Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Friday, June 30, 2006 at 7:24 PM EST

The following was transcribed by Dan “Ho-Ju" Kriegbaum:

The first-ever Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, the lead singer of Fozzy, & the newest star of the upcoming theatre production of Norm Foster's "Opening Night," Chris Jericho, was one of the special guests on this past week's live edition (6/26/06) of Monday Night Mayhem, which can be heard in streaming audio every week (and live from 7-9PM ET every Monday night) exclusively on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.WrestlingMediaNetwork.com, www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com, www.Dory-Funk.com, & celebrating its 10th Anniversary, www.AudioWrestling.com -- your official home of "The Spring Break Incident" Video-On-Demand, featuring Stuff Magazine's all-new fitness correspondent, the hottest member of this past season's edition of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," & WWE Diva, Stacy Keibler).

The interview with Y2J is now available to hear for FREE in Real Audio!

Here are some of the highlights from the interview provided by the show's senior correspondent, and host of Mark Out Radio, Dan “Ho-Ju" Kriegbaum.

---

The Mayhem was joined by the man himself, Chris Jericho, as he was welcomed onto the program by The Big Mosh & Blade. It only took four+ years wrestling fans -- but we were ready to bring the goods to you!

Blade then mentioned that he was waiting to talk music with Chris Jericho, since they both have the same taste in music. Jericho then told a story about how he hung out with Axl Rose for the day in the studio and around New York City, and how cool Axl was to be around. Blade then plugged Chris Jericho's XM Radio show, "The Rock Of Jericho" and names some of his favorite bands that he can hear on it, including Motley Crue & LA Guns. Jericho talked about how he likes doing the show, then says he can't go that low to play LA Guns, and adds that he can play whatever he wants on satellite radio without a set playlist. Blade then asked if Chinese Democracy will appear in 2006, and Jericho says that he honestly doesn't know, but he would like a name change. The Big Mosh then plugged Jericho's XM show again, and also The Rock Of Jericho's MySpace (located at www.MySpace.com/The RockOfJericho).

The Big Mosh then asked Jericho what it has been like to step away from wrestling and venture out into doing these other things like acting in Android Apocalypse and Norm Foster's "Opening Night." Jericho answered that he accomplished everything that he could in wrestling, and that he is a goal- oriented guy -- so he is enjoying the opportunities that he has been given through the different other acts that he has done, and accomplishing the other goals that he made & set for himself.

The Big Mosh went on to ask Jericho if he thinks the wrestling business has changed in the past ten months that Jericho has been gone. Jericho says although it's nice that companies are starting up, with the new Extreme Championship Wrestling, & other companies succeeding (such as TNA), he thinks wrestling in general is in a bit of a downswing. He added that he sees younger guys that will be coming up which could bring the business back up, and also addded other thoughts on the current business (including his thoughts that DX will "be good for about a month"), and that wrestling is always a constant change & evolution. He summed up the question by saying that he doesn't think it's changing, it's just moving along like it always has.

Blade then asked what Jericho thought of the outrage from the fans whenever he posted the TNA logo on his website, hinting that he might be headed there. Chris said that the first time he did it was definitely the best for him, because it was just after he left the "WWF" -- which he then corrected to "WWE.... sue me." He said that he did it to mess around with the people on the internet who think they know everything, and a joke to let them know that he still "pulls the strings."

The Big Mosh then asked if Chris thinks guys like himself, The Rock, Goldberg, & Brock Lesnar will return to wrestling in the next year or so. Chris said that he can't answer for the other three, although Brock is still wrestling, just over in Japan, Goldberg is "doing his own thing," and The Rock is interested in acting now.

The Big Mosh went on to ask Chris Jericho his thoughts on his Sci-Fi Channel debut in "Android Apocalypse" & the experience in general. Jericho said that it was a great experience, and it was an opportunity to shine in another field that he didn't do before. He mentions Joey Lawrence, also in the film, and said that he didn't feel it was negative because he was in it. Mosh then asked about how they billed him as "WWE Superstar" in the commercial, but Jericho said that he thinks it was just to boost viewers by using his name & his claim to fame. He then jokes, saying that they could have put Chris Jericho, the egg salesman or the man who makes the best fudge brownies in town -- but that probably would not have done much.

The Big Mosh then asked the former ECW wrestler.. not superstar.. his thoughts on the new version of the "Extreme" -- with the WWE putting their own spin on it. Chris said "Of course it's got a WWE spin on it. It's owned by World Wrestling Entertainment. It's Vince McMahon's version of ECW". He said that it's not 1995 anymore, and they have to try new things. Chris said that it's impossible to create what happened 10 years ago, and also adds that ECW did have exhibitionists & characters like the current ECW -- they were just played by The Blue Meanie, Stevie Richards, Damien 666, & Kimona. Chris added that they have a great timeslot, and to stay on the network they have to do business and compromise with what Sci-Fi wants them to have. He also said that we have to live with it, because Vince is the boss, and signs the checks now. He wishes guys like Sabu nothing but the best for finally being able to get a good paycheck -- after putting his body on the line for years for almost nothing.

The Big Mosh then plugged Chris' upcoming venture being put together by Bird Entertainment, Norm Foster's "Opening Night" theatre production (from July 20th-22nd in Toronto, Ontario Canada), and then asked what the process going into this play has been like. Jericho stated that he's been working with coaches in Los Angeles, and they wanted him to get into a play. He then compared to how plays are like to wrestling -- with having one shot for it to come off good, having certain characters, & such. He said that the opportunity fell into his lap and he took the opportunity of playing in the comedy as a middle aged Vonage salesman. Jericho said that he loved performing in Toronto over the years, and is looking forward to performing there again in "Opening Night."

The Big Mosh & Blade then rundown proper attire for attending a play such as this, and then Blade jokes that all of the marks that usually line up for wrestling shows will probably be behind the Toronto Centre For The Arts looking for autographs. Jericho jokes that it looks like a lot of the people that line up for said autographs at events don't have enough money to purchase a ticket into the event, and they are looking for autographs to sell on E-Bay. This then lead Blade to ask Chris what the age limit he thinks should be to line-up and wait backstage/behind the arena. Jericho said that he doesn't think there should be an age limit, there are old people waiting for autographs in every sport, but thinks that a requirement should be at least 30% girls waiting to meet them, which "is not too much to ask for." The Big Mosh then mentions the one infamous TNA Jeff Hardy fan always at ringside, who The Mayhem saw while in Orlando for the TNA Sacrifice Pay-Per-View. Jericho then seemed shocked that it was a guy, after asking Mosh & Blade, and said that he knew exactly who they were talking about. Jericho then joked that there aren't many gimmicks to imitate, so Hardy is a good one...unlike somebody like "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters.

Chris then commented on his comments from a recent article a few months back with The Edmonton Sun, where he said WrestleMania was the only time he missed wrestling in the past ten months. He said that was the one time, for sure, that he got into the show watching it as a fan, and not as a performer. He added that he doesn't miss wrestling, but he'll always love it, and as long as all of these other opportunities keep coming up constantly, there is no reason to come back. "But when the time is right, I'll know it, and I'll be better than I ever was." The Big Mosh then asks how it feels to know that fans worldwide still support him, and want him to come back to possibly boost either TNA's or WWE's ratings. Jericho says that when one big name person always left, new guys always stepped up & filled the void, and the ratings never plummeted -- naming guys like The Rock, Mick Foley, & "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels as examples. He said that he's happy though that there aren't a lot of guys that can do what he can do to his caliber, and thinks he would be welcomed back with open arms. Chris then puts over guys like The Spirit Squad, thinks Carlito has potential, and likes watching guys like "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, & "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe. Chris added that their aren't personalities like the olden days, and guys should start taking a chance -- but the characters part falls on some of the writers.

Congratulations go out to John Signorelli (second prize winner), Steve Gage (first prize winner), & the Grand Prize Winner, Adrian Vosburg, for being chosen as the three finalists/winners in "The Summer Of Mayhem Part III's North Of The Border VIP Meet & Greet Contest." Courtesy of The Mayhem, EyeCandyNY (the official travel agency of The Mayhem), & Bird Entertainment, Adrian won an all-expenses paid trip for two to Toronto, Ontario, Canada (including two nights hotel & round-trip airfare for himself & a guest), a pair of VIP tickets to "Opening Night" at the Toronto Centre For The Arts (Saturday night, July 22nd @ 8PM ET), and a special Meet & Greet with "The Highlight Of The Night" himself, Chris Jericho! Thanks to the hundreds of people that entered, and there's more contest action coming your way quite soon!

Tune in to this near 45-minute awesome interview, to hear all of these thoughts & plenty others: his upcoming book/personal memoirs that he's in the process of working on, how being in the WWE is "like being a part of the mafia for life," Fozzy's upcoming projects, more thoughts of his candid takes on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, his final thoughts on Norm Foster's "Opening Night," and much more!

*In addition to Chris' exclusive interview, fans who listen to the entire June 26th program, will be able to hear the newest & hottest TNA Knockout, Christy Hemme -- as she gave her own uncensored personal thoughts & takes on the latest crop of girls who will be a part of the 2006 WWE Divas Search, what the fans/viewing audience can expect from the soon-to-be-released Knockouts DVD (coming this August), & much more!