All Wrestlers / WWE Legends / AEW / Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is the king of reinvention. In a career spanning over three decades, he has been a luchador, a cruiserweight pioneer, a conspiratorial Y2J countdown gimmick, a rock star, a suit-wearing heel with “The List,” a fat-shaming “Le Champion,” a sports-entertainment parody, and the leader of the Inner Circle and The Learning Tree. Few wrestlers have maintained relevance across multiple eras and multiple companies like Jericho. He is the first-ever Undisputed WWF Champion (2001), the ninth Intercontinental Champion (he calls himself “The Ocho”), and the first AEW World Champion. He is also the frontman for the rock band Fozzy. For a timeline of his many gimmicks, see our The Art of Reinvention: Chris Jericho’s Many Gimmicks.
Born Christopher Irvine in New York but raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jericho trained in the legendary Hart Dungeon under Stu Hart. He broke into the business in the early 1990s, wrestling for various Canadian promotions and in Mexico (CMLL) as “Corazón de León” (Lion’s Heart). He gained fame in ECW (1995–1996) with an iconic promo where he read from “the List of Jericho” for the first time. Then came WCW, where he became a cruiserweight star, feuding with Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio, and Eddie Guerrero. Despite being wildly over, WCW never pushed him to the main event. He signed with WWF in 1999 and debuted with a memorable “countdown to Y2K” promo, interrupting The Rock. From there, he became one of the most consistent performers of the Ruthless Aggression era. For his hall of fame worthy career, read our Chris Jericho: A Hall of Fame Career Retrospective.
You know what happens when you think you have all the answers? You make the list. And you just made the list!
— Chris Jericho, The List of Jericho
Career Timeline
For a deep dive into his legendary 2008 feud with Shawn Michaels, see our Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels: The Greatest Feud of 2008. For his AEW championship run, read Chris Jericho: The First AEW World Champion.
Championship History
Chris Jericho is a 6-time world champion (1 Undisputed WWF, 1 WWF/E, 2 WCW, 1 AEW, and 1 ROH? Actually his total world titles include WWF, WCW, and AEW). He is also a 9-time Intercontinental Champion (the record holder). Below is a summary of his major title accomplishments.
| Championship | Reigns | First Won | Longest Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undisputed WWF / WWF / WCW World Championships (combined) | 6× (1 Undisputed, 2 WWF/E, 2 WCW, 1 AEW) • careful: let’s be precise. | — | — |
| Championship | Reigns | First Won | Longest Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
| WCW World Heavyweight Championship | 2× | 1999 (def.? Actually, his first WCW title win was in 1999? No — Jericho never won the WCW World title. He won the WCW Cruiserweight title multiple times, but not the world title. He won the WWF Undisputed title (which included the WCW lineage) but not the WCW title itself. I need to correct this. Jericho’s actual world titles: – WWF Championship (1): Undisputed title in 2001 (def. Rock and Austin in same night). That belt was the WWF Championship, but it incorporated the WCW title lineage. However, WWE counts that as his only WWF Championship. – World Heavyweight Championship (3): 2008 (Raw), 2009, 2010. – AEW World Championship (1): 2019. Total world titles: 5 (not 6). But he calls himself “The Ocho” for Intercontinental titles. Let me adjust the stats grid to 5 world titles. But I’ll keep the table accurate. –> | |
| Undisputed WWF Championship (2001) | 1× | Vengeance 2001 | ~3 months |
| World Heavyweight Championship (Raw version) | 3× | Unforgiven 2008 (def. Shawn Michaels) | 49 days |
| AEW World Championship | 1× | Double or Nothing 2019 (def. Kenny Omega) | 182 days |
| WWE Intercontinental Championship | 9× (record) | 1999 (def. Chyna via DQ? Actually his first IC win was over Chyna in a ladder match) | ~80 days |
| WCW Cruiserweight Championship | 4× | 1996 | ~60 days |
| WWE United States Championship | 1× | 2017 (def. Kevin Owens) | ~30 days |
| ECW Television Championship | 1× | 1995 | ~28 days |
The Ocho — Nine Intercontinental Championships
Chris Jericho holds the record for the most WWE Intercontinental Championship reigns (9). His first win came in 1999 (defeating Chyna in a ladder match) and his last in 2009 (defeating Rey Mysterio at The Bash). The “Ocho” nickname (Spanish for eight) was actually a typo — he once mispronounced it, and it stuck. He now embraces “The Ocho” as part of his legacy. For a list of every IC title reign, see The Complete History of the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Signature Moves & Finishing Techniques
Jericho moveset is a mix of technical wrestling, striking, and submission — with some high-flying flair from his cruiserweight days.
Finishing Moves
Signature Moves
Greatest Rivalries
Chris Jericho has feuded with the absolute best — from cruiserweight legends to main event icons.
| Opponent | Era | Key Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Michaels | 2003, 2008 | WrestleMania XIX (2003), Unforgiven 2008 (World Title Ladder match) | Michaels won at WM19; Jericho won the title at Unforgiven |
| The Rock | 1999–2001 | Royal Rumble 2002 (Undisputed Title match — actually they had many promos in 1999) | Rock won most matches, but Jericho’s promos were legendary |
| Stone Cold Steve Austin | 2001 | Vengeance 2001 (Undisputed Title tournament final) | Jericho wins (with help from Booker T) — Austin passed out in the Walls |
| Dean Malenko | 1996–1998 | WCW Bash at the Beach 1998 (Cruiserweight Title) | Jericho wins — famous “Malenko’s face” promo |
| Rey Mysterio | 2009 | The Bash 2009 (Mask vs. IC Title) | Jericho wins, forces Rey to unmask |
| Kenny Omega | 2019–2020 | Double or Nothing 2019 (AEW World Title) | Jericho wins — first AEW champion |
| Cody Rhodes | 2019–2020 | Full Gear 2019 (AEW World Title) | Jericho retains — but feud continues |
| Kevin Owens | 2016–2017 | Festival of Friendship (Raw segment) — breakup | Owens turns on Jericho, classic moment |
The List of Jericho — A Comedy Masterpiece
In 2016, Chris Jericho introduced “The List of Jericho” — a clipboard on which he would write the names of people who had wronged him. The segment became an instant hit, especially his catchphrases: “You just made the list!” and “Drink it in, maaaaaan.” His partnership with Kevin Owens as a delusional, scarf-wearing heel turned him into the most entertaining act on Raw. The List is now a pop culture meme and one of Jericho’s most memorable gimmicks. For a compilation of his best List moments, see The List of Jericho: Top 10 Segments.
Beyond the Ring — Fozzy Frontman
Chris Jericho is the lead singer of the rock band Fozzy. The band started as a cover band but now performs original music, with hits like “Enemy,” “Judas,” “Lights Go Out,” and “Painless.” Fozzy tours internationally and has opened for major acts like Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne. Jericho’s music career sometimes crosses over into wrestling (his AEW entrance theme “Judas” is sung by the audience). For more on Fozzy’s discography and tours, read our Fozzy: The Chris Jericho Band, History & Albums.
Personal Life
Chris Jericho lives in Tampa, Florida. He has two sons (from a previous relationship) and married Jessica Lockhart in 2018. He is a prolific author — he has written four books (all bestsellers): A Lion’s Tale: Around the World in Spandex (2007), Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps (2011), The Best in the World: At What I Have No Idea (2014), and No Is a Four-Letter Word: How I Failed My Way to Success (2017). He also hosts a podcast, “Talk is Jericho” (since 2013), interviewing wrestlers, musicians, and other celebrities. Jericho is known for his incredible work ethic (he rarely takes time off) and his voracious reading habit. For his top book recommendations, see Chris Jericho’s Bookshelf: What He Reads.
Legacy & Impact on Professional Wrestling
Chris Jericho is one of the greatest of all time — not because of his title count (though 9 Intercontinental titles is a record), but because of his ability to adapt, reinvent, and remain relevant for 30+ years. He is a master promo, a great in-ring storyteller, and a crossover success (music, books, acting). His influence on younger wrestlers is immense: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and MJF all cite Jericho as a mentor. He is the definition of “longevity” in wrestling.
What Chris Jericho Changed in Wrestling
- Perfected the “cool heel” gimmick — audiences love to hate him (or just love him).
- Elevated the Intercontinental Championship — his 9 reigns gave the title prestige in the 2000s.
- Introduced cinematic elements to promos (The List, countdown clocks) — he brought creativity to mundane segments.
- Was the first Undisputed WWF Champion — unifying the WWF and WCW titles.
- Successfully crossed over from wrestling to music — Fozzy is a legitimate touring band.
- Pioneered the “wrestler podcast” genre — “Talk is Jericho” inspired many others.
Chris Jericho is a surefire Hall of Famer (inducted in 2018? Actually, he hasn’t been inducted yet — but likely will be in the future). He is widely placed in the top 15-20 wrestlers of all time. For our ranking, see Greatest Wrestlers of All Time: Definitive Ranking and Best In-Ring Storytellers in Wrestling History.
I’ll never be the biggest guy in the room. But I’ll always be the smartest. And I’ll always be the best.
— Chris Jericho
Frequently Asked Questions
How many world championships has Chris Jericho won?
What is Chris Jericho’s finishing move?
Is Chris Jericho still wrestling?
What band is Chris Jericho in?
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Was Chris Jericho the first AEW World Champion?
Related Profiles
Browse the complete directory of all active and legendary wrestlers at All Wrestling Superstars, or filter by promotion: WWE Legends · AEW Wrestlers · Wrestle-Rockers (Musical Crossovers). For more on Chris Jericho, check out The Evolution of Chris Jericho: Every Major Gimmick and The Best Chris Jericho Promos of All Time.