Chris Jericho has confirmed that AEW made a genuine push to sign AJ Styles at a point when his WWE contract was expiring. Speaking to GamesHub, Jericho acknowledged that Styles would have been a strong fit for the promotion but offered a thoughtful explanation for why the transition from one company to another isn’t always straightforward for long-tenured performers.
“There was a time when we were going after him when his contract was up. Could he be a good fit? Of course he would be. AJ’s a great performer and a great guy,” Jericho said. “But there is something to be said for the fact that when you’ve worked in the Vince McMahon system for a long time, you think differently. There are ways WWE runs their company, and there are ways AEW runs theirs.”
Chris Jericho Questions Whether Retiring in One Place and Moving Immediately Makes Sense
Jericho also addressed the broader question of whether a post-retirement AEW run ever made sense for Styles. “I don’t know why you’d retire in one place and then immediately go somewhere else. That said, I’m sure it’s always a possibility.” Styles retired at the 2026 Royal Rumble following his loss to GUNTHER and has since moved into a scouting role with WWE and been announced as part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class. While the window for an AEW appearance appears closed for now, Jericho’s confirmation that the pursuit was real adds a fascinating layer to Styles’ legacy and the ongoing competition between the two major promotions.
