WWE announced Friday that Chris Jericho has been suspended indefinitely due to an irresponsible act at a WWE live event in São Paulo, Brazil on May 24. Chris Jericho suspended Chris Jericho as been suspended indefinitely due to an irresponsible act of denigrating the Brazilian flag at a WWE live event in São Paulo on May 24. WWE has apologized to the citizens and the government of Brazil for this incident. Source EWN
I think it is BS that he was suspended for this kind of thing. The world takes things far to seriously these days. He said that he only did it to "entertain the brazilian fans" and even apologized publicly.
I remember HBK using the Canadian flag to pick his nose. I know it was a different time, but was he punished?
No he was not. But like you said, that was during a different time in WWE history, now WWE is far to "family friendly" and far more "strict" regarding things. Also, in Brazil it is said to be against the law to deface the brazilian flag so he actually did break the law, but I still think it was unfair to suspend him for a honest mistake. Its his job to be a good heel character and he was only trying to play that role in Brazil and obviously the best way to do that is to disrespect their country (much akin to what HBK used to do in Canada). It was all for the product and storyline and its a shame people are so serious over in Brazil.
I wish jericho was back being the face Jericho. I get why he's doing what he's doing (and he's good at it, but he's winless in PPV's since he returned iirc), but it's predictable. Not saying he needs to be world champ. But the funny Jericho was much more entertaining. Now he's just kind of "meh". If he's going to be a bad guy, let him (and Punk) be "shoot" heels. Punks promo last year was exciting. Since then, boring. Same with Jericho. Once it was obvious he was coming back, and he did his happy return (saying nothing) it's bland.