WWE: Is Chris Jericho Even Needed Back, or Will He Get Lost in the Shuffle?

The debate over who is behind the WWE’s cryptic “It Begins” videos is kind of like the song that never ends—it just keeps going on and on and on, with seemingly no finish in sight. 

But, in actuality, we are now less than two weeks away from finally finding out who is behind those mysterious YouTube videos, and either being pleasantly surprised, incredibly disappointed or simply proven right. 

Many of us are hoping, however, that it’s the latter and that Chris Jericho makes his triumphant return to the WWE on Jan. 2. 

There are those who want to see Y2J come back simply because they’re fans of his, but there are others who want to see him back in a WWE ring because the company “needs” him. 

I originally wanted Jericho back just to see a favorite wrestler of mine have one last WWE run, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the company definitely does need him at the moment. 

That has a lot to with a recent report that indicates that WWE officials feel like the company is lacking a top heel at the moment. 

From the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via WrestleNewz.com): 

"

It’s said that Alberto Del Rio’s stock isn’t as high as it was a few months ago within WWE. There’s a feeling that RAW is lacking a top heel and while The Miz is good, he’s not seen as someone who can be the brand-carrying heel. Del Rio was supposed to be that heel but the feeling is that he’s not quite at that level either. 

"

Ya know, I have to agree. 

I see the bright spots with both guys. The Miz has improved drastically in the ring over the last couple of years and is one of the company’s top talkers while Del Rio has proven to be a very good wrestler during his short WWE stint. 

But I don’t see either guy being quite good enough to be the WWE’s bona fide No. 1 heel, and in fact, I don’t see any heel on either brand establishing himself as the WWE’s clear-cut top heel at the moment. 

Christian could be that guy, but he’s still injured, and a number of up-and-comers—such as Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler and Cody Rhodes—are right on the cusp of being the WWE’s top heel, but none are quit there yet. 

That’s where Jericho comes in. 

Whether you’re a Jericho fan or not, it’s hard to deny that he could return to the WWE on Jan. 2 (or any date for that matter) and instantly become the company’s best and most important heel. Quite simply, he brings everything you need out of a top heel to the table.

Y2J can go toe-to-toe with any WWE star in the ring, he can cut promos with the best of them and yet, he is not afraid to put over talent who most big-name stars wouldn’t even considering losing to. 

If you don’t think that Jericho is needed in the WWE because he may steal some young heel’s spot or, on the contrary, get lost in the shuffle, then you need to think again. Jericho will always have a place in the WWE because, no matter where he is on the card, he will always find a way to make himself important. 

If Jericho is needed to be a top heel (and I think he is), then he could do just that by returning as “The best in the world at what I do” or even by completely reinventing himself as some other character. He also has the added advantage, however, of being one of the most selfless WWE superstars in recent history. 

During his last run with the company, Jericho made a habit out of putting others over and helping younger stars get established. I mean, does anyone remember when he actually lost to Heath Slater on NXT? 

Yeah, Jericho lost to a future jobber on a show that is now relegated to WWE.com. 

Or how about when Jericho got pinned by Evan Bourne? Indeed, Jericho took a loss against a guy who had never really gotten any type of a push in the WWE up to that point. 

Jericho has made a career out of doing what Randy Orton did throughout 2011, and that is making others look good. 

So, if someone asks me if I think the WWE “needs”  Jericho, I will say, “Absolutely.” 

He’s needed because he can be a heel. He’s needed because he can be a baby face. He’s needed because he can wrestle. He’s needed because he can cut promos. He’s needed because he can put others over. 

Oh, in case you couldn’t tell, the WWE needs Chris Jericho.