Chris Jericho has revealed that AEW previously pursued AJ Styles, while also reflecting on his own longevity in wrestling and concerns about the current generation.
Speaking with GamesHub, Chris Jericho confirmed that AEW made a genuine attempt to sign AJ Styles when his contract became available, praising the former WWE star while questioning the idea of switching companies after stepping away.
“There was a time when we were going after him when his contract was up,” Jericho said. “AJ’s a great performer and a great guy… but I don’t know why you’d retire in one place and then immediately go somewhere else.”
Jericho noted the differences between WWE and AEW, suggesting that performers who spend years within the WWE system often approach the business differently. While he did not rule out the possibility entirely, he indicated that such a move would not be straightforward.
Chris Jericho Also Addressed His Own Retirement
Chris Jericho then turned his attention to his own career, admitting he still has time left in the ring despite being 55 years old and over three decades into his career.
“I don’t know if it’s a year, two years, four years,” Jericho said. “But I don’t know how many of the guys working now will have the option to go 35 years.”
Jericho pointed to the physical demands of modern wrestling as a key concern, warning that longevity may be harder to achieve in the current landscape.
“The longevity may be harder to sustain when there’s so much emphasis on the physical at the expense of charisma and character,” he said.
He also recalled a pivotal moment early in his career that changed how he approached risk: after a dive in Mexico, he was injured when his opponent failed to catch him.
“I messed up my arm, and I thought I could actually get hurt doing this,” Jericho said. “After that I started getting smart about which moves were worth the risk.”
Jericho’s comments highlight both AEW’s past interest in top talent and his belief that adapting to the business’s risks is key to sustaining a long career.
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