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Chris Jericho Taunts Mexicans All of a Sudden

His Friends Can't Understand Why

May 16, 2005

TAMPA, FL--Wrestler Chris Jericho has been taunting Mexican wrestlers recently, and his sudden behavior has industry observers somewhat surprised, sources said Wednesday. 

Jericho announced his beliefs in his brand new book, Why Lucha Libre is Simply Wrong, published by Simon & Schuster and in conjunction with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).  In the book, Jericho describes his growing frustration with wrestlers from Mexico, and pokes fun at what he calls their "Choreographed-looking, acrobatics tumble-show."

Jericho promoting his new book, Why Lucha Libre is Simply Wrong

"Just look at the luchadores Mexico has produced," said Jericho during an appearance on Off the Record in Canada.  "They're short, stocky, dress in silly costumes, wear masks with pointy things, and generally fly around in unbelievable fashion.  It's not credible, and it's killing the business.  I spit on Mexico."

Comparing the lucha style to other wrestling styles, Jericho blasted some of his closest friends in the process.  "The British love mat wrestling, and that's fine.  The Japanese love stiff blows and near falls, and that's fine.  The Canadians are tough guys with innovative high spots, and that's fine.  Even the Puerto Ricans, they know how to brawl and get heat, and again, that's fine.  But the Mexicans?  They wrestle like they're jumping on trampolines."

Rey Mysterio, a frequent opponent of Jericho's in the 1990s, expressed his disappointment with his friend's views.  "He's entitled to his opinion, but he's sort of pompous with it," said Mysterio.  "We wrestled last week, and he made fun of my height by motioning how my head comes up to his navel.  It's not my fault I was born short.  Still, I can fly around and entertain the fans.  What's wrong with that?"

Charles Ashenoff, who wrestles as Konnan for TNA and AAA, told us he has also been the brunt of Jericho's recent jokes.  "Man, he taunted me like I was some kind of jabroni, know what I'm sayin'?" asked Konnan in his distinct Spanish accent.  "We met up in Orlando and he tried to bitch-slap me.  I nearly tore his head off, but I held back.  It ain't right man, it ain't right.  Mexico has been very good to Chris Jericho, and he's not giving it back."

Konnan gets bitch-slapped by Jericho.  Once upon a time, they were very close.

Indeed, Jericho made a name for himself in Mexico in the early 1990s, where he wrestled as the Lionheart.  It was his mastery of the lucha style, as well as his training in Japan, that helped mold him into the cohesive wrestler he is today, states wrestling expert Dave Meltzer.  "(Jericho) is a great worker, in large part from his time in Mexico.  His views have no basis, he's just being pissy," complained Meltzer, whose Wrestling Observer Newsletter Chris Jericho used to subscribe to and write letters to.

Mysterio was at a loss as to why Jericho suddenly feels the way he does.  "Konnan's not even Mexican; he's Cuban.  But he represents all of us, and helped us all get in WCW.  Juventud, Art Barr, Psicosis... we all hung out, trained together, wrestled together, and became close friends.  And he's throwing it all away?  Not cool, man."

According to Jericho's new book, it was a conversation with Vince Russo that made him change his mind.  In the book's Foreword, he writes, "Russo helped me see the light, and the light is white.  Russo says that he's an American, and fans only want to see Americans wrestle.  And he's right!  Except I'm Canadian, which borders America, so it's the same thing.  Mexico borders America too, but it's different.  I look American.  Mexicans don't.  Americans don't want to see Mexicans wrestle.  Russo told me so.  The lucha libras of the world are no-good, mask-wearing trampoline artists."

When we read that passage to Mysterio, he responded vociferously.  "Explain Eddy.  Explain me.  Explain Chavo.  Explain us drawing better than Raw.  We're a hit, and the crowd loves us.  Look at when (Eddy) won the (WWE) title (from champion Brock Lesnar in 2004).  Look at his reaction the next night on SmackDown.  You don't fake that emotion.  Look at Nitro's ratings when the luchadores opposed the DOA and early DX.  We killed them in the quarter hours.  Americans don't want to see us?  My ass."

Jericho, seen  here, makes fun of Rey Mysterio's height.  The two were once close friends.

"It's jealousy is what it is," said Eddy Guerrero.  "He's HHH's bitch on Raw.  He can't get out of the mid cards and headline PPVs like I did.  He knows he's stuck, so he needs a scapegoat.  But why choose Mexico as a scapegoat, when we made him famous?  Without Mexico, there would be no Jericho.  He crossed the line."

In response, Jericho retorted, "Hey Ron Mysterio, isn't it past your bedtime?  And don't ever come calling me for a spot on the Highlight Reel.  My guests must be THIS tall (places his hand next to his knee) in order to come on the Highlight Reel.  Wear some more masks that don't fit, Ron Ron.  Go hang out with your buddy Konnan and Juvie; they're making pennies on the indie scene.  I, for one, am a HUGE ROCK STAR!"  

This story is brought to you by the AP (Armpit Parodies) Newswire.