Chris Jericho interview (Jericho shares travel tales)
True dedication required to live life of a WWE star
By TJ Madigan of the Calgary Sun
From the outside looking in, the life of a WWE superstar looks like a pretty sweet deal but, as Chris Jericho explains, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
"It can definitely be glamourous at times," said Jericho, who will wrestle tonight in a live taping of Monday Night Raw at the Saddledome (action begins at 5:30 p.m. with a series of matches taped for WWE's weekend cable show).
"Especially when you're on TV and the match is going on. But there's nothing glamorous about the trips you have to make or the miles you put on over the years. There's a lot of waiting around and a lot of travel. Then throw in the injuries and the crap food you have to eat at Waffle House while you're on the road and, in the end, it's not quite as glamorous as you think."
When Brock Lesnar quit the business, he largely blamed the hectic touring schedule for burning him out. WWE superstars are on the road for five days a week, 52 weeks a year, often without any kind of break and with no off season.
"Our schedule is hardly ever normal," Jericho said. "On an easy week, we leave Friday morning and work Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Then we tape Raw on Monday and go home on Tuesday. We're usually home late Tuesday morning for a day or two, then back on the road again for a show on Friday. It never stops."
In between those dates, WWE stars often have to take on additional duties, such as interviews or autograph signings. In Jericho's case, he also plays gigs as the lead singer of rock band Fozzy, which leaves him with virtually no time at home with his family.
"It's one of those things, where you have to make your choices. My wife is very tolerant of it.
"I met her when I was already wrestling, so this is the only way we've ever know it. When I'm at home, I stay at home with my wife and my son and do family stuff. I make sure the days I'm home are quality days."
Of course, the time isn't always quality when you're recovering from injuries. Most WWE grapplers live with a degree of pain that would be career-ending in any other sport.
"If our roster were an NHL team, I'd say half of them would be on the disabled list," Jericho explained. "You're not allowed to be hurt when you're in the wrestling business. You can be in discomfort or have a bit of pain, but it's something you can't let keep you down. That's just the wrestling mentality."
One problem many celebrities complain about is the constant pressure to be 'on' around fans and never having a moment to yourself but Jericho accepts that it comes with the territory.
"It's part of the deal when you work on this job," he said. "If you don't like it, you should go get a job at McDonalds or something. Honestly, I think the real problems would start if people didn't recognize you everywhere you go. It'd mean you're not doing very well."
But for all its faults, Jericho insists he loves the wrestling business and wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's one of those things, if you have a passion for it and you really want to do it, then you make the time for it. If you're fortunate enough that things take off and there's the opportunity to do more things, then you have to strike while the iron is hot.
"I'm happy, I'm healthy, and hopefully my career will continue on this road."
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Everyone falls down......the good ones get back up and get back in the game.
- Ric Flair
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