Vince McMahon’s Unique List of Replacements for Jericho’s Lion Tamer Revealed

Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE may have been surrounded by controversy, but his influence on the company remains undeniable. As the Chairman of the Board, McMahon was known for his hands-on approach and countless creative decisions that shaped WWE for decades. Whether it was storylines, character names, or even finishing moves, Vince McMahon liked to control every aspect of his product and Chris Jericho recently shared just how far McMahon’s reach extended.

WWE has a long-standing tradition of owning everything that appears on television, a practice heavily enforced during McMahon’s reign. Superstars’ names were frequently altered for trademark purposes, and finishing moves were no exception. In his book Undisputed, Jericho revealed that when he first arrived in WWE, McMahon wanted to rename his famous submission hold, the Liontamer, and sent Jericho a fax with a list of potential names for the move in 1999.

Among the names McMahon suggested were “The Millennium Crash,” “Turn of the Century,” and the playful yet cringe-worthy “Y2Korkscrew.” Other suggestions ranged from the aggressive “Y2J Catastrophe” to the lighthearted “Ball-Dropper,” as well as “Back to the Future,” “The Embarrasser” (noting how degrading that move sounded), and “The J Factor.” Vince’s creativity seemed boundless, with ideas like “Millennium Cruncher,” “The Whammer Jammer,” “Lion Clutch Press,” “Eve of Destruction,” and even the unexpected “The Party Favor.”

Jericho, however, wasn’t thrilled with these suggestions. After reviewing McMahon’s list, Jericho proposed his own ideas, including the name that would ultimately stick: “Walls of Jericho.” By adding an “s” to the original “Wall of Jericho” suggestion, the name was solidified and has since become one of the most iconic finishing moves in WWE history. That name became a staple of Jericho’s move set, one he still uses to this day.

Vince McMahon’s hands-on approach to even the smallest details, such as naming a finishing move, speaks volumes about his desire for control and creative ownership. Fans are excited to learn even more about Mr. McMahon in the upcoming Netflix docuseries on September 25. You can find out how to subscribe to Netflix here.

This glimpse into McMahon’s creative process, as shared by Jericho, highlights the unique way in which WWE’s former leader influenced even the most minute details of the product. While some of the names on McMahon’s list may have raised eyebrows, they demonstrate his relentless pursuit of innovation—even if not every idea was a hit. You can pick up your copy of Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps by Chris Jericho here.

What’s your take on Vince McMahon’s long list of ideas for Chris Jericho’s finishing move? Do you think that Walls of Jericho was the right call? Let us know what you think in the comments section!