Should the WWE give D-X vs. JeriShow and Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho on free TV?

The IWC has been arguing over the WWE giving away first time matches for free. Over at PulseWrestling, we looked at some historical examples of this occurring (make sure you read that first – the link is right there for you!). Now, let’s look at the two recent WWE “transgressions” – Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho and Chris Jericho and Big Show vs. Degeneration-X.

D-X vs. Jericho and Big Show being on Raw has been considered no big deal by many pundits. Here is the reasoning- Triple H has had numerous big feuds with both Jericho and Big Show, while Shawn Michaels recently had one of his own with Jericho and faced the Big Show in his feud with Vince McMahon. Because of these, this isn’t really a first time match and shouldn’t have been saved. The match can still draw on the strength of the Unified Tag Champions appearing on both brands and D-X never having held the tag titles. The other side of the argument is that these two combinations have never faced one another and the history between them would only make it much better. The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) vs. The Mega Bucks (Ted Dibiase and Andre the Giant) was a feud that happened numerous times in singles, yet their tag match still was enough to headline Summerslam. Selling this as the premier match-up for the first time of the two best tag teams with four top guys, along with all the other historical significance between the four, along with the tag titles being at stake would all combine to take this from a big match to something epic. The question then becomes “Is that lost when these teams have battled on Raw?”

Somewhat against my better judgment, I think the answer is “no.” D-X has still never defeated Jericho and Big Show without any outside shenanigans. Letting Chris Jericho talk about that and deride the Guest Host concept which has caused JeriShow to lose to a lesser squad of sophomoric losers. Between this and D-X talking the match up, we’d be left with what is still a huge draw, so long as not too much more is given away on Raw. The Raw matches didn’t help – without them this would have been a sure thing – but if booked intelligently, this will hurt no more than the Angle vs. Brock 3-minute match or the Hogan vs. Andre 1980 match. This one feels like Angle vs. Samoa Joe, where the first time would certainly draw, but not necessarily better than a later match with better build.

Chris Jericho vs. The Undertaker is a far rougher sell. Their first match could have been saved for Wrestlemania and been for the Undertaker’s streak. That match could still happen and still be great; however Jericho is on a lower level than the Undertaker and the first-time ever angle would have made up for a lot of that. Hogan vs. Goldberg mattered first time especially because it was how Goldberg came up a level to take Hogan’s spot. If he loses the first time or it goes to a no-contest, some of that magic is gone. Jericho talking about how Taker has ducked him for years, knowing he’s the one guy who wouldn’t be impressed with his childish mumbo jumbo could sell a top match at Wrestlemania, even with no belts on the line. With there being potentially no Edge for an Edge vs. Jericho or Edge and Christian vs. Jericho and Big Show, an alternate plan would be needed. Jericho vs. Undertaker would have fit the bill, but this hurts it as a match fans would buy Chris Jericho as winning and thus truly care about.

The WWE likely didn’t hurt themselves (yet) with JeriShow vs. D-X, but has potentially neutered a later Jericho vs. Undertaker feud. Both could be epic and huge draws, but only the latter was dependent on the “first time ever” credibility to boost it a level. Like epic matches past, the build matters most and only for the latter was that it’s a first match necessary for the build.