It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than a year and a half since Jerichoholics watched the first WWE Undisputed Champion being carried off of “RAW” by security, as the Human Highlight Reel has been everywhere in 2006. From hosting his own XM Satellite Radio show, “Rock of Jericho,” to briefly appearing on Fox’s “Celebrity Duets” (Jericho was the first celebrity eliminated from the reality competition), Chris Jericho may be taking a break from the ring, but he definitely hasn’t been taking any time off.

Appearing at The Groundlings Feb. 22, Jericho doesn’t plan on taking things slow in 2007. With a book in the works and a reoccurring gig with one of Hollywood’s most legendary improvisational comedy troupes, Jericho is definitely that rare WWE Superstar who has managed to find as much success outside of the ring as he did inside of it. Of course, no matter how much fame and fortune he finds outside of the squared circle, Jericho knows that he owes his current success to one thing and one thing only: the sports-entertainment industry.

“Wrestling is like showbiz boot camp,” Jericho says. “It’s live, you do some comedy, you do some drama, you improvise…When I was wrestling, I would do 20 minutes of improv with The Rock and [Stone Cold Steve] Austin all the time. A wrestler bases his whole routine on improv. And just like The Groundlings, I never knew what I was getting into. I had to be fearless with my choices and really commit to whatever it was I was doing. I was always making something out of nothing.”

Just like his days in WWE, Jericho says performing with The Groundlings gives the wrestler-turned-rock-star-turned-actor instant gratification whenever he performs, which is something the 36-year-old Canadian thrives on. Whether he’s onstage with The Groundlings acting like a “monkey on a box” or performing with his heavy metal band Fozzy, Jericho truly is a live performer at heart. And while his time away from “RAW” may have provided Jericho with the opportunity to work on a variety of projects he might have never done if he were still on the road, for the millions of fans who agree “'RAW' is Jericho,” the question on their minds is when Y2J will return to WWE.

Since leaving “RAW” during the summer of 2005, Internet boards have been buzzing about when Jericho would make his triumphant return to professional wrestling. However, given the drastic change in the pro wrestling landscape since Jericho’s departure--not only has TNA established itself as a legitimate prime time promotion, but ECW has been resurrected as well--the question now isn’t just when Jericho will make his return but also where. With WrestleMania 23 just around the corner, could Jericho make his long-awaited return as soon as April?

“WrestleMania is a gimmick into itself,” Jericho states. “If I came back then it would sort of be like taking out two birds with one stone. Plus, I’m sure Steve [Austin] and [Hulk] Hogan will be there, so my return is better suited for some other time.”

Having never said he wouldn’t come back to professional wrestling, Jericho’s departure from WWE has almost been sort of a tease for wrestling fans, wondering when The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla would return to the ring. Now that Jericho’s had some time to relax (well, from an athletic standpoint, at least), he admits he’s been watching “RAW,” “SmackDown!” and even “ECW” and “iMPACT!” and “getting some ideas” about his inevitable return.

“When I first left, I was so mentally burned out I needed some time to get my head clear,” Jericho says. “It’s hard traveling all the time and having your body constantly getting beaten up, but I really do love the business and I do miss the camaraderie. I saw The Hurricane [Gregory Helms] the other day and it was like we hadn’t missed a day. Wrestlers are some of the craziest guys in the world, and it’s sad that I really haven’t kept in touch with a lot of them. Everyone’s lives just move so fast and the business moves on. ”

That it does. When asked what he thought about the latest changes in the sports-entertainment industry--TNA and ECW--the former Extremist surprisingly responded more favorably to Vince McMahon’s competitor than his latest brand (and Jericho's one-time home). Having lent TNA one of Fozzy’s tracks to promote “iMPACT!’s” national TV debut, Jericho’s remained friendly with the competition since leaving “RAW.” In fact, just days after his departure, a picture of Jericho’s trademark pose in front of the TNA logo appeared on his official Web site, leaving many wondering if his “time off” was really just an excuse for Jericho to jump ship. While the picture was later revealed to be a practical joke, Jericho definitely doesn’t take TNA lightly.

“The bigger TNA gets the better it is for everyone in this business,” Jericho says. “ECW, on the other hand, I think is pointless. Really, I don’t think ECW will be around this time next year. It’s already becoming a forgotten zone for wrestlers to go to. Unless Vince is making a lot of money off of it, I don’t think he’ll keep running with ECW.”

With so many fans feeling like Vince McMahon held down Jericho during his time on “RAW,” one has to wonder if there are any hard feelings on Jericho’s behalf. Even though Jericho was the first WWE Undisputed Champion, backstage politics are rumored to have kept Jericho from truly becoming the focus of the company (think John Cena now, for all you current WWE fans). However, Jericho says he feels no animosity towards Vince McMahon that would weigh heavily on his decision to return to WWE or to sign with TNA.

“I never understood the people who complained,” Jericho states. “I fought the best of them--The Rock, Austin, HBK…The Christian/Trish [Stratus] angle was one of my favorites. To have longevity in this business you can’t always be on top. But even in 2005 when I was on my way out, I was in the main event of ‘SummerSlam’ fighting against John Cena! I always had input on what WWE did with my character, and for that I love Vince McMahon. Well, I don’t love him--he was my boss, and sure there were times when he was the biggest son of a bitch out there--but I have a lot of respect for him. I made him a lot of money, he made me a lot of money and he made me the first WWE Undisputed Champion. For that, I have respect for Vince McMahon.”

While some may be disappointed to hear that Jericho’s upcoming book A Lion’s Tale (due out in October) isn’t a tell-all of his days in WWE, Jericho says fans won’t be disappointed by it. Having spent more than a year working on his memoirs, Jericho says he just finished the book’s second edit and is eager to hear what fans will think of it.

“It takes place from 1990 to 1999 and basically follows my quest to achieve my dream of wrestling in WWE,” Jericho states. “It’s sort of a stranger in a strange land story. It’s been a long process, but I really do think it’s more than just another wrestling book. It’s more of a coming of age story, so I don’t think you have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy it.”

Unlike most wrestling novels these days, A Lion’s Tale will not be published by WWE but rather Warner Books. Jericho says he “didn’t want to deal” with WWE with regard to releasing his memoirs and wanted to do it himself.

Stepping out on his own seems to have paid off thus far for the former Superstar. His latest tracks with Fozzy Jericho credits as being “some of the best work” he’s done lyrically, and the aspiring actor can soon be seen in an upcoming horror flick from Lionsgate. Jericho has even managed to have a voice on StarWars.com, having spoken to the official Star Wars site back in December. A big Star Wars fan himself, Jericho says seeing his interview on the front page of the Web site was easily “the greatest thing ever.” And while Y2J was still undecided at press time whether or not he would be attending Celebration IV later this May due to his busy schedule, he did have an answer to the question on every Star Wars fan’s mind when asked in what order he would show the saga to his three children.

“Obviously Episodes I through VI,” Jericho responds. “You just can’t start halfway through. Plus the movies get better as you go along. Not only do you have the big finish, the acting also gets better in the second three.”

Jericho says that for those who disagree and credit Episodes IV through VI’s advancement in technology with being the main reason future generations should see the saga the way theatrical audiences viewed the story, one needn’t look any further than the scene with Padme and Anakin rolling around in a field in Episode II to see that the technology in the new trilogy isn’t as great as everyone makes it out to be.

“The CGI in a couple of scenes sucks,” Jericho states. “You can just see the millions of dollars wasted.”

Having lived out his dream to wrestle in WWE, getting involved with the Star Wars online community was just the cherry on top for Chris Jericho. But with everything the Superstar has already accomplished in his life, one has to wonder what could possibly be left to keep Jericho “creatively fulfilled” in 2007.

“Being on ‘Duets’ was super cool, but I probably wouldn’t do another reality show unless it was just about me,” Jericho replies. “Really, though, I couldn’t be happier with the way my life has gone. And when the time is right for me to return to the ring, I’m going to come back better than ever.”

In the meantime, there is one thing Jericho admits he would love to do.

“I’d love to sit down and have a glass of red wine with Jesus,” Jericho concludes. “Him or Paul McCartney.”

For tickets to see Chris Jericho in The Groundling’s Cooking with Gas show Feb. 22, visit www.groundlings.com/start.htm.