Chris Jericho believes AEW has reached a point where it no longer needs him at the center of the company’s top feuds.
Jericho has been one of AEW’s cornerstone talents since its launch and was the promotion’s inaugural World Champion. After an extended absence from television, he returned this year and opted to stay with Tony Khan’s company despite speculation about a possible return to WWE.
Speaking on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Jericho explained that four or five years ago, his presence at the top of the card was still necessary while AEW worked to establish new names for those spots.
“Even four or five years ago, I pretty much had to be in the main event or one of the main-event components because we were still building other main eventers.”
That landscape, Jericho said, has completely changed.
“Now we’re getting to the point where there’s so many guys that can solidly lead the charge that I can be opening match, middle match, semi-main event, main event, sometimes — whatever it is you want me to do.”
The veteran said his 36 years of experience allow Tony Khan to slot him into virtually any position on the card without diminishing his value.
“Because I have the experience of 36 years to know how to handle that, it still makes me valuable on the roster. Like, whatever you need, I’ll make it good.”
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1:00 AM · Aug 16, 2026 Read more on XThat shift is already playing out on television. On Wednesday, Jericho challenged Kevin Knight for the TNT Championship and lost after interference from Don Callis and a low blow by Knight.
Jericho revealed that he was the one who pitched working with Knight. The former world champion also named Ricochet, Tommaso Ciampa, Jack Perry, Mark Davis, Kyle Fletcher, The Rascalz, Hechicero, and Andrade among the talents he’d still like to work with.
The shift comes as Jericho acknowledges he’s nearing the end of his in-ring career, though he has not set a retirement date.