WWE: Lionheart - How to keep yourself relevant?

Now, for any returning superstar, it is hard to get the attention of the fans like before. Times change, and the fans move on to find an alternative, another superstar to cheer, and when you come back with the same old routine, that’s when the fans stop caring about you. Chris Jericho always knew that, and so when he planned to return to the WWE two years later, he altered his gimmick, going from ‘Y2J’ to the now more subtle, boyish looking babyface, who claimed to ‘save’ the WWE and the fans. This was the rebirth of Chris Jericho, and the emergence of a different style of performance, something that even the other superstars soon followed. When Jericho returned, he started using big words, wearing suits and claimed he was better than the fans. People never got to witness a heel with this demeanor, although WWE tried it before. Jericho again hit the nail on the head with his character, and soon became the top heel of the company. But like before, Jericho wanted to keep himself fresh, and hence took another long sabbatical from the wrestling business.

Jericho’s third, and latest coming was in 2012, after a series of eerie vignettes aired, suggesting the return of the superstar. But this time, Chris Jericho altered his character once again, and kept the fans guessing for a month. After the Royal Rumble, he turned on the fans, and explained his actions by saying everyone wanted to be like him. It’s not easy for an individual to be in the business for over 20 years, and it is definitely not easy for someone to remain relevant all the while. Chris Jericho has always performed to the best of his abilities, and that’s why he garners so much adulation and respect from his peers and fans alike.

If you ask the superstars, they would tell you how hard it is to keep their characters fresh. Most of the veterans find a way to alter their gimmicks, but if you ask someone who has been the best at it, they would name Chris Jericho. The fact that Jericho can be a bad guy for one second and get the crowd to cheer him the next proves how he has found a way to master the art. When all is said and done, Jericho will be remembered as one of the greatest innovators in the history of the business, not just because of his in – ring talents, but also because of the way he has always managed to connect with the audience, and kept himself fresh. That is one thing every superstar needs to learn, not just to get over with the fans, but to have a long lasting career in this business.