Grilling JR - Christian [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Today we’re discussing a man who is celebrating his 50th birthday today - and that’s Jay Reso - known as Christian!

As we discussed in our recent episode about the beginnings of Edge - Adam Copeland, Christian grew up with Adam as wrestling fans in Canada and came through the ranks with him, trained by Ron Hutchison. When does Christian come on your radar - was it Edge recommending him?

He would wrestle a few dark matches in Ontario directly after the Montreal Screwjob - including wrestling Copeland. How crazy is it 26 years later - and these two are still working together - this time in AEW?

Did you sign him to a developmental deal?

Christian would end up going through the unofficial developmental camp of the WWF at the time - the Funkin Dojo in Stamford - before making it onto the main roster. What did you hear of Christian during that camp?

With Gangrel and Edge already up on the roster - it made sense to marry them all together right?

Did you think having Christian debut by costing his “brother” Edge at Break Down in 1998 - too close to the Undertaker - Kane story they were running at the same time?

Is there such a thing as too many brothers fighting with each other?

In his first match in the WWF he would win the Light Heavyweight Title from Taka Michinoku - it felt like there were big plans for the likes of Gangrel, Christian & Edge…why do you think that was?

Christian is very young at this point - this was part of your plan to fill the company with youth is that right?

And within a month he drops the title to Duane Gill of the JOB Squad. There really wasn’t a lot of long term planning in the lower to midcard in the WWF in 1998 was there?

Eventually Edge joins Gangrel & Christian and the Brood is formed. Their entrance coming through the flames is one of the more iconic images of the Attitude Era. What did you think of their presentation?

In early February of 1999 Edge & Christian would team up to take on the Hardys for the first time on Shotgun Saturday Night - but I bring this up because it is on a night where Raw was taped at the Skydome in front of 41,432 people. What a journey from sitting in the crowd originally at WrestleMania 6 to this…and ironically enough against a team they’d be most well known to wrestle isn’t that right Jim?

The blood baths would begin around this time and become a staple for the Brood. I’m shocked you were never booked to get a blood bath JR…

The Brood is absorbed by the Ministry of Darkness and they become minions of the Undertaker. Their most memorable moment as being a part of the Ministry of Darkness is when after the Undertaker defeated the Big Boss Man in a Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 15 - they hung the Boss Man and pulled him to the roof of the First Union Center in Philadelphia. Quite the WrestleMania debut isn’t it?

Christian would actually be the catalyst of the Stephanie McMahon kidnap angle when he admits to her location after Ken Shamrock locked him in an ankle lock…and would be kicked out of the Ministry of Darkness. They were better off on their own were they not?

Michael Hayes joins up with the Hardys and it is a 6-man feud with the Brood - what do you think having Michael Doot Doot added to this and for the young wrestlers?

Christian & Edge would team up at the Rosemont Horizon to take on Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett in Owen’s final match before his tragic accident. Did you ever talk with Christian about this or know what his thoughts were?

At King of the Ring 99 Gangrel would cost Edge & Christian their #1 contenders match against the Hardys for the tag team titles and the break-up of the Brood began. Do you think this was the right timing for the split up of the Brood?

This really ended up helping Edge & Christian and hurting Gangrel in the long run right?

Watching a few Edge & Christian and Hardy Boyz matches up to this point - everyone in the company knew with an opportunity they could become something special together right?

Michael Hayes is transitioned out of his role as the leader of the Hardys and Gangrel would take that spot as his revenge on Edge & Christian. It just wasn’t working with Michael was it?

The Dudley Boyz would be introduced to the WWF in late August and immediately attack Edge & Christian and the Acolytes during a match. Was the tag team division something you felt strongly about building around?

We’ve always heard Vince McMahon isn’t a fan of tag team wrestling, were you ever dissuaded by Vince to not bring in tag teams?

At Unforgiven Edge & Christian finally get a tag team title shot on pay-per-view and it’s against the New Age Outlaws. They’re not successful - but they really show they belong on the big stage. The Outlaws were a true test for them were they not?

This would lead to the TIT series - Gangrel is removed from the Hardys and Terri Runnels proclaims that the winner of a best of 7 series between Edge & Christian and the Hardys would earn $100,000 and her services. You couldn’t go wrong in putting these guys in matches against each other all the time - but with Terri involved it added a different look for them didn’t it?

Well at No Mercy these two teams put on a show of shows in the Ladder Match to determine the winner of the series. This match was voted on as the Match of the Year according to the Pro Wrestling Torch…JR you’re at ringside…this is a star making performance is it not?

All 4 men really come off as babyfaces after this - do you think the Hardys were ahead of Edge & Christian at this point?

Edge & Christian begin to show an edge - no pun intended - as the build to WrestleMania begins - and it’ll lead to the epic match at WrestleMania 2000 where Edge & Christian won their first tag team title in the first ever triangle ladder match over the Hardys & Dudleys.

Now the rumor & innuendo is that the plan was to break them up but instead the decision was made to go with them and looking back - that was the right decision was it not?

There has to be a bit of a worry of putting these guys in ladder matches all the time right?

The 5 second pose becomes part of their schtick in their new heel role - talk about something so minor that becomes such a big deal Jim - who do you credit that to?

Edge & Christian seemed to have had this reputation that when Brian Gerwitz came in and because they were buddies with him - he would write for them more. Where do you stand on that issue?

Not long into the summer Edge & Christian get hooked up with Kurt Angle - and man do they click. What did you think of all 3 of them together and their segments?

There’s an old saying in this business - funny doesn’t equal money, but man they were perfect…do you think they were actual draws - and entertaining enough they were getting their gimmick, themselves & their opponents over?

They would drop the tag titles to Too Cool but win them back at King of the Ring 2000.

There was a Raw from the Georgia Dome on July 31st, 2000 and on that fateful night in Atlanta - the con-chair-to was born on Jeff Hardy. What an astounding move that really made an impact Jim!

Mick Foley was the WWF commissioner at the time and his segments with Edge & Christian really helped get them more over did they not? How good was Mick in that role?

With the Hardys using ladders, Edge & Christian using chairs and the Dudleyz using tables - it was time for TLC to be born at SummerSlam 2000. What is the conversation like with these guys about making sure they don’t do major damage to their bodies?

Edge & Christian would retain the titles at SummerSlam in one of the greatest spectacles in professional wrestling up to that point. Did you know at this point they were all future hall of famers?

They would drop the titles to the Hardys at Unforgiven the next month in a cage match when the Hardys had help from Lita - how much did adding Lita to this package really keep this program going do you think?

The next night on Raw - the debut of the WWF on TNN - these 4 would have a ladder match where the Hardys would retain. It’s a miracle these guys weren’t burnt out physically wasn’t it?

Edge & Christian would transform into Los Conquistadors and win the tag team titles from the Hardys. Was this a rib on them?

The next time we’d see Edge & Christian bringing another part of their act to a whole new level - they would start playing kazoos. These two guys could just do anything and get their stuff over…

They’d start to move into the main event of Raws more and more and rub shoulders with main event guys like the Rock & Undertaker while teaming with Kurt Angle as well as Kurt would find himself become World Champion. The ascension of guys like Edge, Christian & Kurt were essential in keeping the main event scene fresh and new - how exciting was it to see these guys up there and getting into the main event?

I can’t imagine anybody had anything negative to say about Christian in their rise up the card - but until the comedy act went away - it was going to be hard to be treated as a true top guy…what say you JR?

How big a part do you think Edge & Christian were in the growth of the WWF - do you think they get enough credit?

Their final tag team title victory takes place at the TLC 2 at WrestleMania 17 in Houston. This was more than enough of these matches for these guys - but out of all of them - this is the best one is it not?

Just a few weeks later they would drop the tag titles to Undertaker & Kane and the story of Edge & Christian breaking up would take shape. Do you think the team had run its course by this point?

Edge wins the King of the Ring but his little brother keeps celebrating with the trophy and step into Edge’s spotlight as Edge starts doing more and more singles matches. Do you know if this is really how Christian felt in general - sort of art imitating life type scenario?

Christian would finally turn on Edge while Raw was - where else - but Toronto, Canada after Edge retains the Intercontinental title over Lance Storm. Christian would hit his brother in the head with a chair and eventually do a solo con-chair-to to officially end the Edge & Christian and now we have fueding brothers. How important was this program to Christian looking back?

In an odd twist - as it seemed like a lot of odd things happened in 2001 - when Christian turns heel - he joins the Alliance. The Alliance - WWF feud taking over everything - really stunted the growth on a lot of possible stories did it not?

Christian in the Alliance doesn’t exactly take off but he does become Intercontinental champion - defeating Edge at Unforgiven. Did you think this was Christian’s ceiling or did you think he could be in the World Title picture?

For some reason - Edge would regain the title at No Mercy - in another ladder match. These two go out there and kill each other - but the crowd doesn’t exactly get into it as its obvious the ladder match was completely overdone at this point. Did you think it was done to death?

In a sign of things that were…not quite up to speed as of yet…Christian would win the European title from Bradshaw on a taped Smackdown. I bring this up because - the match never airs - because the show ran too long. It’s a taped show JR - and it’s only mentioned on commentary that Christian won the title. What exactly is that a sign of - because it’s not a lot of faith in anyone caring about anything Christian is it?

Because Christian is still a champion when the Alliance lost at Survivor Series 2001 - he’s able to stay on TV and would begin a feud with…Positively Page and we would see the emergence of the crying, whiny Christian. Jim - this is one of your better hands in the ring - never a problem backstage - why was this the creative for Jay?

Christian floats along in the low to midcard before linking up with Lance Storm to form the UnAmericans and it leads him back to being a WWE Tag Team Champion - but this time it’s by defeating his brother Edge & his tag team partner…Hulk Hogan. That’s right, Christian & Lance Storm defeated Edge & the Immortal One himself to win the tag team titles. That’s quite an accomplishment for him in his career is it not?

In one of the more infamous nights in WWE history, on August 26th - at MSG - just a few weeks before the 1st anniversary of 9/11, a segment is aired of the Un Americans attempting to burn the American flag but thankfully were stopped by Booker T, Goldust & a returning Kane. The rumor & innuendo was that everyone had an issue with this and it would lead to the breaking up of what was getting to be a pretty hot act. Was this the first time you can remember issues backstage regarding Christian?

It’s also reported around this time that the office went to Christian to have his hair cut and he refused. What do you remember of that conversation?

Do you think Christian was starting to get a bit of backstage reputation?

Jim - we’re going to cut it there before we continue further. We will discuss Christian more in a future episode - but how about the man turning 50 today and producing what some are saying his best work in his career right now in AEW!