Chris Jericho knows every wrestling fan isn’t sticking with him until the final stop. After nearly 36 years in the business, Jericho has watched generations of fans discover him, move on from him and, in some cases, never return.
During his interview with The Wrestling Classic, the conversation turned to how much wrestling fandom has changed over the years. The host pointed out that some fans now consider WWE events from 2002 and 2003 their earliest wrestling memories, including the first Elimination Chamber match involving Jericho.
Jericho compared his lengthy career to an elevator that fans have entered at different floors. Some have followed him since the 1990s, others discovered him during his WWE years and a new group is only now being introduced to him through AEW.
“When you have longevity as a performer and as a fan, people are getting on the Chris Jericho elevator at a lot of different floors. Some have been there since the ’90s. Some have been there since the 2000s. Some are just getting on now.”
Jericho didn’t pretend every fan who once supported him is still along for the ride. He openly acknowledged that some people have stepped off the elevator and have no intention of returning.
“Some have gotten off and will never come back on the elevator again, and all of that is fine. That’s part of having an almost 36-year career in this business—you influence a lot of people in a lot of different ways.”
Jericho then pointed to the massive range of fans who have encountered his career. Some remember him from the first Elimination Chamber, while others could attend their first wrestling event when AEW heads to Wembley Stadium.
“There are a lot of people whose first wrestling show was, like you said, 2002 or the first Elimination Chamber, and there are a lot whose first wrestling show will be this Sunday in Wembley, and then everything in between. It’s kind of a cool position to be in.”
Jericho’s wrestling career has stretched through WCW, WWE, New Japan Pro Wrestling and AEW, giving fans plenty of different versions to love or hate. He isn’t bothered by the people who stopped watching him because another generation continues to discover his work for the first time.
What floor of the Chris Jericho elevator did you get on, and are you still riding with him today? Let us know in the comments.
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