• Chris Jericho Wasn’t The Original Pick To Become The WWF Undisputed Champion 20 Years Ago Today
WWF Vengeance 2001 pay-per-view took place 20 years ago today, where Chris Jericho defeated The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on the same night to become the 1st ever Undisputed WWF Champion.
During an interview with Chris Van Vliet in 2020, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle revealed that Vince McMahon was originally going to book him to become the first-ever Undisputed Champion.
However, Vince soon realized that Jericho would benefit more from becoming the Undisputed Champion and changed the plan.
Below is what Angle said:
“Vince McMahon came to me two weeks prior and said ‘We’re going to give you the strap again. You’re going to be the Undisputed Champion.’
I thought that was pretty cool, considering that the pool was Chris Jericho, The Rock, and Austin. Those three are the best of all time. I knew going into it, I was going to win.
5 Days before (the PPV), Vince gives me a call and says, ‘I really want to give it to Jericho. I really think he could benefit from it.’ I agreed. If anybody needs it and can run with it, it would be Chris Jericho.
I was very honored that Vince had enough respect for me to tell me about the switch.
For Jericho, it benefitted him. It put him in that title picture and main event. Chris was always up there. He was such an important factor in the company because he could make anyone look good. He was one of our supported assets.
I have more respect for him today than I ever did before. I can’t believe the things he can do now.”
WATCH: Trish Stratus Got Exposed Twice During Her WWF/E Days:
• Attitude Era Legend Celebrates His Birthday
Old School WWF Attitude Era Legend “The Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle celebrates his 53rd birthday today.
Angle is widely considered one of the greatest pure wrestlers in the history of the business and also one of the greatest stars this business ever had.
Kurt wrestled for the WWF/WWE from 1999 until 2006 and returned in 2017 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, after wrestling for TNA Total Nonstop Action from 2006 till 2015.
During his career, he won almost every championship there is to win in both the World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action (now iMPACT wrestling).
He retired in 2019 at WrestleMania 35, after losing to Baron Corbin in his final match.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KURT ANGLE!
