Christopher Keith Irvine, professionally known as Chris Jericho, stands as one of the most influential and versatile figures in professional wrestling history.
Born on November 9, 1970, in Manhasset, New York, Jericho’s life has been a whirlwind of athleticism, entertainment, and reinvention.
Raised primarily in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, after his family relocated following his father’s retirement from the NHL, Jericho’s early exposure to sports and performance shaped his multifaceted career.
Beyond the squared circle, he has fronted the heavy metal band Fozzy, hosted the popular podcast Talk Is Jericho, authored bestselling books, and ventured into acting with roles in films like MacGruber and Terrifier 2.
Siblings
Chris has one sibling, his sister Vanessa Gerads.
Born to parents Ted Irvine, a former NHL player who skated for teams like the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, and Loretta Vivian Irvine, who passed away in 2005, Jericho grew up in a household infused with discipline and resilience.
Vanessa, who shares the family’s Scottish and Ukrainian heritage, has carved out a distinct path away from the spotlight of professional wrestling.
Career
Jericho’s wrestling odyssey began in earnest at age 19, when he trained at the legendary Hart Brothers School of Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, under the watchful eyes of the Hart family.
Debuting on October 2, 1990, in a modest match against Lance Storm in Ponoka, Alberta—drawing just 85 fans—Jericho quickly hustled through independent circuits in Canada, including Stampede Wrestling.
His ambition led him overseas to Japan with promotions like Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling and Wrestling and Romance, where he honed his high-flying style against talents like Último Dragón.
Reuniting with Storm as the Thrillseekers in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Jericho’s big break came in 1996 with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), a gritty Philadelphia promotion that amplified his technical skills and mic work against stars like Sabu and Shane Douglas.
That same year, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) beckoned, marking Jericho’s entry into mainstream stardom.
From 1996 to 1999, he dazzled as a cruiserweight sensation, feuding with icons like Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio Jr., and captivating audiences with his blend of athleticism and showmanship.
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Frustrated by creative stagnation, Jericho made one of wrestling’s most electrifying debuts on August 9, 1999, interrupting The Rock on WWF (now WWE) Monday Night Raw, igniting the Monday Night Wars’ final embers.
In WWE, Jericho ascended rapidly, forming alliances and rivalries with the likes of Chris Benoit, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels, while reinventing himself through eras like the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression periods.
After multiple WWE stints, leaving for Fozzy tours and Broadway, Jericho’s 2018 return introduced “The List of Jericho,” a viral gimmick that propelled him back to the top.
In 2019, he co-founded All Elite Wrestling (AEW), serving as its inaugural World Champion and leading factions like The Inner Circle and Jericho Appreciation Society.
His AEW run has seen epic clashes with Kenny Omega, MJF, and Bryan Danielson, while crossovers with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) earned him a five-star classic loss to Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 14.
Even at 35 years into his career as of 2025, Jericho remains a producer, commentator, and in-ring force, defying retirement chants and rumors of a WWE farewell with unyielding energy.
Accolades
In WCW, Jericho claimed the Cruiserweight Championship three times between 1997 and 1998, the World Television Championship once, and the World Tag Team Championship twice.
His ECW tenure yielded the World Television Championship in 1996, a pivotal win that showcased his adaptability in the hardcore landscape.
WWE accolades form the crown jewel of his resume: Jericho holds the record for most Intercontinental Championship reigns at nine, spanning from 2000 to 2011, and captured the European Championship once in a historic two-falls triple threat at WrestleMania 2000.
As a six-time world champion in WWE, he pioneered the Undisputed WWF Championship in 2001 by defeating The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in one night at Vengeance, a feat that unified the WWF and WCW titles.
He later added three World Heavyweight Championships (2008), the United States Championship once (2017), and seven Tag Team Championships, partnering with legends like The Rock, Chris Benoit, Edge, and Big Show.
In AEW, Jericho etched his name as the first-ever World Champion in 2019, defeating “Hangman” Adam Page at Double or Nothing, and later snagged the Ring of Honor World Championship in 2022 against Claudio Castagnoli.
Internationally, victories like the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in NJPW further burnish his global legacy.
Beyond belts, Jericho’s Slammy Awards, including multiple for Best Bump and Best WWE.com Exclusive, and his 2022 induction considerations highlight his entertainment prowess.
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