WWE: Is There Really a Place for Chris Jericho in the WWE Right Now?

While he claims to be the best at what he does in the ring, Chris Jericho may be having a hard time proving it in the WWE.

The former Undisputed World Champion has traveled a rocky road in his return to the company over the last five months, losing in a series of WWE Title matches with CM Punk, and now he's taking on the likes of Randy Orton in what could be a pretty good rivalry of former champions who have only been good enough for midcard status of late.

Now there are rumors Jericho will be leaving the WWE, which he addressed in an interview on wwe.com.

Orton was involved in the “Fatal 4-Way” match with the World Title on the line that Sheamus retained. But it is true that both Orton and Jericho have seen better days.

Jericho got involved in Orton’s match with Alberto Del Rio on Monday night, giving Orton the “code breaker” on three occasions, leaving a fallen Orton in the ring. If indeed this is Jericho’s new “angle” with the company, maybe it will help squelch the rumors of his leaving the company again to pursue other interests.

Orton was the best of the best on Smackdown and could be considered the brand’s most important asset. But after dropping the World Title to Mark Henry, Orton has been mired in feuds with Wade Barrett (who is now injured) and then Kane (which just ended), which went nowhere.

Jericho, in some ways, is in he same situation.

His introduction back into the WWE was met with much fanfare, but it seemed to lose its appeal when the feud with CM Punk led to an angle based on Punk’s family life (alcoholism and drug use), which also may have been a play on Jericho’s real life demons.

Now having lost the quest for the WWE title, the former champ sets his sights on Orton, trying to rekindle the magic he once had.

Personally, I am of the opinion that Jericho’s return to the ring has been flat, and he is not the crème de la crème he once was. He is shaky and not as aggressive. He is still pretty darn good on the mic and can rile the crowd like nobody’s business. But guys his size (Punk for one) have had a better-than-average opportunity to beat him.

In order for Jericho to remain truly relevant, he needs a strap, and unfortunately, because of his stature, only the World Title or the WWE Title is befitting for him. While others can hold a “second-tier title” like Christian and the Intercontinental Title, Jericho can only challenge for the top strap to maintain his status.

Anything else would be a slap in the face to the Canadian and could force his hand at leaving the company again after returning to such high hopes.