How Chris Jericho’s GCW Ambush Spot Came Together

Chris Jericho’s shocking ambush at GCW Highest in the Room 3 on December 14 left the wrestling world talking, and now new details shed light on how the surprise appearance came together. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer revealed in his Daily Update that Jericho’s involvement wasn’t a long-planned deal but more of a spontaneous decision.

According to Meltzer, Jericho was already in Los Angeles for his band Kuarantine’s gig at the Whisky a Go Go. With GCW running their event nearby, Jericho saw an opportunity to make a splash. He pitched the idea of an ambush angle with Matt Cardona, and GCW jumped at the chance to have the legendary wrestler make an unannounced appearance. Jericho also attacked Effy during the ambush, a move Meltzer described as making “sense for all concerned.”

The backstage spontaneity only adds to the drama of Jericho’s Instagram post, where he shared unseen footage of his arrival and path through the venue. “Hi @themattcardona, you didn’t think that the King of New York would pop up in Los Angeles at your @gamechangerwrestling Indy Event, did you?” Jericho wrote. “You made a big mistake forgetting who you’re dealing with……I always get my man! See you at #rohfinalbattle.”

The footage showcased Jericho striding through the venue with a clear sense of purpose, further fueling the intensity of his ongoing feud with Cardona. Fans have praised Jericho’s ability to seamlessly blend his rockstar persona with his in-ring career, making this impromptu appearance all the more impactful as the rivalry heads into ROH Final Battle.

Jericho’s involvement also served to elevate the GCW event, creating an unforgettable moment for fans in attendance. Meanwhile, Matt Cardona, who was initially set to face Ricky Starks, found himself in the middle of a completely different story, as Effy replaced Starks due to unrelated AEW drama. But it was Jericho who stole the show, proving once again why he’s one of wrestling’s most unpredictable and enduring stars.