Chris Jericho’s career spans over three decades, multiple promotions, and countless classic matches — but when it comes to his all-time greatest rivalries, the Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla has singled out just three names: Shawn Michaels, Kevin Owens, and MJF.
In a recent interview with Radio X, Jericho reflected on the highs and lows of his storied career and revealed which feuds meant the most to him, both professionally and personally. These rivalries not only defined major moments in his career but also delivered some of the most memorable storylines in modern wrestling history.
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels: A Rivalry for the Ages
This feud is often considered one of the best WWE storylines of all time. It began back in 2003 at WrestleMania 19, where Jericho faced Michaels in what was HBK’s first Mania match since returning from a serious back injury. Jericho, still in his early main event years, put on a show-stealing performance in a match filled with emotion, storytelling, and mutual respect — at least at the time.
But things reached a boiling point in 2008 when the feud reignited in dramatic fashion. What began as a simple rivalry turned deeply personal when Jericho accidentally — and brutally — punched Michaels’ wife, Rebecca, during a segment on Raw. That moment took the storyline to another level.
The feud featured:
- Unsanctioned Match at Unforgiven 2008
- Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy 2008
- Last Man Standing Match that capped off their heated saga
This storyline not only elevated Jericho’s character as a ruthless heel but also showed just how far he was willing to go to blur the lines between fiction and reality.
Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens: From Best Friends to Bitter Enemies
One of the most emotionally charged WWE feuds of the 2010s, Jericho and Kevin Owens started off as an unlikely — yet wildly entertaining — tag team. Together, they gave fans memorable moments, including the now-iconic “Festival of Friendship.”
That segment, which ended with Owens turning on Jericho in heartbreaking fashion, kicked off a bitter rivalry that culminated at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. The two faced off for the WWE United States Championship, with Owens taking the win.
What made this feud so powerful was the real emotional connection between the characters. Jericho’s “List of Jericho” gimmick was red-hot at the time, and fans were fully invested in their dynamic — making the betrayal hit even harder.
Chris Jericho vs. MJF: AEW’s Pinnacle Storyline
Jericho’s list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to his run in All Elite Wrestling, and his feud with MJF is easily one of AEW’s most layered and compelling rivalries.
The storyline kicked off in 2020 when MJF tried to worm his way into Jericho’s faction, The Inner Circle. Eventually, the alliance exploded, with MJF forming his own faction, The Pinnacle, leading to an intense, faction-based war that featured:
- Stadium Stampede Match at Double or Nothing 2021
- Blood & Guts Match — AEW’s version of WarGames
- The Five Labors of Jericho — a brutal series of challenges Jericho had to overcome to face MJF again
- The Final Fight at All Out 2021, where Jericho finally defeated MJF in a high-stakes match
This feud allowed Jericho to showcase his versatility — mixing comedy, storytelling, and violence — while helping solidify MJF as one of wrestling’s brightest rising stars.
What’s Next for Jericho? A WWE Return on the Cards?
Jericho’s last match took place in Ring of Honor (ROH) this past April, where he dropped the ROH World Championship to Bandido. While he’s been keeping a relatively low profile since then, new reports suggest that Jericho may be heading back to WWE for one final run — a potential Hall of Fame farewell tour.
Given his legacy, a WWE return would be a fitting final chapter for one of the most influential performers in wrestling history.
Chris Jericho’s legendary career has been defined by adaptability, reinvention, and unforgettable rivalries. Whether it was classic storytelling with Shawn Michaels, emotional betrayal with Kevin Owens, or generational warfare with MJF, Jericho continues to prove that when it comes to wrestling, he’s the best in the world at what he does — and he’s done it across generations.
