IC25's New Column - "Ok, I Feel Guilty Now"

[IrishCanadian25]

Amidst a full time job and all of my other hobbies (including writing for Wrestlezone), I found the time to read Chris Jericho's new book in roughly 8 days. Actually, it's more accurate to say that Jericho's book continuously drew me in for 8 consecutive days. The work that he's done in his two books never cease to amaze me, as they both give us a very solid and humorous insight into pro wrestling, rock music, and above all else the challenging life a pro wrestler leads while away from the prestige and glamour of the squared circle.

I got teary-eyed when Jericho talked about the passing of his mom and smiled when I heard about how Vince McMahon had a way of "just making things right." I laughed when I read about what a train wreck Chyna was and I felt the emotional pain when Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit died. And now, even I am scared of Sharon Osbourne. It was more than I expect from a biographical sequel. It was better than Foley's 2nd book.

But, as I have a habit of doing, I over thought it. And because misery loves company, I am going to share these thoughts with all of you and hope to make you all miserable too. Think of me the way you'd think of TNA's booking team. You're welcome.

When Aaron Rodgers, my beloved Green Bay Packers' quarterback, suffered a concussion during the 2010-2011 NFL season, I about panicked. I've seen concussions ruin the careers and livelihoods of too many athletes. But there Aaron was, a week later, playing. And there he was playing Chicago in the NFC Title game, getting hit in the head and clearly not recovering all the way. Even with the title in hand, it still makes me nervous.

So when fellow wrestling fans ask me my feelings on Chris Jericho coming back, I would always talk about how excited I was about the prospect of my all time favorite superstar back in the ring. "Can't wait." "I hope so, they need him." Take your pick. THEN, I read his book. I read about how Chris Benoit's attitude slowly devolved and jumped back and forth in a bi-polar fireworks display from quiet stoicism to exuberant joy. I read and turned page after page as Chris Jericho talked about how Benoit broke down one day on the phone crying because so many of his closest friends in the business were dead. Jericho described the longest hug in his life - an awkward embrace that Benoit seemed to not want to surrender. For the first time since that fateful night, I didn't feel anger at Chris Benoit. I didn't feel disgust. No, my friends, for the first time ever I felt pity.

Don't get me wrong - I am not making excuses for truly sickening crimes. But at the same time, I am not so blind as to ignore the fact that what was going on in Benoit's body and mind was similar to a disorder suffered by many NFL and NHL athletes who have had histories of concussions. It's a deadly cocktail of head injuries and pain medicine, steroids and slams, booze and bruise. The NFL is attempting to be proactive with this issue by making blatant head shots illegal. The WWE banned chair shots to the head. The whole thing makes me worry about Mick Foley if only for his "I Quit" match against the Rock.

I put down Jericho's book last Saturday Night at roughly 2:00 am, thrilled I had finished it, but with a new feeling. As I ignored the pleas from my wife to a) shut the f- up, b) turn off the damn light, and c) go the hell to sleep, I flipped back to the front page of "Undisputed" and stared at the autograph. "To Chris and Rebecca. Best Wishes. Y2J." I've met the guy 5 times, sang into a mic with him at a Fozzy show, and have two of his books autographed. I've followed his career since the mid-90's in ECW and obtained rare VHS tapes of Smokey Mountain Wrestling and Japan. I'm a true Jericho mark if one every existed.

Ask me today how I feel about the idea of him coming back...

I'm not so sure. I feel guilty wishing him back in the ring. Why I never thought of my favorite wrestlers the way I do my favorite football players is beyond me, but for the first time, I felt 'fan guilt.' The more I cheer for these guys, the harder they want to work. And the more that may put them in harms way. It's a juxtaposition we can never escape as fans. We can only hope that they try to keep each other safe and that the wrestling world has seen the end of 20- and 30-somethings dying in hotel rooms or legends erasing their legacies through murder-suicide.

So whether Chris Jericho is wrestling John Cena, rocking out with Rich Ward, or Dancing with Hines Ward, for now I feel good knowing that he's healthy. And I hope he, and the rest of pro wrestling's entertainers, remain that way.

 

[a0161613]

This may be your best column yet. It's certainly my favourite. It's a unique and personal approach and you write it really well. I dont want to gush but you know, it is really good.

I'm getting his book for my birthday later in the month. I cant wait because it sounds just incredible.

Your point about Foley is good. In Countdown to Lockdown, he already describes how difficult physical life is for him now. It's devastating to think that one of the greatest and most popular workers ever will suffer so horribly in the near future as his body breaks down as a result of wanting to entertain.

I always get the impression Jericho took care of himself and I feel Fozzy is his way to breaking the routine. He certainly is lucky never to have had a serious injury and I think he will be around for years because of that.

 

[Rayne]

If I had a vagina, I would want to have your babies.

I still might give you head for this column. I visit Jersey every summer. (Asbury Park, I spend a week in July every year drunk in the gutter outside of the Stone Pony.)

I've told you this in PM, but I'll say it publicly- the day you decide to stop writing won't be just a loss for this site, but it will be a loss for the entire internet wrestling community.

 

[Kenny Powers]

It is a great column, and I have only 90 pages left before I finish Jericho's latest book, Undisputed. I have read everything from Piper, Hogan, Flair, Funk, Michaels, Edge, and Foley. This is probably the greatest book from a pro wrestler that I have ever read. I didn't think I could get into the stories about Jericho's band Fozzy, but they were just as equally entertaining has his stories about WWE.

Jericho is lucky that he never received any serious injuries form wrestling. It is sad to see how most of his best friends are dead or even committed heinous crimes like Benoit. I don't know if he deserved all of his harsh criticisms from WWE wrestlers and Vince McMahon early on when he debuted with them, but I guess WWE likes to break down their wrestlers so they can build them up again.

As far as him coming back, I can't blame anyone for wanting to see Jericho back again. He said that he has accomplished everything in the wrestling business, and I agree with him. Jericho is one of a very few wrestlers that know when to step away from business and take a break. I applaud him for that.

 

[InuJoshua]

I loved this article. I agree that it's one of your best ones yet!

I read through Undisputed a few weeks ago. Benoit was, (and still is,) my favorite wrestler of all time and I read through the Benoit chapter twice trying to make any more sense out of the tragedy that I still think about often.

But I felt similarly to the way you felt. I read through Jericho's triumphs as well as the tragedies surrounding his friends that passed away, (Art Barr, Eddie, Benoit...) and wonder if it's really worth it for him to come back. I mean, as much of an asset he is, he's accomplished everything there is to do. He's coming off of a successful tour with Fozzy and has other ventures in Hollywood he can pursue. Is it really worth putting him at risk for another pop or two? Is it worth potentially seeing his biggest fear come true and break his neck off of a botched move when he doesn't have to?

I wouldn't say my perspective changed after reading Undisputed because I've felt similarly ever since Benoit died, but it did put it back into perspective. Jericho is lucky. He has the ability to walk away from the business in his prime and with his health intact. In the end, that's all us fans should really hope for in the men and women we cheer for.

 

[TSG]

What happened to Benoit was a tragedy. I feel pity fr him also. But part of that is also part of the game. You sign up, you know the risks. Some people just have to be smart and know when to take breaks or not do something. Some people just never got that, but I thin Jericho does.

I'd like him to come back as long as he is healthy. He is a great performer and if he can still go, by all means he should. Good article, by the way.

 

[Craig-O-Mac]

Chris, nice passage. I have read Jericho's books and have just felt a sadness finishing the damn things, I just want them to continue on and on. His words jump off the page to the point that you feel you're almost hanging out with the guy. He's unbelievably hilarious and articulate.


I've also taken to using the word FROOT among my friends.