Rey Mysterio puts his illustrious mask on the line as he attempts to win the Intercontinental Title against Chris Jericho at The Bash 2009: Courtesy of Peacock and WWE Network.
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00:00A lot of things that Chris Jericho says have absolutely no basis at all, but one thing
00:11that Jericho did say that might be true is that Ray would not exist without his mask.
00:17So here we go, and look, Jericho immediately targeting that mask.
00:24Obviously Mysterio is going to be very protective of maintaining his mask in its place.
00:33Maintaining his identity. Mysterio's mask is a part of his identity.
00:42And remember, ladies and gentlemen, if Ray Mysterio loses this match,
00:45not only does he have to unmask tonight, he'll have to unmask forever.
00:53Jericho feeling mighty good about how this one's getting started.
01:07Jericho the most decorated intercontinental champion of all time. A nine-time champion.
01:13Ray Mysterio now will measure the most decorated intercontinental champion.
01:32As much as Mysterio wants to win this match, maintain his family honor by wearing the mask
01:41that Jericho, the intercontinental championship,
01:45is so precious. He is a nine-time intercontinental champion,
01:49is Chris Jericho, more than anyone in the 30-year history of the intercontinental title.
02:00And yet Jericho seems to be more intent on getting Ray Mysterio to unmask more than anything else in
02:07the entire world right now. It is Jericho's sole purpose in life. Let's remember the
02:12disqualifications and count-outs that factor in this equation. The way I understand it,
02:18Mysterio must win the intercontinental title or he loses his mask.
02:26And in your opinion, JR, has the mask recently become more of a distraction
02:30for Ray Mysterio than anything? I think, obviously, I think it's cost Mysterio matches.
02:34We've seen that. It's certainly taken his mind off of defending himself at times.
02:43Nice standing vertical suplex there from Jericho. Shoulders are down in a two count.
02:49Jericho is really, really good. I mean, he is a future hall of famer in the eyes of many.
02:57First ever undisputed champion. And right now, the game plan that Jericho has assembled
03:02is on the money. It's on point.
03:07One thing Ray Mysterio will have in his corner or for his advantage is the fact
03:12that we're here in California, Ray Mysterio's home state. There are no other Californians
03:18in this match. It's Mysterio and his mask against Jericho and Jericho's coveted intercontinental
03:24title. I think the more the fans boo Jericho, the more it motivates him.
03:35And again, you can see Jericho trying to rip that mask right off of Mysterio's face.
03:41And now the luchador from the top turnbuckle.
03:48Nice defense, nice counter by Jericho. Has his shoulders down in a two and a half.
03:53And we were that close to seeing Ray Mysterio's career change as we know it. Jericho used the
04:00momentum created by Mysterio. Mysterio's own speed to execute that tilt the world backbreaker
04:06and again, ground the quicker, faster Ray Mysterio. The thing that Jericho's got to be
04:13careful of as well as not fixating on the mask, just winning it. Winning the match
04:19should be the only priority, quite frankly, the champion should have. Well, Jericho wins the match,
04:25then he also gets the mask. That's killed two birds with one stone. Pretty much my point.
04:32Ray Mysterio said he wants to go down as one of the greatest intercontinental champions of all
04:36time. And the only way that Jericho would agree to this mask, this match rather, is if Ray Mysterio
04:42would put his mask on the line. That just goes to show you how bad Ray Mysterio wants that
04:47intercontinental belt. 12 or 13 WWE hall of famers have been intercontinental champion. Jericho would be happy right here to be, to win this match by count out. Jericho, I think, could really care less. He not only would retain his title, but again, forced Ray Mysterio to take off his mask forever.
05:18Mysterio sliding out and get some offense in. Mysterio's thrash to the face, the torso,
05:35maybe better served to the legs of Chris Jericho. Jericho again back on top offensively with a cover
05:44and a near fall again. Jericho, the intercontinental champion in control. Jericho so merciless.
05:58Jericho not only wants to win a match, he wants to humiliate you while he wins.
06:04Watch this. The egotism of Jericho, a very healthy ego to say the least,
06:12but a healthy amount of talent at the same time.
06:19There have been some big nights in the career of Ray Mysterio. He won the Royal Rumble match,
06:23won a world heavyweight championship, but in many ways tonight is the biggest night of Ray Mysterio's career.
06:30Mysterio may have hurt himself in trying to take Jericho out. Now the issue here is, is that Mysterio is going to get Jericho back in the ring.
06:57Well, Mysterio landed very awkwardly on that knee as we'll see right here.
07:03And this is what happens. High risk, high reward. Amazing hang time and accuracy
07:11from the high flyer Ray Mysterio. Got to capitalize. Mysterio is at his best when he's
07:22creating fast paced, high risk offense. Going to the air. It's like we're seeing right here.
07:29This is Mysterio at his best as Jericho ate some turnbuckles. More breathtaking skill being
07:38displayed here by Ray Mysterio. Not one but two springboards. The cover. One, two and he
07:45couldn't quite get it done. Now that is absolutely breathtaking.
07:48Ray Mysterio pulling everything out of his, his bag of tricks here tonight. Take a look at this,
07:54folks. Springboard to one, to the second, and boom, the moonsault on target.
08:03One more time. Has there ever been a superstar that can do something like that?
08:10Well, there's only one Ray Mysterio and only one just got power slam, but he kicks out. That's
08:16another of the wonderful, intangible elements that Jericho's experiencing here. Ray Mysterio
08:22has so much resiliency. Never the biggest dog in the fight. Jericho seems to be getting
08:31somewhat frustrated. Can't find out the combination to the ground Mysterio,
08:37long-term. Ray Mysterio told me in UJR one time that he's never been the bigger man in a match.
08:43Always is the smaller man in a contest. And maybe as far as inches and pounds, but certainly not
08:53passion and will. Ring post, just got introduced to the Intercontinental champ. And again,
09:02Mysterio, mysterio tactics. And Mysterio laid out. Jericho trying to get the feeling back in his left hand.
09:12A big shot there from Mysterio again, goes upstairs. Nice counter from the air to the ground counter.
09:24Few do it better than Chris Jericho. Has it locked in? Will Ray Mysterio submit and then be forced to unmask?
09:34That's what's at stake here. Jericho has proclaimed himself many things and introduced us to the
09:53savior of Ray Mysterio's career. And now obviously a submission specialist. Jericho claims to be the
10:03best in the world at what he does. And while that may be the case, Mysterio able to dig deep and
10:09find that bottom rope. So much damage has been done. The collateral damage that has been done
10:16is certainly a suspect and speculative. I was going to say, if you can take out Ray Mysterio's legs,
10:24what does he have left? Jericho vulnerable. Mysterio looking to dial up 619.
10:36And is subjected to high impact clothesline instead.
10:40And the wicked tendencies of Chris Jericho again, rising to the top.
10:50Mysterio going for that 619. Jericho saw it coming and then hit this big clothesline.
10:56That was a great counter. The little Mysterio trying to fight back in and Jericho could have made it.
11:02In hindsight a mistake. Jericho's ground game was working. The submissions looked like they were going to work.
11:08Jericho got out of his element. And when you're in the game with Ray Mysterio, he's able to...
11:14Whoa! What a counter. That may do it. Mysterio's down. Jericho's feet are on the ropes.
11:20And still the luchador able to get the shoulder up. Jericho talks about honor, integrity, the truth.
11:28Trying to steal it. What an amazing counter. Handed to Jericho for the counter.
11:35Then he tries to cheat to win. But somehow, someway, Ray Mysterio willed his way off the canvas.
11:43And we've said this before, there are few superstars that can turn defense into offense quicker than Chris Jericho.
11:51Oh, and Jericho. Lion's Salt missed. Nobody home. And Mysterio has the shoulders down. No!
12:03That was a great counter. Mysterio used leverage. Quickness into leverage.
12:13And again, you know the number. Jericho suckered Mysterio in.
12:19But Mysterio hits the DDT. Do we have a new Intercontinental Champion?
12:26And Jericho taking all he could to that count. Jericho's eyes are big as saucers on the count.
12:35How did Mysterio come out of this with an advantage? But he did.
12:41Both men have gotten their shots in, JR. Right now, who do you like?
12:48Every time we see these two men match up, it's as good as it gets in WWE.
12:55Chris Jericho, ladies and gentlemen, may have just forced Ray Mysterio to unmask forever.
13:04The Codebreaker connected.
13:09One, two.
13:13Jericho cannot believe it. An amazing, amazing counter round. Look at this.
13:19Right there. The Codebreaker right into the studio.
13:23Precious seconds were wasted, though, by Jericho. Unable to get that cover in time.
13:29And Ray Mysterio still in this contest. How? I'm not sure.
13:33It's called passion, Todd. It's called heart. The want to, the will to win.
13:38That's what it's all about.
13:40It's called passion, Todd. It's called heart.
13:43The will to win. That's what it's all about.
13:46It's called passion, Todd. It's called heart.
13:49It's called heart. The want to, the will to win.
13:52That's Ray Mysterio. That's what Mysterio's all about.
13:55He's always been the ultimate underdog.
13:58The size he gives up each and every time he competes.
14:02That doesn't matter to Ray Mysterio.
14:05What matters tonight is winning the Intercontinental title.
14:08Any way that he can and retaining his mask on his face.
14:15Jericho just relentless at this point.
14:20And this is no man's land for both guys.
14:26Jericho got out of his element. He stepped into Ray Mysterio's stratosphere.
14:31And now the elevation of Ray Mysterio. Jericho hung up.
14:35Do we see it now? We do. 619.
14:39Finally, Mysterio hits the 619.
14:43Oh, Jericho again. Mysterio hits 619.
14:48Jericho counters.
14:50You've got to feel that the long lives of Ray Mysterio may be expiring.
14:57The expiration date may be prominent on Ray Mysterio's mask career.
15:07So agile though is Mysterio.
15:13Oh, Jericho down. One, two.
15:17No. Mysterio switches it.
15:21What powers, what action. What a tremendous man of man here.
15:26On the mask.
15:28Mysterio's got his second mask on.
15:32That's 619. Jericho took off the mask.
15:37Mysterio wins.
15:42Ray Mysterio has done it.
15:46And new Intercontinental Champion, Ray Mysterio.
15:55Mysterio is your new Intercontinental Champion.
15:59And Jericho literally doesn't know what hit him.
16:02Ray Mysterio used an amazing piece of strategy
16:07to have a forethought to wear two masks here tonight.
16:12Jericho did unmask Ray Mysterio,
16:16but Jericho nor anyone else thought that Mysterio would be wearing two masks tonight.
16:32.