Chris Jericho On Vince McMahon’s Surprising View On The ‘Worst Mania Match’

Chris Jericho’s interview with Inside The Ropes has provided an insight into the creative genius of the former World Heavyweight Champion. Jericho discussed the initial plans for a singles match with Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke at WrestleMania, as well as the fact he didn’t like his WrestleMania 18 main event with Triple H.

Jericho also spoke about his WrestleMania 33 match with Kevin Owens. Y2J applauded the story behind his emotional clash with his best friend turned bitter enemy, saying “the build-up to the Owens match, that’s one of the best years of my career”.

On the match itself, and Vince McMahon’s feelings towards the product, Jericho said:

“The match happened and, I thought it was good, but a little bit missing. We were on after Shane (McMahon) and AJ (Styles)… The second (match) is hard, no matter who you are. I thought the match was good.”I was very surprised when I saw KO after and he’s like, ‘Vince said it’s one of the worst matches in WrestleMania history.’ He wanted Kevin to be ‘this type of heel.’ and Kevin was doing a lot of flashy moves and Vince didn’t want that.”

On top of Vince’s negative opinions on the match, Jericho even said that Owens was told to “lose weight”:

“I think Vince had a hard on for him at the time. Vince never said anything to me about the match. Ever. Kevin was very sad. Vince told him to lose weight and ‘this is terrible’ and ‘you don’t know anything.’ I’ve been through it, way back in 1999. I told him, ‘you’re now going through the Vince boot camp.”

Y2J actually suggested that the match was hindered by the sensational build that proceeded it:

“Do I think it was a great match? No. Do I think it was the worst match in WrestleMania history? Absolutely not. It was very hard to put on a match that would live up to the hype but it’s all about the story of getting there. I’d rather have a great story and an okay match than an okay story and a great match.”

It is hard to agree with Vince McMahon here. The match might not have been as good as it could have been, but it was certainly not the worst in WrestleMania history. Clearing Vince is forgetting the Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole match (if you can even classify it as a match), from WrestleMania XXVII.

Thanks to Fightful for the transcripts.

• wrestlemania 33
• chris jericho
• KEVIN OWENS
• wwe

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