Jericho hits his stride in new villain role
By Mike Mooneyham (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, July 27, 2008

WWE has done a good job of shaking up the roster and altering the sports entertainment landscape since last month's draft.

C.M. Punk continues to be the surprising underdog champ, Kane appears to be getting closer to donning his old mask, and Vince McMahon has taken a well-deserved respite from the camera.

Even the 54-year-old Tony Atlas has resurfaced after a lengthy absence as the heel manager, no less, of Mark Henry.

By far, though, the most intriguing angle on WWE television has been the amazing interplay between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels. Jericho, who started slowly upon his return to the company last year, has picked up steam in his latest role as a villain seeking to "cleanse" the wrestling business of the Heartbreak Kid, who remains one of the top workers and characters in the industry.

In the case of these two veterans, it's been more about the story than the match, which should be the blueprint for any good wrestling program. There hasn't been a better storyteller since Ric Flair, or a better seller in the ring since Ricky Steamboat, than Michaels. At age 43, he continues to put on a clinic each time he steps inside the squared circle. Six years younger at 37, Jericho has again hit his stride after taking a couple years off from the business to pursue other interests and recharge his batteries.

Jericho defeated Michaels at last Sunday's Great American Bash due to a rare ref stoppage because of blood. Although Jericho claimed Michaels' career is over after HBK suffered a "detached retina," a rematch looks almost certain for Summer Slam next month.

Few workers in the business today could pull off what these two ring generals have in recent weeks. The fact that Jericho has long considered Michaels his favorite wrestler of all time makes the program that much more enjoyable. Michaels' history — from pill-popping prima donna to born-again Christian — has given Jericho plenty of material to draw from.

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