Chris Jericho has dismissed speculation that he was close to leaving AEW for WWE, insisting he never truly departed the company despite being absent from television for an extended period.
Chris Jericho was off AEW programming for almost a year after April 2025, with reports later claiming his contract had expired at the end of the year. His absence fuelled rumours of a possible WWE return before he eventually resurfaced in AEW in April 2026.
Speaking to Beef Vegan, the former AEW World Champion reflected on the end of his previous contract and the speculation surrounding his future, explaining that he moved directly from one AEW deal to another.
“You weigh all your options, but I have skin in the game with AEW. I helped create AEW, and I was never gone. I was just off TV for a while, while we figured out some stuff. Basically, I ended one contract and went straight to the other one.”
Chris Jericho Feels He Has A Personal Connection To AEW
Chris Jericho said his connection to AEW extends beyond being a performer, noting that he played a key role in helping launch the promotion alongside Tony Khan.
“I like Tony Khan as a boss. I like AEW as a company and the growth that we’ve done. I helped start the company. WWE existed before I was there. It exists after I was there. AEW will exist after I’m there, but it didn’t exist before I was there. It’s more exciting to be with the company that I helped create.”
Jericho was one of AEW’s first major signings ahead of the company’s launch in 2019, and AEW President Tony Khan has frequently credited him as a key figure in establishing the promotion during its early years.
