Chris Jericho has revealed that he was deeply skeptical about AEW‘s chances of success before he ultimately decided to sign with the company. Speaking with GamesHub, the veteran star admitted that his initial meeting with Tony Khan left him doubtful — a feeling that quickly changed once he saw the roster being assembled.
“When I first had a meeting with Tony Khan about this new company, I thought there was no way it would work, because I’d heard it so many times before,” Jericho said. What changed his mind was the combination of established names and emerging talent being brought together. He also reflected on the responsibility he felt at the company’s launch, recognising that his was the only name that casual fans would have immediately recognised.
Chris Jericho Says He Knew He Had Three Months to Build AEW’s Roster When the Spotlight Was on Him
“Once we started, I knew I had about three months to build as many guys as I could while the spotlight was on me, since I was the only nationally recognized star besides Jim Ross,” Jericho said. The approach paid off — AEW launched with significant momentum and Jericho’s championship run helped establish the company’s credibility immediately. He has remained with AEW ever since, though he has been away from in-ring competition for close to a year following his loss to Bandido at AEW Dynasty in April 2025. Rumors about his future — including a potential WWE return — have continued to circulate, with Jericho himself having acknowledged openness to returning to his former employer.