Local boy makes bad
Villainous Chris Jericho loves wreaking havoc in his old stomping grounds
By TY PILSON -- Calgary Sun

 The Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Roll-a is sure to put on quite a performance tomorrow night at the Saddledome.

 WWE superstar Chris Jericho got his first chance to wrestle in the 'Dome two years ago, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

 The Winnipeg native, who lived in Calgary for eight years while training with the Hart family in the infamous Dungeon, had a list of five arenas he wanted to perform in during his career.

 The 'Dome was the last one to cross off.

 Tomorrow night's performance will be his third time in the ring at the 'Dome but Y2J said the glitter of performing at 'home' still shines.

 "The first time it was such a thrill to be in there," recalled Jericho.

 "Now it's just a pleasure to wrestle in the Saddledome because the crowd is so awesome there.

 "The last two times we went through, both Calgary and Edmonton, it was just crazy crowds.

 "You know it's always going to be a great time at the Saddledome because it's so electric."

 Which makes it that much more special for Jericho, who became the first Undisputed World Wrestling Federation Champion at Vengeance last December.

 "It's always great to come back to Calgary and Winnipeg and places like that because that's where I cut my teeth and grew up in those towns," said Jericho, who was actually born in New York where his dad Ted Irvine played hockey for the Rangers.

 "It always makes it extra special."

 Though Jericho only held the undisputed title for four months, he views that title reign as a badge of honour given to him by the newly named WWE.

 "I think, more than anything, it was just a tip of the hat from the company for a job well done," he said.

 "You bust your hump for a lot of years and some people say you're one of the best and other people hate you.

 "But when you're the champion, you are the best.

 "That's the company telling the world this guy is the best right now and that was cool to get that accolade, that feather in my cap."

 "But when you lose it, you work that much harder and come on stronger.

 "To be honest, I fell I'm better now than when I had the belt."

 Y2J has always displayed a cocky attitude but despite the fact he was supposed to a heel, many fans ate up his antics and treated him like a babyface.

 So when Jericho, who took his surname from the biblical city, struts down the ramp at the 'Dome, he's sure to receive a boisterous applause.

 "However, unlike times past, Jericho may not be as responsive.

 "It all depends how you do your job," answered Jericho, when quizzed about his popularity.

 "If I do my job right, they'll end up turning on me pretty quickly.

 "That won't be hard to do with the Calgary rednecks."

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