Chris Jericho - SAS CLASSIC
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In this richly layered episode of The Steve Austin Show, wrestling legends Steve Austin and Chris Jericho reunite in Austin’s iconic 317 Gimmick Street studio for a deeply personal and candid conversation that spans decades of friendship, career evolution, and cultural impact. The dialogue begins with lighthearted reflections on aging, shared passions like dogs, and the transformation of Austin’s podcast into a family-friendly platform, quickly diving into the artistry behind Jericho’s rise in WWE. They explore the strategic brilliance of Jericho’s Y2J persona, born from the Y2K era’s anxiety, and his bold heel turn designed to stand out in the shadow of icons like Austin and The Rock. The conversation delves into the psychology of performance—how authenticity, emotional vulnerability, and small, calculated details create lasting connections with fans. They reflect on the weight of loss, honoring fallen peers like Eddie Guerrero and Brian Pillman, and celebrate Jericho’s 2008 ladder match against Shawn Michaels as his career-defining moment, lauded for its organic seven-month buildup, real injuries, and emotional depth. The discussion continues with Jericho’s 2023 bout against Kenny Omega, highlighting his ability to deliver at 47 with both physical precision and narrative power, even amid commercial expectations. The episode closes with updates on Jericho’s expanding creative universe: his new comedy series *But I'm Chris Jericho* now streaming on chrisjericho.com, his thriving podcast *Jericho on the Westwood One*, and his successful musical collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne, including the hit single 'Judas' and the upcoming release of 'Painless' with an international tour. Austin praises Jericho’s relentless work ethic and legacy, calling both the Michaels and Omega matches essential viewing for aspiring performers and fans alike, while promoting the immersive new Podcast One app with VR content and fan engagement tools.
Authentic connection with fans—through love, fear, or emotion—is the foundation of lasting entertainment success.
The most powerful wrestling matches are built on organic storytelling, real emotional stakes, and personal sacrifice, not just technical execution.
True creative freedom comes from being unapologetically yourself, embracing risk, and rejecting corporate constraints.
Jericho’s career exemplifies multidimensional artistry—spanning wrestling, comedy, music, podcasting, and radio with consistent authenticity.
His legendary matches against Shawn Michaels and Kenny Omega are masterclasses in in-ring psychology, chemistry, and narrative construction.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Long-Awaited Meetup at 317 Gimmick Street
“I did his first two shows. You've got to return the favor. You pretty much got me hooked up with the gig. I mean, you were the one who was the contact that took me there.”
The Birth of Y2J and the Art of Getting Over
“I'm the George Harrison of the Attitude Era. I'm super popular, I'm super over, but I'm in a band with the two most popular over characters possibly ever.”
The Psychology of Performance: Promos, Gimmicks, and Freedom
The hosts explore the lost art of connecting with audiences, the importance of improvisational promos, and the contrast between the creative freedom of past eras and today’s corporate constraints. Jericho shares how he learned promos from Gene Okerlund and why he believes unscripted backstage moments could revitalize modern wrestling shows.
The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero, Brian Pillman, and the Road to the Shawn Michaels Ladder Match
“That ladder match was never supposed to be for the title, but I got so hot off it, and Sean got so hot off it, it became a world title angle.”
The Shawn Michaels Ladder Match: A Masterclass in Storytelling
“This is one of the best ever. It was so smart because you've seen the Hardys and Edge and Christian, those guys have had unbelievable matches. This was a match that out of all of them... this is one of the best ever.”
“This is one of the best ever. It was so smart because you've seen the Hardys and Edge and Christian, those guys have had unbelievable matches. This was a match that out of all of them... this is one of the best ever.”
“That ladder match was never supposed to be for the title, but I got so hot off it, and Sean got so hot off it, it became a world title angle.”
“I'm the George Harrison of the Attitude Era. I'm super popular, I'm super over, but I'm in a band with the two most popular over characters possibly ever.”
Host
Guest
Chris Jericho
person
Steve Austin
person
Shawn Michaels
person
WWE
organization
Vince McMahon
person
Kenny Omega
person
Y2J
brand
Eddie Guerrero
person
Judas
other
Brian Pillman
person
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