Tony Khan has given details on when Chris Jericho chose to re-sign with AEW.
After almost a year of speculation, Chris Jericho returned to AEW on Dynamite. It had long been rumoured that the Demo God was planning to leave the promotion and head back to WWE for a retirement run, but instead, he told the Winnipeg audience that he was “home” in AEW.
During an appearance on The Coach & Bro podcast, Tony Khan was asked how close Jericho came to signing with WWE. While the AEW President admitted he couldn’t be certain of The Wizard’s mindset, he revealed that he had told him in 2025 that he wanted to be in AEW and specifically to return on the Winnipeg Dynamite.
“I can’t say with any certainty. I do know that Chris had a choice, and he wanted to be in AEW. He would be the best person to ask. But I know that I’ve been in communication with Chris. He told me he definitely wanted to be in AEW and very specifically in Winnipeg on that date. We’ve had that circled for a long time going back to last year.”
However near a WWE return was, Khan is glad The Nueve chose to stay in AEW after exploring free agency.
“It was a choice that Chris made, rather being in AEW than wrestling anywhere else, and I think that’s awesome. So I can’t say for sure Coach exactly what his mind was or what he was thinking but he definitely has been consistent that he loves AEW and that he wants to be here and I’m glad he chose to be in AEW and that’s a choice he made because he was a free agent.”
Chris Jericho Given More Favourable Deal By AEW
Since his return, it has been reported that Chris Jericho was offered a better deal by AEW than WWE. According to Fightful Select, Jericho did speak to WWE during his time away from AEW, but Tony Khan’s company ultimately offered the more favourable deal, which included more money, and he is expected to be with the promotion for the foreseeable future.
H/T to F4WOnline for the above transcription.
