All credit for this transcript goes to Bob Ryder and 1wrestling.com
Moderator (Speaker)
Welcome everyone, Chris Jericho is here to take your questions. Please send them in.
Luna VaBLAKE (Prodigy Member)
Mr. Jericho...what are your comments on the arrival of Bret Hart in WCW? Have you ever met him before?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Yes, Bret is a friend of mine. I talked to him a couple of days after the 'incident' took place. He's excited about coming to WCW and we're excited about having him. Hopefully I'll be able to work with him. Me and Chris Benoit and him would be a real good team. I don't know what they have planned though.
Luna VaBLAKE (Prodigy Member)
You have performed well in WCW. Have you been offered a contract in any other top leagues?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
No I haven't. I always hear rumors, but I haven't heard anything. When you're under contract to one league it's kinda tampering to hear anything.
XRaGe13X (Prodigy Member)
Chris, thanks for joining us tonight. Do you have any plans of going to WWF in the future?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
You can never rule anything out. If you ask me if I'm completely happy now, I'd have to say I'm not...but that doesn't mean I'm going to quit and run off. If things stay the same in a couple of years, I might think about it. Vince is looking for a hero and knows how to create stars, so it's always a possibility.
XRaGe13X (Prodigy Member)
Chris, do you play any hockey? I remember that your Dad played on my favorite team, the Rangers.
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Yes, I played hockey all through high school. The practices interferred with training for wrestling. I still like to play once in a while when I have a chance. When I was still in Calgary, I enjoyed it a lot. I worked on my slap shot and it's getting better.
XRaGe13X (Prodigy Member)
Chris, would you ever go back to ECW?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Interesting question. ECW was a very unique place in the respect that I've never been in a dressing room with as much of a family or an old boys club atmosphere. I really enjoyed my time there and the freedom there. Paul E was very good at extracting the best out of everybody. He magnified the strengths. Everybody gets a fair shake. I was only there for 6 months, and really enjoyed it. I had a chance to work with guys I really respect. I'd go
back there some day. I'd like to.
Reck OSBORNE (Prodigy Member)
CHRIS - thanks for joining us tonight. I saw some GREAT footage, from a few years ago, of you working in Japan. What's the biggest difference between working as a heel, and as a face??? Besides the obvious...does the workrate
change???
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
The workrate changes in the aspect of you have to think of different ways to put over your opponent and still put yourself over. As a babyface you just worry about yourself. I learned alot from Negro Casas. I like the rougher attitude. The old style babyface isn't something people get into. I'm trying to get more like my old Japanese style. The office doesn't like it, but I
think it's more serious and entertaining. It's more of a strong style. Being a heel is fun.
SantoSwings (Prodigy Member)
What was it like working for Jim Cornette during the time you wrestled for Smokey Mountain Wrestling?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I had just started for WAR and was working for Cornette at the same time. Japan was my top priority and missed a few of the bigger shows for Jim. I was a heel in Japan, and in SMW was a southern style babyface. He was trying to create a 90's version of the Fabulous Ones. I was never comfortable with that. I learned a lot there about interviews, and they had some great
workers there. I enjoyed my time there. It ended when I broke my arm.
PSRazor (Prodigy Member)
Chris..Any chance we'll see a reunion of you and Lance Storm in WCW?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I don't think so. Lance is a really good talent, but I had enough of the tag scene. We were together a long time. Basically I think there are other guys I'd rather tag with on an interim basis, but I don't want to be known as a tag wrestler. You can never say never, though.
Wrestling GD (Prodigy Member)
Thanks for coming Chris. What promotion has brought you the most enjoyment in your career, and why exactly is that?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I'd have to say, believe it or not, was New Japan. The reason would be my whole career from the day I started until last year, my dream had always been to work for New Japan. It had guys I respected the most. To compete there was a dream come true. That was the main reason I went to WCW when I did. I wanted to work New Japan. My last tour was probably the best I ever had. I enjoy the Japanese style, and New Japan is the biggest in the world.
It's first class treatment and a great time.
Wrestling GD (Prodigy Member)
Chris--Some time ago, I had read from a few sites, newsletters etc. that you were supposed to be involved in a stable with Benoit, Malenko, and Regal. Was this at all true? IF so, why was it scrapped?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
A long time ago there was talk about a Generation X Horsemen, but it never came to pass, although it almost did last year. If it did happen, I'd love to be a part of it. Right now I think everything is on the backburner.
KnowNothinTC (Prodigy Member)
Chris-The direction of the WWF has been a big issue over the last few days on Prodigy. How do you feel about the material they're putting out? Would you ever go to the WWF?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Interesting question. I still like the WWF and a lot of the guys they have. I don't understand why they are doing what they are doing. Maybe it deals with surveys they have done and they think they can get rid of the kids and go after a more adult audience. I can't see Vince doing that unless someone has ok'd it. It wouldn't surprise me if Paul E had something to do with the
stuff happening in WWF. I think with Shawn, they are trying to make him so controversial that when he finally gets beat up it will mean something. Would I go there, sure. You can't argue with their ability to create stars. You never know.
NeutronSTAR (Prodigy Member)
If you could have a match against anyone in the world, who would it be?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Bret Hart would be right up there. Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels would be great. I'd like a singles match with Ric Flair or Curt Hennig...but not a short match. I'd love to get experience from them. Same with Machoman. Great Muta, if he wanted to work hard. Kobashi, Johnny Smith, also Benoit and Malenko. I'd like working more with them.
KnowNothinTC (Prodigy Member)
I got to see your homepage, excellent job. What was your stay at ECW like, how do you like the fans of the promotion, Paul Heyman, and the workers in ECW?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I enjoyed ECW. It's funny...when I first went one of the matches with Van Dam they chanted "end this match" before the bell rang. Once you get over with them, the fans are the best you'd ever work in front of. After my last match there, I said I honestly believe the ECW Arena was the best building I ever worked in. As far as Paul, he is probably the best promoter I ever worked for. Not the best organized, but the most honest...he always did
exactly what he said he would do. As a person, I really liked him. After my last match there, he met me in the dressing room
and said "come home whenever you want to". I wouldn't mind going back, I had a great time.
PTQL ZEN SW (Prodigy Member)
What's the one thing you like best about working for WCW?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
The amount of good talent. I've had a lot of great matches, just from the quality of workers. I've learned quite a bit from those guys. It's fun being part of the pomp and circumstance of the big leagues. The number one thing is a chance to work with guys like Benoit, Malenko, Guerrero. The thing I don't like is we don't get to work with the top guys to elevate ourselves. We have a roof over our heads. I've always been a main event guy and at WCW
I don't have a chance to get to that level and that's probably the number one thing I don't like.
KnowNothinTC (Prodigy Member)
Finish this sentence in ten years I would have liked to accomplish________.
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
In 10 years I would like to be World Champion. I think I have the ability. People haven't really seen what I can do. That's the number one goal I have. In the last 6 months I've thought a lot about my role, and I think given a shot I could do it.
PTQL ZEN SW (Prodigy Member)
What would you say is your greatest match ever?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Ultimo Dragon in Tokyo 7/7/95. It was one where everything went well, and the crowd was great. It was one of my favorites. I enjoyed my match with Eddy at Fall Brawl a couple of months ago. Those two pop into my mind right off the bat. Another was the 4 way in ECW for the TV belt. Paul didn't give us the finish until right before we went to the ring.
PTQL ZEN SW (Prodigy Member)
What's the deal? All these Crusierweights have masks? How come Chris Jericho does not wear a mask?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
It's a funny story. I have never worn a mask. Before my first match in Monterrey, Mexico the promoter handed me an old style Blue Demon looking mask and just as I was going to the ring, he told me to take it off. I never wore one except the one time at Tokyo Dome. Maybe I should wear one to cover my face.
PTQL ZEN SW (Prodigy Member)
When you retire and people think of your career, what do you want them to remember?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I want them to remember a guy who worked his ass off, who gave it his all, and who appreciated every match he was in. I'm living my dream, and I've worked my ass off to get here. I'm not the type of guy just to be there to make money. Money isn't as important to me as showing respect for the business I love.
PWBTS (Prodigy Member)
Hiya Chris....Fritz here...first thanks for coming to Prodigy tonight and a happy holiday season from myself, Lisa and your protege'...How do you feel about the depth of talent in WCW and do you think that it is helping or hurting your chances to really be noticed as a true player in this sport?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
WCW has the best debth in the history of any company. Even more than 87/88 WWF. The amount of talent is unbelievable. As a result, it's very easy to get lost in the shuffle while they try to make room for everybody. I've never been one to sit around and get lost in the shuffle. It's hard to show what you can do when you only get on tv for 3 minutes every 2 or 3 weeks. I have the international experience, and know I can do what I need to do. I
have confidence in myself. I'll fight tooth and nail before I get lost in the shuffle. I'll bug them until they do something with me or fire me. I guess I'm too ambitious for my own good.
PWBTS (Prodigy Member)
You told me once that you really wanted to work with Chris Benoit Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko....now that you have worked with them as well as so many others...is there anyone you would like to go up against either in or out of WCW?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Even those three I'd like to work with more. With Eddy, I was quite disappointed in the "program" we had. We had great chemistry, and it was only a 4 week program. Dean is another guy that I worked with at houseshows. We went 35 minutes at a house show when the Mexicans were late, and it was a great match. The next night on NITRO we had 3 minutes. I haven't even scratched the surface with those three guys.
InTheZone EG (Prodigy Member)
Hey Chris, it's great to have you here with us...just a question I've wondered about for awhile...Do they lie about wrestlers weights? For instance, does Kevin Nash really weight 367 pounds, or do you really weigh 220?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I weighed myself today and I was 225. Some guys get weighted more and some guys get weighted less. In Mexico they have a commission, which is a real commission, and one time I had a match with Dragon for the middleweight belt. You had to be 88 kilos or less. I weight 96 kilos and he weight 87 kilos, and they weren't going to let us work the match. They said I was too
heavy. They had to pay off the commission to let us have the match.
AIRWALK890 (Prodigy Member)
When do you wrestle next on Nitro?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I'm going to be there this week in Charlotte. Sometimes we show up and don't do anything. If I had my way I'd wrestle on every Nitro, and every house show.
STING08 (Prodigy Member)
what do you think of the WWF's DX?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
To be honest, I think it's pretty funny. I don't like it when they get too crude, and try to push the envelope. I'm a big mark for Shawn Michaels, and he's struck on a good gimmick.
PWBTS (Prodigy Member)
Do you still wrestle over in Japan occasionally...and what would you say are the fundemaental differences are between the two styles?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Last time I was in Japan was September. If I could work there 20 weeks a year, I would seriously think about just working there. Either you love Japan or hate it, and I love it. I love the style and love being a heel. You can go work 20 minutes if you want, and they just take the highlights and put it on tv. The respect level for the wrestlers is incredible. If you are a pro wrestler in Japan you are respected. If you are a fan of pro wrestling
it's almost a status symbol. Here you're over if you cut a good promo. There you're over if they think you can kick anybody's ass. It's more of an athletic competition than just a show...even
though it's still a show.
Tanabe Zach (Prodigy Member)
Chris - What was it like to work for the WAR Promotion? They have the suckiest core of Heavyweights, but they had a great set of Juniors with Lance Storm, Gedoh, etc. What was it like to work with some of their better workers?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
When I worked for WAR we had the core of juniors and it was good. It put me on the map, especially working with Dragon. The SuperJ Cup was a great experience. We had a great time and did some great angles there. I enjoyed it. They took great care of me. What more can you ask for.
Tanabe Zach (Prodigy Member)
Chris - Can you recall the first time that you made a "big splash" in Japan? Was it Onita or Tenryu/WAR that got you the push that you got for your International fame?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Definitely wasn't Onita. The first time with Onita I was 21 and had no idea what I was doing. Their style is not my style. The first time I made a splash in WAR was a tournament for their International Jr Belt. I worked 3 times in one night and the final was against Gedoh. Benoit was there and came by and said I had done great. The next year is what raised me. That put me on the map in Japan.
InTheZone EG (Prodigy Member)
Hi Chris...is the new "rough edge" gimmick you've taken on the real you...quoting Beavis and Butthead certainly sounds sincere ...and I'd have to say that I like it a lot
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
The new rougher edge is something I started doing on my own. It's my style and is what I've been more comfortable with. I always felt more comfortable that way, and decided to start doing something with myself. It's definitely what I like to do. I'm not the happy babyface boy WCW wants me to do. There aren't many babyfaces left, so that's what I want to be...but I want the
rougher edge.
InTheZone EG (Prodigy Member)
What are your thoughts about the possible return of Stampede Wrestling?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
It's funny. Every year since I started there have been rumors that Stampede is starting up. I think Calgary is a great place for wrestling. The market is there. The problem is if you serve someone filet mignon and then salisbury steak, they won't eat the salisbury steak. I started at the very end of Stampede. One thing it needs is a Hart involved, preferably Stu or Bret. I heard this one will be Bruce, and I'd love to see it start up again.
LionHeartBT (Prodigy Member)
What was your take on the whole, "Bret Hart" senario?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Bret is my friend, and maybe the guy I respect most in this business. I don't think he ever wanted to leave, and when it happened it broke his heart. On the other hand, I can almost understand what Vince did. He had to get the belt off Bret, but I don't understand why they did it the way they did. Bret is pissed off, and will show that he's still the best when he gets here.
InTheZone EG (Prodigy Member)
If you did join WWF Chris, and they did make you a star, would you as quickly return to WCW for a larger contract as did so many others?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
This is a business, and the answer I'll give might be because I'm naive. I've never been in the business for the money, it's a dream. The most important thing to me is being happy and enjoying my business. Right now I'm not as happy as I want to be, so if I went to WWF and became a big star and got happy, I'd never want to leave. Being happy is the most important thing. This is my life and is what I love to do. At some point if I stop loving it,
I have to stop doing it.
parjens (Prodigy Member)
Who was your role model when you decided to enter the wrestling world?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
When I grew up I was a "love the babyface" kind of fan. I hung out at the hotels and talked to the guys. When I first started, I always liked Benoit. I thought he was cool, and he was my size. Even back then he was great. I wanted to go to Japan because he went there. Also Owen Hart. He was so dynamic. I remember a montage they did on Stampede of Bret's greatest moves. I was also a big Rockers fan and liked Shawn.
NeutronSTAR (Prodigy Member)
What do you enjoy doing when you are not wrestling? Do you watch wrestling on TV?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
That's funny. If I'm not on the show, I don't watch because it makes me angry. I like music quite a bit, and I'm getting into the computers so I like that. I guess besides wrestling, it would be hockey and music.
JingleBelRoc (Prodigy Member)
Chris thanx for coming ....after watching your matches with some of the heavyweights .... Ihave got to say you are one of the hardest workers in the ring .....When will we see you getting a push again toward a title
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I'm asking myself the same question. I'd definitely like a larger role. I was quite surprised when they gave me the cruiserweight belt. I think it's more of a style of wrestling. I don't really feel comfortable with the cruiserweight moniker, it's too limiting. It doesn't matter how much you weigh. Look at the weight of the WWF champion.
JingleBelRoc (Prodigy Member)
Chris would you like to see a promotion like FMW come to the states and would you join in on those hardcore matches
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I like FMW a little bit. I don't like bad workers trying to have wrestling matches, and they have a lot of that. On the other hand, the barbed wire bomb kill your mother matches are kind of interesting. I've had barbed wire matches before, and it hurts a little but no big deal. I guess I'd do an exploding match for fun.
PWBTS (Prodigy Member)
Your match in Plymouth Meeting with Sabu while you were in ECW was fabulous. How was it to wrok with the most homicidal, suicidal, genocidal wrestler in the business?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
That was something Paul asked me just before I left. He asked me who I wanted to work with, and I said Shane Douglas and Sabu. I enjoyed the match, I wish it was more than a one time thing. It's difficult to have a good match the first time you work with somebody. With Sabu it clicked right off the bat. Some things were difficult, but we clicked. He's a good person, and a good friend. Another thing was we were the main event, and that made it much more cool.
PSRazor (Prodigy Member)
How well do you get along with the "big wigs" in WCW? Guys like Bischoff, Hogan, etc?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Hogan has always been cordial to me. One time we were waiting in line for a plane, and he let me cut in line with him as his little brother. As far as Eric, he has always been super cool to me. If I ever have a problem, I call him and he answers the phone. I like Eric Bischoff and respect his ambition. Look what he created when people called him crazy. I never settle for second best and neither does he.
LionHeartBT (Prodigy Member)
Beulah's at the front door, Sunny's at the back door, Sable's climbing down the chimney, Kimberly's climbing in the bathroom window, and all the other wrestling chicks are trying to get into your house to. What, do you do?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
It's kind of funny. People always ask about Kimona, who I think is one of the all time wrestling chicks. I think Sable is pretty hot. I know Sunny, but I could never indulge with her because of my friend Chris. I guess most of them are off limits, but you can still dream.
PSRazor (Prodigy Member)
Chris--Do you think there is a chance of a new Hart Foundation with Bret, Benoit and yourself?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I don't know. Personally, I would love to see it. It would be great for myself and Chris. It would be a great situation.
InTheZone EG (Prodigy Member)
If you were prez of the WWF right now, what would you do to get back on top? Or likewise, what would you do to keep WCW on top, or utilize the talent?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
If I was the prez of the WWF, I would tone things down a bit on the smutty direction, and I would go back to what I do best, which is creating stars. If I'm the prez of WCW, I'd keep doing what I'm doing but I'd give the mid card guys more of a spotlight and more intermixing with the top guys.
InTheZone EG (Prodigy Member)
When you watch the shows after you've worked the match, are you ever surprised at what the commentator's say, if you listen at all...because Tenay and a few others, they just don't do you justice.
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
I like to watch the matches, and sometimes it's disheartening to hear the commentators because a lot of times it has nothing to do with what you're doing. If the people commenting on it are ignoring it, it gives the audience the opinion that it's not important. The younger stars are as important as the older guys. How many times in a Hogan match do they talk about Benoit of
Malenko?
PTQL Traxler (Prodigy Member)
chris, thanks for hanging out with us. whats the story behind the picture of chris benoit and you on dory funks website entitled "chris new girlfriend'?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
That's Dory's wife's idea of a joke, I guess. She took that picture two years ago at Stu Hart's birthday show. She took it, and put it on her site, and made a little funny.
PFWA Brian (Prodigy Member)
Chris- Could you tell us the story about how you broke your arm in SMW?
Chris Jericho (Speaker)
Wow...good question. It all started in the summer of 94 and Dragon and myself were swimming in a pool in Japan. I was doing shooting star presses off the diving board. He said to me, "I know you can do one", so I thought I could. I started practicing and went home for the big SMW show. I was going on the road with the ring crew and tried it a few times and landed wrong every time. I'm thinking "I know I can do this". The day of the show I asked Cornette if I could go to the ring and practice. He said "yeah, just don't break anything". So, I went out and landed on my arm and broke it. I went to the hospital and they told me I
needed an operation the next day. I had them put a soft cast on it, and went back to the building and Cornette was going nuts. I told him not to worry, I was going to work. It was incredibly stupid...but they took good care of me in the match. Then, when I juiced it was a complete mess. I looked like I had been at a slaughter house. The next day I went and got my operation and had 7 screws put in my arm. I remember Terry Funk asked me "What did you do, son". I told him "I was just being a dumbass". He said "I understand, I'm the king of the dumbasses." I never tried another Shooting Star Press.
In closing, thanks for the chance to do this. I'm getting involved in computers now. Be sure to check out my website, www.chrisjericho.com
I'm having fun with it, and I love my business and respect it very much. Thanks a lot.
