WWE: Could Chris Jericho's Legendary Career Eventually End Against CM Punk?

The end of an era.

That’s the theme for the heat that is currently developing between Triple H and the Undertaker, the heat that is leading to their showdown at Wrestlemania 28.  

You’ve heard it.  You’ve seen it.  Taker and Hunter are the last of their kind, the big-time main event players, that leave it all in the ring, helping the company build its reputation match by match.

I can’t argue the logic behind it, in fact, it makes total sense to me.  

But—and you knew there was a but, right—I have to say, the first thought I had when seeing their promo on Monday Night Raw was, yeah, but you forgot about Jericho.

For that matter, not only was Chris Jericho’s name omitted from Triple H’s stroll down memory lane, but what about Kane and Big Show?

Leave it to a pro wrestling writer to just ruin a very cool spot between two legends, right?

Of course, the biggest slam against Chris is the fact that he keeps leaving, and coming back, whenever the mood strikes him.  

It’s a fair criticism, and to be honest, for pro wrestling lifers, especially the WWE faithful, the business is very much a “what have you done for me lately,” sort of environment.

A good example of this is The Rock, whose sporadic appearances over the past year, in anticipation of his WrestleMania match against John Cena, have been met with some criticism from fans recently.

Yes, they appreciate his past contributions, and everything he did to help make WWE the media juggernaut it is today.  He is a legend, and nothing can change that.

But, Cena’s constant habit of calling out the People’s Champ as an absentee Superstar, has went from being a cheap shot to actually finding some credence with a good segment of fans.  Even those who have criticized Cena in the past are beginning to agree with him.

When it comes to wrestling fans, while we can be a fairly complicated bunch, we are very simple to our core.  Entertain us.  Be there for us.  And, when you want to go, then go.

But, don’t come back unless you’re coming back to stay.  That’s the deal. 

However, as this train of thought has been applied to Chris Jericho, I believe it is an unfair assessment.  
When Chris comes back, it’s not to promote a movie, or to sell a book.  He does not return for a special guest referee gig, or for a general manager position.

When Chris comes back, it’s as an in-ring performer.  He jumps right back into the mix, reprising his role as a full-time WWE Superstar on the hunt for the championship.  He is once again just one of the boys, doing all he can to help entertain every fan watching him.

It’s a smart move for Chris.  Taking time off to heal his body, to get a fresh set of legs, and a renewed attitude toward the business.  It prolongs his career, and keeps him from burning out.  Again, smart move on his part.

Jericho is a legend, and has the freedom to call his own shots when it comes to another run with the company.  So, when considering the “end of an era” storyline that Triple H and Undertaker are currently entering into, the question I am struck with is, who will be Chris Jericho’s final opponent?

Shawn Michaels ended Ric Flair’s WWE career.  Undertaker then brought down the curtain on the Heartbreak Kid.  Now, Triple H is looking to be the man who ends Taker’s streak, and perhaps even his legendary career.

Who will eventually pull the trigger on Jericho?

As Hunter has pointed out, the Attitude Era Superstars have all but gone, so Chris’ last match will likely be against a younger worker, a star of today.  Could CM Punk be that star?

It’s all just pure speculation on my part, and perhaps a bit too much forward thinking, after all, Jericho could be a few years away from actually hanging up his boots for the last time.  He’s in good shape, can still go in the ring, and still has a definite grasp on his character.  He really has no reason to walk away right now, or anytime soon, for that matter.

But, it will happen eventually, and if the man to pin Chris for the last time is not Shawn, Y2J’s greatest opponent, then perhaps that man is Punk.  Punk has all the makings of a long-lasting WWE Superstar.  He's a guy who will likely stay with the company for the long-term, and if given enough time, he and Chris could establish a very solid rivalry that we are just now witnessing the beginning moments of.

Chris Jericho and CM Punk in a championship versus career match at WrestleMania 29, possibly even WrestleMania 30?

For now, I will enjoy Chris’s latest run, and hopefully his heat with Punk will lead to big things for both men at WrestleMania 28, and beyond.

The end of an era?  Not just yet.