Chris Jericho: Veteran WWE Superstar grateful for advent of social media

Jericho: a big fan of the United Kingdom

Chris Jericho is now the other side of 40 – but insists he is no fuddy-duddy when it comes to social media.

The veteran WWE Superstar used Twitter fervently to promote the release of his third autobiography, The Best in the World: At What I Have No Idea.

And Jericho told WWE.com that he loves using modern ways to update fans on his projects – and the rapid analysis of his work that social media provides.

"I jumped on the social media bandwagon way back in 1997 when me and [fellow wrestler] Axl Rotten had a website, so when Twitter came out I realised how important it was,” he said.

“I like the mystique of being a Superstar or a celebrity but I also love the connection you have with fans and the instant feedback and comments that you get.

“You get constructive criticism on a book or a WWE match so I’ve always understood the benefit of social media to the point where I maybe use it a bit too much!

“It’s vital from an advertising and information standpoint, though, and tells you something’s out, where you can find it and what people think of it.

“I think the fans appreciate it and more you hit on it the more people will go: ‘I’ve heard so much about this book, I’ve heard so much about this record’ and check it out.

“You’ve got to take advantage of it.”

Vociferous

Jericho finished his latest run with WWE after losing to Randy Orton at the Night of Champions pay-per-view in September, but he is acting as a special attraction during the ongoing tour of Europe.

The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla – who will welcome Triple H and Stephanie McMahon onto The Highlight Reel on Friday night when Smackdown airs from Liverpool – says he could not turn down the chance to cross the Atlantic.

And the six-time world champion says fans this side of the pond had better start getting used to him.

“I was invited to do the European tour and strengthen up some of the shows, even though I haven’t been working with WWE for six or seven weeks,” added the Canadian-American.

“I’m always happy to do that because I love working the live events and I love coming to the UK, where the crowds are always very excited and very vociferous.

“My heavy metal band Fozzy are also coming to our second home of the UK in March.

"For whatever reason, people in the UK have embraced us from the start and the place is just a great Fozzy – and a great Jericho – territory."

For more information on Fozzy, including tour dates, head to www.fozzyrock.com.