From Manhasset, New York comes Christopher Keith Irvine, better known as Chris Jericho on WWE's Raw wrestling brand. He began his wrestling career when he was 19, when he entered the Hart Brothers School of Wrestling. In October 1990, he debuted in independent shows, and took the name Chris Jericho from the Helloween album, Walls of Jericho.

In late 1992, Jericho traveled to Mexico to wrestle for several companies such as EMLL. He also flew to Japan in 1994 to compete for the WAR promotion, facing the Gedo and Ultimate Dragon. In the same year, he reunited with former teammate from Rocky Mountain Wrestling, Lance Storm and named themselves the Thrillseekers in Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling organization. A year later, he competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling Super J Cup Tournament, where Chris Benoit defeated him.

Jericho debuted on World Championship Wrestling in 1996, followed by his first pay-per-view performance against Chris Benoit. While with WCW, he defeated Syxx to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship for the first time.

Jericho debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment on August 1999, when he was warmly welcomed by fans, despite the presence of The Rock. Jericho won his first Intercontinental Title in December that year at Armageddon. At 2001's Royal Rumble, Jericho defeated Benoit in a ladder match to win the Intercontinental Title for a third time. He also defeated The Rock for the rechristened World Championship, and Steve Austin, for his WWF Championship on the same night, making him the first ever wrestler to win both championships at the same time.



(Photo courtesy of WWE)