I bet there are a hundred other reviews of the new WWE DVD, Breaking the Code: Behind the Walls of Chris Jericho. Most will probably dissect it piece by piece, but I’d like to talk about various parts of it while including my Top 5 favorite matches.
I loved that Jericho put over working in different areas to mold his abilities – lucha libre in Mexico, working differently every night for six weeks straight in Germany, taking on Japanese strong-style, and learning how to cut a promo in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Word has it that Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat told his son to follow that same path of learning different aspects in different areas. I think, in the case of Richie and Jericho, this is a great way to get experience and draw on a number of talents. It just makes for a more well-rounded talent with a greater range to perform.
Jericho talked about how he had this great debut with the Rock, then just kind of petered out. I agree with this and I’m glad he said that he was frustrated by it. I admit I’m a Jericho fan but not a die-hard, and between his debut and the Undisputed title win, I really don’t remember a lot of what he did. But the Chyna segment was a nice reminder.
When Chris Jericho won the WWF title in State College, Penn., what do you think could have happened there if he could’ve kept the title? On the one hand, it could’ve really launched his career. But on the other, it kept Triple H over as a strong heel. It’s hard to say.
Toward the end of the show, Jericho mentioned how he wanted to steal Rey Mysterio’s mask. It wasn’t until this point I realized that Jericho had stolen lots of signature items in WCW, like Prince Iaukea’s towel (or whatever it was) and Juventud Guerrera’s mask, among lots of other things he probably stole.
I think it was a nice gesture to include Wade Barrett on this DVD, both for the fact to put Jericho over and to really push Barrett as a future superstar. Something tells me WWE is really banking on him if they’re putting him on this type of DVD.
The features are pretty short, for the most part, but the highlight quite possibly of this whole set would be the exchange between Chris Jericho and Stone Cold Steve Austin on RAW after they went off the air. I’m glad WWE also included his “Man of 1,004 holds” promo and another dark segment where Chris Jericho heckled an old man.
Like all wrestling fans might say, it’s extremely unfortunate the Chris Benoit incident happened and I wish we could’ve seen some of the stuff they did together as opponents and as a tag team.
Overall, this feature was put together extremely well and I can’t say as I have any criticisms about it like I sometimes do.
Top 5 favorite Chris Jericho matches (on this DVD)
I’ve got to believe that we haven’t seen the only Chris Jericho DVD as far as matches go. That being said, WWE included some great ones here.
Chris Jericho vs. Dean Malenko – Nitro 1998
This match felt it was just getting going when the referee caught the knucks on Malenko’s hand. I really, really liked what I saw, but I wish it could have had a better context for fans (like me) who don’t all together remember this feud.
Chris Jericho vs. The Rock – No Mercy 2001
I’m not usually a huge fan of the Rock, but these guys were both on top of it for the WCW title.
Chris Jericho vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin – Vengeance 2001
I thought the match itself was good by how they transitioned from his match with the Rock that night right into Stone Cold coming out. The only bad thing I have to say about the match is that it took lots of run-ins, but I guess that was par for the course during that time.
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XIX 2003
A nice story here of HBK’s comeback as “Mr. WrestleMania.” Excellent work by both guys.
Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio – Extreme Rules 2009
Again, I’m not the biggest Mysterio fan, but both did great in this match using some moves and tricks I don’t see too often (if ever).
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