While ECW is mostly remembered for it’s chaotic hardcore bouts, controversy-laden storylines and defiant fanbase, it also featured the likes of Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and more.
Away from the barbed-wire and blood-soaked carnage, the promotion featured, although often briefly, some of the best up and coming wrestlers in the world before they moved to WCW and the WWF. The company also famously found a spot for Steve Austin after his firing from WCW, allowing him to launch himself into the WWF.
After spells in Japan, Mexico and seemingly just about everywhere else, Chris Jericho landed in ECW in 1995. It was here where he really caught the attention of WCW. The star signed with the company the following August before making his way to the WWF in 1999.
Chris Jericho Hails PWG As The Modern Day ECW
Following a shock appearance at PWG Battle of Los Angeles, Jericho grabbed a microphone to address the crowd. In doing so, he praised the fans in attendance, coming PWG to ECW.
“We were able to making this happen, thank you so much we had a f*cking blast. This really is the modern day ECW. The same passion, the same fanbase, the same lack of guardrails in the f*cking front row. But most importantly the same atmosphere of giving young wrestlers a chance to work in front of great crowds, to work on their skills, to become the next generation of main event wrestlers, of wrestlers that will be able to perform on Wednesday. It all starts in places like PWG. So we thank you for supporting, we thank you for having us, and we’ll see you again. Maybe.”
Jericho’s match at the show was set up following an angle involving Daniel Garcia. The star had been due to team with Jonathan Gresham and Kevin Blackwood to take on Shun Skywalker, Evil Uno and Michael Oku. However, Garcia said that he only teamed with sports entertainers which brought the entire Jericho Appreciation Society to the ring.
This led to a 10-man tag team match between Jericho, Garcia, Sammy Guevara, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker against Gresham, Blackwood, Evil Uno, SB Kento, and Oku. Anna Jay, Tay Melo, Jake Hager and his hat were also at ringside.
Jericho scored the win for his team after hitting Blackwood with the Judas Effect.