Truth Behind Jake Roberts / FIP Incident; Jim Ross' Latest Blog; Chris Jericho Interview
There are conflicting reports going around the net regarding an incident that occurred Friday night involving Jake 'The Snake' Roberts. Since I've read all claims online and actually spoke to a few fans that met Jake Roberts outside the building, here's what we believe happened. And if it seems bland, it is.
There was a salary dispute between Jake Roberts and FIP. This led to an arguement between both sides and Jake Roberts was told to leave the building. Claims that he was escorted out of the building by Police are false.
A short time later, FIorida promoter Sal Hamouni hit the ring and advised Jake would not be on the show since he was 'incoherent'. FIP offered fans a refund since Jake Roberts would not be appearing which some did. Their loss though because I heard the show was excellent. They also offered fans to take a picture with a snake they rented for the show.
After Jake Roberts left the building, he hung outside take a few pics for fans and signing autographs. Noone we spoke to said Jake was under the influence, and he was quoted outside the building that the falling out was due to money issues. It seems that many like to immediately reference Jake's history with 'being incoherent' when the situation is needed. In this case, it was not needed and absolutely wrong. Let alone to make the accusation publicly which could affect future bookings for Jake Roberts for other promotions.
Expect a statement from Jake Roberts in the upcoming days. We will definitely speak about this in much more detail during Monday's webcast. We have a few fans that attending the show that may call in.
Jim Ross has posted a new blog over at his website, which you can read by CLICKING HERE.
The Winnipeg Sun posted this interview with Chris Jericho:
When last we saw Chris Jericho in a wrestling mode, it was 2005 and he was getting his ass hauled out of a building by security. Ejected after losing a 'You're Fired!' match to John Cena.
And while Jericho, "Y2J, the King of Bling Bling, the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla and the Sexy Beast" all rolled into one believes he can once again rock the wrestling world, he's not ready to return yet.
"I never said I was retired," says Jericho over the phone. "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."
It's not like Jericho hauled his ass over to the beach, pulled up a lawnchair and searched for the meaning of life. He stayed busy ... very busy. There was a world tour with his rock band, Fozzy. There was a TV pilot for the USA Network (it didn't get picked up). There was an XM Satellite Radio show, Rock of Jericho. There was Opening Night, a play in Toronto last summer. There was Celebrity Duets, where he sang alongside Lee Ann Womack and Peter Frampton. And there was his memoirs, A Lion's Tale, which he poured his heart and soul into for four or five hours a night(the book should be on shelves in October).
"I'm very close (to the book)," he says. "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 to get there ... it ends when I get to WWE."
Jericho is trying to get back into that wrestling zone.
"I have to be there 100% mentally as well as physically," he says. "Mentally, I was completely fried.
"I don't think (my return) will be happening any time 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.
"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. You can't become a parody of yourself. There will always be a place for Chris Jericho. I could go back tomorrow and cause the same ruckus I did three years ago."
Jericho says he plotted his own WWE departure.
"I never wanted to be loved as a heel ... if you are, it's mission failed. What better way for a heel to leave than to be carried out kicking, screaming and crying. I would rather be the biggest baby coward.
"It's a tough job. I don't feel bad about walking away. I wanted to spend more time with my family. The other wrestlers know I'm lurking out there ... I'm kind of like wrestling's Santa Claus .... I can tell who's good and who's bad."
Jericho got a hoot out of a Winnipeg Sun April Fool's joke last year, a ruse that had him run for the leadership of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party. But he says he has no real political aspirations.
"I've been a politician for years in wrestling ... and I'm not very good at it. I tend to speak my mind."
Oh, and one more thing, since the Jets left Winnipeg, Jericho has become a huge Calgary Flames booster.
"I'm an Iggy (Jarome Iginla)fan," he says.
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