Chris Jericho’s efforts to get hired to ECW proved to be especially difficult as Paul Heyman did what he could to avoid speaking with him.
On a recent edition of his “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, the AEW wrestler recalled trying to get hired for a year to the original ECW despite Heyman’s efforts. He said,
“I remember I was living in Calgary at the time working mostly in Japan and I tried to get into ECW for a year. I started calling — Mick Foley gave me Paul [Heyman]’s number, and I started calling Paul.
“I got in touch with him twice. One time he answered, he says, ‘Hello?’ I said, ‘Is Paul Heyman there, please?’ ‘No, this is his roommate Dave.’ It sounds like f**king Paul Heyman, and the other time, he goes, ‘Hello?’ ‘It’s Chris Jericho.’ ‘Chris Jericho, I’m just on the other line with Jimmy Snuka I’ll call you right back.’”
Jericho added that when he converged with Foley, the Hardcore legend asked if Paul had claimed he was speaking to Snuka and told Jericho that he “got f****d.”
Chris Jericho would make his debut for ECW in February 1996 but would leave and sign with World Championship Wrestling that same year.
Chris Jericho, the renowned professional wrestler and current AEW star, recently shared an interesting story about his attempts to get hired by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the past. Despite his persistence, it seemed that ECW’s founder and promoter, Paul Heyman, did everything he could to avoid speaking with Jericho.
During an episode of his podcast, “Talk Is Jericho,” the wrestler revealed that he had been trying to join the original ECW for a whole year. Living in Calgary at the time and primarily working in Japan, Jericho reached out to Heyman after receiving his contact information from fellow wrestler Mick Foley.
Jericho recalled his initial conversations with Heyman, saying, “I got in touch with him twice. One time he answered, he says, ‘Hello?’ I said, ‘Is Paul Heyman there, please?’ ‘No, this is his roommate Dave.’ It sounds like f**king Paul Heyman, and the other time, he goes, ‘Hello?’ ‘It’s Chris Jericho.’ ‘Chris Jericho, I’m just on the other line with Jimmy Snuka I’ll call you right back.'”
Interestingly, when Jericho later discussed this with Foley, the Hardcore legend asked if Heyman had claimed to be speaking to Snuka during their conversation. Foley informed Jericho that he had been deceived and said that he had been “f****d.”
Despite these initial setbacks, Chris Jericho eventually made his debut for ECW in February 1996. However, his time with the promotion was short-lived as he left ECW later that same year to sign with World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Jericho’s story sheds light on the challenges he faced while trying to break into the wrestling industry. It also highlights the unique dynamics and politics that existed within ECW during its heyday. While Heyman’s avoidance of Jericho may have been a personal decision, it ultimately led to the wrestler’s departure from the promotion.
Chris Jericho’s career has since flourished, with successful stints in WCW, WWE, and now AEW. He has become one of the most recognizable and respected figures in professional wrestling, known for his charisma, in-ring skills, and ability to reinvent himself throughout the years.
This anecdote serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished individuals face obstacles on their path to success. Jericho’s determination and resilience ultimately paid off, leading him to achieve great heights in the wrestling world.