Chris Jericho: “I Might Be Retired if There Was No AEW”

AEW has emerged as an able rival to WWE in recent times. The latter enjoyed a long period of monopoly in the business and the brand-new company has given the Stamford-based promotion a run for its money. Veteran Chris Jericho deserves a lot of credit for the meteoric rise of the Jacksonville-based promotion. And he recently lifted the lid on whether he would be retired were it not for the Tony Khan-led company.

Ever since its 2019 inception, AEW has been home to a bunch of exciting new talents. But they would not have shined so brightly if it was not for experienced campaigners like Jericho. He recently opened up on his plans before his current employers came about.

Chris Jericho opens up on what would his wrestling career be like were it not for AEW

Y2J recently spoke highly of AEW on his Talk is Jericho podcast and spoke about how it ignited his passion. He said, “So the answer is I might be retired if there was no AEW because AEW really ignited my passion for wrestling. It reignited my creativity and made me realize how much fun wrestling is. Working in WWE it’s very mentally taxing.”

“And AEW is mentally taxing as well. But it’s a whole different thing. And also, to be part of AEW, from the beginning, it was a real risk. And I was like, I’m gonna take this chance this is either going to add to Chris Jericho’s legacy. Or it’s going to end up, I have to crawl back to WWE with my tail between my legs if it doesn’t work out.

The association of such doyens of industry turned out to be a boon for the Jacksonville-based company. And it would be music to the ears of Jericho’s fans as his time in the industry has extended because of that.

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Having spent decades in the sports entertainment field it wouldn’t have been a surprise if he would announce his retirement after the completion of his WWE contract. Instead, the start of AEW gave a new purpose to his career. But how were his last days in the wrestling juggernaut?

What were Jericho’s last days in WWE like?

Jericho joined WWE in 1999 in spectacular fashion. He was a constant fixture of the main roster for almost one and a half decade and was part of some of the best storylines over the years.

Jericho’s last appearance in the global wrestling phenomenon was in the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia. He competed in the 50-man Royal Rumble match and entered the last spot. And was eliminated by the eventual winner Braun Strowman from the match.

As admitted by the former WWE champion shifting his WrestleMania match with Kevin Owens to the second spot all but made up his mind on leaving the company. Not that he was a fan of his previous employer’s hospitality either.

Chris Jericho is a reputed name in the industry and has competed against the very best in wrestling. His addition to the AEW roster was a welcome one with the bucket loads of experience he brought to the promotion. And it gave the former Inner Circle leader’s fans an extended period to marvel at his in-ring prowess.

What do you think about Chris Jericho’s recent remarks about AEW reigniting his passion for wrestling? Should the iconic wrestler have stayed with WWE? Let us know in the comments below. We would be glad to hear your thoughts.

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