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.”