According to TMZ, the incident that resulted in the arrest of Chris Jericho and Gregory “Hurricane” Helms early Wednesday morning in Kentucky was a fight instigated by Helms.

Shortly after the ECW/SmackDown! taping in Cincinnati, Ohio, the two along with Matt Hardy and some other friends were taking a taxi on the Buttermilk Pike in Crescent Springs, Kentucky.  At some point, Helms struck Jericho, Gary Kelley and Ashley Storer.  After the taxi pulled over into a Shell gas station, Helms and Hardy fled the scene.  Helms returned shortly after and was arrested along with Jericho for public intoxication.  Hardy did not return, but police are opting not to pursure any action against him.

“It’s hard to say exactly how in depth this fight was,” said Kevin Gilpin of the Erlanger police.  Erlanger is just outside Crescent Springs and their department responded to the 911 call made by the taxi driver.  “There was a disagreement while they were inside of a cab. When we got there, obviously they were out of the cab and made contact with the police, and were arrested a short time after that.”

Helms and Hericho were said to have been cooperative when the police arrived.  They are scheduled to appear at Kenton District Court on February 16 on a misdemeanor charge.  Both were later released at 7am that same morning after each posted their individual $120 bond.

“We get there and they basically say Helms kind of turned into an ass and starts kind of getting physical iside the cab,” Gilpin added.  Because none of the victims wished to press charges, Helms was not charged with assault.  He did have a cut above his right eye in the mug shot, although it was not stated as to how he came about the cut.

The Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online also reported that sources are saying that Helms never actually did strike one of the passengers listed, Ashley Storer.  They also say that Hardy was not actually fleeing the scene, but rather chased after Helms to make him come back.  Bail was posted by Phillip Brooks (CM Punk) and Jason Reso (Christian).

Dan Short
dan@ifight365.com