The wrestling career of Chris Jericho has been nothing short of extraordinary. Y2J remains relevant in 2022 as he has reinvented his character in numerous instances with success. Jericho joined WWE in August 1999, and the rest as they say is history. Jericho is a six-time WWE World Champion, a record-setting nine-time Intercontinental Champion, and he is a Grand Slam Champion.
Jericho departed WWE in 2005 but he returned two years with a short haircut. He's left WWE and returned on several occasions, but he joined AEW in 2019. Respected wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer has followed the trajectory of Jericho's career, and he has witnessed a lot of his matches over the years. Some of Jericho's all-time great matches in WWE have been off the charts, and Meltzer hasn't hesitated to rate them highly.
8 Team Raw Vs. Team SmackDown - Survivor Series 2016 (4.5 Stars)
Chris Jericho was a member of Team Raw in the traditional five-on-five Survivor Series elimination match at Survivor Series 2016. Jericho teamed up with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, and the Universal Champion Kevin Owens. Their opponents were Team SmackDown comprised of the WWE Champion AJ Styles, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, and Shane McMahon.
This bout was nothing short of extraordinary with both teams desperate to win. Jericho had a good outing here and he lasted 30 minutes, but he was eliminated by an RKO as Jericho was distracted by his list being destroyed.
7 Chris Jericho Vs. The Rock - No Mercy 2001 (4.5 Stars)
The Rock goaded Chris Jericho about not winning the "Big One" but Jericho had a chance to change that in his WCW Championship match with Rock at No Mercy 2001. Jericho and Rock have had many exceptional tussles over the years, but this match at No Mercy was arguably their best.
Their WCW Championship match spilled onto the outside, and Rock put Jericho through the broadcast table with a Rock Bottom. Jericho picked up a near fall after using the Rock's move, the Rock Bottom. Nevertheless, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley interfered, and Jericho capitalized by connecting with the Breakdown on the chair. Jericho covered him and he became the WCW Champion for the first time in his career in a hard-fought battle.
6 Money In The Bank Ladder Match - WrestleMania 21 (4.5 Stars)
Chris Jericho was the mastermind behind the Money in the Bank ladder match, and he was involved in the first one at WrestleMania 21. The likes of Jericho, Edge, and Christian were ladder match specialists, Kane had some experience in a TLC match, and Shelton Benjamin was tailor-made for this bout.
The match was off the charts as the winner who'd clinch the briefcase would be guaranteed a future World Championship shot for up to one year. Jericho was involved in the thick of things, and he drew upon his experience in ladder matches in this bout. Despite his efforts, it wasn't enough as Edge prevailed.
5 Team WWE Vs. Team Alliance - Survivor Series 2001 (4.5 Stars)
The battle lines were drawn at Survivor Series 2001 with the losing team ceasing to exist between Team WWE and Team Alliance. Jericho, The Rock, Kane, The Undertaker, and Big Show represented WWE whilst Steve Austin spearheaded Team Alliance alongside Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle, Booker T, and Rob Van Dam.
Jericho contributed to Shane O'Mac's exit from the match as he connected with the lionsault, and he eliminated RVD with a Breakdown. However, Jericho was eliminated by Austin with a roll-up. Jericho almost cost Team WWE as he assaulted Rock, but the People's Champion spurred WWE to victory as he got past his eternal rival Austin to pick up a huge win.
4 Chris Jericho Vs. Rey Mysterio - The Bash 2009 (4.5 Stars)
Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio have excellent chemistry with one another so it wasn't a surprise that their match at The Bash 2009 stole the show. Jericho's Intercontinental Championship was on the line as was Mysterio's mask.
Jericho was the aggressor in this bout, and he dominated parts of the match. Mysterio got back into the match, and Jericho attempted to unmask Mysterio. He was successful but he only removed one mask and not two. The Master of the 619 outsmarted Jericho, and he regained the Intercontinental Championship in one heck of a match.
3 Chris Jericho Vs. CM Punk - Payback 2013 (4.5 Stars)
CM Punk loves performing in front of his hometown fans in Chicago, and he had another excellent performance inside the Allstate Arena in his clash with Chris Jericho at Payback 2013. This match was outstanding, and fans were backing the Second City Saint as expected.
This match was better than their WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 28, a year prior. Jericho connected with the Codebreaker but Punk kicked out. Moreover, Punk executed the GTS but he only managed to get a near-fall. Ultimately, the Straight Edge Savior connected with the GTS twice and he was victorious.
2 Chris Jericho Vs. Triple H - Fully Loaded 2000 (4.5 Stars)
The only way for Chris Jericho and Triple H to settle the score was going to be in a Last Man Standing match at Fully Loaded 2000. The Game had the advantage as Jericho's ribs were taped up. Nonetheless, they hit a home run in one of the greatest Last Man Standing matches in WWE history.
It was physical as expected and buckets of blood were shed as customary in high-profile Triple H matches. Ultimately, the Game put Jericho through the broadcast table with a back body drop, and it was enough for Triple H to triumph in a war of attrition.
1 Chris Jericho Vs. Shawn Michaels - No Mercy 2008 (4.5 Stars)
Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels' rivalry was unquestionably the feud of the year in 2008. At No Mercy, Jericho defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Michaels in a ladder match. Both are ladder match specialists, and they settled the score in a fantastic contest.
Neither man held back, and both inflicted punishment on the other with a ladder. Jericho had Lance Cade in his corner, and he stopped Michaels from retrieving the title. In the closing stages, Jericho and Michaels engaged in a tussle over the World Heavyweight Championship, and Y2J at the last second reeled Michaels and he headbutted him en route to a successful title defense.