KELLER'S TAKE
KELLER'S TAKE (10 years ago): Keller writes about Chris Jericho's WWE debut, including original plan for Jericho's debut
Aug 9, 2009 - 5:06:25 PM |
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WADE KELLER'S END NOTES
TORCH NEWSLETTER #561
COVER-DATED AUGUST 14, 1999
By Wade Keller, Torch editor
The production for Chris Jericho's debut was fantastic. The countdown added anticipation. The explosions and music leading up to his appearance on stage made it seem like a huge happening. His music and accompanying video are major league. Jericho's performance on the mic was everything the WWF could have hoped, but also everything they might have feared.
There was chemistry between Jericho and Rock. The segment was entertaining from start to finish and it left you wanting more. It was smart to position Jericho right away opposite of The Rock. While Big Show had been a main eventer and world title holder in WCW by the time he debuted in the WWF, Jericho was relegated to mid-card status in WCW.
Had Jericho been brought in and had his initial confrontation with Road Dogg as was originally planned, it would have instantly positioned him as a second-tier player. By facing him off with Rock right away, it instantly established that Jericho is a top tier player. Jericho didn't seem out of place in that role, either.
The test for Jericho - and this is a big test - is going to be whether he can elevate his in-ring credibility. If he's just a schmaltzy goofball comedy act in the ring, the odds are against him being a top money draw. If he can rise above that and carry himself in the ring as a title threat, then he will have a great chance to be a long-term top tier player for the WWF. If not, he'll remain a second-tier comedy act.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller founded the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter in 1987. Over 1,000 weekly issues have been published since. He launched PWTorch.com in 1999. He has hosted a weekly pro wrestling radio show in the early 1990s on KFAN, hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series in the mid-2000s, and been quoted as a pro wrestling analyst in dozens of major newspapers and on dozens of radio shows and TV shows over the past two decades including NPR, Fox News, the Washington Post, and ESPN Magazine. He has conducted lengthy exclusive insider "Torch Talk" interviews with dozens of pro wrestling's top stars and promoters over the last 20 years including Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Jesse Ventura, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Vince Russo, Ed Ferrara, Eric Bischoff, Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Jim Herd, Kip Frey, Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett, Jim Crockett Jr., Verne Gagne, Roy Shire, Jim Cornette, Paul Heyman, Ted DiBiase, Goldberg, Mick Foley, Samoa Joe, Eddie Gilbert, Gabe Sapolsky, Konnan, Jim Ross, Lance Russell, Gordon Solie, Terry Taylor, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Rick Steamboat, Larry Zbyszko, Al Snow, Kevin Sullivan, Sabu, Paul Orndorff, Lanny Poffo, Honky Tonk Man, Road Warrior Hawk, Bill Watts, and many more..
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