RADICAN'S TAKE TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008 Jul 23, 2008 - 3:30:29 PM

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By Sean Radican, PWTorch columnist

It's no secret that great heels make wrestling promotions more exciting. Fans become more emotionally invested in seeing babyfaces get their revenge, match heat increases, and interest in a promotion rises when an individual is able to get under the skin of the viewing audience. In 2008, ROH's Nigel McGuinness and WWE's Chris Jericho have taken things a step further. Not only are they screwing over babyface opponents, but both men have also made things personal with the fans.

McGuinness's heel turn started when fans began booing him late in 2007 when he failed to appear as advertised for his matches due to injury. McGuinness wasn't getting over as a babyface champion at the time. He had been a face in ROH for so long, so a turn was in order and McGuinness has capitalized with what he calls a "divorce" from the ROH fan base.

During matches, McGuinness jaws with fans that boo him. He's started to wear the ROH World title backwards, because as he says, if they need a reminder of how great he is, it's right on his ass. McGuinness now gets tremendous heel heat at most events. He uses all of the usual heel tricks, but he's made things personal with the fans, which causes him to stand out.

Chris Jericho has reinvented himself as well during the course of his feud with HBK, which began shortly after WrestleMania. Much like McGuinness, Jericho has had his own divorce from the fans, although it's directly tied in to his belief that they hold him to a higher standard than HBK.

Prior to his turn, Jericho had also been stale as a babyface, much like McGuinness, but his turn has given him a new life that makes his segments the "must watch" highlights of wrestling television each week. This past Monday, without yelling or screaming, Jericho calmly told the fans that he had put Michaels out of wrestling and given him career-threatening injuries. He said he was proud of his actions and had matured from who he was several years ago.

Jericho and McGuinness both carry themselves in a condescending manner that make you want to see them get their respective asses handed to them. Both are getting it done in the ring as well.

McGuinness has put together numerous MOTYC's against a variety of babyface challengers this year. Although he hasn't had that one money feud as Jericho has with HBK, he's been impressive not only on the mic, but also shooting down challengers that ROH fans want to see dethrone him.

On the flip side, HBK and Jericho have been using their in-ring encounters to build towards what would appear to be one or two big payoff matches. Jericho brutally attacked Michaels's cut and already-injured eye at the Great American Bash this past weekend. Assuredly HBK will return to get his revenge in a big grudge match at some point.

I'm really enjoying the variety of storytelling while watching McGuinness and Jericho's respective heel runs. Jericho has really had a slow build in his feud with HBK, while in turn, McGuinness has taken on all comers and barely escaped with the ROH World Title numerous times. It's an example of two effective ways to reach captivate a wrestling audience that we're seeing in WWE and ROH in 2008.

Although we all have our fair share of complaints about the state of the industry, I'm sure enjoying watching McGuinness and Jericho shine in 2008.

Sean Radican and Derek Burgan deliver state-of-the-art-wrestling audio each and every weekend exclusively at PWTorch.com/members. Sean enjoys long walks on the beach when not writing about wrestling.

Email Sean Radican.

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