Chris Jericho, a true icon in the world of wrestling, is no stranger to reinvention. Over the years, he's donned a variety of personas, each one different from the last, but all leaving a lasting impact. And in 2024, the AEW star has once again embraced a bold new identity: the "King of New York." This nickname is as flashy and entertaining as his in-ring persona, but there's more to it than just being a native New Yorker. Jericho recently shared with listeners of the Gabby AF podcast just how he’s making this new title his own—and why he loves pushing the boundaries of what people expect from him.
As Jericho explained, the idea for the "King of New York" gimmick didn’t come from some elaborate plot or deep personal belief in his own superiority. No, it all started with a simple search on Amazon. "When they first pitched the idea of me being the King of New York, I was like, ‘Alright, let's see how far I can take this,’" Jericho said, laughing. "So, I went online and started looking for New York-themed merchandise—just to get into the spirit of it, you know?" He wasn’t trying to come across as some self-proclaimed royalty; instead, his goal was something much more humorous and playful: annoying the real New Yorkers.
"To be honest, the whole point of it is to have fun," Jericho continued. "I wanted to be this completely out-of-touch tourist character who thinks he’s the quintessential New Yorker, but is doing all the wrong things. It’s about being that clueless idiot who walks around doing stuff that real New Yorkers would never, ever do."
For Jericho, the humor in this new persona lies in exposing the gap between what an outsider assumes about New York and the gritty reality of the city. Real New Yorkers, who pride themselves on their authenticity, wouldn't be caught dead doing some of the things Jericho’s character might, which is exactly what makes it so fun for him. It's a deliberate, playful caricature—a way to have fun at his own expense while also poking fun at the very people he's trying to emulate.
But there’s a deeper layer to Jericho's explanation of the King of New York character. Jericho isn’t just here to play the part of a clueless tourist; he’s using it as a way to challenge himself. "You know, it's all about flipping the script and making something entertaining out of what could easily be seen as negative," he noted. "Some people might look at this gimmick and think, ‘Oh, it’s just some guy pretending to be a New Yorker,’ and that’s fine. But for me, it’s a challenge to turn that perception around."
It's a challenge Jericho has faced before and excelled at. Throughout his storied career, he's always been one to push boundaries and turn potentially frustrating or negative situations into something special. This is a trademark of his mindset: rather than forcing a storyline into a direction it doesn't naturally want to go, Jericho believes in following where the story takes him. He’s always been the kind of performer who lets the narrative lead him, adapting his character to fit the circumstances rather than the other way around.
"The key to this is being smart enough to realize where the story is going and then just letting it unfold," he added. "It’s not about controlling the story; it’s about making sure that when the story takes you somewhere unexpected, you’re ready to go with it. That's when the magic happens."
In many ways, Jericho's "King of New York" persona is a perfect reflection of his approach to wrestling: always evolving, always ready to embrace the unexpected, and always willing to push the limits of what’s possible. His willingness to experiment with new characters and storylines has kept him relevant and beloved by fans across the globe. And even now, with this new character, he's demonstrating that age is just a number, and you’re never too old to innovate.
The "King of New York" gimmick also fits seamlessly with Jericho's larger-than-life personality. After all, if anyone could pull off this over-the-top character, it’s him. He has a knack for taking on roles that are simultaneously ridiculous and endearing. Whether he's mocking his own self-importance or embracing the pomp of his persona, Jericho’s charisma shines through. It's all about delivering entertainment, and in true Jericho fashion, he’s doing so with a sense of humor and self-awareness that fans can’t help but love.
Of course, part of the charm of Jericho’s latest reinvention is how he balances confidence with a sense of irony. While he presents himself as the "King of New York," he’s fully aware of how absurd that sounds—and that’s exactly what makes it work. Jericho’s self-awareness allows him to make fun of the very idea of being a New York "royalty," while still embracing the outrageousness of it all. He’s a walking contradiction—and that’s one of the reasons his fans adore him.
This isn’t the first time Jericho has reinvented himself in a way that challenges expectations. From his rockstar persona in WWE to his more recent transformation into a larger-than-life AEW superstar, Jericho has never been afraid to switch gears and try something new. It’s that willingness to change and experiment that has kept him at the top of his game for so long.
What makes Jericho's approach to the "King of New York" gimmick so exciting is that it’s not just a one-off joke or a throwaway gimmick. It’s part of a larger philosophy that he’s adhered to throughout his career: always keep things fresh. In a world where wrestling can sometimes get bogged down in repetition, Jericho has managed to stay ahead of the curve by constantly evolving. And even now, when many wrestlers might be content to coast on their past successes, Jericho is out here crafting new identities, developing new storylines, and keeping his audience engaged with fresh ideas.
Jericho's embrace of his "King of New York" persona might have started as a way to entertain fans with a bit of humor, but it’s quickly becoming clear that this gimmick is going to be something special. It’s a reflection of his creative process, his ability to adapt to new situations, and his commitment to entertaining fans in ways no one else can.
For Jericho, the journey is always more important than the destination. Whether he's creating a new character, reinventing his in-ring style, or exploring new ways to entertain his fans, he’s always pushing forward. And if history is any indication, the "King of New York" is just the latest chapter in what promises to be an even bigger and more exciting future for one of wrestling’s greatest innovators.
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