Chris Jericho discusses decision to stay with AEW over WWE

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 29: Chris Jericho is seen on the set of "Dexter: Resurrection" in Brooklyn on April 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) A couple months ago, when he was asked about all the rumors surrounding his returning to WWE, Chris Jericho played coy. He said fans more or less ran with their own facts and he just let that play out to help create more intrigue. He would give up the goods at another time. He didn’t entire play it straight when asked by Beef Vegan about it in a recent interview but he came close enough to outright telling us why he stuck with AEW over heading back to New York: “You weigh all your options, but I have skin in the game with AEW. I helped create AEW, and I was never gone. I was just off TV for a while while we figured out some stuff. Basically, I ended one contract and went straight to the other one. I like Tony Khan as a boss. I like AEW as a company. I like the growth that we’ve had, and I helped start the company, so I always have, like I mentioned, skin in the game. WWE existed before I was there, and it’ll exist after I was there. Of course, AEW will exist after I was there too, but it didn’t exist before I was there. It was more exciting to be with the company that I helped create.” It doesn’t sound too much like he was ever all that close to a WWE return, but at least he’s got a decent enough reason why that may be the case. Even still, it’s hard to imagine he won’t go back eventually. He’ll surely end up in the WWE Hall of Fame someday, as he should. Satisfied with his answer here?