Christopher Keith Irvine, known worldwide as Chris Jericho, has captivated audiences for decades as a professional wrestler, rock musician, and actor. From his early days in the 1990s wrestling for ECW and WCW, to his rise to fame in WWE, and his current success in AEW, Jericho has consistently reinvented himself. One aspect of his career that has garnered significant attention is his physical transformation, particularly his recent weight loss journey.
Early Career and Physicality
Chris Jericho's career began in 1990. He honed his skills in various promotions, including ECW, WCW, and NJPW. In his early days as a Cruiserweight, Jericho sported a lean, athletic build. As he rose through the WWE ranks, he gradually gained more mass.
Weight Gain and the "Bruiser Brody Phase"
Jericho stated that he weighed over 240 pounds during his run in Japan. He consciously decided to gain weight. After working with Kenny Omega at the Tokyo Dome, Jericho was going through a "Bruiser Brody phase." He thought he could be bigger than the Japanese guys. He felt the Japanese appreciate the bulkier physiques. Jericho had three Tokyo Dome main events.
Health Scare and the Turning Point
At the tail end of 2021, Chris Jericho was admitted to hospital in the UK, where he received treatment for what was described as a “non-COVID” related issue. Upon returning to the United States, Jericho had a small break from AEW television and used that time to get healthy, losing a significant amount of weight in the process. By the time the former World Champion returned to AEW he was arguably in better shape than he had been for years.
Speaking on a recent episode of his “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, the star revealed that the health issue he suffered while in the UK was a pulmonary embolism. Reflecting on his return Stateside, Jericho explained that a chance meeting with the owner of a weight-loss clinic kick-started his latest fitness journey.
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The Medical Weight Loss Clinic
Jericho wanted this very intricate scale and the scale that measures everything. One of the things that measured is your visceral fat. Visceral fat is the fat that surrounds your organs. The doctor said, "You need to lose some visceral fat." Jericho went to a medical weight loss clinic because he had to lose this visceral fat.
DDP Yoga
Chris Jericho had read that other wrestlers like Kane, Mick Foley, The Miz and Perry Saturn were using DDP Yoga as well as many indy wrestlers. He had read that the program had been successful in helping him return to the ring after a several year hiatus. I know that the results I am seeing with this program so far are only the tip of the iceberg but in only four weeks, the results are impressive enough that I can’t help but espouse the many benefits to anyone who will listen to me.
Jericho's Lean Physique
Chris Jericho’s lean physique may serve him well as he prepares to battle his foe Eddie Kingston in a Barbed Wire Death Match scheduled next week on July 20th as part of Night 2 of Fyter Fest.
Other Notable Transformations in Wrestling
Chris Jericho is not the only wrestler who has undergone a significant physical transformation. Here are a few other notable examples:
- Drew McIntyre: Upon his initial 2007 debut on WWE’s main roster and later as Vince McMahon’s “Chosen One”, Drew McIntyre’s physique could best be described as lean and athletic. However, when the “Scottish Warrior” returned to WWE TV in 2017 after several years away, he showed off a dramatically more muscular frame, bulking up his chest, shoulders, and back into a powerhouse physique that instantly set him apart on the main roster. McIntyre’s increased muscularity played a key part in his main event push, culminating in him capturing the WWE Championship.
- Jinder Mahal: Between just August and December 2016, another former 3MB member impressively carved a ripped, combative physique that launched him from mid-carder to WWE Champion. Jinder Mahal attributed his drastic change to quitting alcohol, adopting a disciplined diet, and meticulous training. He defended the transformation by pointing to his adherence to WWE’s drug testing protocols, insisting it was all dedication and hard work. The fact that the change was made in only 4 months makes it even more stunning.
- Damian Priest: Before WWE, Damian Priest admitted to being “horribly out of shape,” weighing around 400 pounds while working various jobs and wrestling on weekends. Facing many hardships and setbacks, Priest eventually decided to fully commit to changing his life and focusing on achieving his wrestling dream full time. It’s then that he cut out junk food, joined a gym, and embraced a strict new lifestyle. The weight dropped, the muscle came in, and he evolved into the lean, imposing force we see today.
- Triple H: Beginning as a muscular, yet wiry blue-chipper, Paul Levesque steadily evolved into a portrait of mass: monstrous shoulders, thick traps, and a rock-hard core that defined the Attitude Era and beyond. Yep, Levesque’s physique as Terra Ryzing is a far cry from that of the sledgehammer-wielding Triple H. In fact, each era of his career showcases aspects of physical change - some more impressive than others.
- Gunther: Without question, Gunther’s transformation deserves plenty of praise. Rising from his days wrestling as Walter, “The Ring General’s” transformational shred featured a wraparound curtain of dense muscle: pecs and quads. And, despite the stunning turnaround, his lighter physique retains that strongman, old-European vibe- muscular yet functional. His new frame gives every chop and strike visual legitimacy, with his body still looking like it can back his power.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: When he began his WWE tenure, Dwayne Johnson had a classic 90s wrestler physique-pumped arms and a puffed-out chest. But, over time, his body evolved into a more defined, bulging build. Johnson’s look fluctuated at times, however. In the early 2000s, he underwent surgery to reduce gynecomastia, reshaping his chest before bulking back up again. His look ultimately became larger than life: a thicker core, sculpted lats, and massive arms. In 2025, he unveiled yet another remarkable transformation, revealing a surprisingly leaner physique that marked a departure from his traditionally muscular build.
- Scott Steiner: Scott Steiner’s transformation is truly something to behold. Already a muscular tag-team wrestler with his brother Rick, Scott morphed into the hulkish “Big Poppa Pump” character - bursting with mass across his pecs, arms, and insanely vascular traps. The shift came with an eye-catching aesthetic, including giant biceps and muscles that looked to be carved from stone. Heck, Steiner’s physique became as much a star as his persona.
- Dave Bautista: Dave Bautista’s metamorphosis from WWE powerhouse to Hollywood A-lister is perhaps the greatest among wrestlers-turned-thespians. “The Animal” began his in-ring career with a muscular yet proportioned physique, carrying the kind of mass perfect for in-ring dominance. Over time, Bautista’s frame erupted into that of a human tank-pecs, shoulders, arms, and traps for days. After stepping away from the ring, however, he crafted different cinematic physiques to fit a variety of roles, proving his versatility beyond sheer size.
- Lex Luger: While it’s only natural for pro wrestlers to change physically after stepping away from the squared circle, few transformations have been as startling as Lex Luger’s. Nicknamed “The Total Package” for his Herculean physique, Luger was once the epitome of sculpted physical dominance. But, a devastating spinal stroke in 2007 changed everything. Sadly, his body is nearly unrecognizable compared to his prime. However, despite the physical toll and challenges, Luger describes himself as “streamlined and redefined,” saying his health is great. While he still relies on a wheelchair due to nerve damage, recent progress-including walking unaided at times-shows how far he’s come.
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