books, Reviews, Wrestling, WWF

Review of Chris Jericho’s New Book: Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps

Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps is Chris Jericho’s 2011 autobiography which is a straight continuation of his 2008 wrestling book in tone, style, and enjoyment. It is not as mainstream as his first book (which non-wrestling fans could pick up) but since I am a pro wrestling fan- and this is my review- I don’t care about that.

Chris Jericho is a multi-talented and creative modern man. He is sensitive, funny, a joker, and enthusiastic about everything he does. He is a jack of all trades, and a master of none. He tends to overrate himself for everything he does, but at least he’s funny about it. He is a very good professional wrestler, but never achieved being a true main event star over a long period of time. He is a very entertaining writer, although no serious high brow critic or authority would approve of his obscure references, randomness, inside jokes, or having a field day with Microsoft Word’s synonym list. He is a good heavy metal singer, although you’ve never heard of his band Fozzy. He has thrown his hat in acting, and has appeared in movies that you probably could be an extra in. He has done some improve and sketch comedy. He has the look and personality to be a TV star, and has appeared on numerous television shows on major networks and cable, but never hit it big yet (Dancing With the Stars was his biggest to date). Since he’s Canadian, he plays hockey by default (his dad was a hockey star).

chris jericho new book

Anyway, Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps covers his WWE run, from Y2J to SAVE_US.222, including when he took a two year hiatus from wrestling. I would say 50% of the book is about heavy metal.

Chris Jericho’s Enneagram Personality type is not clear to me, even though I’ve read his two books AND followed his career since 1996 in ECW. My gut says that he’s a 6w7, but his relationship with his parents and writing style is more like an Enneagram Type 4, and it even could be argued he is a Nick Swisher Enneagram Type 7. He’s one of those nice guys that has an edge, and is NOT a doormat for people. He is highly opinionated and he has rubbed people the wrong way. He may be 40 years old, but he acts much younger and is completed immersed in pop culture, nostalgia, and the internet.

Chris Jericho is one cool dude and is very genuine. That being said, he didn’t get along with some wrestlers and his bosses had some issues with him. Jericho is open about this, and presents both sides, but I did find it frustrating at times when he gets surprised (i.e. he always is blissfully unaware he’s rubbing someone the wrong way until they start talking behind his back or yell at him).

Jericho is very human- prone to saying stupid things at the wrong time, messing up his debuts, and learning everything he does from scratch. He is generally confident- sometimes too confident, and he gets humbled often. Yes, he has an ego; he’s human and not a cardboard cutout. He definitely has one of the most unique and charming personalities. His only dangerous character flaw is his drinking, which results in him getting into trouble and fights. As a complete package, he would be a great buddy or creative partner.

Anyway, I highly recommend Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps. Before I go, here are some names he mentions and his thoughts on them (this book is LOADED with WWE gossip):

Triple H: A political manipulator who does not want to give up his spot.
Chyna: Nuts, and used her influence as Triple H’s girlfriend to advance her career.
Shawn Michaels: Michaels was Chris Jericho’s idol as a kid, but Chris found out the hard way that Shawn was a master backstage politician and drug addict.
The Rock: Got along very well with Jericho. Took things with stride even when Chris made two mistakes in the ring with him. Enjoyed working with each other and were not rivals.
The Undertaker: The backstage leader with no alliances or petty gossip: respected and feared by all.
Kevin Nash: World class dick, lockeroom cancer, and phoney.
Chris Benoit: One of his closest friends, Benoit never expressed himself and was a very weird and scary Enneagram Type 5, but was very professional and a lockeroom authority. Ironically loved his kids more than anything (so why kill?) Benoit gets a whole chapter.
Eddie Guerrero: One of his best friends- a tragic hero who didn’t deserve to die.
Dean Malenko: One of his best friends.
Hulk Hogan: Jericho saw Hogan adapt from being head honcho in WCW/nWo to working his way back to the main event in his last major run in the WWE- Hogan was surprisingly open-minded and humbled since he was old (but that’s what Enneagram Type 3‘s do: they adapt to their environment to survive and will try and conquer).
Ric Flair: Struggling with confidence, Flair and Jericho both boosted each other up when they needed it, and respected each other.
Vince McMahon: A father figure, but based on his words and actions (Chris won’t say it) also a liar who likes to play his wrestlers against each other. McMahon is prone to yelling, lecturing, challenging, being a hard negotiator, and sending his lackeys to do his dirty work.
Eric Bischoff: Humbled after WCW was bought by Vince.
TNA: A minor league, but it’s good to have competition.
Steve Austin: Tough dude who was the top dog.
Bill Goldberg: A prima dona prone to running his mouth who shockingly got his butt whipped by Jericho in the locker room.
Larry Zbyszko: A charlatan who tried to sue him for no reason.

Here is my updated list of Best Wrestling Autobiographies of All Time:

1- (THREE WAY CHAMPS) Ric Flair/Chris Jericho/Bret Hart
4- Mick Foley I
5- Dynamite Kid
6- Billy Graham
7- Fred Blassie
8- Lou Thesz
9- Shawn Michaels
10-Batista
11- Chris Jericho II
12- Ted DiBiase
13- Jerry Lawler
14- Mick Foley II
15- Harley Race
16- Dusty Rhodes
17- Terry Funk
18- Ivan Koloff
19- Bobby Heenan I
20- Jesse Ventura
21- The Rock
22- Larry Zbyszko
23- Roddy Piper
24- Bruno Sammartino
25- Arn Anderson

RELATED ARTICLES:

  2 comments for “Review of Chris Jericho’s New Book: Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps”

  1. DYLANHIPHOPMUSIC
    September 14, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Cool song. Take Care is going to be amazing

  2. TalaLalaLicious
    September 13, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    oh, thats what i was raging about, nice his fail got the most thumbs upp tho ;D

Comments are closed.