By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Chris Jericho says "it's more fun" playing a heel than a babyface because it's easier to get fans to hate a character than like a character. He acknowledges that it's difficult to remain a heel, though, if a wrestler plays the part too well.

"It really is an art form to become a heel that stays hated by the fans," Jericho told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin to promote Sunday's house show in Hawaii. "As long as people are reacting and getting their money's worth, it doesn't really matter to me."

WWE champion Randy Orton was walking a fine line between being a heel and being too good of a heel to where some sections of fans started to cheer him. Lately, Orton's character has been "cooled off" to make him less-desirable to be cheered.

Jericho says part of being a heel is doing a job that some people might perceive as damaging to the character. For instance, taking a dive for Mickey Rourke at WrestleMania 25. Jericho says he had no problem doing it.

"It's all part of the show. My job was to drum up interest and accept him as a good guy," Jericho said. "I did that and it was ...fun."

Jericho says Ricky Steamboat was the star of the WrestleMania match where Jericho took on Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Jimmy Snuka. He'll be facing Steamboat again at the house show on Sunday in Hawaii, which is where Steamboat was billed from during his career.

"I'm looking forward to it. I don't really look at Steamboat as a legend. He's just a great performer and one of the best of all time," Jericho said. "It's going to be very sentimental for him and the fans, and of course I plan to spoil it and stick it in his face and all of the fans when I end the party and annihilate him in front of everyone."

Link: Jericho interview with Jason Genegabus in the Star-Bulletin.

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