**MERGED** Chris Jericho Suspended

[JETER123]

http://www.wwe.com/inside/jericho-brazil

Well, this sucks.

Apparently, the police stopped the match and made Jericho apologize or he'd be sent to jail. Wow.

 

[Elementz of Fear]

Am I the only one that, as much as it sucks, finds this hilarious? I didn't know Brazil was so uptight about their flag. I can't imagine they would have suspended the person if it were Orton, Cena, or Triple H. I'm shocked they even suspended Y2J unless they figure he's leaving soon anyway. WWE has done far worse angles/spots than this. See: Un-Americans, HBK sticking the Canadian flag up his nose, Sgt. Slaughter, etc. the list goes on. Get over it Brazil, it's usually Americans that are so damn sensitive.

 

[cult_of_icecream_bar]

He was lucky enough not to go to jail,it was stupid of his part.Insulting a countries national flag is the worst thing to do.Going up against punk buys you instant heat,he didnt need to do this.But i hope he'll come atop of it.

 

[Elementz of Fear]

He was lucky enough not to go to jail,it was stupid of his part.Insulting a countries national flag is the worst thing to do.Going up against punk buys you instant heat,he didnt need to do this.But i hope he'll come atop of it.

Worst thing to do? I can think of plenty worse. All he did was kick the flag out of the ring he didn't wipe his ass with it or worse, set it on fire like the Un-Americans almost did on live TV. Anti (insert country here) angles and spots have been going on for decades this isn't anything new. The only difference is that it happens to be illegal in Brazil and Jericho obviously didn't know that. If it was legal and he got a huge amount of heat from the crowd from it with no negative backlash he would have been commended backstage. This isn't like Finlay making The Miz interrupt the National Anthem in front of the National Guard.

 

[The Liar]

While this is definitely a lot less bad than JBL giving the Nazi salute at Germany house shows, he did break the law. That being said, the fact WWE suspended him over this is completely ridiculous. How are they going to explain his absence from television after viciously attacking Orton last week?

 

[Elementz of Fear]

While this is definitely a lot less bad than JBL giving the Nazi salute at Germany house shows, he did break the law. That being said, the fact WWE suspended him over this is completely ridiculous. How are they going to explain his absence from television after viciously attacking Orton last week?

I totally agree with you on both counts. Not worried about explaining the Orton thing though, WWE doesn't give a crap about logic. Proof: Cena losing to Nexus so he's fired but they give him a microphone and a camera backstage.

 

[DeathClutch]

Wow kicking the national flag into the crowd being such a big deal???

Imagine what they'd have done to Shawn Michaels if lay the flag down and dry humped it like he did to the Canadian flag at Survivor Series 97??

My guess it’s a storyline, WWE probably asked the cops beforehand to allow Jericho the opportunity to apologize so the cops allowed it, WWE will say they knew nothing about it to save their image like when Miz cut off the national anthem; but whatever, pretty cool way to written out of storylines though and keeps a storyline open for his return.

 

[Con T.]

Oh Christ.

Has anyone fucking been watching Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen? While UFC may think they wanted that fight to happen in Brazil, they have no idea what they were getting into.

Why? Because Chael Sonnen very likely would have wound up murdered. In cold blood. In Brazil.

The truth is, if you're an American.... Well, in this Canadian, but come from America, it's likely a good thing to remember that 90% of the world fucking hates our asses to begin with. When you do something like this, you fan the flames, and all you're doing is putting yourself in grace danger, putting the company you work for at risk (let's see how business gets done with the WWE an Brazil now), and for what? Cheap heat?

This will only be a week or two; this is damage control to what could have been so much worse

 

[ECW Sandman]

I first read this on TMZ of all places and after reading it I was shocked when I read that Police were going to arrest Chris. I like Jericho don't get me wrong but when you go to another country as a tourist or putting on a show weather it's wrestling or music, you should show that country some respect with this and what happen to Finlay when he had Miz Interrupt the singing of the American National Anthem at a house show. I think WWE Did the right thing, Chris was leaving again after Summer Slam to tour with his band again. My only question Will WWE ever take him back after this incident, Chris is really, really lucky he is not in a Brazilian prison right now after that hopefully he will learn his lesson do not get caught up in the heat of the moment and do something stupid like kick a flag.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Utterly ridiculous if its legit... especially when JBL got away with the goose-stepping stuff... If I was WWE I'd be more worried about relations with Jericho, if it's legit then their cushy relationship that would see him never going to TNA might just have ended...

If it's a storyline then it's pathetic, almost as bad as Rick Rude being suspended for insulting Bossman's mother...

 

[Reflection]

Wow kicking the national flag into the crowd being such a big deal???

Yeah it is. In most countries it is illegal to insult the national flag. In many cases, you cannot even host it upside-down, let alone kick it into the crowd.

Imagine what they'd have done to Shawn Michaels if lay the flag down and dry humped it like he did to the Canadian flag at Survivor Series 97??

He would probably be taken into police custody, from where he would get bail after paying a good amount of money. WWE would be criticized, and probably banned from airing in that country (at least temporarily).

My guess it’s a storyline, WWE probably asked the cops beforehand to allow Jericho the opportunity to apologize so the cops allowed it, WWE will say they knew nothing about it to save their image like when Miz cut off the national anthem; but whatever, pretty cool way to written out of storylines though and keeps a storyline open for his return.

Of course its a storyline. WWE are not fools to report such a shameful conduct by one of their superstars, on their official website. I'm guessing that's their way of booking him out of action until his next return, instead of having him disappear from action all of a sudden. Very smart booking on WWE's end, it leaves the option of catching up from this point in the storyline when he comes back.

 

[MB1025]

Here is why this is a big deal.


If you do anything to the Brazilian flag it is against the law and there are harsh penalties for doing so. That is why he almost got arrested.

 

[Edge=GOD]

Wow kicking the national flag into the crowd being such a big deal???

Imagine what they'd have done to Shawn Michaels if lay the flag down and dry humped it like he did to the Canadian flag at Survivor Series 97??

My guess it’s a storyline, WWE probably asked the cops beforehand to allow Jericho the opportunity to apologize so the cops allowed it, WWE will say they knew nothing about it to save their image like when Miz cut off the national anthem; but whatever, pretty cool way to written out of storylines though and keeps a storyline open for his return.

Yeah I'm with this guy here, Fozzy have 5/6 shows over here ( UK ) next week onwards so my guess is they would have written him off for 2 weeks anyway. They've probably filmed a backstage segment of Orton destroying Jericho to explain his "absence".

Maybe it's legit but afterall it's professional wrestling so I wouldn't hang on everything we hear.

 

[akrassikauda]

Oh Christ.

Has anyone fucking been watching Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen? While UFC may think they wanted that fight to happen in Brazil, they have no idea what they were getting into.

Why? Because Chael Sonnen very likely would have wound up murdered. In cold blood. In Brazil.

Was watching Sonnen on the Jim Rome show a week ago and he talked about his saftey in Brazil and how he pissed everyone off by calling Silva a fake Brazillian and the death threats he recieved and how he didn't trust the police to protect him. Certain people are just bat shit crazy, in Brazil if you say Messi is the best footballer (soccer player) over Pele you better be at the airport with the engines running. Things are different outside the US and Canada, Jericho should've known better.

Now folks don't blame Brazillians for getting upset it is their flag, we mave have laws here that say you can do whatever you want to the US flag and not go to jail over it but if someone spat on it I know I'll go apeshit. I don't even like when Canadians and Americans boo each others national anthems at hockey games, different laws in different countries don't blame them blame Jericho for using cheap heat. The reason I say blame Jericho because he's a veteran heel he knows how to get heat without going this route.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

It is rather convenient that this would happen just when Jericho did that interview where he addressed the people that were accusing him of leaving soon.

Does anyone have actual video of Jericho doing this?

 

[Con T.]

Ok, boys and girls, time we had a little talk about kayfabe, and why if you are implying that the WWE would do this to write Jericho out, you're an absolute fucktard.

1. We're all aware of how conscious the WWE is of image. See; firing Finlay for the interruption of the Anthem. Fuck, what about when Daniel Bryan was legitimately released, because Mattel complained about choking Justin Roberts.

Those were advertiser issues, for the most part, and advertisers that complained. What makes you think that the WWE wants an entire country to think they're insensitive fucks. If the WWE gives this story, they present an image they want no part of. At all.

B. Why would they do this off screen? When someone leaves, they'll usually write him off on screen, and let someone get something out of it. See; Batista when he left, fuck, what about Jericho when he left two years ago. Why, on Earth, would they have this storyline where he's written off screen, and no one gets anything.

Think logically here, people; if it's an angle, it's a really shitty one. And if ou believe it's an angle, I'm sorry, but it's still stupid

 

[bow.down.to.punk...]

Yes WWE superstars have done worse to flags, but the WWE knew what they were going to do as it was scripted. something tells me what Jericho did was off script and did it just to get heat. oops Jericho think next time.

 

[akrassikauda]

Ok, boys and girls, time we had a little talk about kayfabe, and why if you are implying that the WWE would do this to write Jericho out, you're an absolute fucktard.

1. We're all aware of how conscious the WWE is of image. See; firing Finlay for the interruption of the Anthem. Fuck, what about when Daniel Bryan was legitimately released, because Mattel complained about choking Justin Roberts.

Those were advertiser issues, for the most part, and advertisers that complained. What makes you think that the WWE wants an entire country to think they're insensitive fucks. If the WWE gives this story, they present an image they want no part of. At all.

B. Why would they do this off screen? When someone leaves, they'll usually write him off on screen, and let someone get something out of it. See; Batista when he left, fuck, what about Jericho when he left two years ago. Why, on Earth, would they have this storyline where he's written off screen, and no one gets anything.

Think logically here, people; if it's an angle, it's a really shitty one. And if ou believe it's an angle, I'm sorry, but it's still stupid

Yes why would WWE do this off camera in another country, another thing the Smarky Smarks and The Funky Bunch are coming up with is this is punishment for Jericho saying he's leaving. Yeah like the last time he said he was leaving and the time before that yeah folks real punishment, or how come JBL didn't get in trouble for doing the Nazi walk uhm JBL got into trouble, they let HBK dry hump the Canadian flag, that was pure storyline between the Canadian Purist and the American Degenirates.

Bottom line is Jericho will learn from this like Finlay did, times have changed and there is stuff you can't do now that you could do 20 years ago and just because it doesn't happen on tv doesn't mean the advertisers and sponsors aren't going to know about it who's to say NBC Universal will not call Vince about it in the morning all pissed off about this because they recieved phone calls about it from Brazillians who want to protest RAW and Smackdown or go after WWE sponsors themselves.

So saying this is some sort of angle or punishment for speaking out is absurd, he's being punished for causing an international incident that got picked up real quick here in the states by the best at telling the world that a celebrity fucked up, TMZ. If your a celebrity and you take a shit they will know everything about it. Those people are so good now the wrestling dirt sheets are getting info from them.

 

[Elementz of Fear]

After thinking about it a little more I guess the part that makes it bad is that it was off script. But I still don't see that as grounds to suspend him because what if it WAS planned? Obviously WWE wouldn't suspend him if they told him to do it or they said he could. The top talents go off script every once in a while and this wasn't even televised. Even looking at it as a PR move is silly because if WWE was going to be banned from Brazil after this suspending him wouldn't make a difference unless someone in here can tell me they legitimately believe Jericho will NEVER be back in WWE again.

Stepping outside of the whole national pride box for a second, doesn't anyone remember the more messed up story lines and spots WWE has produced? Katie Vick? Mae Young giving birth to a hand? A live sex celebration? Bossman being hung? Al Snow was fed his own dog for christ sake. Anyone suggesting this is a big deal needs to put it into perspective. He kicked a flag at a non televised event in a country WWE could probably (financially) do without if they absolutely had to. Big deal.

 

[newteenforbb]

The ONLY silver lining to this whole situation is now Jericho doesn't have to reduce himself to a feud with Randy BOREton. I was so worried that WWE were going to make Jericho lose to the guy at NWO. At least now, the match may seemingly be off and we don't need to someone of Jericho's high standard losing to someone that talentless.

So..silver lining in a sea of suck.

 

[DWFJT]

I'd be willing to bet this was scripted to happen. WWE has tried stuff like this before to try and blurr the lines of scripted and real

 

[Headman]

I would check the laws in Brazil before claiming this was fake. If it is in fact against the law to dishonor their flag in such a way, there is no way in hell the WWE would allow this. I think Jericho made a mistake but happens to be leaving soon anyway so the WWE decided to save face by suspending him with a wink and a nod and basically telling Jericho not to worry about future dates and "See you next year.".

 

[Firebird4Life]

I'm willing to bet it was planned. Think about it; the police storm the ring and say "Hey, that's disrespectful and illegal! You're under arrest!...unless you apologize to everyone right now."

Now I understand letting people off with a warning and letting things slide, but if the country is so up-in-arms about incidents like this, don't you think that he WOULD have been arrested? They would have cuffed him and taken him away to be bailed out later, not given the choice to apologize and be let off the hook.

And this is a fine way to write Jericho off TV. They won't need to film a "backstage beatdown" or anything like that. They'll just refer to the incident and say something like "last week, WWE.com reported that Chris Jericho denigrated the Brazilian flag at a local event..." and relay his "indefinate" suspension. We all know that Vince & creative have been more than happy to put the screws to the internet wrestling community as of late (remember the "I Got Heat" and similar shirts? Ryder gets a shot at the US Title because of his internet following?). This is a great way for them to try and put one over on us because marks will be all like "omg, he actually broke character to apologize and said he only did it to entertain people; it must be real!"

 

[Carlito_Orton]

This totally sucks worse has been done to flags though in the WWE.I remember when Batista shoved the quebec flag up la resistance's ass after beating them in a handicap match.And HBK putting the canadian flag in his nose also the un-americans wanting to burn the U.S flag etc.

I just made a video about this suspension too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aLcB20WX1A
[youtube]0aLcB20WX1A[/youtube]

 

[GameOver]

While this is definitely a lot less bad than JBL giving the Nazi salute at Germany house shows, he did break the law. That being said, the fact WWE suspended him over this is completely ridiculous. How are they going to explain his absence from television after viciously attacking Orton last week?

Simple. it's posted on the website and they will say it on commentry no doubt.
and it's not rediculous they suspended him, it's there PR on the line, if they don't appear to punish there workers for breaking the law or doing something stupid in public it is bad publicity and could result in WWE being banned from the country which they don't want.

anyway they could just write it into a storyline whereby he did something to piss off Laurinitis and since he's firing everyone atm it would make perfect sense, sure Jericho could give a shit, he doesn't need wrestling anymore