Chris Jericho, the legendary wrestler, rockstar, and all-around entertainer, recently opened up about the origins of his bold nickname, ‘King of New York.’ During an exclusive interview on his Talk Is Jericho podcast, the AEW star shared an entertaining backstory that caught many fans by surprise.
Jericho explained that the moniker wasn’t something he randomly decided on—it was born out of a heated moment during a major wrestling event at Madison Square Garden. “I was in the middle of a promo, the crowd was going crazy, and I just blurted out, ‘I’m the King of New York!’” Jericho recalled with a laugh. He admitted that the line wasn’t pre-planned but came from pure instinct.
What started as an improvised boast soon took on a life of its own. Fans began chanting it at events, and the nickname became synonymous with Jericho’s fearless persona. “It felt right because New York has always been a special place for me in my career,” Jericho added.
Beyond wrestling, the nickname followed Jericho into his music career with his band Fozzy and even in his other entertainment ventures. Fans have embraced it as a symbol of his larger-than-life personality and his undeniable impact on pop culture.
Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is certain: Chris Jericho wears the crown of ‘King of New York’ with pride, and now fans know exactly how it all began.