Chris Jericho made an immediate impact when he signed with All Elite Wrestling. This revelation occurred during AEW’s recent Double Or Nothing event rally on January 8th.
Since then, pro wrestling fans worldwide have been buzzing with anticipation over what a wrestling renaissance man like Jericho will bring to the startup promotion.
Recently, Jericho spoke with WSVN-TV Entertainment reporter, Chris Van Vliet. They discussed a number of topics ranging from All Elite Wrestling to speculation over other big names that could become involved with the company, and even provided an update on Roman Reigns’ current health. They also addressed how Jericho approached Vince McMahon regarding signing his AEW contract.
When asked when he had decided to sign with AEW, Jericho responded, “As the past year progressed, going from New Japan to All In to The Cruise, and kind of seeing how life was on the other side, I realized, like The Young Bucks, like Kenny Omega and these guys, you can make a good living outside the WWE. Then when you have a billionaire getting involved, suddenly you have the biggest offer of my career — by far — I couldn’t say no. For the next three years, it’s AEW. That’s where I’m signed, and that’s the contract that I have.”
Future AEW Talent?
With the excitement surrounding AEW, names have already been bandied about as to who else could end up with the company. Two that Jericho was asked about included CM Punk and Kenny Omega.
Jericho stated that Punk’s “not so much a free agent as he is a retired wrestler,” though he would love to have Punk involved.
Regarding Omega, Chris said “Once I signed, the last remaining huge free agent is Kenny Omega. Jericho and Omega were the two. Where’s he gonna end up? I hope it’s with AEW, I really do. I guess we’ll find out because his contract ends very quickly.”
Vince McMahon
When it came to telling his former boss, Vince McMahon, over his ultimate decision, Jericho recalled that he “[…] spoke to Vince before I signed, and he knew it. The words we exchanged were very amicable, and it wasn’t like it was a surprise. Business is business. Vince McMahon is my friend; I respect him, I love the guy — no ill will whatsoever, just the business road took me this way. I would’ve been crazy not to do it because I might insult somebody. I think the first guy who would agree with that is Vince.”
The Big Dog
Jericho then provided a health update on WWE Superstar, Roman Reigns, saying:
“He’s doing his treatment, and I think things are going really well. I don’t really know much about leukemia,” he admitted. “I don’t know what the endgame is as far as when you’re ‘cured’ — when it goes into remission, when you can do physical matches or travel or whatever it is. But we talk to him quite a bit. I’ve got a group text with him in it, and I text him on the side quite a bit. He always seems to be doing pretty well and in good spirits.
We love him, and I think it’s just a matter of time before he comes back. But more importantly that he stays healthy for his family, for sure.”