[Spoilers] Chris Jericho Says He's Leaving WWE Before SummerSlam

By Tom Herrmann | August 03 2012 11:04 AM

WWE superstar Chris Jericho is one of the most celebrated pro-wrestlers in the industry, but the Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla will be leaving World Wrestling Entertainment on Aug. 14. This date comes five days before the WWE pay-per-view SummerSlam with Jericho being advertised to perform.

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Chris Jericho is planning to left the WWE once again to tour with his heavy metal band Fozzy.

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In an interview with Icon vs. Icon discussing his heavy metal band Fozzy and their new album "Sin and Bones," Jericho spoke about leaving WWE.

"As of August 14, 2012, when "Sin and Bones" comes out, we go on the road with the Uproar Tour," Jericho said. "At that time, I am done with the WWE and it is full-time with Fozzy until the album cycle and touring is done."

Jericho has been wrestling for major organizations since 1996 when he performed for both Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling in the same year. He has also fronted Fozzy since 1999, the year he joined WWE (then WWF).

"This is something I have been doing since I was 12 years old," the six time world champion said about his sueccess with Fozzy. "I think I am very fortunate to have had two dreams that have come true, both of them in these very big ways."

This departure will be the third time Y2J has left the wrestling business to work with Fozzy. The first time came in 2005 and then he returned from 2007 to 2010.

This will be Jericho's shortest comeback to wrestling by a significant amount. He made his dramatic return early this year in January, just before the Royal Rumble.

Since then, Jericho has taken one of the main spots in the WWE, feuding with CM Punk for the WWE Championship. The two superstars fought for the most valued title in the professional wrestling over several months, with Jericho never beating Punk for the belt.

In his 13 years as lead singer of Fozzy, the group has released six albums according to their website. "Sin and Bone" will be the seventh piece in their collection, and the band will be touring to promote it from Aug. 17 until early December.

The concert on Aug. 18 takes place in Little Rock, Ark followed by the Aug. 21 show from St Louis, Mo., which leaves the possibility of Jericho appearing at SummerSlam. The pay-per-view will take place on Aug 19 in Los Angeles, so Jericho could still be on for one final match to end his feud with Dolph Ziggler.