On an episode of his “Extreme Life” podcast, seasoned TNA player Matt Hardy shared his views on ROH World Champion Chris Jericho’s presence on AEW TV.
The key points from the discussion are outlined below:
Matt Hardy’s perspective on Chris Jericho opting out of AEW TV: “As a seasoned wrestler, I comprehend our roles as legacy talents and living legends. Chris and I are commonly compared in this aspect. Notably, several people in AEW believed that Jeff and I shouldn’t be present, let alone have featured roles. Our transition to TNA saw an increase in numbers and ticket sales at a rate not seen in over ten years. We weren’t the only contributors, but certainly played a part.”
“Looking back, Jericho’s ladder match with Mark Briscoe was epic… If the goal is to boost Ring of Honor, he definitely has the gravitas to do so. Besides, his match with Mark Briscoe certainly boosted the latter’s stature. Yet, some suggest that Jericho is past his prime for TV, which I completely disagree with. I believe he still has significant value.”
Regarding Jericho’s stardom: “Chris Jericho is a name familiar to many households. Casual fans, who care less about behind-the-scenes politics, simply seek entertainment. And Chris Jericho offers that.”
Thoughts on Bobby Lashley’s introduction to AEW: “It’s set to be fascinating for sure. A coalition comprising MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Sheldon Benjamin could be compelling. They have the potential to be the backbone of AEW programming, facilitating its growth… I’ve had numerous interactions with the aforementioned trio and appreciate them all. So, I’m eager to see how this plays out.”