Featured Article Chris Jericho

Interview with Chris Jericho
by Seth Mates

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Prior to Monday's episode of RAW here at the BI-LO Center, WWF.com had the opportunity to talk with Undisputed World Wrestling Federation Champion Chris Jericho about several subjects, including his successful title defense against The Rock at the Royal Rumble.

WWF.com: What did you think of the match last night?

Jericho: I thought it was great. I won -- how could it be anything but?

WWF.com: How would you compare it to the other matches you and Rock have had?

Jericho: I think it was one of the best ones we've had, maybe just a step underneath the No Mercy match but definitely better than all the other ones we've had. It was great, the crowd was awesome. I thought it was a very well-done match, put together well, and I really enjoyed it.

WWF.com: You're no stranger to Royal Rumble success, having won the Intercontinental Championship at the past two Rumble events, and having successfully retained your title last night. What is it about the Royal Rumble that brings out the best in Chris Jericho?

Jericho: It's just a good show for me. Last year with Benoit and this year with Rock -- it's just a good way to kick off the year, to see if I can top myself the rest of the year.

WWF.com: Fans seem to have really enjoyed your promo last Thursday on SmackDown!, with some calling it the best they've ever seen from you. What did you think of how it turned out?

Jericho: I agree with that; I think it's one of the best things I've ever done. I worked hard on it all day to get it the way I wanted it. And it was cool -- I watched the show as it went along and I really got into the character, really feeling all these people undermining me. I was shaking afterwards I was so into it.

WWF.com: What did you think of the storyline of all the other superstars looking at you as nothing more than a transitional champion, who would clearly lose to Rock at the Rumble?

Jericho: I thought it was great, because it was true. Nobody thought Y2J could do it, but I did it. And this is just the beginning. Just wait until you see the reign of terror that Chris Jericho is going to start right now. I mean what I say.

WWF.com: If nothing changes between now and then, the main event of WrestleMania X-8 will be you defending your Undisputed Championship against Triple H. What do you think of that?

Jericho: I think it would be great. We have a great chemistry; there's a great storyline there. I think it's the best possible main event you could have. Hopefully it transpires that way. I'm ready for it.

WWF.com: You performed a concert with Fozzy last Friday in Los Angeles. How did it go?

Jericho: It was awesome. It was unbelievably cool. We had a good sponsorship with a company called Peavey. It was cool having built this band up from the start. It's like my wrestling career, where I started out small and made it big, finally getting rewarded for it. We started this band two years ago, started small, and now we're flying out to the West Coast for this huge concert. Our band smokes -- I would put our band up against any band live. We're a great rock-n-roll band, and it's really coming together. I really have fun with it and enjoy it. I'm proud of what we've done, and proud of Fozzy.

WWF.com: Do you think we'll ever see your musical talents used as part of a Federation storyline?

Jericho: Probably not. I like to keep it separate. (Fozzy lead singer) Moongoose McQueen is Moongoose McQueen, and Chris Jericho is Chris Jericho.

WWF.com: How does the "Moongoose McQueen" character compare to the "Chris Jericho" character?

Jericho: Moongoose McQueen is my version of the ultimate rock star -- total prima donna, arrogant. They have a saying in music "LSD," for "Lead Singer's Disease." (laughs) And Moongoose definitely has that very, very badly. When we take the stage, it's our stage, and we rule. And it's the same with Chris Jericho -- when I go to the ring, I rule. I'm the greatest wrestler of all time, and Moongoose is the greatest lead singer of all time.

WWF.com: One final question -- do you think the "What?" catch phrase is out of control?

Jericho: It's definitely a very unique catchphrase, almost annoying at times. It's hard for a lot of people to be able to cut a promo even when Austin's not in the ring, because the people just want to chant "What?" -- they're not listening to what you're saying, they're just waiting for a break in the action. It's their version of booing nowadays. But being the manipulator and puppet-master that I am, I've figured out a way to combat the "What?" and people don't say it to me as much any more. Like I said, I'm smarter than the average bear and smarter than the average wrestler, so let them say it all they want. I really don't care. Let Steve make some money off it. (laughs)

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