Former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho hasn’t appeared on AEW programming since dropping the ROH World Championship to Bandido at the Dynasty pay-per-view in April. Fans have been curious about Jericho’s role in AEW, especially after he recently praised the partnership between TNA and WWE for delivering a more impressive show than AEW at the Slammiversary event, even awarding the Hardys vs. Dudleys finals a five-star rating. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, AEW president Tony Khan addressed Jericho’s absence, making it clear that Jericho remains a key figure in AEW.
Khan emphasized Jericho’s loyalty to AEW since 2019, stating, “Chris Jericho is the guy in AEW.” He acknowledged Jericho has been away but expressed personal and professional admiration for him, mentioning he recently reached out to wish Jericho a happy birthday. While Khan confirmed Jericho competed in an April match, he did not specify when Jericho would return to AEW events. He assured fans that the door is always open for Jericho and that the company will decide on his return date.
When questioned about Jericho’s contract, which is nearing expiration, Khan avoided specifics but reiterated his deep appreciation for Jericho’s six-year contribution to AEW. This stance mirrors Khan’s comments from October, where he also praised Jericho’s tenure and his time as AEW World Champion. Meanwhile, the lineup for Jericho’s upcoming wrestling cruise has been revealed, notably without AEW wrestlers participating as they have in past years.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for AEW fans because Chris Jericho is a cornerstone talent whose presence significantly impacts the promotion’s star power and storytelling. His eventual return or absence could shape AEW’s future creative direction and fan engagement within the sport.
