5 Reasons why AEW World Champion Chris Jericho proved he's the real 'BMF' in wrestling

This weekend saw UFC put on one of the biggest events of 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Jorge Masvidal faced off against Nate Diaz for the BMF title as the main event of UFC 244.

There, Masvidal was able to win the title after a controversial stoppage that left the fans dissatisfied. Ironically enough, the BMF title fight ended in a doctor's stoppage, but for health reasons, that was the best decision that could have been made there.

The Rock was present at the event and was the one who had the honor of being the one to present Masvidal with the title, something the fighter had requested personally.

If we look away from MMA and towards the world of professional wrestling, we can see that there are several wrestlers who might be termed the real 'BMF' or "Baddest Mother******". 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is certainly a person when talking about that category of wrestlers, and The Rock himself is worthy of mention.

However, if there's one wrestler who has proved more than anyone else he is the real BMF in the world of professional wrestling, it has to be the current AEW World Champion Chris Jericho.

Over his career spanning almost 30 years, Chris Jericho has proved time and time again that he is the real deal. In this article, I talk about five times he has proved he is the real BMF.

#5 Undisputed WWE Champion

Chris Jericho holds a unique record in the world of WWE. He is the only person to have defeated both The Rock and Stone Cold on the same night in separate matches. Not only did he pull off this feat, but he also became the Undisputed WWE Champion while doing so.

At WWE Vengeance 2001, Chris Jericho first faced The Rock for the WCW World Championship and defeated him to win it from him. Later in the night, he went on to defeat Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWF Championship as well.

By doing so, he became the first-ever person to hold both titles together for the first time and the fourth Grand Slam winner under the original format of that rule.

Even at that time, it was clear that Jericho was headed towards becoming a real wrestling legend.

#4 Re-inventing himself

Matt Hardy's Lake of Reincarnation might be something that allows people to go in and come out as completely different versions of themselves, but it cannot compare to the mind of Y2J.

The AEW Champion has re-invented himself so many times, that there is no point in even trying to count. From 'RAW is Jericho', to his ECW 'Lionheart' role, to the time where he called everyone 'Stupid Idiot', to the Best in the World at what he does, the Ayatollah of Rock 'N' Rolla, has been known by many names and many faces to the fans.

No matter which version of Chris Jericho you prefer, the man has played every role from the most lovable babyface to the man who was willing to injure Shawn Michaels' eye permanently. The depth he gives each of his characters makes sure that the fans are as committed to the gimmick as Jericho is himself.

Even with the small things that Jericho kept consistent, such as pretending not to remember the name of the person who was interviewing him, Jericho as a personality is truly a once in a lifetime performer.

The fans have hated him and the fans have loved him, but they have always paid attention when he has talked to them. Whatever your opinion of him, it is safe to say that wrestling is a better place with him in it, and his 'little bit of bubbleh'.

#3 Chris Jericho's success outside the ring

Chris Jericho is many things, but he is not someone who has only one talent. Y2J has showcased his many talents to the fans inside the ring, including the number of wrestling holds that he knows (it's at least 1,004)..

However, outside the ring, Jericho has also proved himself time and time again as well.

Let's talk about the biggest part of his life outside the ring — his band Fozzy. Chris Jericho has received critical acclaim as the lead singer for the heavy metal band and has released seven studio albums with them, with the most recent one, Judas, inspiring his current in-ring finishing move. What's equally impressive is that Fozzy started out as a good cover band with Jericho and his friends and turned into a major touring act.

Jericho is also known for his successful podcast, Talk is Jericho, where he has interviewed wrestlers, musicians, and a variety of other guests. As a wrestling promoter as well, Y2J has proved successful with his 'Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea' cruise.

Chris Jericho has also been a part of quite a few films and television series as well. Given the range of this man's talents, he is well and truly the real BMF.

#2 Going to NJPW

Towards the end of 2017, Chris Jericho created headlines once again by returning to NJPW. He returned to the company by putting forth a challenge to Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. The match was dubbed 'Alpha vs Omega' and was the biggest thing that was talked about in wrestling outside the WWE in years.

It was also Jericho's first-ever wrestling match outside WWE since signing with them in 1999.

He performed in 2018 at the Tokyo Dome's Wrestle Kingdom 12 PPV. While Jericho lost, he continued to perform in NJPW and although his appearances for the company are currently extremely rare, he is scheduled to face Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event of the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14.

While this might seem simply a case of a wrestler moving from one company to another, the magnitude of the move was not something that could be truly grasped in the post-WCW era, where WWE did not really have any form of competition. The thought of someone with the reputation of Chris Jericho leaving WWE to go to NJPW shook the wrestling world to its core.

It was only a sign of things to come.

#1 Winning the AEW Championship

When The Elite announced the creation of All Elite Wrestling, it was one of the biggest moments in the world of wrestling in years. No one had thought that there would come a time where a promotion like AEW could rise up again, but it had.

And thus, who was one of the first-ever signings for the promotion shortly after this announcement?

None other than the real BMF of the wrestling world, Chris Jericho.

He signed a 3-year contract with AEW and shook hands with Tony Khan, simultaneously shaking the entire wrestling community to its core. What followed was what was the natural conclusion of Jericho's presence in any band. Much like the cream rises to the top, Jericho did exactly that.

He defeated Kenny Omega at the inaugural Double or Nothing event and then defeated Adam Page at All Out to become the first-ever AEW World Champion, much like he was the first-ever person to hold the Undisputed WWE Championship towards the beginning of his career.

Currently, he has allied himself with Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, as well as Santana and Ortiz to form The Inner Circle, and together, they are truly ruling the roost in AEW.

No matter which wrestling promotion you support, looking at the career of Chris Jericho, there is one thing that you cannot deny. He has fought and clawed his way to the top and he deserves his position there. As he has said, we all owe our thanks to him.

If there is one name to be called the real BMF of professional wrestling, the accolade only belongs to one man, and one man only — Chris Jericho.