In a 24-hour span earlier this week, "Lionheart" Chris Jericho challenged Eddie Guerrero for the U.S. Championship, then teamed with Guerrero against Public Enemy.
Although Jericho didn't win championship gold at Sunday's SuperBrawl VII in San Francisco and Dean Malenko's interference on Monday Nitro cost Jericho and Guerrero the victory, their friendship is still solid. And that's most important - to both.
Championship belts are nice, friendships are nicer.
"Eddie is a good friend of mine, one of my best friends in this business," Jericho said. "When a title is at stake, sure, there's no such thing then as a friend. But, I'm glad both of us were able to walk away from SuperBrawl injury-free, then shake heads, our friendship intact."
There will, no doubt, be another title shot for Jericho, maybe for the TV Title, perhaps the Cruiserweight Crown or, who knows, maybe even a shot at "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan's World Heavyweight Title. It's just a matter of time.
For Guerrero, there will be, of course, plenty of title- defenses. Malenko will do whatever necessary to "get even" with Guerrero for interference -- albeit accidental -- at SuperBrawl, which cost Malenko the Cruiserweight Championship to Syxx of The NWO.
So what's ahead for Jericho?
Anyone, any time, any place, he says. Singles or tag team action.
Jericho returned earlier this month from a three-week tour with New Japan Pro Wrestling. It was his 28th time competing in Japan -- and hopefully not his last, he said.
"It was great; I really enjoyed myself," Jericho said of the Japanese journey. "I love Japan and can't wait to go back.
"I think I did pretty well. I won some, lost some, but, most important, I hope I got the respect of the Japanese wrestlers. The fans seemed to enjoy my style. Over the past few years, I've been to Japan almost monthly, so the fans remember me. Everything went as well as possible on the trip; I really enjoyed myself."
In Japan, Jericho competed mostly in tag-team and six-man matches. Singles matches are rare in the Land of the Rising Sun. He teamed for the first time with Shinjero Otani and Koji Kanimoto. He was usually pitted against Jushin "Thunder" Liger and The Samurai.
Jericho also teamed on occasion with Scotty Riggs. Is this the formation of a North American Males tag team?
"No ... I doubt it," Jericho said. "The Japanese style is a lot different than what we're used to in America. In Japan, you can be teamed with a guy one night, then fighting against him the next night.
"Japanese wrestling, as a whole, is a lot different than what you're used to seeing in the U.S. For instance, in the U.S., you'll see a lot of five-, six- and seven-minute matches, whereas in Japan, matches regularly go 20- or 30-minutes. Plus, the style over there is a lot more scientific and the fans there don't really make a lot of noise; they just watch the action. And, there really are no 'good guys' or 'bad guys.' The fans basically just cheer for who they like; they cheer moves. If you do a good move, they'll cheer for you; if I do a good move, they will cheer for me. They cheer for the move, regardless of who does it."
Jericho said he would like to team with Otani and/or Kanimoto in the U.S. Said Jericho, "Both are very good wrestlers; each could do some damage in the States, especially in the Cruiserweight Division. If there ever was a chance to bring them here, I would be the first one to stand in line for them."
Jericho's sojourn overseas also featured an appearance by -- who else?! -- the NWO. Marcus "Buff" Bagwell, Scott "Flash" Norton and Masahiro Chono ran amuck through the tour."They definitely made their presence known over there," Jericho said of The NWO.
Still, Jericho savored the experience.
"It's always an enjoyable experience wrestling in Japan, and this trip was no exception," he said. "Most of the time on this trip was spent in Tokyo, which is a great city. Sure, I've already been to the Tokyo Tower and many of the famous temples, but I love the city."
How about an out-of-the-ring highlight?
"It's always fun to experience another country's culture.
Cooking Korean barbecue, Jericho said. Plus, he was able to watch his matches nightly on Japanese television. "It's a rush seeing yourself on Japanese TV in the middle of the night," Jericho said. "Sure, I don't understand too much (of what the broadcasters are saying), but it's still nice. Plus, in the ring I enjoyed meeting some of the Japanese wrestlers who are legendary, such as The Great Muta."
