irvine followed AWA and Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion. Throughout school, Chris excelled in sports. He played hockey and water polo in high school. After high school, Chris went to college and graduated with a degree in journalism. This degree will later help him earn a journalism job at Metal Edge magazine. Upon finishing his schooling, Irvine set his sights on his true calling, professional wrestling.
  Being a native from Canada his wrestling roots began at none other than wrestling great, Stu Hart's Dungeon. This is considered one of the hardest schools in the sport. One who survives "the Dungeon" will succeed anywhere. From June to September of 1990, Irvine trained along side the late Brian Pillman and Chris Benoit. Finally, in October of that year, Irvine became Chris Jericho and he debuted as a singles wrestler.
  As a rookie, Chris Jericho traveled and worked the independent circuit of Canada. He often teamed up with Lance Storm. In 1992, Jericho won the Canadian Middleweight belt. From this point on, Jericho became one of the most well traveled wrestlers. He wrestled in San Francisco and later went to Mexico. While in Mexico, he received the name Corazon de Leon (Spanish for lionheart). Then Jericho was back to Canada. In 1993, he won the Canadian Heavyweight title. Shortly after, he was back to Mexico. Germany came next on his countries to conquer. Like the third Reich, Jericho ran a blitzkrieg through the Rhineland.
  The Lionheart made his way to the land of the rising sun, Japan. With most of his success coming from out of the country, Jericho joined the Smoky Mountain Wrestling promotion. There he teamed up with again with Lance Storm. They formed one of the most recognized tag teams for the small promotion, The Thrill seekers. Again in 1994, he set his sights for over seas. He participated in the Super J cup tournament. This tournament was a collection of the best around the world. The Lionheart lost the tournament against Wild Pegasus, Chris Benoit in the second round. With a never quit work ethic, Jericho balanced Japanese wrestling with some in America.
  He joined the small Philadelphia promotion, ECW. His reputation overseas landed him a job in ECW and his ECW performance like many of the leagues greats paved the way to the next level. In 1996, Ted Turner's promotion, WCW gave him a job. Jericho familiar with all forms of wrestling blended into the cruiserweight division. He had the mat skills but lacked the character to get over with the fans. His "lionheart" persona was rather out dated and stale in comparison to the popularity of the new faction of the sport, N.W.O (New World Order). Threatened by the new direction of the sport, Jericho created an immature persona.
  The new Jericho was not afraid to throw a fit in the ring, comb his hair like a girl, or even cheat to win. Initially the fans were unsure of the new Jericho. Slowly though, he was getting over. Notorious for mocking his opponents, stealing their masks, impersonating his foes, and picking on them constantly, the people began to watch him more and more. They would wonder what next? He also deemed himself, " the Ayatollah of Rock n' Rolla" and " Your Paragon of Virtues." Jericho's small legion of followers was calling themselves " Jerichoholics".
  Fame hit full force in 1998. In a classic Jericho feud, the lionheart lost to Dean Malenko. Plagued by his lost, Jericho went to Washington D.C. to vent his "conspiracy theory" of his loss. Jericho's promos became instant classics. " Jerichoholics" were now coming out in full force. His " Monday Night Jericho" t-shirt became one of WCW's best sellers. All Jericho's hard work in Washington D.C. got him his rematch.
  The Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla afraid for his dear life employed an over weight WCW roadie as his bodyguard. The protection's name was Ralpus. Jericho made this large man wear a mid-drift. Ralphus and Jericho were like Abbott and Costello. They got into a great deal of trouble. Ralphus didn't say much but involved himself in many of Jericho's fights. While Jericho ran around the league like a live action cartoon character, new faces were popping up.
  WCW newcomer, Bill Goldberg, was climbing the ranks of the league with his blemish free record. Naturally, the Paragon of Virtues had to put Goldberg in check. Goldberg too busy for Jericho ignored the rants and criticisms. Out of the blue, Jericho announced he had a match against Goldberg at the annual Fall Brawl PPV. The match was a complete joke. Jericho fought a jobber made up to look like Goldberg. On the falling Monday night, Jericho's trusty sidekick was taken down by the real Goldberg. Jericho in the ring left his security layed out. Jericho again announced the face off between himself and Goldberg. Jericho claimed multiple victories over " Da Man!" Jericho quickly verbally pinned his opponent, Goldberg, but never really fought him. The Ayatollah and Ralphus tucked tailed and ran every encounter. The Ayatollah gave Goldberg the nickname "Greenberg". The real Goldberg demanded a real match. The Paragon of Virtues never gave it to him. This Jericho/Goldberg angle was definitely the angle that left a lasting affect on the league. Chris Jericho's WCW contract ready to expire, in 1999, opened up yet another road. The new road leads him straight to the Titian Tower in Connedicut.
  Months following Jericho’s departure from the WCW, the wrestling world was wondering where he might end up. The Internet was laying hints to a WWF premiere. The Ayatollah, himself, was giving no indication of his future. Finally all the questions were answered in Chicago on August 9 1999. After that night the WWF was never “eveeeeer going to be the same again!”
  On that very night during the People’s Champion’s promo, the WWF was infected with an Y2J virus. The Y2J virus was none other than the man, the myth, and the legend himself, Chris Jericho. Jericho interrupted the Rock and cut one of the most memorable promos in the WWF history. From that point on, Jericho was a WWF superstar. His league success came quickly after his arrival. The Ayatollah commented on every WWF superstar. He, in fact, defeated the Ultimate Fighting Champion, Ken Shamrock, in a No Holds Barred match. That match marked the final appearance of Shamrock on WWF TV.
  Championship titles began coming Jericho’s way, at the final pay-per-view of 1999. Jericho defeated Chyna for the IC title. Again in the 2000 Royal Rumble, he won the IC title. The Y2J virus was not only affecting the squared circle but also the merchandising department. Jericho t-shirts began selling like wild fire. His merchandise sales were selling neck to neck with Steve Austin’s, the Rock’s, and the Undertaker’s. When the largest Pay-per-view, WrestleMania, rolled around, Jericho was involved in a triple threat match that resulted in a victory and the European Championship belt.
  For the remainder of the year 2000, Jericho involved himself in feuds with X-Pac, Chris Benoit, Triple HHH and the Game’s wife, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley. His conflicts with HHH gave him a taste of WWF Heavyweight Championship gold. In a match on Raw, Chris defeated the Game for the beloved WWF title. Sadly, HHH forced the referee to reverse the decision and the title was stripped. This was a loss but he did something not many had done. He defeated the Game, HHH. The remainder of the year seemed rather uneventful. Chris was involved in many great matches but nothing of importance. It seemed that he was circling the mid-card range of the WWF talent. On a personal note, Jericho released a record with his band, FOZZY.
  Jericho rekindled an on going feud with his long time rival and equal, Chris Benoit. Their fights can be traced back to Jericho’s origins at Stu Hart’s Dungeon. The two competed in an unforgettable ladder match at the 2001 Royal Rumble. Jericho left that victorious and the IC champ yet again. Shortly following that face-off, Jericho broke down the walls of size in a David versus Goliath feud with the Big Red Machine, Kane. In 2001, Chris got involved in a life-long tag team. He got married to his long time love.
  Good Fortune continued to come to Chris. Showing off a more aggressive side, Jericho held the Hardcore Title for a very brief time. Moreover, he put his past aside and teamed up with Chris Benoit. The pair won tag team title shots. They defeated Steve Austin and Triple HHH for the tag team titles. The year 2001 is quickly winding down and he has the WCW heavy weight Title and the WCW tag team titles. He continues to impress and entertain the fans.