Chris Jericho Admits He Got ‘So Much Heat’ for Calling Undertaker Boring in WWE Promo

Chris Jericho recently reflected on a memorable moment early in his WWE career when he faced major locker room heat on just his second night with the company.

Jericho made a splash with his WWE debut on the August 9, 1999 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw by interrupting none other than The Rock. His hot start, however, quickly hit a bump during the WWE SmackDown tapings the next day. Trying to keep his momentum going, Jericho cut a promo on The Undertaker, calling him “boring,” which didn’t sit well with the locker room.

On a recent episode of his Talk is Jericho podcast, Jericho revealed that the original plan was for him to cut a promo on WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin, but Austin wasn’t interested in the idea. So, Jericho pivoted and aimed his comments at The Undertaker, only to find himself in hot water.

“I did a promo on Undertaker on Tuesday,” Jericho recounted. “Originally, it was supposed to be a promo on Austin, but I think Steve said, ‘Screw that. I’m not doing it.’ My idea at the time was to bury all the top stars and tell them how boring they are. I told Undertaker how boring he was after he delivered a ten-minute super boring promo. I got so much heat for that.”

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Jericho recalled that Shawn Michaels gave him some sage advice after the incident. “‘Word of advice. Something you might not want to do on the second night in the company is tell the top star how boring he is,’” Michaels said. Looking back, Jericho admitted, “Shawn was right, but Undertaker was actually really boring that night.”

Jericho went on to share more details, pointing out that The Undertaker’s promo about walking through the desert with Big Show and getting bit by a scorpion didn’t land well with the audience. Jericho’s bluntness, while truthful, didn’t win him any favors, especially with The Undertaker responding with the memorable line, “I’ve had more shower time than you’ve had ring time.”

While Jericho and The Undertaker never had a full-fledged singles rivalry that culminated in a big pay-per-view match, they did cross paths several times. Notably, Jericho, along with Big Show, challenged The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Triple Threat Match at the 2009 WWE Survivor Series. Jericho would eventually go on to win the World Heavyweight Championship from The Undertaker at the 2010 WWE Elimination Chamber event, thanks to some interference from Shawn Michaels.

Now a veteran in AEW, Jericho continues to make waves. At AEW All In, taking place at Wembley Stadium on August 25, Jericho will defend the FTW Title against HOOK.

How do you think Chris Jericho’s bold approach early in his WWE career, such as his controversial promo on The Undertaker, shaped his persona and career trajectory in professional wrestling? Do you believe this set the stage for his future as a top star, or could it have jeopardized his position in the company? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.