The Thrillseekers Rock America: How Chris Jericho and Lance Storm Got Their Big Break
Before they were household names, Chris Jericho and Lance Storm were just a couple of young, hungry Canadians trying to make it in the United States. Their big break came in the early '90s when Jim Cornette brought them into his Smoky Mountain Wrestling promotion as the white-meat babyface duo The Thrillseekers.
Smoky Mountain Wrestling was a short-lived but influential promotion based in Tennessee and the surrounding region. Launched by Cornette with financial backing from legendary music executive Rick Rubin, SMW aimed to revive the southern wrestling style that had dominated the territory scene in the '70s and '80s. Although it only ran from 1991 to 1995, SMW became a breeding ground for future stars—and a nostalgic haven for fans of classic wrestling.
When Jericho and Storm arrived, they looked like they were ripped straight out of a teen magazine: clean-cut, energetic, and armed with athleticism. Cornette saw dollar signs and packaged them in the spirit of legendary teams like the Rock ‘n' Roll Express.
One of the most unforgettable pieces of this marketing push was a pair of amazing video montages set to Danger Danger's "Rock America." The footage shows Jericho and Storm "rocking across America," living their best early ‘90s lives—posing in front of landmarks, dancing, and flexing with that mix of earnestness and cheesiness that could only work in that era.
In one standout moment from the montage, Jericho talks about their dream to become the "hottest new tag team in the world." Storm, ever the straight man to Jericho's over-the-top energy, plays it cooler, but you can tell both were happy to have an opportunity to be showcased, even if they look a tad awkward. Part Two features the duo hitting the gym while Billy Squier's "Fast Times" blasts our TV speakers.
The Thrillseekers never got the long run Cornette had envisioned. An untimely injury to Jericho derailed their momentum, and shortly thereafter both men went their separate ways. But this run was an important first step, giving them the U.S. exposure and polish they needed to take their careers to the next level.
Storm would go on to have a stellar technical wrestling career in ECW, WCW, and WWE. Jericho, of course, would become one of the most decorated and innovative performers in wrestling history, headlining for WWE, AEW, and numerous other promotions around the globe. Jericho is currently out on tour with his band Fozzy.
It's fun to look back and see how it all started: two kids, a dream, and "Rock America" blaring in the background.