In AEW, Chris Jericho has feuded with several wrestlers, but some fans have taken issue with how these programs have played out. Whether it be Hook, Eddie Kingston, or his extended rivalry with Ricky Starks, many believe that Jericho does little to elevate his opponents. Some even argue that these wrestlers might have fared better if they had never worked with him at all.
The idea of talent being ‘sucked’ into feuds with Chris has been dubbed the ‘Jericho Vortex’ a term the Canadian filed to trademark for merchandise in April 2024. On the Insight podcast, Jericho fired back at the notion he’s dragged down talent.
“Name one. Name one person that got dragged down from working with me. Maybe afterwards they didn’t go higher, but that’s not up to me. I’m not in charge of booking the entire company.”
Jericho added that he can only do what is asked of him, and referenced AEW success stories like MJF and Sammy Guevara as proof he doesn’t drag down others. Today, fans can find Jericho leading the Learning Tree, which he cited as more evidence against the ‘vortex.’
“Big Bill and Bryan Keith have grown by leaps and bounds from working here with me… I definitely know what my intentions are, and it’s not to bury anybody. It’s to build as many people as I can.”
Jericho is confident that his intentions in AEW is to help others, no matter what some fans may believe. Ultimately, Jericho will continue to work with talent both fresh and established in AEW as one of the company’s leading stars.
Why Chris Jericho Isn’t Sweating Fans’ “Please Retire” Chants
