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http://winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2006/04/01/1514990-sun.html The wrestler who made Winnipeg famous wants to be the top heavyweight at the Manitoba Legislature.
Chris Jericho, who was the first undisputed champion of the World Wrestling Federation, has retired from the squared circle and now he's looking for a new title in the political ring.The Sun has learned Jericho is returning to his hometown of Winnipeg to run for the provincial Tory leadership and eventually take a run at becoming Manitoba's next premier.
"I saw the impact that Jesse (The Body) Ventura made when he became governor of Minnesota and I know that I can do the same for Manitobans," Jericho said yesterday from his home in Tampa, Fla., which he has put up for sale.
Jericho said he spoke extensively with Ventura before making his decision, adding he was extremely supportive.
"Jesse told me going into politics after wrestling was the best move he ever made. I don't want to look back 20 years from now with regrets that I never threw my hat in the ring.
PARTY TO MAKE EXCEPTION
"I've been following the Tory leadership run in the Sun online. I've been looking for a reason to return to Winnipeg with my family and I've always had a political career in the back of my mind," he said, noting he first became interested in politics while doing assignments at the Leg when he was a journalism student at Red River College.
PC Party officials had closed the nomination for their leadership on March 15 but are going to make an exception for Jericho's late entry, likely realizing his celebrity status could bring a huge boost to an otherwise lacklustre list of candidates.
A membership freeze originally scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. yesterday has been extended until April 14 to accommodate Jericho, party officials confirmed. The leadership convention is still scheduled for April 29.
MLAs Ron Schuler and Hugh McFadyen, as well as former Neepawa mayor Ken Waddell, are also in the race.
Premier Gary Doer said there's no doubt Jericho is a star candidate who'll likely stomp all over the other leadership hopefuls.
"It's pretty clear Chris Jericho will lay the smackdown on Schuler, put McFadyen in a strangle hold and toss Waddell right out of the ring," said Doer. "But the real question is, can he put the puck in the net?"
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