Chris Jericho says AEW has never measured itself against WWE, insisting the company has always focused on building its own identity rather than trying to replicate its rival.
Speaking on SHAK Wrestling, the inaugural AEW World Champion was asked about the promotion’s position as perceptions around WWE continue to evolve. Chris Jericho dismissed the suggestion that AEW’s approach has changed, saying the company has remained committed to its own vision since launching in 2019.
“I think it’s the same as always in that we’ve never worried about WWE. Ever. We’ve only worried about our own show, our own product, the quality of what we’re doing.”
Jericho also rejected the idea that AEW’s recent momentum is simply a matter of perception, pointing to the company’s business metrics as evidence of its growth.
“It’s not a perceived upswing. You can see in the numbers, the tickets sold, the ratings. I think all of that is just because no matter what’s going on around us, we keep our noses to the grindstone and worry about what we’re doing, and what kind of matches and quality and variety.”
The former AEW World Champion stressed that the promotion has never attempted to become a smaller version of WWE.
“We’ve never been a WWE-lite. We’ve been AEW since day one, and that’s never changed. Sometimes you like it, and sometimes you don’t, but we’ve never changed it.”
Jericho did not criticise WWE during the interview, instead keeping his focus on AEW’s philosophy and direction.
Chris Jericho Made His AEW Return After Almost A Year Away Earlier This Year
The comments come several months after Chris Jericho returned to AEW television following an extended absence that fuelled speculation over a potential WWE comeback. He returned on the April 1 episode of Dynamite, signed a new multi-year contract the following week, and resumed his in-ring career after nearly a year away.
Jericho was AEW’s first World Champion after signing with the company at its launch in 2019 and remains one of the promotion’s longest-serving stars as it prepares for All In: London at Wembley Stadium later this month.
