Chris Jericho is once again in a prominent spot on AEW programming, just months after returning to television and signing a new multi-year deal with the company. Still, the veteran has acknowledged that his lengthy in-ring career is winding down.
Speaking on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Jericho discussed his current role in the promotion and stressed that at this stage of his career, he wants to work with as many different opponents as possible.
“I’m a company guy through and through. Contrary to some popular beliefs, I do whatever the boss asks me to do. Obviously, at this stage of the game, where I’m nearing the end of the road at some point, I want to work with as many people that I haven’t worked with.
If you have a live match with somebody on TV, it has to be the best that it can be with all the bells and whistles, because you might not get another chance to work with them. And if you don’t have a good one, it could hurt their perception. It’s not going to hurt me because I’ve been around long enough where you almost get kind of bulletproof. Win, lose, draw, whatever.”
Drainmaker @TheDrainmaker Follow “I’m a company guy through and through. Contrary to some popular beliefs, I do whatever the boss asks me to do. Obviously, at this stage of the game, where I’m nearing the end of the road at some point, I want to work… Show more
5:34 AM · Aug 15, 2026The comments come just days after Jericho challenged Kevin Knight for the TNT Championship on the December 8 AEW Dynamite. The first AEW World Champion came up short following interference from Don Callis, with Knight retaining the title.
One week earlier, at Grand Slam Mexico, Jericho teamed with Darby Allin and Místico to defeat Knight, Kazuchika Okada, and Hechicero. It was a Judas Effect from Jericho on Knight that set up the finish and ultimately led to their title match.
While Jericho has acknowledged that the end is approaching, he hasn’t put a timetable on his retirement. As recently as June, he stated he had no plans to slow down, though he conceded he doesn’t intend to wrestle forever.
His new AEW deal also signals that, at least for now, his final chapters in pro wrestling are set to play out in the promotion he helped launch in 2019.