Chris Jericho
News

With the recent injuries to Undertaker and Ken Kennedy, the tremendous amount of uncertainty regarding the future of Randy Orton, and the upcoming departure of Rob Van Dam, the WWE is in need of some big name superstars.

As a result, Dave Meltzer is reporting that due to recent circumstances, the company’s interest in Chris Jericho has escalated.

WWE was have said to have wanted the former Undisputed Champion back by the fall, perhaps for the three-hour October “season premiere” of RAW, but an internal decision has now been made to make a major play for Jericho to be available for SumemrSlam. Of course, this does not mean that Jericho is a lock to return to WWE as TNA Wrestling is also hot on the trail.

TNA would seem like the better option for Jericho considering that TNA is in Orlando, which is near his home and he could continue to spend time at home with his young children. However, given the way TNA has handled Kurt Angle, it has certainly appeared less attractive lately. Nonetheless, no formal offer has been made by either said and negotiations are casual at this time.

• Cruiserweight champion Chavo Guerrero’s contract is set to expire this April. No word yet on if he plans to resign; however, WWE normally tries to persuade talent to resign several weeks before their contracts expire.

• Friends close to Chris Jericho say that he is getting the “itch” to return back to the ring. Jericho is not interested in resuming a full travel schedule and would like to get a contract that's similar to Mick Foley. He is open to working in TNA Wrestling if the money is right, but would prefer to sign back with WWE

WWE officials are currently in negotiations with former superstar Chris Jericho. If a deal is reached it is likely he will return to the company this September with the RAW brand.

TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter is also said to have a strong interest in signing Jericho.

Jericho left WWE in August of 2005 after his short-term contract expired. Since departing from the company he has been very active in his band Fozzy, touring across the country. His band has also been involved for several musical-bits for TNA.

Will Chris Jericho appear in a TNA Wrestling ring someday soon? Possibly.

But we can say for sure that the former WCW and WWE star will be signing autographs at the following locations and times:

Tim Baines of Slam! Wrestling has an interview up with former WWE star Chris Jericho where he talks about leaving WWE, his new book, if he would consider a return to wrestling and more. Here are some highlights:

On his "retirement" from wrestling:
"I never said I was retired. After 15 years with no serious injuries and wrestling at such a high level, I needed a break. I was burned out. So I took myself out of the game before I was forced to take a break."

If he plans on returning to wrestling:
"I don't think (my return) will be happening anytime soon. But at least I've gotten into the groove of being a wrestling fan again. I've gotten back into watching wrestling ... RAW and TNA."

Who has contacted him from wrestling since he left:
"From the day I left, they called. WWE, All Japan, New Japan, NOAH, TNA ... I would not want to come back and trash my legacy. It's kind of good when a character leaves. It's like a cheap hooker on the street. If you see her every night, it tarnishes the legacy. And that's what I was heading towards."

On his new book "A Lion's Tale":
"I'm very close (to the book). I lived these stories. It's almost Stranger in a Strange Land meets wrestling. I took a page from Walk the Line, which focused on a certain phase of Johnny Cash's life. The book is the whole journey ... it ends when I get to WWE."

To read the full interview, click here.

Is Chris Jericho headed to TNA?

According to that company's website, the brand will once against be using a song by Jericho's band, Fozzy, for an event.

Expect to hear "The Test" during the upcoming two-hour Monday night TV TNA iMPACT special on February 12. (Note: RAWwill air that week on Thursday, 2/15).

Chris Jericho posted the following on his MySpace page recently:

Hello Jerichoholics and Team Jericho Myspace Friends!

Just wanted to let you know that the second draft of "A Lion's Tale" had been finished and submitted to publisher Warner Brothers. I've been working on this book for over a year and almost everyday for the last 5 months, so it's a great feeling to be in the final stages!

I think the stories and experiences in this thing are going to amuse and amaze you like no other book has.

This coming of age, stranger in a strange land story about how I acheived my dream of becoming a pro wrestler was written by me for you. I can't wait for you guys to check it out.

We did a photo shoot for the cover last week and we're working on the layout for it as we speak.

It will be released Oct of 07 so start planning your trip to the book store now. Pack a sandwich, an Ipod (for the massive lines) and buy one for you and Grandma Muriel.

God bless you guys and we'll talk soon...

There was no word on any possible appearance at Wrestlemania 23, as many WWE rumors would have you believe.

• Chris Jericho will be signing autographs Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, GA from 12-2. It's part of "God Bless Fort Benning Day," honoring the troops stationed at near by Fort Benning. The night before, Fozzy will be performing at SOHO in Columbus; tickets are $10 and showtime is 10 p.m.

• The following is the final card for Sunday’s TNA Genesis pay-per-view:

NWA World Heavyweight Title Match
- Sting vs. "The Monster" Abyss

Dream Match Of The Decade
- Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe

NWA World Tag Team Title Match
- LAX vs. AMW

X Division Title Match
- Christopher Daniels vs. Christ Sabin

- "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage

- The Truth & Lance Hoyt vs. Austin Starr & Alex Shelley

- Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Kazarian, Bentley & Johnny Devine

- The Rober Roode Open Challenge

- The Naturals vs. Sonjay Dutt & Jay Lethal

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, TNA wrestling management and Chris Jericho have been in contact with each other in regards to him joining the company sometime in the future.

And not just in a singing capacity.

Dixie Carter has had several talks with Jericho, who is known to keep close tabs on the industry.

While Y2J's name is high up on the list of people that TNA management wants to bring in for the company, the belief within WWE is that Jericho will end up back in his old wrestling ground when he does decide to return to the ring.

First, Kurt Angle.

Now, Chris Jerchio?

While there have been rumors that Y2J will return to the WWE in the near future, he'll at least stop by TNA iMPACT first. But only as a musician.

Here's the company's press release regarding the event:

On Thursday, October 19, on TNA "iMPACT!" on SpikeTV at 11pm ET, Chris Jericho and his band "Fozzy" will be featured in a music video for the song "Enemy" from their "All That Remains" album.

The national television debut of the video will feature Jericho and Fozzy, along with the stars of TNA Wrestling, just days before the Bound For Glory Pay-Per-View extravaganza on Sunday, October 22 live from Detroit, Michigan.

It's not a wrestling appearance, but it still can't make Vince McMahon happy that a former WWE superstar will be featured on a TNA broadcast.