One of Chris Jericho’s most memorable and beloved WWE moments, the “Festival of Friendship” segment with Kevin Owens, is often remembered for its perfect blend of humor, emotion, and surprising drama. Despite Jericho having considerable creative input into the segment, Vince McMahon insisted on adding one particular element at the last minute that helped elevate it even further.
The Backstory of the “Festival of Friendship”
In early 2017, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens portrayed an apparent best-friend duo on WWE Raw, a storyline that injected a fresh and comedic dynamic into their on-screen personas. Jericho, known for his charisma and creative mind, conceived the “Festival of Friendship” concept as a way to celebrate their camaraderie through an elaborate and quirky celebration, complete with gift-giving and heartfelt speeches.
The segment stood out for its unique tone, mixing Jericho’s signature dramatic flair with comedic art presentation and sincere emotions, creating a memorable moment that WWE fans still quote today.
Vince McMahon’s Last-Minute Artistic Touch
According to sources close to WWE’s creative team, Vince McMahon insisted on incorporating a specific piece of art—a minimalist sculpture created by a fictional “Norwegian minimalist maximist artiste” named Ralph Guggenheim—as part of the gift Jericho would present to Owens during the festival. This artistic prop, which some called puzzling yet humorous, added a quirky layer that highlighted Jericho’s eccentric persona.
A WWE insider revealed, “Jericho had most of the segment mapped out, but Vince pushed hard to add the sculpture element, believing it would underline the absurdity and uniqueness of the characters’ friendship. It proved to be a stroke of genius, making the moment more memorable and giving the live audience something to react to.”
The sculpture symbolized how Jericho viewed their friendship: something complex, abstract, and beyond typical explanation—a fitting metaphor wrapped in the show’s playful absurdity.
The Segment’s Climax: Betrayal After Brotherhood
The “Festival of Friendship” built up to an emotional pinnacle where Jericho professed deep loyalty to Owens, calling him not just a friend but a brother. However, the heartwarming atmosphere quickly shattered when Owens brutally attacked Jericho immediately after the gift exchange, shocking the WWE Universe.
This sudden betrayal instantly transformed the storyline, ending Jericho’s best-friend run and launching a bitter feud that would headline WWE shows in the following months. The unexpected twist added significant emotional weight to the storyline and demonstrated the creative success of combining heartfelt moments with shocking payoffs.
Why This Segment Remains Iconic
Several factors combine to make the “Festival of Friendship” a standout moment in Chris Jericho’s WWE legacy:
Jericho’s Personality: The segment perfectly captured his ability to blend theatricality with well-timed humor and storytelling.
Creative Input: Jericho’s hands-on creative role shaped the segment’s structure, tone, and unique elements.
Vince McMahon’s Influence: The addition of the sculpture added an iconic, offbeat symbol that fans instantly associated with Jericho’s character.
Emotional Impact: The segment balanced humor with a poignant storyline arc, culminating in a dramatic betrayal that propelled both wrestlers’ narratives forward.
A veteran WWE writer commented, “Jericho knows how to put together a segment that entertains on multiple levels. That sculpture was the cherry on top that made the ‘Festival of Friendship’ unforgettable.”
Impact on Chris Jericho’s WWE Career and Beyond
The segment marked one of Jericho’s last major high-profile storylines during his then-latest WWE tenure before transitioning to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and other ventures, such as his music career with Fozzy.
Fans and critics alike often cite Jericho’s “Festival of Friendship” segment as a high point of his WWE storytelling—a blend of comedy, drama, and surprise that few performers can master. It showcased his versatility and set a standard for character-driven promos in modern professional wrestling.
Conclusion
Vince McMahon’s decision to add the minimalist sculpture to Chris Jericho’s “Festival of Friendship” segment—although made last-minute—proved to be a pivotal creative choice. It enhanced the segment’s uniqueness, matched Jericho’s character style, and contributed to one of WWE’s most talked-about moments from 2017. This collaboration between Jericho’s vision and McMahon’s instinct exemplifies the magic that can happen when performer creativity meets executive guidance in professional wrestling.
Sources close to the WWE creative team remain confident that this segment will continue to be celebrated in wrestling history for its originality and emotional storytelling decades from now.