As many of you may or may not know, I'm a bit of a professional wrestling fan. I got hooked as a kid, and have never really gotten away from it, even when I find myself groaning at how ridiculous it can get from time to time. One guy that I've been a fan of for a very long time is Chris Jericho. He's done a few things "outside the ring" that I've enjoyed as well, such as forming a metal band with a group of rocker friends, hosting a game show last summer, and writing a couple of books.
So, as one might expect after that last paragraph, I'm currently reading his new book: Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps (the follow-up to the immensely enjoyable 2006's A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex. In it, there's a great passage about his experiences at the 2002 NHL Awards Show. He talks about a mildly illicit affair in a closet with the Stanley Cup, then gives the following summary of his first impression of the show hall:
The attendees of the awards show were milling around, exchanging stories and kibitzing with each other. Here was Jarome Iginla talking to Patrick Roy. There was Scotty Bowman sharing a laugh with Cam Neely. On the dance floor, Moe Mantha was breakdancing with Harold Snepsts. And over in the corner, Gary Bettman was playing with a brightly colored ball of yarn.
Even in a prelude to a story about getting to meet Wayne Gretzky, there's room for a little jab at Ol' Gary. Nice job, Mr. Jericho.
Oh, and so far the book is a damn entertaining read as well, whether or not you enjoy wrestling. It's full of entertaining, occasionally off-the-wall tales about life at home and on the road from a guy who's been both a pro wrestling superstar and a not-quite superstar rock & roll frontman who's rubbed elbows with some iconic people in both circles and beyond.
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