Nothing in Chris Jericho’s life was a bigger risk for the wrestling veteran quite like leaving WWE for All Elite Wrestling.
Jericho joined AEW when the company launched in January 2019, ending his time with WWE which saw Y2J compete for Vince McMahon for close to two decades.
During an appearance on “The Allison Hagendorf Show, Jericho was asked about the biggest risk he’s ever taken. He said,
“Probably leaving WWE to go with AEW. We didn’t even have TV at the time. Just my boss, Tony Khan, had a lot of passion, and he had the money for it, and we had a roster of guys that I felt could do something. When I got involved, we were able to get on TBS and kind of went from there. So I just think it was one of those things where I thought, ‘I’ve done all I can do in WWE, and I can stay here, but I don’t want to just stay here. I don’t want to just be a guy. Let’s try and change history. Let’s make wrestling a better industry.’”
Jericho became the first AEW World Champion in 2019 and added the ROH World Championship to his vast trophy cabinet last year.
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Chris Jericho, a legendary figure in the world of professional wrestling, took a significant risk when he decided to leave WWE and join All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in January 2019. After nearly two decades of competing for Vince McMahon’s company, Jericho made the bold move to join a new and unestablished wrestling promotion.
In an interview on “The Allison Hagendorf Show,” Jericho was asked about the biggest risk he has ever taken. He responded by saying that leaving WWE for AEW was the most significant risk he had ever taken. At the time, AEW did not even have a television deal. However, Jericho believed in the passion and vision of his boss, Tony Khan, who had the financial resources to support the venture. Additionally, Jericho saw potential in the roster of talented wrestlers that AEW had assembled.
Jericho’s decision to join AEW paid off. The promotion eventually secured a television deal with TBS, providing them with a platform to showcase their product. Jericho became the first-ever AEW World Champion in 2019, solidifying his status as one of the top stars in the promotion. He also added the ROH World Championship to his impressive list of accomplishments in 2020.
By taking this risk and leaving WWE, Jericho aimed to change the landscape of professional wrestling. He wanted to make the industry better and create a viable alternative to WWE. His involvement with AEW has undoubtedly contributed to the growth and success of the promotion.
Throughout his career, Jericho has always been known for pushing boundaries and taking risks. Leaving WWE for AEW was just another example of his willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and pursue new opportunities.
As fans, we can appreciate Jericho’s bravery and willingness to challenge the status quo. His decision to join AEW has not only revitalized his own career but has also injected new life into the wrestling industry as a whole. It has shown that there is room for competition and alternative options for both wrestlers and fans.
In conclusion, Chris Jericho’s decision to leave WWE for All Elite Wrestling was a significant risk that has paid off in many ways. It has allowed him to continue his storied career and has contributed to the growth and success of AEW. Jericho’s willingness to take this risk has helped shape the wrestling industry and offers fans an exciting alternative to the established wrestling promotions.