What’s the story?
Chris Jericho told Sirius XM’s Busted Open back in 2013 that he almost quit the WWE on the night of April 17th, 2000- the same night on which he would go on to win the WWF World Championship for the first time in his career.
In case you didn’t know...
Seventeen years ago, Y2J upset Triple H on the April 17th episode of RAW IS WAR, when he scored a pinfall victory to win the WWF world title. The win wasn’t without controversy, as the original referee Mike Chioda had taken a bump due to which referee Earl Hebner stepped in and made the count.
Hebner counted the 1-2-3 and declared Jericho the winner and new champion. However, HHH, Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon would later protest this result, and Chioda who had finally recovered from the bump, reversed the decision- forcing Jericho to relinquish the title on the very same night.
The heart of the matter
Jericho revealed a few interesting details about the night he won the championship, revealing that he planned on leaving the company on the very same night and had, in fact, walked into the WWE brass’ office to do the same. Here are a few excerpts from what he said-
“Before I won the title that time at State College, Pennsylvania against Triple H, I was on my way to Vince’s (McMahon) office; it was like the movie Slap Shot: ‘Who owns the Chiefs? Pay me or I will leave’ sort of thing. I’m done! I lost to Viscera, I lost to the Godfather and this was a waste of my time. I’m done.”
He then went on to talk about what changed his mind:
“The writer at that time was Tommy Blacha at the time and he said, ‘Listen, before you go to Vince, I have to say something.’ I said, ‘There is nothing you can say that’s going to change my mind.’ He said, ‘You’re going to win the World Title tonight.’ And that changed my mind.”
The six-time world champion also asserted that much like the late-great Eddie Guerrero used to say- ‘the cream will always rise to the top. If you can wrestle, you will always have a job and you will get to the top.’
The 46-year old added that backstage politics notwithstanding, all you have to do is perform to the best of your ability and you most definitely will get your shot.
What’s next?
Jericho lost his United States championship to Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania 33 and will face him in a championship rematch at WWE’s Payback pay-per-view this April 30th.
Author’s take
WWE Universe, better thank your stars Y2J decided to stay with the WWE and man, what a career he went on to have, following that wild night back in 2000. Chris truly is a gift after all- You’ve just got to Drink It In Maaannn!!!
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