Chris Jericho: So Bad, He's Good

Let me begin this by saying I am a huge Chris Jericho fan.

For the past year now, we have seen a completely new Jericho.  He went from the fun-lovin Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla Y2J, to this cocky, arrogant, always-pissed of bastard. 

I am giving Jericho's most recen run in the WWE major props, as what he and they have done is rare. It would have failed if attempted on virtually any other wrestler. 

Before his November 2007 return, Jericho was already a three-time World Champion, and seven-time Intercontinental Champion. Throw in his multiple tag title reigns, and he was a hell of a competitor.  After his return, he played the babyface roll well for a few months, but what was building up inside Brian Gerwitz's creative mind was something brilliant.  The RAW creative team was going to completely re-vamp the wrestler we know as Chris Jericho.

This wasn't a complete over-hauling, it was more of an attitude change.  As many people remember, Jericho put Shawn Michaels' head through the Jeritron on the June 9 edition of the highlight reel.  Over the next seven weeks, Jericho took a wrestling heel character to new heights with his continuous attacks on top babyface, Shawn Michaels.  Finally, on July 28, we saw the last ever edition of the highlight reel.

This was it, the transformation was complete.  Jericho was now the full-fledged top heel on RAW.  Back in the old days, Jericho would usually come to a chorus of boos and cheers, as a heel. Now, he comes out to all boos for the most part.

Since his last highlight reel—where he announced his character change—Jericho has been that slime ball, jackass of a heel you hate to watch or listen to. Nonetheless, you feel drawn to him because of his excellent mic work and equally excellent in-ring talent. 

Over the course of his heel run, he has accomplished more than most other heel wrestlers who aren't or weren't a lifetime heel like The Iron Sheik.  He repeatedly attacked a top babyface/legend in Shawn Michaels, he punched said babyface's wife in the mouth, he put on the best singles ladder match in years, he won two World Titles, he won the second ever Championship Scramble, and he embarrassed the legendary wrestler that is Roddy Piper.

Where to go from here now?  I personally don't know.  They have worked so well with this character, that there is many potential paths, like a Jericho vs. Legend match at WrestleMania 25, or a Jericho vs. Rourke match.  He could form a heel tag team and play in the mid-card for a bit, or even develop a feud with IC Champ CM Punk.  Better yet, Jericho could go to SmackDown and start a feud with Undertaker or MVP.  Like I said, there are many possibilities, but no answers. 

I cannot wait for the coming months to see where they go with this character.  To be honest, Jericho is the only thing keeping me tuned into RAW every week now. 

Why? 

Because I absolutely hate how they jam the top babyfaces down our throats.  Hence why I am not a Cena, Triple H, Batista, or Punk fan.  The company should keep Jericho the way he is, as I feel he is more valuable to the company as a heel. 

This is one aspect of RAW I am applauding, so keep it up.