When did Jericho become a tool?

[Sidebottom]

Listened to the Blue Meanie podcast from Talk is Jericho this morning as I have a soft spot for all things ECW, and he opens up with this long story where (long story short) he makes out he is a big rock star sitting on the cool kids table, subtly implying he is on the level of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper and co. It was strange. I've noticed a few of these self aggrandising tendencies over the years and it's actually quite depressing to realise despite all of his legit fame in wrestling it would appear he is insecure about his place in the world.

 

For years I was of the opinion he was a level headed guy who knew the score. What went wrong?

[Laz]

He got older and found some minor success with his band. Music feeds the ego like few other passions.

 

Either that or he's playing up the gimmick, which is not unusual for him.

[BigBadMick]

I think you can see him progressing as an asshole across his three books.

[funkdoc]

yep, what mick said

 

this isn't all THAT new, there are stories of him taunting shawn with alcohol and such

[fxnj]

I first noticed him playing himself up as a huge star in the aftermath of his 2013 run that had him being used as a mid carder putting over guys like Fandango. I can't blame him for it if being humble means he's seen as someone who should be putting over fucking Fandango.

[Matt D]

I think things like the Cornette Wendy's footage or the RVD match online rant sort of show that he was always kind of a tool. He was just sort of our tool at some point?

[C.S.]

I think you can see him progressing as an asshole across his three books.

 

Yep. He pretty much comes across as an obnoxious, uncontrollable alcoholic in his third book. It's sad to see and rather pathetic.

[Lee]

I used to think he was one of the coolest wrestlers in the world in the 90s, then I remember when he got all worked up because some online fans had the nerve to suggest a (really average) match he'd had on PPV wasn't a four-star classic. Ever since then I've noticed an increasing tendency from him to come across as incredible insecure about who he is and what he does, and seems to respond to (what I've always found to be) perfectly valid criticisms by spitting his dummy out and whining about it because he's Chris Jericho and Chris Jericho can literally not put a single foot wrong in the world, and how DARE anyone say otherwise.

 

It's a shame because I still enjoy watching him wrestle, loved his first book, and I like his podcast when he's got interesting guests on, but I can't stand to listen to it when he's on by himself or reading his plugs, and I had to unfollow him on Twitter because of how smug, self-absorbed and self-important he comes across as. Also, for a guy in his 40s, I find his bragging about what a fun, sloppy drunk he is incredibly immature, where I'm sure he thinks it's endearing.

[MoS]

That alcohol story with Shawn in his book was really something to read. Both came across as absolute tools.

[Slasher]

Count me in as one who thought he has always been a tool. It's just that his current age makes it all the more noticeable and less endearing as it can no longer be chalked up as being young and stupid.

[Loss]

The point I lost interest in the guy was the Punk feud of 2012. WHAT ABOUT YOUR SISTER?

[Grimmas]

He was always a tool, it's just that he was a goofy heel early on which hid the fact.

[Gregor]

I'd guess that people just know him more now. In the past ten years he's written autobiographies, started a podcast, and done other stuff online. It probably doesn't help that the general opinion of his wrestling is lower than it was 10-15 years ago.

[Migs]

The mid-life crisis douche tattoos did not help.

[Johnny Sorrow]

Nerds hating him makes me love him so much .

[Sidebottom]

Nerds hating him makes me love him so much .

 

Good logic bro, how's that working out for you?

[PhilTLL]

Nerds hating him makes me love him so much .

 

I would love to know the mental gymnastics by which you've excluded yourself from nerd-ness. It's not exactly a pejorative anymore, for that matter.

[Laz]

In an interesting way, Jericho's perfectly playing the role of his hair band icons: first he was an underutilized talent, then he had his moment in the sun, then he saw his game and relevance dwindle after a tone shift, and now he's back to play his greatest hits and earn some scorn.

 

Wow. He's working all of us.

[Cross Face Chicken Wing]

^{Jericho is a pro wrestler/wannabe rock star. Why is it a surprise to anyone that he's a tool?}

[Mad Dog]

I think one thing unsaid here is that a lot of us have moved from being teenagers and early 20s into our mid 30s and 40s. I think we've gotten older and we're a lot less tolerant of people's character flaws.

[BigBadMick]

I think one thing unsaid here is that a lot of us have moved from being teenagers and early 20s into our mid 30s and 40s. I think we've gotten older and we're a lot less tolerant of people's character flaws.

And we've grown up. And expect others to do likewise.

[C.S.]

Jericho is obviously (I hope) in working mode, but his latest tweet about Nakamura:

 

 

 

Chris Jericho
‎@IAmJericho

Until he makes it to the big leagues, I don’t really care. RT: @ricosuave What do you think of @shinsuken being signed to #NXT?!?
4:44 PM - 22 Feb 2016

 

https://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/701885228516831232

[Jimmy Redman]

He's clearly working, come on now.

[C.S.]

He's clearly working, come on now.

 

*I* agree and said as much, but these guys don't seem too sure:

 

http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2016/2/22/11095350/chris-jericho-shinsuke-nakamura-wwe

[Jimmy Redman]

Jericho fucking worked for New Japan, he had basically the same career path as a guy like AJ, he knows how it is to build your reputation elsewhere and come into WWE and get it beaten out of you. It's the same stuff he's doing on TV, treating AJ Styles like a 20 year old kid, downplaying his accomplishments and acting like a bigger star than he is. It's all clearly a work and he'll turn heel at the end of it.

 

I know I don't have to explain this to you, but between this and the "Cena buried Brock" in the other thread, I'm suddenly very frustrated that there are people out there so...dumb.