Kayfabe Gimmick Grudge Match #5: "Y2J" Chris Jericho vs. "Codebreaker" Chris Jericho

No way. I am speaking from more of a macro point of view. Y2J would be so much more concerned with pandering to the crowd during the match that he'd likely make a mistake or miss a spot.

But that never stopped him from winning his two previous Ladder matches before.

Finally, Codebreaker Jericho would view each match as a step towards the World Title. Y2J seemed to get too wrapped up in the match itself.

Okay, so Codebreaker Jericho is going to go about his business, and not put on a show, well go out to impress the crowd. That makes sense, he doesn't care about the crowd. But Y2J is going to be wrapped up in the match. Okay, now tell me for a second, if Y2J is more worried about this match, that he will kick it into high gear and try to win it? Or are you saying that he will go balls out and his overzealousness will get the better of him?

I would think if Y2J gets too wrapped up, and into the match, he is going for the win no matter what. Because, that is all that really matters at this point, is the Ladder match for the best Jericho. No future World Title shots, at least not here.

Bear in mind that Jericho got in Shawn's head in the weeks leading up to that match far more than Y2J had to Benoit. Also, remember that Jericho's ladder match with HBK was a MOTY. That's significant.

He also punched his wife in the face a few months prior to make sure he would stay. I don't think it would be too difficult to get in Shawn's head after that. I'm sure if I did something like that to anyone with a wife (I never would, just making a point) they would want to get even with me, and if it got to be a Ladder match, they would want to punish me.

Also, MOTY I'm iffy on. I loved Jericho vs. Benoit, and think it should've been a candidate, and didn't really feel Jericho vs. HBK. But to each their own, right?

Makes him an underdog, yes.

I honestly don't get this. They are roughly the same weight, maybe Codebreaker has 10 pounds on him, about the same height. I mean this isn't Rey Mysterio vs. Batista where there is a clear underdog status when going from upper mid-card to Main Event. The only thing Codebreaker has going for him would be experience, which isn't everything. Y2J has his youthfulness and maybe 1/2 a step more quickness.

Amazing match. Jeff lost, BTW.

I know. Still doesn't mean I didn't think he wouldn't win. Also doesn't mean I look at it any different than I used to. Always get excited for it, even knowing the outcome.

Codebreaker Jericho, for one, takes fewer risks that Y2J did. After a while, it seemed that EVERYBODY had the Lionsault scouted. Codebreaker Jericho still has the walls AND has a far more surprising move in the Codebreaker / Facebreaker. That's important. It's why Austin's stunner, Orton's RKO, Jake's DDT, etc. have all been so effective. From out of no where. Y2J didn't have that dynamic.

He may take fewer risks, but in a match like this, against an opponent such as Y2J, he wouldn't be able to rest on the fact he takes fewer risks, and hope Y2J takes an unnecessary one. He would need to beat Y2J down, taking away his legs, and possibly his back.

I do like that you bring up the Codebreaker as an out of nowhere move, which I can't disagree with. The one thing I do think is a possibility, and maybe an oversight on your part, Y2J could possibly counter the Codebreaker into the Walls of Jericho, or go harder with the Liontamer. But you seem to be forgetting about the Breakdown/Stroke. Jericho added that nice little move as Y2J. Is it out of nowhere? No, but if Codebreaker Jericho is getting up slowly with his back turned, boom, Y2J hits it and climbs the ladder for the win.

Also, I believe that Y2J has one intangible that the Codebreaker doesn't have now. Heart. Y2J may never have looked at the bigger picture, Codebreaker does, but that could lead to overlooking a current opponent. Y2J used his heart to persevere. Codebreaker doesn't have heart now. He goes about his business but that is it.

Your move sir.