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Marion Cobretti Reviews Chris Jericho DVD

The Cobra Kai Review of Chris Jericho: Breaking The Code
In my mind, Chris Jericho is the greatest wrestler of all time. He was able to bring it as a face, then even more so as a heel, and he's never sucked in the ring.
The documentary is great, as you'd expect. There's a pretty good group of bonus features, including The Man of 1,004 Holds, Hello Cleveland!, Conspiracy Victim, and 2 Thrillseeker's vignettes. Man, are those terrible. I was bummed to find out that Strange Kentucky People wasn't on here.

 



 

DISC 2

“Cowboy” Chris Jericho vs. Lance Storm
Calagary, Alberta – October 2nd, 1990
Duration:11:21

The Review: If it weren’t for Lance Storm, this would have probably read “Cowboy” Jack Action. Chris had to be from Casper, Wyoming. For 1990, this match is incredible. They were really doing things, at least here in the states [I know, it's Canada, same thing in the wrestling world] that Brian Pillman was really only doing, and not on a huge scale. For a first match, this is great. After the bout, Lance Storm told Chris that “you were like Hulk Hogan out there! That was amazing!” Chris received $30 for the bout, and thought he was rich.
Rating:* * * 1/4

The Thrill Seekers vs. The Infernos
Smoke Mountain Wrestling – March 12, 1994
Duration:3:01

Review: Why is this even on here? I guess just to show some Thrill Seeker action, but I want the bout with The Heavenly Bodies. Chris wrestled with a broken arm, and also bled like crazy. Some hillbilly in the crowd thought the blood was fake, and loudly proclaimed so. Then he put his finger in a pool of Jericho’s blood and tasted it, confirming is belief it wasn’t real.
Rating:No rating

Chris Jericho [C] vs. The Ultimo Dragon
IJ Heavyweight Championship Match
Japan – July 7th, 1995

Review: This was probably the match that made Chris. Tapes got around, and earned him a lot of work. Most important was the tape landing in the hands of Mick Foley, then in the hands of Paul Heyman. It’s no surprise this bout caused his star to rise, because it’s fantastic. They’re all over the place, doing things peeps hadn’t ever seen, at least stateside.
Rating:* * * * 1/4

Chris Jericho vs. Cactus Jack
Hardcore TV – March 12, 1996
Duration:12:45

Review: This match is just fun. I love Mick in ECW, easily one of their top characters. Him and Chris just go out there and enjoy themselves. Not a technical masterpiece, but it in no way needs to be.
Rating:* * *

Chris Jericho [C] vs. Eddie Guerrero
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Fall Brawl – September 14th, 1997
Duration: 16:44

Review: This match is a clear indication of everything that was wrong with WCW. First off, two of their most talented workers are opening, and while they’re putting on a hell of a clinic, all the stupid announcers can talk about is the nWo. God, it must have been seriously terrible to work for WCW while coming up in the business. As I stated earlier, this match is awesome. It’s non-stop, and watching it, you have to believe that the higher ups at WCW have brain damage, because these two have star written all over them.
Rating:* * * 3/4

Chris Jericho [C] vs. Juventud Guerrera
Mask vs. WCW Crusierweight Championship
SuperBrawl VIII – February 22nd, 1998
Duration:13: 27

Review: This show also featured Scott Steiner turning on his brother. So, what do you think was the highlight of the PPV? Scott Steiner doing this, or Juventud being forced to remove his mask? Yup. Jericho lobbied to have Juvi lose by Jericho cheating, but nope, instead he tapped out in the middle of the ring, clean as a sheet. Of course, Bish promised to push everyone to the moon for being able to lose their masks. Juvi was pushed as a Rock rip off, and Rey Mysterio became the World's least threatening gangster. Everything you’d expect about this match is there. It’s great.
Rating:* * * 1/2

Chris Jericho [C] vs. Dean Malenko
WCW Crusierweight Championship
Nitro – July 27th, 1998
Duration:6:19

Review: I have no idea why they have this match. Out of the entire feud between these two, this is what we get? Couldn’t they give us the end of the battle royal that Dean snuck into, and the match proceeding it? Bastards.
Rating:* *

Chris Jericho [C] vs. Kurt Angle
IC Title match
No Way Out – February 27, 2000
Duration:10:12

Review: This came after Jericho finally becomes the sole owner of the IC Title, after having to share it with Chyna. Why the hell did they think that would be a good idea? Anyways, this match is decent, but I would have liked to see the bout go a little longer. If you ask me, Angle needs to head back to this heel character, it’s one of the all time greats. He was an arrogant jerk who was funny as hell.
Rating:* * *

Triple H [C] vs. Chris Jericho
WWE Championship Match
Raw – April 17th, 2000
Duration:9:50

Review: I can understand why this is on here, but c’mon. Where’s their LMS match from Fully Loaded? That’s a 5 star bout. This match is alright, and the crowd reaction for Jericho’s win is monsterous. I’m surprised they didn’t decide to just keep the belt on Jericho, hell, even Michael Hayes says they should have.
Rating: * * 3/4

The Rock [C] vs. Chris Jericho
WCW World Heavyweight Championship
No Mercy – October 21st, 2001
Duration:23:47

Review: Are you kidding me? How on Earth is it I’ve never heard of this match before now? It’s absolutely incredible. They go non-stop for over 20 minutes. It’s fantastic back and forth from beginning to end, neither one of them gets the upper hand for too long, and we even get some hardcore aspects as The Rock drags Jericho outside and delivers a Rock Bottom through the table. We have reversals, kick outs when you’re sure the bout is over with, and a relatively clean finish. I totally forgot about Jericho using the Skull Crushing Finale years before the hack started using it. These two are each others greatest opponents.
Rating:* * * * *

Stone Cold Steve Austin [C] vs. Chris Jericho [C]
Undisputed Heavyweight Title Match
Vengeance – December 9th, 2001
Duration:12:37

Review: I think having these two go at it right after Jericho beat Rock was a mistake. If they’d had a little more time to take a breather, I think they could have really delivered. It’s still a solid match, and a complete display of the WWE main event style. No one in the World thought Jericho would end up the winner here, but it was a damn fine move, I think. I just wish it would have been clean, and not having exactly 39 people interfere. Of course, the subsequent angle where Jericho is pussy-whipped without the pussy, and WM18 was headlined by Triple H vs. Steph almost makes you wish he hadn’t won.
Rating:* * * 1/4

DISC 3

Chris Jericho vs Hulk Hogan [C] – No DQ for the WWE Title
Duration:  12 minutes or so
Review: If it wasn’t for The Rock v Hogan at WMX8, than this would be the Hulkster’s best match. Jericho once again proves why he’s the man by giving the Hulkster one of the matches of his life. They go back and forth, and there’s none of that rest hold BS that you see with a lot of Hulk’s matches, nor is it cookie cutter. Most Hogan matches you could call in your sleep, but not this one. A more than worth while inclusion.
Rating: * * * *

Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels
Duration:22:33
Review:  This is one of the most heralded matches of all time, and for a reason. The angle was great, with Jericho admitting that Shawn was his hero, and he’d tried to emulate him his whole career. When it came to the bout, these guys had perfect chemistry, and the match stole the show, no doubt. It’s awesome that Shawn wasn’t able to defeat Jericho with assurance, but in fact squeaked by with a roll up. It made the two look pitch perfect to their parts, especially when Jericho kicks Shawn in the ding-a-ling.
Rating: * * * * 1/2

Chris Jericho vs John Cena [C] – You’re Fired Match For The WWE Title
Duration: 13 minutes or so

Review:  Jericho states that people get on John about not being a very good worker, and Jericho, much like those who are half intelligent, know that John is a hell of a worker and will always deliver, especially with another great wrestler. Well, this is certainly no exception. They go out there and tear the joint down. It’s face paced with a ton of back and forth, and although the end of the match had no mystery, it didn’t effect it. Bischoff was ring side and aided Jericho whenever he could, which helped to elevate the match quality wise because it stacked the deck even more against Cena, and flowed with the match so well.
Rating: * * * 3/4

Chris Jericho vs Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Title
Duration: 10 minutes or so

Review: Honestly, I don’t really know why it’s included here. It’s a great match though. Especially the ending, because it went back and forth back and forth in about 30 seconds.
Rating: * * * 1/2
Chris Jericho vs  Shawn Micheals – Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Duration: 22:22

Review: The reason this match is so damn great is because it went the complete opposite way of most ladder matches. Ever since No Mercy 1999, anytime there was a ladder match people kept trying to one-up the last one. With this one, they built an awesome match along with the ladders, instead of trying to build a match with just the ladders. There were no over-the-top spots or anything, but a lot of innovative uses for the ladder. Some really great stuff.
Rating: * * * * 3/4

Chris Jericho vs Rey Mysterio – No Holds Barred Match for the Intercontinental Title
Duration: 14:32

Review: I don’t know why they have this one here, when their Great American Bash match is an easy 5 stars. Not that this match is slacking, and I guess they put this one in instead because it’s Jericho’s 9th IC Title Win. This was during a time when Rey was open about trying to bring prestige back to the IC title, and having him and Jericho putting on all-time classics over the strap really was helping it. Jericho’s pre-match promo is great, as he keeps yelling at people to not touch him. Great finish, great match. It’s funny that they have it as No Holds Barred, because they didn’t even take advantage of the stipulation.
Rating: * * * * 1/2

Chris Jericho vs The Undertaker
Duration: 10:00

Review:  This was done simply because they hadn’t fought before. Ever. They really should have saved that selling point for PPV or something. It’s a great match, but it should have been a lot more.
Rating: * * * 1/2

Chris Jericho vs Edge for the World Heavyweight Title
Duration: 15:43

Review: Oooh, now we’re talking. This right here is a bonafied Wrestlemania classic, and my vote for match of the night. These guys went out there and tore the place apart. They didn’t let up for a single second. All the flawless counters and incredible near falls were all built upon fantastic wrestling with Jericho trying to snap Edge’s foot while the same time cowering from Edge’s spear. A fantastic match that earns the full monty, and then we even get the awesome table/spear spot. 5 stars all day, baby.
Rating: * * * * *


Bottom line, this is a fantastic set. One of the best, and I’m sure I’m being partial since Chris Jericho is my all time favorite wrestler. Great documentary, that not only includes a huge chunk of great Jericho matches, but we also get his classic moments that include the Man of 1,004 Holds, his trip to DC, and Jericho getting in a verbal throw down with an old man. This DVD is greater than the moss cover three handled family grudunzle.
This is Marion Cobretti saying, you don't come into my dojo, drop a challenge and leave, old man. Now you get your boy on the mat, or you and I will have a major problem.
ou don't come into my dojo, drop a challenge and leave, old man. Now you get your boy on the mat, or you and I will have a major problem.

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