Chris Jericho Describes His Relationship With Vince McMahon

Chris Jericho has been wrestling for a long time, so it’s safe to say that he knows a thing or two about the business. He’s won major championships, headlined WrestleMania, and he’s worked with some of the biggest stars in the industry.

Jericho is now considered to be one of the greatest stars to ever step foot in a WWE ring, but in order to get the right opportunities in WWE, you need to prove yourself to Vince McMahon. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion recently spoke to Monster.com about his relationship with Vince, and he said that nowadays they’re friends, but it took years for their relationship to develop.

“The relationship I have with Vince now—and I think of us as friends—took years to develop. When you’re working with someone who’s at the top of their game, they are really complex, and it’s not possible to gain their trust and respect overnight. You can’t rush it. It helps to put yourself in the shoes of someone who’s been a boss for a long time. How many people have worked for him in the past, and how many have not worked out? He, or she, is looking for someone who will stand the test of time. So try to be that person.”

Some wrestlers find it easy to rely on their old gimmicks and catchphrases to get a pop from the crowd, but Chris Jericho is different. Jericho is a star who’s always trying to reinvent himself, and when asked about his success he said that he’s living proof that you can succeed if you want it bad enough.

“Try not to pay attention to what other people think. If you concentrate on yourself and what you’re capable of doing, you will find it a lot easier to move forward. Anytime you hear “no,” there’s always a way to get it done. I’m living proof. Every time I’ve ever started somewhere new, I got off on the wrong foot and had to struggle to get my confidence back. I think that’s true for most people in a new situation, with new people, new rules. But if you know you have the ability, keep at it and don’t worry about your mistakes. You’ll always make mistakes. Focus on your victories.”

Jericho wrapped up his last WWE run a few months ago, but fans can still catch him on tour with his band Fozzy this fall, and you can also join the Friends of Jericho on his upcoming cruise which is set to hit the seas in 2018.