22°c A few clouds
25°c Chance of thundershowers
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Wrestler Jericho in hot water over flag stomping
Chris Jericho (MATT SAYLES / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)
It may sound like a corny pro wrestling angle - but Winnipeg's Chris Jericho has found himself in the middle of a real-life international incident.
Jericho has been suspended for 30 days by World Wrestling Entertainment for attacking a Brazillian flag during a match in that country Thursday night. The company put a time limit on the suspension Friday afternoon after initially saying it was "indefinite."
According to the official WWE website, Jericho "denigrated" a flag that somehow found its way into the ring. He stomped on it, crumpled it up and then kicked it - a major no-no in Brazil where desecration of the flag is grounds for arrest and incarceration.
That's when things really got strange. Police who were doing crowd control rushed the ring and threatened to arrest Jericho, who was forced to apologize on the spot to the crowd or else be marched directly to jail. He was then escorted out of the ring, out of the building and out of the country. No formal charges have been laid as of Friday morning.
Word of the incident quickly spread as websites like tmz.com carried the story. WWE responded immediately by announcing that Jericho was being pulled from upcoming shows for what they called an "irresponsible act". Officials with the publicly traded company also issued a formal apology to the Brazillian government, and Jericho soon followed with his own mea culpa.
"I made a bad judgment call in the course of entertaining fans in Brazil," Jericho said in a statement posted at wwe.com. "I apologized to the people in the crowd for showing disrespect. It was a bad move. I did it with our fans' entertainment in mind and I'll accept the consequences for that."
Jericho later posted an apology on his Twitter account (@IAmJericho), telling fans "Just for the record I love Brazil and wish we could've spent more time here. Beautiful country!"
Jericho has soared to international success, both with his pro wrestling career and even a guest starring role on "Dancing With The Stars." He has also toured the world with his band, "Fozzy", and is widely considered one of the best active wrestlers in the world.
Jericho's father, Ted Irvine, is a former National Hockey League player who lives in Winnipeg.
www.mikeoncrime.com
History
Updated on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 2:10 PM CDT: Adds video
3:19 PM: Adds details of suspension
6:49 PM: Fixes typo
More Other Sports
- Back to Top
- Return to Other Sports
More Other Sports
(1 of 12 articles for today)
Lions coach Warren Gatland names 8 Welshmen in Lions test for 1st test against Australia
9:58 PM 0BRISBANE, Australia - Lions coach Warren Gatland has named eight Welshman, including captain Sam Warburton, in his starting XV to ...
Poll
Most Popular Other Sports
- Canadian rugby team to face New Zealand Maori All Blacks in Toronto
- Aces
- Majid Khan among 3 candidates shortlisted for post of acting PCB chairman
- Max Gartner is leaving Alpine Canada after more than 30 years with organization
- Here's how to catch a cat
- Improvements eyed for Birds Hill bike trail
- On the HomeFront
- Pritchard to earn 50th cap as Canada tries for Pacific Nations title
- Manitoba Marathon / Half Marathon Results
- Following a crooked road to Pumpkin Creek
- Roland Delorme, Winnipeg's UFC fighter
- Tough-talking UFC president Dana White is widely considered the MVP of his sport
- Evans, Henderson need win at UFC 161
- Dana White -- The Bio
- Fight fans flock to sneak preview
- Here's how to catch a cat
- Canadian rugby team to face New Zealand Maori All Blacks in Toronto
- 'Suga' hammers out win
- Rashad Evans respects Henderson, but still ready to battle at UFC 161
- Delorme delivers what UFC's after
- Roland Delorme, Winnipeg's UFC fighter
- Tough-talking UFC president Dana White is widely considered the MVP of his sport
- Bombers play the weighting game
- Inmate creates gorgeous golf art
- Blood, sweat and cheers: Mixed martial arts goes from gory nights to glory days
- Canadian rugby team to face New Zealand Maori All Blacks in Toronto
- Here's how to catch a cat
- Could be a wet, wild race
- Evans, Henderson need win at UFC 161
- Dana White -- The Bio
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.