10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE Legend Chris Jericho
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Chris Jericho has done it all... and written the book. But all of his crazy experiences in the topsy-turvy world of professional wrestling couldn't fit in one book, so he wrote another, and a third. And that's where we find ourselves right now, with the recent release of his latest autobiography The Best in the World: At What I Have No Idea.
The American-born, Canadian-raised on-again-off-again professional wrestler has been one of the most recognizable faces in the squared circle for going on two decades. His larger-than-life persona has long since transcended professional wrestling, even though that's where he originally made his name.
The world still doesn't know everything about wrestling's Renaissance man. Here are 10 things you didn't know about Chris Jericho.
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1. Chris Jericho was born Chris Irvine in 1970 in Manhasset, New York, a Long Island suburb of New York City. His father, former NHL player Ted Irvine, played for the New York Rangers at the time.
2. The younger Irvine grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where, inspired by the aerial exploits of Owen Hart at a local event, he decided to become a pro wrestler. As a teenager, Irvine trained in the Hart Family Dungeon, the converted basement of the Hart Family Home. The training facility launched many others legends of pro wrestling, including Bret and Owen Hart, Greg Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Chris Benoit and Edge.
3. Irvine attended Red River Community College in Winnipeg, where he graduated with a degree in journalism.
4. Irvine debuted as "Cowboy" Chris Jericho at the age of 19. His first match pitted him against Lance Storm, a fellow student in The Dungeon. The two went on to team up as a tag team called Sudden Impact, wrestling for various Canadian independent promotions over the next couple years.
5. Irvine gets the "Chris Jericho" ring name from the German power metal band Helloween's first album entitled Walls of Jericho. The band released the album in 1985, and despite lineup changes, continues to record and perform to this day.
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6. Jericho has wrestled in the ECW, WCW and WWF/WWE. He earned 30 championships across the different promotions, including six world championships and nine intercontinental championships.
7. Jericho fronts the heavy metal band Fozzy. Formed by guitarist Rich Ward as a cover band in 1999, the revolving cast of players became more set with the introduction of the wrestler as lead singer. Fozzy has released six albums to date and performed across North America, Europe and Australia.
8. Jericho performed with professional dancer Cheryl Burke on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars. Among other performances, he danced a tango to "Don't Stop Believin'" and a rumba to "Let It Be." The wrestler was eliminated in the sixth week of the reality show.
9. Jericho has made numerous other television appearances over the years. His small screen resume includes Celebrity Duets, Larry King Live and Attack of the Show! He contributed regularly to Best Week Ever and I Love the '80s and hosted the reality show Redemption Song.
10. Jericho just released his third autobiography, entitled The Best in the World: At What I Have No Idea, which regales the reader with tales of his recent career in professional wrestling. Previous autobiographies -- A Lion's Tale and Undisputed -- chronicle earlier periods in his career.
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Norm Elrod likes sports and other sanctioned forms of craziness.