By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes News
Chris Jericho, now an AEW star, recently looked back at his legendary WWE debut, which took place 25 years ago. After making a name for himself in WCW, Jericho's move to WWE in 1999 marked a pivotal moment in his career. During a special episode of his podcast Talk is Jericho, he shared insights into how he conceptualized the iconic countdown clock used to introduce his WWE persona. Inspired by a "Countdown to the New Millennium" sign he saw in a post office, Jericho realized it would be the perfect way to make a dramatic entrance into WWE.
Jericho pitched the idea to Vince Russo, who was WWE's head writer at the time. Russo loved the idea and presented it to Vince McMahon, who tweaked the concept to make the countdown hit zero at the start of WWE's flagship show Monday Night Raw. This collaboration resulted in one of the most memorable WWE debuts in history when Jericho interrupted The Rock on live TV, solidifying his place as a future Hall of Famer.
Over the next two decades, Jericho evolved his character, adding to his legacy as one of the most versatile and creative performers in the world of wrestling. From his Y2J persona to becoming a record-setting champion, Jericho's WWE debut set the stage for a career filled with innovation, including his successful transition to AEW, where he continues to be a top performer.
This reflection on his WWE debut highlights Jericho’s knack for reinvention, creativity, and how a simple idea turned into a moment that would forever change his career.
